Tinnitus and Ayurveda - Part 2

Ayurvedic view on Tinnitus including treatment and remedies

This is part 2 on Tinnitus. In part 1 find out what National Health Institutions say about it.

In this article we look at the Ayurvedic View.

What is Tinnitus?

The sensation of ringing or buzzing in the ears can be an incredibly frustrating and debilitating condition for many. While Western medicine may consider this a disease, Ayurveda takes a different approach, viewing it as a symptom of an underlying imbalance. As an ancient Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda offers a unique perspective on tinnitus, aiming to treat the root cause rather than simply managing the symptoms. The symptoms of tinnitus can vary greatly in terms of sound, pitch, throbbing, and intensity, and can have a significant impact on one's quality of life..

What causes Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is not always associated with hearing impairment, as it can also be triggered by a range of factors such as illnesses, diseases, allergies, infections, inflammations, nerve damage, drug reactions, head and neck injury or misalignment.

In Ayurveda, tinnitus is referred to as "Karnanada," with "nada" meaning sound, translating to ringing in the ears.

According to Ayurvedic principles, Karnanada is a symptom of prana vayu disturbance, which is a Vata Sub-Dosha residing in the head, responsible for governing higher cerebral functions, inhalation phase of respiration, and swallowing action.

Vata is a fundamental element in Ayurveda, representing a blend of air and space.

 This element regulates essential physiological functions in the body, such as respiration, circulation, and sensory impulse movement. However, any imbalance in the Vata dosha can disrupt these normal functions and lead to symptoms like tinnitus and sensory nerve fiber disturbance.

It's important to note that tinnitus is a symptom and not a condition on its own. Therefore, treating the Vata imbalance is crucial in addressing the symptoms. In Ayurveda, the focus is on treating the root cause of the imbalance (and symptoms) to achieve holistic healing.

Various factors can cause Vata imbalance and subsequent tinnitus, including inadequate sleep, stress, excess fasting, shock or grief, fear, diet (including pharmaceutical medication), excess talking, and excessive use of screens and electronics.

Acharya Shushrut has explained Karna-Nada in Karnagata rogas.

Karnasveda (sound in ears), differ from Karnanada (ringing in the ears).

Karnasveda, commonly known as sound in ears, can be caused by exercise, consuming astringent food, wasting, which create an unbalanced Vata, in association with the other doshas: Pitta and Kapha. If left untreated, Karnasveda can lead to hearing loss, also known as Karna baadhirya.

Individuals with high Vata imbalance and Vata Prakruti are more susceptible to certain disorders.

 To prevent all diseases, it is crucial to maintain a balanced diet and lifestyle based on the individual's dosha.

Publication on Ayurvedic treatment that resolved Tinnitus https://rb.gy/pgp7y

Ayurvedic Tinnitus case study publication: https://rb.gy/vk9v3

Ayurvedic Treatment for Tinnitus

The information below is intended for educational purposes, one should consult an Ayurvedic professional for individualised treatment and dosage of herbs.

-       Vata balancing diet

-       Identify lifestyle that aggravates Vata and modify to pacify Vata.

-       Increase warm food and drinks, healthy fat, raw nuts and nut butter, sweet and sour taste in diet.

-       Reduce dry and cold food, bitter tastes.

-       Spices: Cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, ginger, turmeric and clove in moderation.

-       Food: basil leaf, onion, garlic, pineapple, raw vegetables and legumes,

-       Teas: Fenugreek seeds tea 3 times a day, tea made with equal quantities of comfrey, cinnamon and chamomile and use one teaspoon per cup to drink 3 times a day.

-       Easy to digest food and regulate the digestive system as well as elimination with herbs and diet.

-       Avoid caffeine, nicotine, end other stimulants that increase prana vayu and therefor tinnitus.

Panchakarma for Tinnitus:

-       Kawala and Gandush: gargling of medicated oil or decoctions. This helps with strengthening the nerves of eyes, ears and pacify aggravated vata.

-       Nasya, medicated oil for the nose. A specific massage treatment with nasal oil is recommended.

-       Abhyanga {shiroabhyanga and padabhyanga} with medicated Ayurvedic oils or warm sesame oil that calms Prana Vayu. This can be a pplied to the scalp and sole of the feet at bedtime.

-       Karnapooran, ayurvedic eardrops applied warm daily in each ear. There is a specific procedure for the correct application of the oil for therapeutic uses. This typically should alleviate tinnitus symptoms of prana Vayu disturbance, within 10 days.

Home remedies:

Nasya at home using Ayurvedic Nasya oil.

Ayurvedic eardrops with medicated oil, or home-made warm garlic oil

Ayurvedic oral health: oil pulling, tongue scraping.

Ayurvedic herbs and formulations that might be useful, however and Ayurvedic Doctor/Practitioner can advise on which one to take, dosage and method:

- Ashwagandha gana

- Jatamansi

- Dashmool

- Yogaraj guggul

- Sarasvati choorna

For chronic Tinnitus: Brihad Vata Chintamani Ras – mad with silver and gold oxides. It is fast acting on calming Vata.

Lifestyle changes:

-       Massage oil in hair

-       Self-massage with ayurvedic oil (mahanarayan tailam) or warm sesame oil or castor oil head and feet at bedtime, a well the whole body in the morning.

-       Reduce stress, identify what bring stress in life. An ayurvedic professional can help with this.

-       Avoid computer and electronics and spend more time outside in nature.

-       Avoid cold climate.

-       Don’t stop natural surges and need to eliminate wastes.

-       Practice Yoga that pacifies Vata daily, also Pranayam and meditation.

-       Regular meals and sleep hours

-       Reduce sensory activities including loud noises.

In conclusion, tinnitus is not considered a disease in Ayurveda; therefore, it doesn't have a specific cure. Instead, tinnitus is viewed as a symptom of a dosha disturbance, and treating the dosha imbalance can also alleviate the symptoms. This process often involves lifestyle and diet changes, as well as herbal medicine and treatments. It's important to note that while Ayurveda can prevent and manage the progress of deep-rooted chronic diseases, some of them may not have a cure. However, managing these diseases can lead to an improvement in tinnitus symptoms and potentially even complete elimination.