Tinnitus is the sensation of ringing in the ears.
It might affect one or both ears, and it might be constant or temporary.
Tinnitus isn’t an actual condition, but rather a symptom of potential underlying conditions.
According to the Mayo Clinic, common causes of tinnitus are: (1)
- Age-related hearing loss
- Meniere’s disease
- Head or neck injury
- TMJ related
- Acoustic neuroma (benign tumor)
- Problems with the inner, outer, or middle ear
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Inner ear hair cell damage
- Muscle spasm in the inner ear
- Blood circulation disorders
It’s often associated with hearing loss, although there can also be other causes that aren’t disease-related.
For example:
- Loud noises
- Earwax buildup in the ear canal
- Ear drum irritation
- Whiplash
- Ear bone changes
- Certain medications
Tinnitus symptoms include hearing sounds when there’s no external sound present.
Sounds may vary and appear as ringing, buzzing, clicking, humming, or hissing.
Seek medical advice or speak to an audiologist if you’re experiencing persistent ringing in the ears, especially for more than seven days.
Can Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Help With Tinnitus Relief?
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts containing active chemicals that offer many health benefits and possess specific healing effects on the body.
Many types of essential oils are anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antispasmodic, and can have a soothing effect on the nervous system.
This is why EOs are commonly used as home remedies for various ailments.
A quick search may turn up that the following oils may help ease tinnitus and other ear conditions:
- Cypress oil
- Helichrysum oil
- Juniper oil
- Lavender oil
- Holy basil oil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Petitgrain oil
- Clary sage oil
- Bergamot oil
- Patchouli oil
- Peppermint oil
- Tea tree oil
- Frankincense oil
- Geranium oil
- Lilies oil
- Rehmannia oil
- Tangerine oil
While several online sources claim that these popular essential oils can help treat tinnitus, earaches, and even ear infections, there is no concrete evidence that supports the use of EOs for tinnitus or their efficacy for treating such conditions.
Safety Concerns
If you are interested in experimenting with the use of essential oils for increases health and well-being, here are a few tips to do it safely:
- EOs must always be diluted in a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation and reactions when used topically. (Especially if you have sensitive skin.)
- It’s advisable to perform a patch test on a non-affected area of the skin and wait 24 hours to confirm no allergic reaction.
- If you experience any adverse reaction to any oil, discontinue use immediately and consult your dermatologist to seek medical advice.
- Some oils are not suitable for babies, young children, and pregnant or nursing women. Research the contraindications for each oil you use before applying them.
- EOs aren’t regulated by the FDA (Food & Drug Administration), so it’s essential to do your research before buying products to make sure they aren’t diluted or contaminated.
- Always choose high-quality, certified organic and therapeutic grade pure essential oils to make sure you’re experiencing the full medicinal benefits.
REFERENCES
:
(1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tinnitus/symptoms-causes/syc-20350156
