Tinnitus Alternative Treatment

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears can be caused by many things. These causes include vitamin B12 deficiency, high blood pressure, allergies, tumors, neck injuries, and dental work. Hearing loss, noise sensitivity and vertigo are some of the symptoms associated with tinnitus. Although there are alternative treatments for tinnitus, you may want to look at what is causing it first. If you treat what is causing it, then you may not need any other treatments.

Ginkgo Biloba

A ginkgo biloba extract has been found to ease tinnitus. Ginkgo biloba increases blood flow to the brain which is a good thing for tinnitus sufferers. For best results, take 40 mg of the dried herb or 120 mg of a ginkgo biloba extract every day. Ginkgo biloba does not work for everyone with tinnitus, but it has no side effects and can improve memory. This herb works slowly and can take several weeks to months to start working.

Lesser Periwinkle

Lesser periwinkle is a good herb to use to ease tinnitus. It has a compound known as vincamine. Vincamine is an extract used to treat tinnitus and another condition called Meniere's syndrome. For best results with this herb, take 20 mg of the dried herb three times a day. There are some side effects of lesser periwinkle if a person takes too much of it. These include a severe drop in blood pressure and a change in blood count. A person should be under the care of a doctor while taking this herb.

Diet

A vitamin B12 and zinc deficiency may be a cause of tinnitus, so getting enough foods high in vitamin B12 and zinc may ease the symptoms of tinnitus. Even if you are getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet, you may not have enough stomach acids to absorb it properly. Foods high in vitamin B12 include fish, meat, poultry, milk, milk products and cereal. Foods high in zinc include spinach, Brussels sprouts, cucumbers and asparagus.

Chinese Herbs

There are some Chinese herbs that can be taken to treat tinnitus. A combination of coptis and rhubarb can be used to treat tinnitus if it is due to hypertension. An herb called major bupleurum is recommended for obese people that are having problems with tinnitus. Another Chinese herb called Rehmannia eight is a good choice for the elderly who suffer from tinnitus.

Things to Avoid

When dealing with tinnitus, there are some things one should avoid because they can make it worse. Caffeine and alcohol are a couple of things to avoid when suffering from tinnitus. Caffeine and alcohol can decrease magnesium levels. There are also certain medications that name tinnitus as a side effect. These include over-the-counter and prescription medications such as aspirin, quinine and ibuprofen. People who take such medications should speak to their doctor if they develop ringing in the ears.