Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, can be an annoying problem. It can develop with age, or it can indicate an underlying condition, such as poor circulation, ear damage or a serious disease. Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, herbs may help relieve the buzzing and ringing, but check with your doctor before using herbal remedies to evaluate the underlying cause of the problem.
Herbal Actions
In TCM, ear problems are linked to the health of other organs, like the kidneys and spleen. TCM herbs for ringing in the ears can work in different ways. Circulatory herbs may increase oxygen and blood circulation in the brain. Antioxidant herbs fight free radicals that may contribute to cell damage. Check with a health care provider for instructions about using and preparing herbs for ear ringing problems.
Chinese Peashrub
Chinese peashrub, or Caragana sinica, is a small tree in the Pea family, native to Asia and eastern Europe. TCM practitioners call it jinquegen, and use the roots and blossoms to treat tinnitus, muscle injuries, poor eyesight, rheumatism, hypertension and fatigue. Peashrub is a potent antioxidant that acts to expel heat from the lungs, enhance spleen function and promote blood circulation. A study published in the May 2009 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" notes that peashrub is rich in flavonoids and stilbenoids, and suggests making a tea or stewing the flowers with bamboo shoots, chicken or pork to make a medicinal diet for treating tinnitus. Do not combine this herb with medicine for hypotension.
Wolfberry
Wolfberry, or Lycium barbarum, is known as gouqizi in TCM and is associated with the liver and kidney meridians. Healers use the red berries, leaves and bark to treat fatigue, poor eyesight, impotence, dizziness and tinnitus. In her 2009 book, "The Holistic Herbal Directory," herbal consultant Penelope Ody states that wolfberry is a remedy for kidney Qi deficiency, which is linked to tinnitus. Active ingredients include polysaccharides and phenolic amides, and the plant has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective actions. Do not combine this herb with anticoagulant medicine.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo, or Ginkgo biloba, has a long history of use as a circulatory stimulant. Ginkgo is known as yin xing in TCM, and practitioners use the leaves as a remedy for cerebrovascular insufficiency, dementia, dizziness and tinnitus. Ginkgo leaves are rich in flavonoids and have potent antioxidant action. A study published in the May 2011 issue of "Pharmaceutical Biology" found that ginkgo contains several tannins with free radical scavenging actions. Free radicals are responsible for cell damage and many age-related disorders, such as tinnitus. Ginkgo inhibits free radical damage to blood vessels and promotes blood flow to your brain. Do not use ginkgo with anticoagulant medicines.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Caragana used in traditional Chinese medicine; Qiuxia Meng, et al.; May 2009
- "The Holistic Herbal Directory"; Penelope Ody; 2009
- "Pharmaceutical Biology"; Proanthocyanidins from Ginkgo biloba leaf extract and their radical scavenging activity; F. Qa'dan, et al.; May 2011
