== Causes and Symptoms ==* Wax buildup : Many people suffering from tinnitus may experience hearing loss because of wax buildup in the ears. The American Tinnitus Association suggests visiting an audiologist to have your ears checked and the condition assessed before taking more aggressive measures. When excess ear wax is removed, some hearing may be regained reducing the interference and noise from the tinnitus.* Loud noises : Avoid exposure to loud noises and music to protect ears. Loud noises can cause additional damage to the ear, and be extremely painful to those with existing tinnitus.* It should be noted that taking high doses of aspirin could be a contributing factor to tinnitus. Consequently, herbs with aspirin-like properties, such as willow bark, wintergreen and meadowsweet, should be avoided.
== Home remedies ==
*Use anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric, ginger, dandelion, oregano and garlic : These anti-inflammatory herbs are natural cures that are readily available in our homes or in the market. These can be applied in different ways. You can use garlic extract boiled in mustard oil and apply it unto both ears when cooled down. You may use one or two drops for each ear. It gives great benefit since garlic is known to dissolve clots. When the primary cause of tinnitus is injury, a teaspoon of turmeric powder can be taken orally with milk because its healing power has been proven over the years.
*Avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, sugar and salt : Foods high in saturated fats and trans-fats are not recommended for anyone, especially those who are treating tinnitus. Saturated fats increase bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, often leading to a condition called atherosclerosis which is a risk factor in heart disease but at the same time significantly reduces blood flow, a main factor for the development of tinnitus. Excess salt also has the same effect. It restricts the blood vessels, increase blood pressure and reduces blood flow to the eyes, ears and brain.
*Use [[Ginkgo Biloba]] : Ginkgo Biloba has a wide pharmacological profile which includes metabolic, anti-ischemic, radical scavenging, anti-edema, and anti-hypoxic actions. The main cause of tinnitus is the drop of blood supply in the ear, and if the pharmacological action of ginkgo biloba is to be observed, it could lead to a clinical efficiency for this condition. A study where 10-member French ENT expert team performed a test on 103 tinnitus patients revealed positive results in favor of ginkgo biloba. The patients were given a daily dosage of 4 ml of ginkgo biloba for three months and results showed that the group who took ginkgo biloba had faster recovery from symptoms.
* Use supplements such as pycnogenol, resveratrol, and grape seed extract : Along with the above-mentioned remedies, one can also resort to taking supplements like pycnogenol, resveratrol and grape seed extract. These supplements contain anti-oxidants that limit the damage of free radicals and inflammation. These anti-oxidants enhance blood flow to all parts of the body, including the ears. A study conducted by Chieti-Pescara University in Italy proves that pycnogenol has the ability to improve vascular function and restore cochlear blood perfusion, which can lead to the relief of tinnitus symptoms. Grape seed extracts and resveratrol can also help in tinnitus since resveratrol supplements reduce the risk of blood clotting and inflammation, factors that can lead to the development of tinnitus.
* Thiamine : this vitamin B has been noted to help relieve tinnitus via a stabilization of the nervous system, especially in the inner ear .
*Caffeine : Caffeine may reduce the flow of blood to the head, neck and ears constricting capillaries and other small blood vessels. This can, in turn, aggravate your tinnitus symptoms.
*Salt : High salt intake can raise blood pressure, causing tinnitus and hypertension. If you are susceptible to the effects of sodium, reducing your salt intake is an important step in helping to lower your blood pressure and possibly reduce the intensity of the ringing in your ears.
* [[Zinc]] : Tinnitus is also linked to a deficiency in zinc. Zinc supplementation could thus be useful, as could the consumption of zinc-rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, pecans and oysters.
* [[Magnesium]] : Magnesium could help relieve the symptoms of tinnitus sufferers. Dr Seidman recommended supplementing with 400 mg per day.
* [[Goldenseal]] : In his book The Herbal Handbook, David Hoffmann, a British herbalist, wrote that goldenseal could be helpful for some cases of tinnitus.
* [[Sesame Seeds]] : Some Chinese herbalists recommend the use of sesame seeds for treating tinnitus. You could add these seeds to the foods you consume or use tahini, the bread spread made from sesame seeds.
*[[Ginkgo Biloba]] : While some proponents claim that ginkgo can help treat tinnitus by improving the health of blood vessels, there is very little scientific support for this claim. Ginkgo Biloba has a wide pharmacological profile which includes metabolic, anti-ischemic, radical scavenging, anti-edema, and anti-hypoxic actions. The main cause of tinnitus is the drop of blood supply in the ear, and if the pharmacological action of ginkgo biloba is to be observed, it could lead to a clinical efficiency for this condition.
* Dietary [[Taurine]] supplementation eliminated tinnitus (constant ringing in the ears) in rats. Higher amounts (4 mg/mL vs 1 mg/mL) and frequencies of taurine supplementation yielded better results. The GABA like calming action of taurine in the brain auditory circuits may be responsible for this improvement.
== Warnings ==
Since tinnitus may signal an underlying health problem (including high blood pressure, tumors, allergies, or cardiovascular disorders), it's important to consult your doctor as soon as possible if you're experiencing tinnitus symptoms. Avoiding or delaying doctor-prescribed treatment and using ginkgo to relieve your symptoms may have serious health consequences.
== References ==