Ayurveda / Ayurvedic Herbs — Indian (Asian) Medicine and Tinnitus

Ayurvedic Herbs to Alleviate Tinnitus


Tinnitus--a ringing or buzzing in the ears--is a symptom of hearing loss, ear damage or a circulatory problem. Indian Ayurvedic medicine views tinnitus as a disturbance of vata energy, which is located in the head and regulates the nervous system, including brain function and breath inhalation. As a vata disorder, tinnitus can be complicated by anxiety, insomnia and fear, so Ayurvedic treatments might also include herbs to balance vata and restore mental harmony. Consult an herbalist, Ayurvedic specialist or other health care professional before starting herbal treatment.

Sweet Flag
Sweet flag, or Acorus calamus, is a wetland plant with aromatic leaves native to India, where it is known as vacha. The active ingredient is an essential oil containing potent terpenoids. Traditionally, the plant is associated with vata energy and believed to strengthen the nervous system. It is used to improve memory and treat various mental disorders, such as epilepsy. As an Ayurvedic remedy for tinnitus, sweet flag root extract combined with sesame oil is applied nasally because the nose provides a direct path to the brain and central nervous system. In an article published in the Protocol Journal for Botanical Medicine, Alakananda Devi, director of Alandi Ayurvedic Clinic, recommends this treatment, known as vacha oil nasya, because it avoids gastrointestinal side effects that can occur if sweet flag is consumed orally. Scientific studies are needed to test and confirm the traditional use of sweet flag for tinnitus.

Sarasvati Churna
Sarasvati churna is an Ayurvedic formula for tinnitus that contains ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera; sweet flag, or Acorus calamus; butterfly pea, or Clitoria ternatea; caraway, or Trachyspermum ammi; cumin, or Cuminum cyminum; beleric, or Terminalia belerica; and heartleaf moonseed, or Tinospora cordifolia. Together, these herbs have a range of actions related to vata energy. Ashwagandha root has a long history of use as a respiratory stimulant, memory enhancer and nervous system tonic, according to M. Daniel in his 2006 book, "Medicinal Plants: Chemistry and Properties." Butterfly pea improves memory and learning ability in test animals, according to a study by K. S. Rai, et al, published in the December 2002 issue of Fitoterapia. Caraway and cumin soothe the digestive system, beleric is a rejuvenating herb, and heartleaf moonseed aids memory, according to Daniel, and boosts the immune system, according to a study by S. S. Singh, et al, published in the 2003 issue of the Indian Journal of Pharmacology. Devi recommends sarasvati churna for tinnitus patients, except during pregnancy or if patients have ulcers or other bleeding disorders. Scientific studies are needed to test the formula and validate its traditional use for tinnitus.

Sesame
Sesame, or Sesamum indicum, is an annual plant native to India, but is cultivated throughout the world for its seed oil. The oil contains proteins, mucilage, phenols and fatty acids, and has laxative and demulcent properties. Ayurvedic medicine views sesame seeds and oil as specifically useful for vata-related disorders. Holistic-online recommends eating the seeds to treat tinnitus or rubbing the warm oil behind the ear. Devi recommends the warm oil as a foot and scalp massage, and using it as the base oil for the sweet flag nasal treatment. She also says that sesame oil ear drops calm vata in the ears. Studies are needed to confirm these traditional uses of sesame for tinnitus.​

Tinnitus--a ringing or buzzing in the ears--is a symptom of hearing loss, ear damage or a circulatory problem. Indian Ayurvedic medicine views tinnitus as a disturbance of vata energy, which is located in the head and regulates the nervous system, including brain function and breath inhalation. As a vata disorder, tinnitus can be complicated by anxiety, insomnia and fear, so Ayurvedic treatments might also include herbs to balance vata and restore mental harmony. Consult an herbalist, Ayurvedic specialist or other health care professional before starting herbal treatment.

 

From yesterday I have started Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) powder and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) powder for tinnitus. I intend to use this combo for 12 weeks, I will post back if I find any reduction/improvements. Hoping and praying for the best.

If there is no further post, please assume that it was of no use

 

Ayurveda is the Ancient system of Indian medicine. When I first experienced tinnitus about five years ago, my condition was catastrophic. I was unable to function had to go on disability and also had extreme hyperacusis.

I think some of the AyurVedic treatments did help although as we all know it's really hard to determine what is most helpful.

This approach to medicine is based on balancing the body so there's a healthy equilibrium. In the system there are three doshas or primary humors. much as Chinese medicine refers to yin and Yang, Ayurveda refers to Vata which translates as air/ether seen in the body as movement including the firing of neurons, Pitta which means fire and water or metabolism, and Kapha which is earth and water.

Tinnitus is largely due to vata derangement. Prana (chi) vayu refers to a subcategory of vata that is pushing upwards in the body to the head.

So in simple terms Ayurvedic treatments for tinnitus mainly focus on balancing vata. Note: pitta can also be involved.

Diet is important as well as many other factors. A vata pacifying diet is important. Dr Lad's book on Ayurvedic home remedies is a very good place to learn more.

Here is a link that offers a pretty good overview of how to apply Ayurveda to tinnitus.

https://saiayurvediccollege.com/ayurvedic-management-of-tinnitus/#comment-275413

 

Not putting anything in my ear but will try pineapple and almonds. Will keep you updated.

 

For anybody with an interest in Ayurvedic Medicine, THIS LINK will take you to an article by Alakananda Devi (above) entitled, "Tinnitus". Here's the gist (first of two pages):

Tinnitus by Alakananda Devi, M.B., B.S. (Lond.)

According to Ayurveda, tinnitus in not a disease but a symptom of prana vayu disturbance. Prana vayu is a subdosha of vata which resides in the head and governs all higher cerebral functions, including swallowing and the inspiratory phase of respiration. If tinnitus goes untreated, other symptoms of prana vayu disturbance may follow, including anxiety, fear, nervousness, sleep disorder, tics, tremors, and stuttering. There may be other symptoms of vata disturbance in the ear, specifically dried ear wax, pain, and deafness.

Treatment
Nasya Vacha
(Acorus calamus) oil nasya, has a powerful effect in calming and balancing the prana vayu. To obtain the maximum effect at the head (the seat of prana vayu), and to circumvent any side effects of hyperacidity or nausea which occasionally occur when vacha is ingested, vacha is used in this case as a nasal medication. A preparation of sesame oil medicated with calamus root is taken nasally, five drops per nostril, at night and in the morning. The nasya should be warmed to blood heat before administration.

Massage
Foot massage, wherein the soles of the feet are massaged with warm sesame oil, has a specific effect in calming the prana vayu. At bedtime, warm sesame oil should be applied to the soles of the feet and also to the scalp. This treatment rapidly normalizes the prana vayu.

Eardrops
To calm the vata in the ears, ten drops of warm sesame oil is applied daily to each ear. The oil is allowed to remain in the first ear for five or ten minutes, then that ear is cleaned, and the same procedure is followed with the other ear, with the patient lying on the other side. Typically, this treatment should alleviate tinnitus, and most other symptoms of prana vayu disturbance, within eight to ten days.

Botanicals
Oral administration of sarasvati churna can be given in doses of a quarter teaspoon twice daily after meals. Since it contains vacha, sarasvati churna should not be used in pregnancy, bleeding disorder or peptic ulcer. Lifestyle Changes Consumption of caffeine, nicotine, or cocaine can disturb the prana vayu leading to tinnitus, as can excess television watching, excess use of computers, or sleeping near an electrical outlet. Lifestyle adjustments are thus an essential part of the effective treatment of tinnitus.​

 

I've been taking Ashwagandha for months now, but will be adding bacopa monnieri early next week. Will report back with any significant findings.

 

I thought the following was a very good (and thorough) article. It references many tinnitus-associated issues that are often mentioned on this board, such as anxiety, sleep problems, etc. It also recommends a number of treatments, many of which are also often mentioned on this board. The following two stood out to me. But the article is much more comprehensive, and gives some good overviews and insights for anybody who has an interest in Ayurvedic Medicine.

Ayurvedic Management of Tinnitus

Here's a brief snippet from the article... -- "Ashwagandha herbal preparations can be used to great effect. The simplest way is to take 1 to 2 tablets (250mg to 350mg) of Aswagandha along with 1 cup of warm milk at bedtime along with a little sugar and cardamom powder mixed, so that resulting sound sleep will reduce vata dosha. Aswagandha phytochemical constituents increase serotonin, a sleep inducing hormone."

Some interesting snippets on the use of sesame oil... -- "• Nasya: Vacha (Acorus calamus) oil nasya, has a powerful effect in calming and balancing the Prana vayu. A preparation of sesame oil medicated with calamus root is taken nasally, five drops per nostril, at night and in the morning. The nasya should be warmed to blood heat before administration. Nasya helps to nourish the senses to eliminate excess vata from senses.

• Abhyanga: (Massage) Shiroabhyanga(head massage) and padabhyanga(foot massage), wherein the soles of the feet are massaged with warm sesame oil, has a specific effect in calming the prana vayu. At bedtime, warm sesame oil should be applied to the soles of the feet and also to the scalp. This treatment rapidly normalizes the prana vayu.

• Karnapooran: (Ear drops) to calm the vata in the ears, ten drops of warm sesame oil is applied daily to each ear. The oil is allowed to remain in the first ear for five or ten minutes, then that ear is cleaned, and the same procedure is followed with the other ear, with the client lying on the other side. Typically, this treatment should alleviate tinnitus, and most other symptoms of prana vayu disturbance, within eight to ten days. Bilwadi tail, Apamargkshar tail, Dashmool tail can be used for Karnpooran.

 

Maybe I will print out the article and bring it to a place that does ayurveda and see if it works or not. Maybe just get a good long massage...

 

I've been dealing with a spike for the past year and I reviewed my Ayurvedic toolbox about a month ago. Karna Purana, oil drops in the ear, is one of two changes I've made; the other is taking Ashwagandha. Since I started doing Karna Purana every evening before bed and adding Ashwagandha to my Ayurvedic formula (that I take far less than the 3 times per day that would be the usual approach), my tinnitus has on most days reduced from pretty severe to moderate. I did find one study that evaluated two different treatment protocols.

• Group A got Karna Purana using Bilva Taila (oil) and ingesting Ashwagandha mixed into ghee (clarified butter).
• Group B got Karna Purana using Bilva Taila (oil) and ingesting plain ghee.

Both groups showed improvement of varying degrees.

Karna Purana is the Sanskrit term for the Ayurvedic practice of adding drops of warm oil into the ear canals. It calms vata brought on by cold and windy weather, overstimulation, and travel. According to Auyurveda, vata dosha, out of balance, can provoke anxiety, insomnia, and tinnitus among other ailments. Dr. Lad defines vata as follows:

There are quite a few organic oils that are suitable to use for Karna Purana: sesame, or according to Dr. Lad, garlic oil made with sesame oil (although it is pretty pungent smelling). I have been using a product made from refined sesame oil, Sunflower oil, Brahmi, and Calamus.

But, I think the key element here is using any suitable oil.

I am theorizing it works as follows. The oil reaches the vagus nerve located in the posterior of the ear canal, and soothes it. The vagus nerve helps regulate the parasympathetic nervous system, i.e., the part of the autonomic nervous system that reduces fight or flight.

Has anyone else tried the practice of Karna Purana for tinnitus and/or hyperacusis and what have been the results?

 

I'll certainly try Ashwagandha. I had success in the past with it for sleep/anxiety. There are many different varieties on Amazon, I just need to see which is most suitable (Shoden, Sensoril, KSM66 etc). I think herbs can have their place in our battle against our ear woes. I recently trialed taking L-Theanine 400 mg and that has helped with my anxious perception and panic around my tinnitus and hyperacusis.

 

Let me know how it goes. A good Ayurvedic practitioner can prescribe an herbal formula that includes any number of herbs depending upon the person's symptoms, often a mixture of 10 or so herbs. Ashwagandha has properties that may be particularly useful.

I haven't used L-Theanine, but I'll keep it in mind.

Back when I first developed really intense tinnitus and hyperacusis, I experienced panic attacks. This was the first and only time in my life this happened. I found that abhyanga (oil massage with vata oil) and Ayurvedic herbs were helpful, at the very least in terms of reducing anxiety. Thankfully, the panic attacks subsided, never to return. The hyperacusis also disappeared within a number of months.

I still do at least a partial abhyanga a few times a week, sometimes just the scalp, mastoid process, face, shoulders, and butt.

 

Great to hear that your hyperacusis has subsided. My panic attacks are plentiful since onset. Still haven't found a way to kick them or the hyperacusis yet. But I'm hopeful for 2024.

 

Sorry to hear about the panic attacks. Those are tough.

Some of the things I have done that might be useful to you are a vata-pacifying diet, massage with vata or sesame oil, hot baths with epsom salts, alternate nostril or just calm breathing, warm milk with spices such as nutmeg, turmeric and turmeric before bed.

I used to take walks through the woods if I felt a panic attack coming on but the weather was warmer.

Good luck.