Tinnitus or buzzing in the ears is a very annoying and sometimes painful ear problem that can be caused by a tumor, diabetes, head or neck injuries, low or high blood pressure, allergies or illnesses. A person can also get tinnitus if they take special medications that use sedatives, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin, or antibiotics. It is estimated that 10-15% of people in the United States (approximately 50 million people) are diagnosed with this ear problem. In addition to reliving tinnitus with hearing aids, certain herbs have proven useful in curing the ear problem. Here are some famous herbs known as tinnitus remedies:
- Sesame
These small seeds are especially used by the Chinese to treat vision problems, dizziness and tinnitus. Indians also use the seeds for Ayurvedic treatments. For the remedy, just consume sesame by adding it to your food. Sesame can also be eaten in the form of tahini (a spread made from sesame, similar to peanut butter) and halva (sesame candy).
- Gingko Biloba
Consuming 120 mg of Ginkgo biloba daily can relieve the symptoms of tinnitus. Each 120 mg of the herb contains 6% terpene lactones and 24% flavone glycosides. To treat tinnitus with ginkgo biloba, a person suffering from tinnitus should take 40 mg of dried gingko or 120 mg of liquid gingko extract per day. The effects of Gingko Biloba are not immediate. Often you have to wait weeks or even months to achieve the desired result.
- Spinach and other zinc-rich foods
Tinnitus and sensorineural (some types of hearing loss) are often caused by zinc deficiency. Eating spinach or other zinc-containing foods can help alleviate tinnitus. Although spinach is the best source of zinc, you can modify the remedy by consuming other zinc-rich foods like cucumber, green beans, papaya, cow peas, plums, asparagus, and coleslaw. and Brussels sprouts.
- Black cohosh
Black cohosh for the relief of tinnitus can be taken as a decoction (2-3 times a day), 3 ml tincture or 2 capsules of crushed black cohosh roots. For best results, many herbalists suggest combining black cohosh with gingko biloba.
- Small Evergreen (Vinca Minor)
Small evergreen contains vincamine, which was used in Germany to reduce Ménière syndrome and tinnitus. A person with tinnitus should take 20 mg of dry periwinkle per day for their medication. Since a small periwinkle can cause an extreme drop in blood pressure if used improperly, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before use and remain under professional supervision while taking medication.