Herbs That Can Help Relieve Tinnitus
Tinnitus is a condition in which noise that originated in the ear or in the head rather than from the external environment is perceived. A person who has this condition hears a ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, whistling, hissing, or squealing. Normally, tinnitus does not pose as a dangerous or serious difficulty but may also be an indication of an underlying illness like blood-vessel disorders or an inner-ear disorder called Meniere’s disease. Tinnitus is commonly caused by age-related loss of hearing, exposure to deafening noises, and obstruction of earwax in the ear. This condition is at best a bothersome nuisance to most people who have it. At worst it can ruin the quality of a person’s life.People look for treatment, and it’s not surprising that part of that search is to look for herbs that relieve tinnitus.
Although anyone can acquire it, some are more likely to be bothered than others. Most at risk are white males aged 65 above.
There are two kinds of Tinnitus: Objective and Subjective. In Objective Tinnitus, a doctor may hear the noise in an assessment. On the other hand, Subjective Tinnitus only the affected person can hear the sound. In order to cure Tinnitus, the underlying disease (if there is) is the one to be treated. If there is no underlying condition, treatment is more problamatic. Here are some herbal remedies to consider.
Ginkgo Biloba is found to be helpful in reducing the difficulty caused by Tinnitus. Many studies have proven ginkgo biloba standardized extracts to cure tinnitus. The standardized extracts can improve blood circulation and has no side effects. Forty milligrams (mg) of dried ginkgo biloba or 120 mg of concentrated, standardized extracts should be taken every day. The herb may take effect gradually in weeks or months.
A plant that also improves blood circulation is the mistletoe herb. Three cups of cold water and three tsp. of the herb should be mixed. The mixture should be left still overnight. In the next morning, the mixture should be strained and warmed up. Three cups of it, unsweetened, should be drunk daily.
Another herb is sesame seeds. Chinese herbalists have been using sesame seeds as cure for Tinnitus.
Black cohosh, a plant native to USA, is used as a dietary supplement and also a solution. Three ml of its decoction should be taken. The plant’s root can also be used by pulverizing and taking two capsules of it. Black cohosh, combined with ginkgo biloba gives finest results according to many herbalists.
Goldenseal is also helpful as an herbal medicine for Tinnitus but pregnant women are not advised to take a dose of it. Herbalists also advise the combination of black cohosh and goldenseal with a 1:1 ratio.
Spinach and other foods that contain zinc can decrease the condition because zinc deficiency is one of the causes of tinnitus. Examples zinc-containing foods are: papaya, collards, cucumbers, string beans and cowpeas.
Another herb, the Lesser Periwinkle is known to help diminish Meniere’s disease as it contains a compound called vincamine. Twenty mg of dried leaves of lesser periwinkle should be taken three times daily. Overdosage of the herb is reported to cause serious side effects such as acute drop in blood pressure. The use of this herb should be supervised by a professional.
Finally, eating sunflower seeds and drinking brewed tea from the hulls, according to an old Chinese remedy, can lessen tinnitus.