If you experience tinnitus as a result of wax buildup in the ears, bacterial or viral infection, or heightened stress, medicinal plants such as wood betony, also known as stachys officinalis, can be of great use. Tinnitus is often a symptom of some other problem, such as hypertension, tumors, anemia or drug use, so if symptoms persist, call your doctor. Herbal medicine is not intended to be a replacement for medical care, and you should always check with your doctor before combining herbs with medications.
Inflammation
Wood betony has been used alongside other medicinal plants for conditions in which allergies, inflammation and swelling are a problem. If you have been diagnosed with an infection or have an allergy that is triggering symptoms of tinnitus, herbal anti-inflammatories might be helpful in taking down swelling and pain inside the ears. According to David Hoffman, author of "Medical Herbalism," wood betony is a rich source of betonicine, an anti-inflammatory alkaloid also found in white horehound and yarrow. Wood betony also contains essential oils and antioxidants that may have a beneficial effect on the ears and mucous membranes.
Antibacterial
Wood betony is an antimicrobial plant specifically useful when there is a bacterial infection. In a study published in "The Flavour and Fragrance Journal" in 2004, researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens in the United Kingdom investigated a range of plants from the Stachys family. Of all the plants studied, wood betony was found to have the strongest antibacterial properties. Researchers attributed the significant antibacterial activity of wood betony to its essential oils -- in particular, its oil-based chemicals called monoterpene hydrocarbons. When tinnitus is associated with infection, wood betony may help clear bacteria and support healing and recovery. Consult a doctor before combining wood betony with prescribed antibiotics.
Excess Wax
When symptoms of tinnitus are present with an excess of wax or mucous in the ears, wood betony may have a significant drying effect on to help reduce wax and mucous production when taken internally. The leaves and flowers of wood betony are composed of 15 percent tannins, plant chemicals with an astringent, antimicrobial and drying action on body tissues. According to Drug Information Online, wood betony has been used traditionally to treat diarrhea, catarrh and sore throats because of its high level of tannins. Wood betony can be taken internally in the form of a tea, decoction or tincture. Ask your doctor before beginning use, especially if you take other medicines or have health problems.
Nervous System
Wood betony has a long history of use as a tonic to the nervous system. According to Gillian Painter, author of "Materia Medica for the Southern Hemisphere," wood betony is one of the few plants with a restorative effect on the nerves and nervous system. While clinical research has not confirmed use of wood betony as a nervine tonic and sedative, it is used for all matters of the nervous system and brain, including nerve damage, headaches, hysteria, vertigo, tinnitus, anxiety and insomnia. Its actions may be due to the presence of plant alkaloids such as stachydrine, betonicidine and trigonelline.
Safety and Toxicity
Wood betony is considered generally safe and well tolerated by the majority of the population, though it is discouraged for use during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Due to the high level of tannins in wood betony, it is best taken apart from meals, because tannins reduce absorption of some nutrients such as iron. While there are no known drug interactions with wood betony, you should always consult your doctor before combining herbal medicines with prescribed medications.
References
- "eMedicineHealth"; Tinnitus; John P. Cunha, D.O.
- "Fitoterapia"; Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Activities of Some Medicinal Plants From the Lamiaceae.; A. Matkowski, et al.; 2006
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffman; 2003
- "Flavour and Fragrance Journal"; Composition and Antibacterial Activity of the Essential Oil of Six Stachys Species From Serbia; Slavica Grujic-Jovanovic, et al.; 2004
- "Drug Information Online": Wood Betony
- "Materia Medica for the Southern Hemisphere"; Gillian Painter; 1998
