Indian Ayurvedic Medicine for Tinnitus (Ringing of Ears)That Works

In Ayurveda, tinnitus is referred to as “Karnanada,” meaning “sound in the ear.” It is considered a symptom of an imbalance primarily in the Vata dosha, which governs movement and the nervous system. Vata imbalance can lead to erratic nerve impulses and disturbed sensory perception, resulting in ringing or buzzing sensations in the ears.Ayurveda views health as a state of balance between the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. When this balance is disrupted by poor diet, stress, lifestyle habits, or environmental factors, it can manifest as various disorders, including tinnitus.

Tinnitus in Ayurveda is often linked to issues such as weakened digestion (Agni), accumulation of toxins (Ama), and improper circulation of vital energies (Prana). Treatment focuses not only on symptom relief but also on restoring systemic balance through detoxification (Panchakarma), herbal remedies, dietary changes, lifestyle correction, and therapies like Nasya and Shirodhara to calm the mind and nervous system.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the experience of hearing sounds like ringing, buzzing, or sizzling without an external cause. It can affect one or both ears, and may be constant or intermittent. Common causes include ear infections, hearing loss, earwax buildup, exposure to loud noise, circulatory issues, diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, and blood pressure abnormalities.

Though the exact cause is often difficult to pinpoint, tinnitus can significantly impair daily activities such as hearing, working, concentrating, and sleeping. The condition’s complexity and limited modern treatment options have increased interest in holistic, natural remedies.

Ayurvedic Diagnosis and Treatment Approach

1. Personalized Treatment Based on Prakriti:

Ayurveda begins with identifying an individual’s unique Prakriti or body constitution (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). Treatment for tinnitus is customized accordingly, ensuring therapies suit the person’s physical, mental, and emotional makeup for maximum effectiveness.

2. Balancing the Vata Dosha:

Since tinnitus is primarily linked to an imbalance of the Vata dosha, calming and stabilizing Vata is central to treatment. Vata governs nervous system function and sensory perception, so reducing its aggravation helps alleviate tinnitus symptoms.

3. Holistic Assessment:

Ayurvedic practitioners perform a thorough evaluation, including lifestyle, diet, stress levels, digestive health, and emotional well-being to identify contributing factors that disturb dosha balance and aggravate tinnitus.

4. Panchakarma Detoxification Therapies:
Panchakarma, the five-fold detox regimen, is employed to cleanse the body of accumulated Ama (toxins) that block bodily channels and disrupt nerve function. Detox helps restore systemic balance and improves overall health.

5. Specific Therapies for Tinnitus:

• Nasya: Administration of medicated oils or herbal drops through the nasal passages to clear sinuses, ear canals, and balance doshas in the head region.
• Karna Purana: Therapeutic pouring of warm medicated oils into the ears to soothe auditory nerves, reduce inflammation, and improve ear health.
• Shirodhara: Continuous, gentle pouring of warm herbal oil on the forehead to calm the nervous system, relieve stress, and balance Vata.

6. Dietary and Lifestyle Modifications:

A Vata-pacifying diet (warm, nourishing, grounding foods) and lifestyle changes (regular sleep, stress management, gentle exercise) are recommended to maintain dosha balance and support treatment results.

Ayurvedic Herbs for Tinnitus with Dosage and Preparation

1. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri):

• Dosage: 300-500 mg of Brahmi extract daily or 1-2 teaspoons of Brahmi powder with warm water or milk.
• Preparation: Brahmi powder can be taken with warm water or mixed into herbal teas. Brahmi oil is also used externally for head massages to calm the nervous system.

2. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera):

• Dosage: 300-600 mg of standardized Ashwagandha extract twice daily or 1 teaspoon of Ashwagandha powder with warm milk before bedtime.
• Preparation: Ashwagandha powder is often mixed with warm milk and honey to improve absorption and soothing effects.

3. Ginkgo Biloba:

• Dosage: 120-240 mg of standardized Ginkgo Biloba extract daily, usually divided into two doses.
• Preparation: Available as capsules or tablets; should be taken with meals to enhance absorption.

4. Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis):

• Dosage: 1-2 grams of powder twice daily or 5-10 ml of decoction.
• Preparation: Shankhpushpi powder can be consumed with warm water or milk; decoctions can be prepared by boiling the herb in water and reducing to half.

5. Triphala:

• Dosage: 1 teaspoon of Triphala powder at bedtime with warm water or as advised by a practitioner.
• Preparation: Triphala powder is commonly taken with warm water to aid digestion and detoxification; it can also be consumed as tablets or capsules.

Home Remedies for Tinnitus

1. Warm Sesame Oil Ear Massage

• Warm a small amount of pure sesame oil until it is comfortably warm (not hot).
• Using clean fingers, gently massage the area around your ears and behind them in circular motions for 5–10 minutes.
• You can also place a few drops of warm sesame oil into each ear, tilt your head to allow the oil to enter, and keep it in for 5–10 minutes before draining.
• Repeat this once daily, preferably before bedtime to relax your nervous system.

2. Nasya (Nasal Therapy) with Herbal Oils

• Lie down with your head slightly tilted back.
• Using a dropper, place 2–3 drops of warm herbal oil (like Anu Taila or Brahmi oil) into each nostril.
• Breathe deeply and stay relaxed for 5 minutes to allow the oil to reach the sinuses and ear channels.
• Use this therapy 3–5 times per week for best results.

3. Stress Management through Deep Breathing

• Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down.
• Close your eyes and take a slow, deep breath through your nose for 4 seconds.
• Hold your breath gently for 7 seconds.
• Exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds.
• Repeat this cycle 5–10 times daily to reduce stress and calm the nervous system.

4. Maintaining a Regular Sleep Routine

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
• Avoid screens and stimulating activities at least one hour before sleep.
• Create a calming pre-sleep ritual such as reading or gentle stretching to prepare your mind and body for rest.

Natural supplements for tinnitus

Here are the top 11 home remedies for tinnitus that people who are struggling with the tinnitus issue should not skip, yet follow right from today, after reading this article:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is considered one of the best natural home remedies for treating tinnitus.

It has antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, which can be used for dealing with and beating off every potential infectious issue contributing to tinnitus.

Besides, apple cider vinegar also has an advantage in balancing the level of alkalinity in the body.

How to use: You make a mixture of 2 tsp of vinegar and a small amount of honey in a water glass. You just need to drink this mixture 2-3 times every day until your ringing sensation stops.

2. Onions

The antibacterial and medicinal agents of onions can help you in treating ear infections that cause tinnitus.

Besides, onion is also a good source of vitamin A and vitamin C, which helps boost the immune system in order to protect the body against the free radicals that are one of the leading causes of damaging the inner ear.

Also, it regulates your blood sugar levels as well and prevents infection and inflammation.

How to use: At first, you chop 1 small-sized onion into many smaller pieces. Next, place them in the microwave for a few minutes. Allow it to cool down and then strain out the juice.

After that, you place 2-3 drops of the juice in the affected ear. Finally, allow it to rest in your ear for about 5 minutes, and then turn your head to permit it to be drained out.

You can repeat this method 2 – 3 times a week to reduce your tinnitus.

3. Saline Solution

Saline solution is able to help you treat tinnitus, which is caused by excessive fluid in the sinuses or blocked nasal passages.

How to use: First, you take a cup of warm water, add 1 tsp each of glycerin and salt to this water, and mix them well to make a natural saline solution.

After that, you take a nasal spray bottle to place this solution into each nostril until it begins to drain into your throat. Next, you spray this solution into the throat as well.

In order to get the best result, you do this solution 3 times a day until you can find your nasal passages clear.

4. Mustard Oil

Another popular home remedy for tinnitus I would like to introduce in this article is mustard oil. It is known as a natural rubefacient which can help increase your circulation.

In addition to this, the antifungal & antibacterial agents in mustard oil can also help you cure ear infections. Also, mustard oil has an advantage in developing the immune system in order to protect your ears from further infections & help you prevent the development of earwax.

How to use: You firstly warm a little of this oil by placing it in a microwave. Next, you place some drops of this warm mustard oil into your ears. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes in your affected ears.

After that, you turn your head so that the oil gets out of the ear. With an earbud, you remove your softened earwax. Finally, do this solution once a day for a few days

5. Pumpkin

Eating foods that have a high amount of vitamin A can help you reduce symptoms of tinnitus. And pumpkin is one of your best choices.

It has been scientifically proven that many ear problems, including tinnitus, can be caused by vitamin A deficiency, so consumption of a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, especially vitamin A, can contribute to the cure of tinnitus.

Besides, vitamin A is important to the proper functioning of the inner ear or cochlea, which takes on responsibility for receiving and transmission of sounds. You can use pumpkin to treat tinnitus easily at home.

How to use: Simply add more pumpkin to your daily diet and enjoy it naturally. You can make your salad or soup with pumpkin or have it grilled, steamed, stuffed, stir-fried, or baked.

6. Garlic

Garlic is among the home remedies for tinnitus that are triggered by high altitudes/ cold weather.  Garlic has been proven to improve blood circulation as well as reduce inflammation.

In addition to this, garlic contains antibacterial agents that can help in eliminating any ear infection that contributes to your tinnitus.

How to use: The first step you need to do is to fry two garlic cloves (crushed) in 1 tbsp. of sesame oil. After you strain this solution, let it cool.

After that, you put 2 or 3 drops of this oil into your ear canal. This will soothe the ringing feeling occurring in your ear and promote your hearing. Remember to do this home remedy every day at night before your bedtime.

Continue to do this for about 7 days. Another alternative way for you is to use garlic capsules or add this herb to your daily cooking.

7. Holy Basil

Holy basil is a good home remedy for you to treat tinnitus. Its antibacterial agents are able to kill the bacteria that cause your ear problem. Besides, holy basil can also be a useful way to help you relieve your ear pain.

How to use: Firstly, you make a paste by using a handful of basil leaves. The next step is to place this paste in a strainer and then extract the juice by pressing it with a spoon.

Next, place the basil juice in the microwave to make it warm slightly. Finally, you put 2-3 drops of this juice in the infected ear by using a dropper. Do this home remedy twice a day for 3-4 days.

8. Ginger

Ginger could be used to create a useful remedy for tinnitus as well. The healing and medicinal agents contained in this natural ingredient can help a lot in eliminating pathogens, improving blood circulation, as well as dealing with free radicals.

In addition to this, ginger has healing agents that can reduce ear pain related to tinnitus.

How to use: At first, add 1 ½ tsp of grated ingredients to a glass of hot water. Steep within ten minutes, strain the tea, and then add some drops of honey.

After that, you should consume ginger tea 2-3 times on a daily basis for a few days to relieve the signs and symptoms of the condition. Besides, you can also try chewing a few pieces of ginger (raw).

Chewing ginger can help relieve the pressure happening in your ear, which can cause tinnitus.

9. Pineapple

Consuming pineapples can help people get rid of tinnitus. As mentioned above, pineapple also has an excellent source of nutrients, including vitamin A.

Besides, pineapple also helps reduce the body’s inflammation because of the occurrence of an enzyme called bromelain.

How to use: You can do this home remedy easily by simply eating fresh pineapple at your regular break time throughout the day in order to reduce inflammation. Also, drinking fresh pineapple juice is another good choice for you.

10. Oregano

Oregano contains anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. All of them protect the body against pathogens, which is one of the causes of ear infection as well as trigger tinnitus.

How to use: Oregano can be used to make tea. First, add 1 tbsp of dried oregano to a cup of hot water. Next, let it steep for about 15 minutes. Finally, you strain it and then drink it 3 times a day. If not, you can eat a cup of oregano daily

11. Some More Tips

• You should try using heating pads or warm compresses to reduce your ear pain.

• You should stop smoking and drinking alcohol as an excessive intake of alcohol as well as a smoking habit can worsen your condition.

• You should limit or even avoid sources producing loud noises such as carpentering jobs, power motors, and loud volume music. These sounds may harm the microscopic hairs in the inner ear, leading to worse tinnitus.

• You can try practicing techniques for relaxation; for example, yoga or deep breathing. These techniques can help you combat tinnitus, improve blood circulation as well as lessen the stress factors which can intensify the tinnitus.

• When you are trying to sleep, you can try playing music or white noise. The music itself has proven as a cure for tinnitus. Listening to soft music, especially the sound of nature can help improve your condition.

• Alternating colds and holding foot baths will help relieve the symptoms of tinnitus. Cold water will help transmit the blood from the surface of your foot to other parts of your body; while hot water will help bring the blood to your muscles. This process will help to stimulate the blood flow towards the head, leading to better treatment of tinnitus.

• Follow these above home remedies to treat tinnitus. In many cases, tinnitus can be triggered by some other co-existing factors. Therefore, it is advised to make a combination of some home remedies for tinnitus in order to get the best results. However, in case you get vertigo, nausea, vomiting, loss of balance, or even numbness on one side of the body or face, you should visit the doctor immediately.

The list above is an entire article that reveals 11 best home remedies for tinnitus made from some easy to find and cheap ingredients so that people can follow at home with ease.

Readers should try making use of these home remedies to get rid of tinnitus. These home remedies are scientifically proven safe for your body and based on nature, so readers can follow them without worrying about the unwanted effects. If you have any questions about this article, remember to leave your comments below.

Author Bio: Huyen My – Writer and Blogger, who has over 5 years of experience in the Beauty & Skin Care industry. I work for VKool.com and AllRemedies.com – reliable resources assisting people to resolve their health and life issues, as a content coordinator for categories including Health & Beauty. I also focus on fitness, women’s issues, relationships, and lifestyle. Find more of my articles on Facebook or Pinterest.

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