Almost everyone at one time or another has experienced brief periods of mild ringing or other sounds in the ear. This is known as tinnitus. Tinnitus means sizzling or ringing sounds in the ears, which can be constant or intermittent. It can occur in one or both ears.
It may be caused by age-related hearing loss, an ear injury or infection, exposure to loud noise, high altitudes, upper respiratory infections, earwax blockage, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, ear bone changes (abnormal bone growth), , or diseases like high or low blood pressure, diabetes or a circulatory system disorder.
This annoying condition can interfere with daily activities and cause difficulty hearing, working, concentrating and sleeping. While it is not always easy to find the exact cause of tinnitus, there are a number of natural remedies to reduce ringing in the ears that are very effective.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for tinnitus.
1. Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is considered the best herbal remedy for tinnitus. It plays a key role in improving blood circulation, which in turn improves the ear functioning and reduces ringing sensations.
Plus, this herb has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can treat any underlying infection that may be contributing to the condition.
To treat tinnitus, you can take ginkgo biloba extract that you can buy from herbal drug stores. Take 120 to 240 mg of standardized extract containing 24 to 32 percent flavonoids and 6 to 12 percent terpenoids.
Take it daily, ideally in three or four divided doses, for six weeks to get positive results. Consult your doctor before starting the treatment as this herb may interact with certain medications.
Note: Ginkgo biloba should not be given to children.
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Being an antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent, apple cider vinegar can also be used to treat any underlying infection that may be contributing to tinnitus. Apple cider vinegar also balances the alkaline level in the body.
- Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and a little honey in a glass of water.
- Drink this solution two or three times daily until the ringing sensation in the ears stops.
3. Holy Basil
Holy basil is another good natural remedy for treating tinnitus. Its antibacterial properties can kill the bacteria that may be causing the problem. Plus, this herb can give you relief from ear pain.
- Put a handful of basil leaves in a blender to make a paste.
- Put the paste on a strainer and press with a spoon to extract the juice.
- Warm the basil juice slightly.
- Using a dropper, put two or three drops of it in the affected ear.
- Repeat twice daily for three or four days.
4. Onions
The medicinal and antibacterial properties of onions help treat ear infections causing tinnitus.
- Chop one small onion into small pieces.
- Microwave the onions for one to two minutes.
- Allow it to cool, and then strain out the juice.
- Put two or three drops of the juice in the infected ear.
- Leave it in the ear for five minutes, then turn your head to let the juice drain out.
- Do this a few times a week to get rid of tinnitus.
5. Garlic
Garlic can be used to treat tinnitus caused by high altitudes or cold weather. Garlic helps reduce inflammation as well as improve blood circulation. Plus, it has antibacterial properties that can get rid of any infection that may be contributing to the problem.
- Fry two crushed garlic cloves in one tablespoon of sesame oil.
- After straining and letting it cool, and put two or three drops of the oil into the ear canal.
- Do this daily at night before going to bed. Continue for about one week.
You can also take garlic capsules or use this herb in your cooking.
6. Saline Solution
Saline solution can help treat tinnitus caused by blocked nasal passages or excessive fluid in the sinuses.
- Mix one teaspoon each of salt and glycerin in two cups of warm water to make a homemade saline solution.
- Use a nasal spray bottle to inject the solution into each nostril until it starts to drain into the back of your throat.
- Spray the solution into your throat also.
- Follow this remedy three times a day until your nasal passages are clear.
7. Ginger
Ginger is also used as a cure for tinnitus. The medicinal and healing properties in ginger help improve blood circulation, get rid of pathogens, and fight free radicals. Plus, it has aspirin-like properties that can help reduce pain accompanying tinnitus.
- Add one-half teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to a cup of hot water. Allow it to steep for 10 minutes, strain it, and add a little honey. Drink this herbal tea two or three times a day for several days to ease tinnitus symptoms.
- Also, chew a few slices of raw ginger. The process of chewing helps relieve pressure in the ear that may be causing tinnitus.
8. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is another popular home remedy for tinnitus. Being a natural rubefacient, mustard oil helps increase circulation. Also, its antifungal and antibacterial properties help treat ear infections. Mustard oil also boosts the immune system to protect against further infections and helps remove the buildup of earwax.
- Slightly warm a little mustard oil in a microwave.
- Put a few drops of warm mustard oil directly into the affected ear.
- Allow the oil to sit for five to 10 minutes.
- Then tilt your head to the other side so that the oil drains out of the ear.
- Remove the softened earwax with the help of an ear bud.
- Repeat once daily for a few days.
9. Pumpkin
Eating foods like pumpkin that are rich in vitamin A can help get rid of tinnitus. It has been found that vitamin A deficiency is one of the leading causes of many ear problems, including tinnitus.
Vitamin A is essential for the proper functioning of the cochlea, or inner ear, which is responsible for reception and transmission of sounds.
Simply include pumpkin in your salad or soup, or have it steamed, grilled, stuffed, stir-fried, or in baked dishes.
10. Pineapple
Adding pineapple to your diet can help reduce tinnitus. Pineapple helps lessen inflammation throughout the body due to the presence of an enzyme known as bromelain. Plus, pineapple has various vitamins including vitamin A.
Eat fresh pineapple at regular intervals throughout the day to reduce inflammation. You can also drink fresh pineapple juice.
Some additional tips:
- Use a warm compress or heating pad (wrapped in a cloth) to relieve pressure and pain
- Cut back or stop drinking alcohol
- Stop smoking
- Limit your use of aspirin
- Exercise regularly
- Limit or avoid exposure to loud noises
- Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
- Play music or white noise when you are trying to fall asleep.
Follow these remedies and tips to treat tinnitus. However, visit your doctor immediately if you have numbness on one side of the face or body, vertigo, loss of balance, nausea or vomiting.
Resources:
umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/ginkgo-biloba
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3157487/
My mom was diagnosed years ago with Menieres. It affects the inner ear and causes an imbalance of the fluid inside. So the person has periods or attacks of nausea and dizziness. She would spend many hours just laying down and unable to function.
The syndrome also causes tinnitus. At the time my mom was using un-iodized salt. She read somewhere about the lack of iodine may be causing her problems. So she switched to iodized salt. And within that year she had lost all of her symptoms. Including the tinnitus.
She never sweared by the “miracle” but she said she would never discount it. Could have been a coincidence but till the day she passed away (nearly 40 yrs) she never had another bout with Menieres. And continued with iodized salt.
Wow that was great info bro…Cheers
How do you use iodized salt help please I suffer with MD. Thank you
How did your mom used the iodized salt? I’m interested to know. I have the same problem, about more than a year now. Not comfortable.
Thank you.
OMG IVE JUST HAPPENED UPON THIS SITE. IM GOING TO TRY THIS SALT WHERE CAN IT BE BOUGHT. IM SUFFERING WITH MENIERE’S FOR 4 YEARS AND TINNITUS.
Oh wow I’m 54 a few months back I was told that I had Diabetes I had never gone to this Dr. before I didn’t she was going to send for lab work early that morning I had some coffee when to lab work was done the nurse said the test will come out wrong but your Dr. still wants the lab work done so be aware the test will not be correct when the Dr. got the results she calls to tell me I a Diabete and order me some meds I got real sick I call her and told her then orders another type of med it got more super sick sharp pain to belly then real dizzy I call again and her I thought I wasn’t a Diabete I had no symptoms she reply and said um…OK then I’m going order you some insulin when I told I’m not your Ginni pig I refuse to use it I told my family needs I have a disable child that needs me I said I can’t have mess with my life like that then she reply you don’t take the insulin you need to look for another Dr but I feel sick I’m getting dizzy spells I need you to see what’s wrong I told but she refuse to since then I’m feeling sick off balance and ringing sounds in my ears plus the dizzy spells and no Dr to see its been 7 months I’m scared and nervous I’m not good in getting bad news and I refuse to take meds of what happened any fruit or vegetable that will I might try that but no MEDS ! .
Thanks if you understand my fear
E.G.
Some or most doctors go by what the pharmaceutical companies tells them to prescribe. I had I foot infection and this dum rectum hole doctor told me that I had gout I told her I did not have gout she wanted to give me steroid shot and gout medicine which I said NO the next day results from my test came negative for gout they called me scared telling me to stop the gout medicine I told them that I never took it. Some and most doctors get promotions by prescribing . The more they ptescribe the better they look for the pharmaceutical companies. Just remember medicine is a business just like a car salesman. The car salesman will push that car to you no matter what because he knows that if he sales it to you he will get a commission always get a second or third opinion
Yes, you can add to your daily diet “BITTER MELON” is a Chinese vegetable
Is one of the best remedy for diabetes,
Drink 3 cups of green tea per day. Have one cup in the morning with 4/6 tablespoons Milled Flaxseeds. Brew your tea in a teapot, let it simmer for at least an hour, then cool. Avoid all sugar and sugar products.
God bless you.
I would like to know how did your mom used the iodized salt? could you let me know? I have been suffering with the same problem for years , Thank you.
let me try if any results are seen in this tips helps to me are not
Wonderful tip, I will be sharing this info with my brother, who has been having alot of problems with the ringing in his ears.. just hope he does it!!
Very nice written post. Your blog is very beneficial for every reader .Your blog provides excellent tips about mustard oil. Keep doing the great work so that people can learn some nice and new things. I would love to read more posts on your site.
Am Almost an addict of your blog site for every health challenge your site is usually my first point of call.kudos to you.
Thank you for sharing this info. I love this web site! I just started getting ringing in my left ear tonight and it’s getting louder. I also have sinus infection right now. I want to try the onion juice but I don’t have a microwave, can I boil it or something instead? Thank you.
Also to consider based on a similar experience of having the flu, then some prolonged sinus issues. I found massive relief with taking spoonfuls of fresh horseradish. It’s not a easy taste to acquire – but it sure works on the sinuses which can help to clear the ears…
What is Ginkgo Biloba called in Hindi please?
Comment:ur blog is very educative
For curing of ear ringing problem i done yoga Sirsana two to three minutes morning and evening my ear ringing problem cured within 10 days my problem was last one year
Please explain more about your yoga Sirsana , from A-Z. I have same symptom .
The Ginkgo may very well work. I have been taking Tinniticil for my ear ringing which contains Ginkgo and it has been working very well. It was so bad before that it made it hard to function. It is much,much better now. Jeanine
I’ve been battling tennitius for years, I think the gentleman speaking about iodine is correct or at least on to something. I take a liquid iodine from cr supplements and it does seem to help with the constant ringing.
Your comments are GREAT-thanks so much!!! I will be trying your cures-and see what happens with me1
great info. thanks…..this ringing in my ears is getting louder every year so will try one remedy as a time,,,,salt solution …going to try that one.
Please where can I found the Ginkgo Biloba? Can I find it in Nigeria. Because I have been suffered with Tinnitus since last 4years which it lead to make my ear to loss hearing.. Please answer my question because my left ear was not work when I was child and the remaining right one was affect by tinnitus which now my doctor said I loss my hearing
Tinnitus and Sinusitis are linked….. if you have Sinusitis you have surely will have many problems along with Tinitis. weak spinal cord, cervical and weak immune system.
Treat your Sinusitis and get relieved!
Natural remedies are helping to increase the body health without any side effects also with holistic cure.
I have high blood pressure, so i cant have sodium. Does anyone know how i can get iodine without eating salt?
Look for iodine pills.
Fish is the greatest source for iodine
Comment: I’m very glad to get this info from your website! I’ve suffered from tinnitus for four months now especially on my left ear! I seeked for medication from ENT but no improvement at all! I’m going to try out the first remedy.
hello i use number 2 remody some time my tinnitus reduce 80 %.But after 1 2 hours it again back what should i do.Any idea
ashekia
comment: ive been suffering from tinnitus over 5 years now its very irritating im trying to cope with it but its know use and now im back in school doing my studies and its worst now thank u for sharing these remedies and gonna try the onions i wanted to try the first one but im still breast feeding
Perry
Comment: I have tinnitus ten years ago. I went to an ear specialist who specialize on ear
studies in Germany.
He did many laboratory tests of left and right left ear.
I was hoping the doctor give me pharmacy medicine. To my surprise he prescribed one simple herbal one: Gingko biloba. I then asked my doctor: ” Is this all Doctor?.. And his answer was: ” There is poor blood circulation in your ears…we need to improve it” So it was done. and they ringing of the ear disappeared in three month time.
and the doctor add further: ” Gingko also delay the graying of your hair” and its true, I’m now 79 years old and my hair looks as if I am at 50 years young ..All my brothers who did not took Gingko biloba have all white and grey hair altogether.
I am also suffering from tinittus since last 3 months. Let me know proper tips for curing.
I been also suffering tinnitus for 3 months due to sinusitis, fluid that goes to my inner ear canal, I already see a doctor and give me antibiotic for medications and anti allergy tablet but it still no cure… I try natural remedies like apple cider vinegar at night (2 tablespoon in 1 glass of water) and a lozenges that in the brand of fisherman’s friend (take it just like candy) after 2-3 weeks it all gone. You will feel pain in face near the nose at first and spit blood when I try to get out the fluid from my nose to mouth but after that tension moment, I feel relief and start to feel that ringing of ear in low sound, days after its all gone… Hope this may help to those suffering same case like me…
i’ve tried almost everything that i could think of and i still have tinnitus, ugh its so annoying especially at night and i’ve tried to turn on a fan but not even that helps and i got serious headaches because of the ear ringing
Don’t give up hope. Pray and believe it will get better and it will somehow!
Try olive oil ( one to two drops) and yoga Sirsasana ( Moring and evening three times a day)
What spices of onion should I use: White, Yellow or Purple?
The truth is that the most common cause of tinitus is Radio-Wave Stimulation (Saturation!) of the Auditory-Nerve and the Cochlear! Reduce your exposure to Mobile-Phone/Wireless technology; your body’s tissues gradually charge-up like a Capacitor on a Circuit-Board the more your exposed to Electro-Magnetic Radiation!! Thus it takes time for your body to release that charge naturally. Try moving away from all those phone-towers.
Also the second most likely cause of the varying ping’s and pang’s and tick’s etc. that you may be hearing, as well as the various changing tones, believe it or not is Ultra-Sonic Devices, like those used to repel bugs, or those used in vehicle-bumpers to detect hazards! Given enough time, or distance, ultra-sonic waves slow down and become barely audible, thus the symptoms!
There is another cause of tinitus, and its usually associated with someone whose always been rather Athletic, and that is contamination of the blood with high levels of metals and oxides, to the point where the development of tiny capillaries around the ear canal and the inner ear result in you actually hearing the thrashing around of the metals, almost like minature ball barrings! Try not to drink from copper pipe’d tap’s, drink spring water instead.
After reading this I realized I had changed my salt from iodine to himilayian salt without iodine. Just did it about three months ago. Guess what I am switching back now.