Vitamins & Herbs That Cure Tinnitus

Tinnitus involves phantom noises such as ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, whistling and hissing when no external noise is present. The noise ranges from low to high and it may be present in one ear or both. It is not a sickness, but often an indication of underlying conditions, such as age-related hearing loss, ear injury or a circulatory system disorder. Although it is not life-threatening, it can be annoying and sometimes, it can interfere with the ability to hear or concentrate.

Underlying Causes

• Many factors can cause tinnitus such as blows to the head, large doses of certain drugs, anemia, hypertension, kidney function, loud noise exposure, prolonged stress, diet, allergies, impacted ear wax or certain types of tumor. However, in many cases of tinnitus, the cause remains a mystery and therefore medical or surgical treatment cannot be used. Alternative treatment such as vitamin and herb therapy can be used to manage tinnitus.

Vitamin Therapy

• According to mothernature.com, vitamin B12 sheathes ear nerves and help them to conduct electrical impulses normally. Researchers from the Institute for Noise Hazards Research and Evoked Potentials Laboratory at Chaim-Sheba Medical Center in Israel found that when tinnitus patients were given 1,000 micrograms of vitamin B12 for four to six months, 54 percent of them reported an improvement in their tinnitus. Joseph Attias explains, “Vitamin B12 deficiency is somehow associated with chronic tinnitus.” Eat meat, dairy products and eggs to obtain vitamin B12. If you have a deficiency, it is safe to take 1,000 micrograms.

  Niacin has been used to treat tinnitus with variable success. According to emedicine.medscape.com, niacin provides smooth muscle relaxation and increase blood flow to the tiny blood vessels in the inner ear. However, patients may experience a blush when taking niacin. Patients often report that tinnitus severity decreases with niacin intake. Niacin-rich foods include lean red meat, fish, organ meats, shrimp, dairy products, nuts, seeds, beans, wheat products and green leafy vegetables. If you prefer supplements, bixby.org recommends 50 mg of niacin twice a day for tinnitus patients.

  If you have tinnitus due to impaired blood flow to the ears, Dr. Susan Seidel, otologist at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center (mothernature.com) suggests using antioxidants nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Antioxidants help to prevent oxygen-caused damage to cell membrances, keeping arteries free from plaque build-up. She suggests eating a mixture of antioxidants daily. Colorful fruits and vegetables are also rich in antioxidants.

Taking Herbs

• Taking herbs is another viable option for tinnitus patients. According to umm.com, some patients found gingko biloba helpful even though scientific evidence is inconclusive. Gingko biloba’s extracts: bioflavonoids and terpene lactones increase blood flow to the brain and small blood vessels in the ear. In addition, gingko biloba contains powerful antioxidants. However, gingko biloba may induce bleeding, so always consult your physician before using it.

  Another herb commonly used to address tinnitus is melatonin. According to lef.org, patients who have sleeping difficulty due to tinnitus showed overall improvements when given 3 mg of melatonin nightly.