Traditional Chinese herbal remedies have been used, to great effect, since antiquity and are still the most widely used medicines in the world. In fact, 30 per cent of modem conventional medicines are made from plant-derived substances.

Although they are natural and there is a lower incidence of serious reactions than to conventional medications, herbal medicines should still be used with caution. Most are gentle and unlikely to cause serious side effects, but because, like conventional medication, they contain physiologically active agents, side effects can occur. The most common reactions are throat irritations, gastrointestinal upsets and headaches. You should always inform your GP, audiologist or ENT specialist about what you are taking.

Indeed, many medical professionals believe that herbal medicine should not be taken without the advice of a trained herbalist. Your chosen herbalist will check your pulses and the colour of your tongue for clues as to which bodily organs ate depleted of energy. They will then write a prescription for very precise dosages according to your needs. Tablets made from compressed herbal extracts are often supplied, but sometimes patients are given a bag of carefully weighed and ground dried roots, flowers, bark and so on, together with instructions.

The herbs described below are considered useful for treating tinnitus. Please note, however, that because there is often no dosage information for remedies purchased from a healthfood shop or supermarket, it's difficult to know how much is too much. If you are taking large doses of prescription medication for severe symptoms, you may prefer to use herbal remedies for the more routine ailments you encounter.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha belongs to the family of adaptogenic herbs – herbs that can encourage a stressed body to adapt. Sometimes called Indian ginseng, it is an important tonic, having a broad range of important healing powers that are rare in the plant kingdom. It has also been shown in research that it can help to ease insomnia and stress.

In a study of 101 subjects, the indications of aging – such as greying hair, low calcium levels and a deterioration in hearing – were found to be significantly improved in those taking ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is available from specialist supplement manufacturers and healthfood shops. Follow the dosage instructions on the label very carefully.

Ginkgo biloba

In the last 30 years, more than 300 studies have provided clinical evidence that ginkgo biloba can be of benefit in treating many health problems throughout the human body. Primarily, this herbal antioxidant is gaining recognition as a brain tonic that enhances memory because of its positive effects on the vascular system, especially in the cerebellum.

It is also used as a treatment for vertigo and a variety of neurological and circulatory problems. The effects of aging, including mental fatigue, lack of energy and hearing impairment can be counteracted by taking ginkgo biloba. Indeed, improvements in age-related hearing loss have been noted in clinical trials.

When a number of randomized controlled trials investigating effects of ginkgo on biloba on tinnitus management were evaluated, it was found that there was a statistically significant improvement – particularly when the tinnitus was due to reduced blood flow around the brain or disorders of the labyrinths of the ear. However, one study produced a negative result, believed now to be due to insufficient quantities of ginkgo biloba extract being used (150 mg or less). Much higher doses were given in the studies that showed a positive result. The study that was judged to be the most thorough was conducted in Germany. Additional research is needed to resolve this controversy.

Ginkgo biloba can be purchased in capsule form from healthfood shops, some pharmacies and the larger supermarkets, and the dosage instructions on the label should be followed. Don't take ginkgo biloba if you are on prescribed medication – specifically warfarin, heparin or aspirin – as such drugs can react adversely to this supplement.

Rhodiola rosea

This powerful Russian nutrient also belongs to the family of adaptogenic herbs. Most healthfood shops now stock this stress-busting adaptogen, as do specialist supplement manufacturers. Follow the dosage instructions on the label very carefully.

St John's Wort

St John's Wort is probably the most successful natural antidepressant. Studies have shown that it works by increasing the action of the chemical serotonin and inhibiting depression promoting enzymes. Similar effects are created by the Prozac and Nardil families of chemical antidepressants – both of which carry a high risk of side effects. St John's Wort, however, has the happy advantage of bring virtually side-effect free. In some cases, it can produce a stomach upset, but this should stop within a few days. It is also believed that St John's Wort encourages sleep and benefits the immune system.

In Germany, this herb outsells Prozac by 3 to 1 and is said to be just as effective for treating mild depression. Because of its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, it can also be useful for treating ear infections.

Note that because your skin may be more sensitive to the sun's rays when you are taking this herb, don't forget to use a good sunblock. To find out more, you can check out Herbal Remedies For Tinnitus.

The stress, anxiety and tension provoked by tinnitus can be reduced by having regular Indian head massage sessions. These involve using controlled massage movements known as the 'Comb', 'root pull' and 'spider walk'. The massage is concentrated primarily on the face and scalp, but can also be applied to the upper back, neck, shoulders and upper arms.

Indian head massage originated, as you might expect, in India over a thousand years ago and is said to have an intense effect on the chakras that govern the mind, body and spirit – the three most important chakras. We are all said to possess seven chakras, which are energy vortexes that we require to continue aiming to achieve positive results in all areas of our lives. On being given an Indian head massage, people experience a release of tension almost immediately. Indeed, clients are invariably surprised at how quickly and thoroughly they relax. It is claimed that the technique is also beneficial in that it:

• can relieve tension headaches and migraine;

• encourages the body to rest and helps to promote sleep; • eases dizziness and vertigo;

• helps to ease mental fatigue and promote clearer thinking and concentration;

• helps to relieve depression;

• promotes a feeling of balance and calm.

Many people who have Indian head massages on a regular basis have described it as 'magical' in its relaxing effects.

Reflexology

Reflexology, an ancient oriental therapy, was not adopted in the Western world until fairly recently. It operates on the proposition that the body is divided into different energy zones, all of which can be exploited in the prevention and treatment of any disorder.

Reflexologists have identified ten energy channels, beginning in the toes and extending to the fingers and top of the head. Each channel relates to a particular bodily zone and to the organs in that zone. For example, the big toe relates to the head – the brain, ears, sinus area, neck, pituitary glands and eyes. By applying pressure to the appropriate terminal in the form of a small, specialized massage, a practitioner can determine which energy pathways are blocked.

Experts in this type of manipulative therapy claim that all the organs of the body are reflected in the feet. They also believe that reflexology aids the removal of waste products and blockages within the energy channels, improving circulation and gland function. Reflexology is certainly relaxing – for the mind and body. Indeed, as well as reducing stress, it can relieve the symptoms of depression.

Many therapists prefer to take down a full case history before commencing treatment. Each session will take up to 45 minutes (the preliminary session may take longer) and you will treated sitting in a chair or lying down.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu originated in Japan and is an ancient form of acupressure. The technique has been compared with acupuncture, except that no needles are used.

Shiatsu is thought to predate acupuncture and whereas the latter concentrates on specific points along the meridians or energy channels, shiatsu focuses on the meridians that link the points. These meridians are believed to contain energy, the vital force of life called chi (sometimes spelled qi). Imagine a river flowing down a mountain unimpeded; the water flows freely and life in the river is sustained. If that same river is blocked by fallen rocks, however, the flow of water is hindered and all forms of life in it are at risk. It is the same with the flow of chi through the body. When its movement is obstructed, a series of health symptoms can occur and this often manifests itself as ill health.

In a treatment session, you – the client – will lie on a futon or a thin mattress on the floor. An initial discussion will take place, after which the practitioner decides which meridians to work on throughout the body to restore the balance of chi and support any weakness. In shiatsu, the practitioner uses his or her hands, elbows, knees and feet instead of needles and the treatment involves gentle stretching, holding and applying pressure to the client's body. As a result, the energy flow is stimulated, as is blood circulation. There is generally also increased flexibility and improved posture.

A good way to illustrate how shiatsu works is to give an example. A woman who has diarrhoea will have discomfort in her large intestine, allowing the practitioner to know which meridian to work on.

People who receive shiatsu treatments report experiencing great relaxation afterwards, with a sense of overall well being. On a physical level, shiatsu is reputed to be capable of relieving the symptoms of any condition, tinnitus included. However, reports of improvements are only anecdotal and there appear to have been no controlled trials of the technique. It's worth trying, though, even if your only positive results are relaxation and a sense of well being as these are important factors in tinnitus and they alone will make a great difference. To find out more, you can check out How To Treat Ear Ringing.

The homeopathic approach to medicine is holistic, which means that the overall health of a person – physical, emotional and psychological – is assessed before treatment commences. In homeopathy it is believed that the whole makeup of a person determines the disorders to which he or she is prone and the symptoms likely to occur. After a thorough consultation, the homeopath will offer a remedy compatible with the patient's symptoms as well as with their temperament and characteristics. Consequently, two individuals with the same disorder may be offered entirely different remedies.

Homeopathic remedies are derived from plant, mineral and animal substances, which are soaked in alcohol to extract the 'live' ingredients. This initial solution is then diluted many times, being vigorously shaken each time to add energy. Impurities are removed and the remaining solution made up into tablets, ointments, powders or suppositories. Low-dilution remedies are used for severe symptoms while high-dilution remedies are used for milder symptoms.

The homeopathic concept has, since antiquity, been that like cures like. The full healing abilities of this type of treatment were first recognized in the early nineteenth century when a German doctor, Samuel Hahnemann, noticed that the herbal cure for malaria, which was based on an extract of cinchona bark (quinine), actually produced symptoms of malaria. Further tests convinced him that the production of mild symptoms caused the body to fight the disease. He went on to successfully treat malaria patients with dilute doses of cinchona bark. Quinine is still used today to treat certain types of malaria.

Each homeopathic remedy has first been 'proved' by being taken by a healthy person – usually a volunteer homeopath and the symptoms noted. The remedies are said to be capable of curing the same symptoms in an ill person. The whole idea of proving and using homeopathic remedies can be difficult to comprehend, as it is exactly the opposite of how conventional medicines operate. For example, a patient who has a cold with a runny nose would be treated with a homeopathic remedy that would produce a runny nose in a healthy patient. Conventional medicine, on the other hand, would provide something that dries up the nose.

Homeopaths claim that, nowadays, a remedy can be formulated to aid virtually every disorder, including tinnitus. Although remedies are safe and non-addictive, occasionally the symptoms may at first briefly worsen. This Is known as a 'healing crisis' and is usually short-lived. It is actually a good indication that the remedy is working well.

It is a common misconception that you can just pop along to your local chemist, look up your particular complaint on the homeopathic remedy chart and begin taking the remedy, if only it were that simple! Homeopathic training takes several years and a lot of knowledge and experience is required before practitioners can decide the correct remedies for complaints other than the very superficial. As I mentioned earlier, homeopathic remedies are specific to each individual. What works for one person is not liable to work for another.

Hypnotherapy

For several decades, it's been known that hypnotherapy is capable of reducing stress, anxiety and phobias. Recent studies have shown that it's also effective in the treatment of depression. When stress and depression are features of tinnitus, hypnotherapy is an avenue well worth exploring. It can make all the difference to your ability to cope.

Hypnotherapists claim that their treatments can actually eliminate tinnitus in some people and reduce the associated volume, stress and other negative emotions in others, and some studies have backed this up. Hypnotherapy is therefore believed to be the best complementary treatment for tinnitus.

The reason that more people with tinnitus don't pursue hypnotherapy is the negative perception of it in the media. One common fear is that the therapist may, while you are in a trance state, implant dangerous suggestions or extract improper personal information. This, though, is hypnotism as a stage act.
Hypnotherapy is quite different.

Hypnotherapy is actually about the therapist using the power of hypnotism for therapeutic purposes. The person under hypnosis is not out of It but, rather, in a state of heightened awareness and focused concentration. This is scientifically measurable by instruments and known as the 'alpha state'. Scientific research has shown this state of mind to be superior for learning, memory recall and training the mind to overcome negative programming, including a stressful reaction to tinnitus. During hypnotherapy, the therapist attempts to remove the emotional response from certain associations. Once that has been done, he or she can help the unconscious mind to focus on stimuli other than the head noises.

One effective form of hypnotherapy for tinnitus is regression therapy, where clients are taken back to the time before the onset of the condition so as to discover the trigger of the noise. Hypnotherapists claim that a trigger can be found in most cases, after which clients will be guided into repeatedly experiencing the cause. Eventually the emotional impact will become boring or even amusing. Another method involving regression is to bring the trigger of tinnitus into clients' awareness so that they can make a cognitive decision regarding how they feel about the condition. At this point, the tinnitus reduces or disappears for many people.

Another form of hypnotherapy is suggestion, which is usually either offered in combination with regression therapy or as an alternative if a trigger can't be found. With suggestion, the hypnotherapist offers unconscious suggestions, such as, for a client with tinnitus, 'On returning to your wide awake state of mind, you will notice the noise that was so distracting earlier will now be very faint. This will enable you to lead a more peaceful life and spend more time relaxing.'

After the first session, the therapist may recommend that you purchase an audiotape to allow you to self-hypnotize on a daily basis. Self-hypnosis has been studied on several occasions and the average improvement rate lies between 60 and 75 per cent. To find out more, you can check out Homeopathic Remedies For Tinnitus.

An ancient oriental branch of complementary medicine, acupuncture involves puncturing the skin with fine needles at specific points on the body. These points are located along energy channels (meridians) and are believed to correspond with certain internal organs. This energy is known as chi. Needles are inserted to increase, decrease or unblock the flow of chi energy so that the balance of yin and yang is restored.

Yin, the female force, is calm and passive; it also represents dark, cold, swelling and moisture. On the other hand, yang, the male force, is stimulating and aggressive, representing heat, light, contraction and dryness. It is thought that an imbalance of these forces is the cause of illness and disease. For example, a person who feels the cold, suffers fluid retention and fatigue would be considered to have an excess of yin. A person suffering from repeated headaches, however, will be deemed to have an excess of yang. Emotional, physical or environmental factors are believed to disturb the chi energy balance and can also be treated.

A qualified acupuncturist will use a set method to determine which acupuncture points to use. It is thought that there are as many as 2000 acupuncture points on the body. At a consultation, questions may be asked about lifestyle, sleeping patterns, fears, phobias and reactions to stress. The pulses will be felt, then the acupuncture itself carried out, fine needles being placed in the relevant sites. The first consultation will normally last for an hour and the client should notice a change for the better after four to six sessions.

There are many anecdotal reports of improvements in tinnitus as a result of acupuncture treatments. However, there is clearly a need for further investigation in this area. Acupuncture can certainly reduce the stress and anxiety linked with tinnitus.

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a treatment technique in which people can improve physical and emotional problems by using signals from their own bodies. Physiotherapists use biofeedback to help stroke victims regain movement in paralysed muscles and psychologists use it to help anxious clients learn to relax. Specialists in many different fields also use biofeedback to help their patients cope with pain.

In the late 1960s, when the term 'biofeedback' was first coined, research showed that certain involuntary actions, such as the heart rate, blood pressure and brain functions, can be altered by tuning into the body. For instance, many people calm anxiety by reading an interesting book. As a result, their heart stops racing and their blood pressure falls. Later research has shown that biofeedback can help in the treatment of many diseases and painful conditions and we have more control over so-called involuntary functions than we once thought possible. Scientists are now trying to determine just how much voluntary control we can exert.

Biofeedback is now widely used to treat pain, high and low blood pressure, paralysis, epilepsy and many other disorders. The technique is taught by psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors and physiotherapists.

When using biofeedback, you need to learn to examine your day-to-day life in order to ascertain whether or not you are somehow contributing to your health problem. You must recognize that you can, by your own efforts, get far more out of your life. To use biofeedback correctly, bad habits must be changed and, most importantly, you must accept much of the responsibility for maintaining your own health.

Scientists believe that relaxation is the key to the success of this technique. You are taught to react to certain stimuli in a calmer frame of mind – tinnitus sounds, for Instance. As a result, the stress response is not triggered and adrenalin is not pumped into the bloodstream. Without biofeedback training, adrenalin may be released repeatedly, causing chronic anxiety, stress, muscle tension and depression.

If you think that you might benefit from biofeedback training, you should first discuss the matter with your doctor or other healthcare professional. You may find that biofeedback is actually a component of the CBT on offer at your local audiology or ENT department. To find out more, you can check out Tinnitus Ringing In The Ears Treatment.

Many people who have tinnitus use complementary medicine. However, some types of complementary therapies can cause adverse reactions and their quality and strength are not controlled by a regulating body. In comparison with mainstream medicine, where there has been a great deal of research, there has been little research and few controlled scientific trials into the effects of complementary medicine. Before deciding to try a particular therapy, it is recommended that you find out as much as you can about it. You could also ask your doctor's advice.

That said, some people who have tinnitus and use complementary therapies report great benefits. The benefits may, to some extent, come from them knowing that they are doing something positive to help themselves. However, there is no doubt that complementary therapies can reduce the stress and so on that come with tinnitus, which is beneficial in itself.

Deafness Research UK, together with major research fundraisers such as the Medical Research Council, are welcoming research proposals into the effects of complementary medicine on tinnitus. Where there is a psychological component to the condition, as there invariably is, Deafness Research UK believes that the more relaxing therapies can have a great effect.

Aromatherapy

Certain health disorders can be treated by stimulating our sense of smell with aromatic oils – known as essential oils. Once stimulated, it is believed that a particular smell can help to treat a particular health problem. There's no doubt at all that aromatherapy can aid relaxation and help to reduce anxiety, tension and depression, which often accompany hearing loss.

Concentrated essential oils are extracted from plants and may be inhaled, rubbed directly into the skin or used in bathing. Each aroma relates to its plant of origin – lavender oil having the aroma of the lavender plant, geranium the aroma of the geranium plant and so on.

Plant essences have been used for healing throughout the ages, smaller amounts being used for aromatherapy purposes than for herbal medicines. The highly concentrated aromatherapy oils are obtained either by steaming a particular plant extract until the oil glands burst or by soaking the plant in hot oil so that the cells collapse and release their essence.

Techniques used in aromatherapy

The main ones are as follows.

Inhalation

Giving the fastest results, inhalation of the essential oils has a direct influence on the olfactory (nasal) organs, which immediately trigger a response in the brain. Steam inhalation is the most popular technique. This can be achieved by either mixing a few drops of oil into a bowlful of boiling water or using an essential oil burner, whereby a tealight candle heats a small container of water into which a few drops of oil have been added.

Massage

Essential oils intended for massage should never be applied directly to the skin in their undiluted (pure) form. Three or four drops are mixed with a neutral carrier oil, such as olive or safflower. After penetrating the skin, the oils are absorbed by the body, exerting a positive influence on a particular organ or tissues.

Bathing

Tension and anxiety can be reduced by using aromatherapy oils in the bath. A few drops of pure essential oil should be added directly to running tap water – it disperses and mixes more efficiently this way. No more than 20 drops of oil in total should be used.

Oils for relaxation

Lavender is the most popular oil for relaxation. It is a wonderful restorative and excellent for relieving tension headaches as well as stress. However, there are several others that, when used alone or blended, can also create a relaxing atmosphere – Roman chamomile and ylang ylang, for example. Ylang ylang has relaxing properties, a calming effect on the heart rate and can relieve palpitations and raised blood pressure. Chamomile can be very soothing, too, and aids both sleep and digestion.

Drop your chosen oils into the container of an essential oil burner and top up with water. Light the tealight candle and try to relax while the essential oils scent the whole room. Take care not to let the water evaporate totally. Such oils are safe around babies and children as, rather than being overpowering, the aroma is soft and soothing.

Recipe 1

5 drops essential oil of lavender

2 drops essential oil of Roman chamomile

1 drop essential oil of ylang ylang

Recipe 2

8 drops essential oil of mandarin

3 drops essential oil of neroli

3 drops essential oil of ylang ylang

Recipe 3

10 drops essential oil of bergamot

2 drops essential oil of rose otto

3 drops essential oil of Roman chamomile

Recipes 2 and 3 can be added to 4 tablespoons distilled water, shaken well and used in a spray bottle to make a room freshener with relaxing properties.

Recipe 4

3 drops essential oil of lavender

2 drops essential oil of marjoram

2 drops essential oil of basil

1 drop essential oil of vetiver

1 drop essential oil of fennel

This is a great blend to use in the bath.

Seeing an aromatherapist

Because aromatherapy is a holistic therapy (where practitioners look at people and their ills as a whole), therapists ask questions about your symptoms, lifestyle, family circumstances and so on. Depending on your answers, a suitable blend of oils will be recommended and a back massage offered. As well as being beneficial healthwise, aromatherapy massages are very relaxing.

If you are unable to consult a qualified aromatherapist, your local healthfood store may be able to provide you with details of which essential oils are appropriate for your needs. Alternatively, you may want to borrow a good aromatherapy library book. To find out more, you can check out New Cures For Tinnitus.

Some minerals, too, are believed to be helpful in the treatment of tinnitus. These minerals are all provided in a good multi-mineral supplement. If you plan to try such a supplement, it's recommended that you notify your GP first.

Zinc

It is believed that some people with chronic tinnitus have a zinc deficiency, but some people report improvements when they take supplements and others do not.

Zinc is involved in a wide range of metabolic activities, including digestion, protein synthesis and insulin production. It is also required for immune system function and the development and maintenance of the reproductive organs. This mineral is generally provided in only very low quantities in the Western diet, particularly in the vegetarian diet because the high grain content binds to this mineral, rendering it useless.

Deficiency symptoms include white spots on the fingernails, stretch marks, fatigue, decreased alertness and a susceptibility to infections. Good sources of zinc are the herb liquorice, seafood, (lean) red meat, eggs, liver, chickpeas, kidney beans and lentils, wheatgerm, wholemeal bread, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pecan and pistachio nuts and ginseng.

Magnesium

A deficiency in magnesium has been linked with chronic tinnitus. As with the zinc, supplementation does not always bring about an improvement. However, some volunteers reported an improvement in their tinnitus.

Magnesium is important for the absorption of calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins C and E and the B complex vitamins. It helps to make bones less prone to breakage and, together with calcium and vitamin C, it aids the conversion of blood sugar into energy. Magnesium deficiency is as common as that of calcium, however, and, due to the precarious balance of these two associated minerals, deficiency may be caused by excessive calcium supplementation. For this reason, the ratio of calcium to magnesium intake should be approximately 2 to 1, except where there is a deficiency in either of these minerals.

The symptoms of magnesium deficiency include muscle pain and tenderness, fatigue, migraine and headaches, tremor and shakiness, poor mental function, allergies, palpitations and numbness and tingling in the fingers and toes. Good sources of magnesium include whole grains, leafy green vegetables, nuts – especially almonds and cashews – seeds, legumes, soya products, vegetables – especially broccoli and sweetcorn – bananas and apricots.

Potassium

Potassium has many important functions, including the normal transmission of nerve impulses and stabilizing internal cell structures. A deficiency in this mineral can cause intense thirst, bloating, dizziness, low blood pressure, poor reflexes, muscle twitches, acute muscle weakness, nervous disorders, erratic and/or rapid heartbeats, insomnia, fatigue and high cholesterol levels. Many experts believe that a deficiency can lead to tinnitus, too.

Good food sources are bananas, (lean) meats, avocados, tomato juice, fruit and vegetable juices, nuts, salad vegetables, potatoes, oranges and dried fruits. To find out more, you can check out Buzzing In Ears Treatment.

Certain vitamins have been found to improve tinnitus and these are discussed below. You should always inform your doctor before taking a course of a particular supplement.

Vitamin A

This vitamin is important to the health of the membranes in the ear and a deficiency can cause inner-ear problems, such as tinnitus. Vitamin A-rich food sources include yellow fruits and vegetables (oranges, cantaloupes, apricots, carrots and yams), oily fish and dark fruit and vegetables (blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, Brussel sprouts and spinach).

Vitamin A supplementation is likely to be helpful in the treatment of tinnitus, but excessive supplementation is thought to pose certain health risks so it is best to increase the amount of vitamin A-rich foods in your diet. Apart from those listed above, milk, eggs, liver and fortified breakfast cereals are good sources. The recommended daily amount (RDA) for vitamin A for adult males is 3000 IUs and for adult females 2310 IUs. However, it should not be taken at all in pregnancy.

The B-complex vitamins

The B vitamins are invaluable for the reduction of stress, regulation of the nervous system and production of energy. Unlike most other vitamins, they are all interdependent, meaning that they work best in combination with each other. However, the B vitamins tend to be unstable, which means that they are easily destroyed in food preparation and cooking. Furthermore, they are quickly flushed through the body, so we need to replenish them on a daily basis.

The following B vitamins are beneficial for tinnitus.

Vitamin B1 (thiamine)

Vitamin B1 is known to support the metabolism and brain activity. Its most important function, however, is to keep the nervous system healthy, which is obviously useful for those with tinnitus.

Sources of vitamin B1 include green peas, spinach, liver, beef, pork, nuts, bananas, soya products and wholegrain flour.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)

This vitamin is an excellent stress-reliever, lifting the mood, fighting depression and reducing fatigue. When taken alone, it can produce yellow-green fluorescent urine, but this is not harmful.

Foods that contain vitamin B2 include asparagus, okra, cottage cheese, milk, yogurt, meat, eggs and fish.

Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)

Not only is vitamin B5 crucial for the production of the anti-stress hormones but it is also vital to the release of energy from protein, carbohydrates, fats and sugars, as well as the good health of the nervous system. Vitamin B5 food sources include whole grains, soft-boiled egg- yolk, fish, brewer's yeast, peanuts, walnuts, dried pears and apricots, dates and mushrooms.

Supplementation of this vitamin in tablet form is recommended for those with tinnitus. You should see an improvement within six months. If you don't, stop taking it.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

We need vitamin B6 for the conversion of fats and proteins into energy. It is also important for reducing stress and protecting the nerve cells. Good food sources of this vitamin include bananas, wholegrain bread, (lean) meats, eggs, dried beans, avocados, seeds, nuts, chicken, fish and liver.

Again, supplementation of this vitamin in tablet form is recommended. You should see an improvement in your stress levels and tinnitus within six months. If you don't, stop taking it.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)

A deficiency in vitamin B12 (known as cobalamin because it contains cobalt) has been linked with tinnitus. It is known as the 'energy vitamin' and it is crucial to the production of neurotransmitters in the brain. These are important chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin released at the ends of nerve fibres that affect mood, sleep patterns and many other psychological functions.

Vitamin B12 is also essential for protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, red blood cell formation and the longevity of cells. A deficiency in this vitamin is linked with an abnormal immune response, nerve degeneration and poor neurological function, muscle weakness, anaemia, breathlessness, listlessness, fatigue, depression, paranoia, memory loss and headaches.

The only reliable sources of vitamin B12 are meat, dairy products and eggs. Some nutritionists still believe it to be present in fermented soya products, including miso, tempeh, shoyu and tamari, as well as seaweeds and algae, but there is no scientific evidence to back this up. Indeed, in analysis, spirulina (an algae) and nori (a seaweed) were shown to contain structures that are very similar to vitamin B12 but can actually cause B12 deficiency.

If you suffer from both chronic tinnitus and hearing loss, it's recommended that, as well as the above-mentioned foods, you also consume products that are fortified with vitamin B12. These can include yeast extracts, veggieburger mixes, textured vegetable protein (TVP), soya milk, vegetable and sunflower margarines and breakfast cereals. A high intake of B12 is not considered dangerous.

For vegetarians, the best sources of this vitamin are free-range eggs, full-fat or semi-skimmed milk and vegetarian cheeses. Foods fortified with vitamin B12 are also recommended.

Note that the fermentation process in yogurt production destroys much of the B12 present, as does the boiling of milk. Vitamin B12 is only available as a food supplement on prescription in injectable form.

Vitamin E

This vitamin is important for maintaining a good oxygen supply to the nerve cells. It also protects red blood cells from toxins and aids in the maintenance of nerve and muscle function. However, as it has anti-thrombin properties, people on warfarin should consult their doctor before taking vitamin E supplements.

Good food sources are fish, eggs, leafy green vegetables and oil, seed and grain derivatives, including wheatgerm, safflower, avocados, nuts, sunflower oil and seeds, pumpkin seeds, linseed, almonds, Brazils, cashews, pecans, wholegrain cereals and breads, wheatgerm, asparagus, dried prunes and broccoli.

Because rancid oils are extremely damaging to the body, oil-containing foods should be kept in airtight containers away from sunlight. Supplements of this oil are widely available. To find out more, you can check out What Stops Ringing In The Ears.

Saturated fat and trans-fatty acids have many negative effects in terms of tinnitus. They are not recommended for those with diabetes or hyperinsulinaemia. They increase bad cholesterol levels, decrease good cholesterol levels and can lead to atherosclerosis – a disease of the arteries characterized by deposits of fatty material on the artery walls, narrowing them. Atherosclerosis increases the risk of heart disease and stroke because it impedes the normal blood flow through the arteries.

In tinnitus, blood flow to the inner ear needs to be improved as much as possible to remove toxins and preserve healthy cells. Consuming a diet that is low in saturated fat and fairly high in unsaturated fat is your best way to increase blood flow.

There are two distinct types of fat.

Saturated fat

This is the bad fat. It comes mainly from animal sources and is generally solid at room temperature. Although margarine was, for many years, believed to be healthier for us than butter, nutritionists have now revised their opinion. Some of the fats in the hydrogenation process involved in making margarine are changed into trans-fatty acids, which the body metabolizes as if they were saturated fatty acids, just as they do for butter. Butter is a valuable source of oils and vitamin A, but, because of the above, should be used very sparingly. Margarine, on the other hand, is an artificial product containing many additives.

Unsaturated fat

Also called polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fat, unsaturated fat has a protective effect on the heart and other organs and is usually liquid at room temperature. Omega 3 and omega 6 oils occur naturally in oily fish (mackerel, herring, sardines, tuna and so on), and in nuts and seeds.

It is recommended that people with tinnitus eat oily fish at least three times a week and cold-pressed oil (olive, rapeseed, safflower and sunflower oil) daily, for dressings and in cooking. Olive oil is more suited to cooking than the other oils as it suffers less damage from heat.

Eggs

You're no doubt aware that eggs are high in cholesterol, which is a type of fat. However, they also contain lecithin, which is a superb biological detergent, capable of breaking down fats so that they can be utilized by the body. Lecithin also prevents the accumulation of too many acid or alkaline substances in the blood and encourages the transport of nutrients through the cell walls. Eggs should be soft-boiled or poached as a hard yolk will bind the lecithin, rendering it useless as a fat detergent.

Although it is recommended that you eat two to three eggs a week, vegetarians following this diet should eat up to five eggs a week to obtain the necessary protein.

Retraining your palate

In comparison with the average Western diet, which has, by the addition of chemical flavourings, saturated fat, sugar, salt and so on, evolved largely to please the taste buds, the tinnitus diet is based on foods in their more natural form. It is essential, therefore, that you slowly retrain your palate to accept different tastes. For this reason, If you have until now consumed foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat, it is advisable to cut back on these gradually. It takes only 28 days of eating a food regularly for it to become a habit.

Food allergies

In some people, food allergies are thought to be responsible for their head noises. It's well worth experimenting to determine whether or not a reaction to a certain food is temporarily increasing their volume. Common irritants are salt, caffeine, alcohol and smoking. Even the quinine in tonic water can trigger a bout of tinnitus or worsen existing noises. Eliminate one type of food at once and wait a couple of days to monitor its effect. If your tinnitus worsens when you have that food again, you really need to cut it out of your diet. To find out more, you can check out Home Remedy For Tinnitus.

The majority of the foods on our supermarket shelves have undergone some degree of refinement or chemical alteration to make them taste better. The primary additive is a flavour enhancer called monosodium glutamate (MSG), which breaks down into glutamate in the body. Like aspartame, glutamate is another excitatory neurotransmitter that causes the nerve cells to repeatedly fire until they die. Glutamate can, therefore, be a root cause of tinnitus.

As manufacturers of monosodium glutamate are not required to call it MSG on the label, it is often disguised as yeast food, hydrolysed yeast, autolysed yeast, yeast extract, sodium caseinate, natural flavouring, vegetable protein, hydrolysed protein, other spices and natural chicken or turkey flavouring. This product can also trigger neurological allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, itching, hives, headaches, bloating, upset stomach, excessive thirst, restlessness, chest pain, joint pain and severe depression.

Glutamate is not only formed in the body after consuming food additives but can also be released as a result of the cochlea hair cells being damaged by exposure to noise, taking ototoxic medications, infection and so on. Again, the nerve cells in the auditory pathways are excited so much that they fire continuously and, as they start to die, vast numbers of free radicals appear, causing the nerve cells more damage.

Free radicals are actually oxygen atoms that lack an electron and charge around looking for it. They may grab it from a cell wall or from material within the cell. As a result, further nerve cell damage occurs and cell death is accelerated. Tinnitus and the hearing loss that arises as a result of this type of nerve damage is called cochlea-synaptic tinnitus.

Caffeine

Caffeine products – these include coffee, tea, cocoa, cola drinks and chocolate – are toxic to the liver and can reduce the body's ability to absorb vitamins and minerals. Moreover, caffeine is closely related to cocaine, morphine, strychnine and nicotine, which cause nerve cell damage. Consumed regularly in fairly high quantities, it is likely to give rise to chronic anxiety, the symptoms of which are agitation, palpitations, headaches, indigestion, panic, insomnia and hyperventilation. However, when consumed in moderation or withdrawn from the diet, not only do the symptoms of chronic anxiety improve, head noises can decline or even be totally eliminated.

The addictiveness of caffeine makes reduction far from easy, however, and withdrawal symptoms can take the form of splitting headaches, fatigue, depression, poor concentration and muscle pains. It's no wonder people can feel terrible until they have had their first dose of caffeine in the morning and can't seem to function properly without regular doses throughout the day! Fortunately, caffeine is quickly washed out of the system and it is possible to minimize withdrawal symptoms by reducing your intake over several weeks.

If you are completely withdrawing caffeine from your diet, a problem may be finding an acceptable alternative. Coffee, tea, cocoa and cola drinks can be replaced by fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas – green tea is very good, as is rooibosch (red bush) tea as they are both low in tannin and high in antioxidants. A variety of grain coffee substitutes may also be purchased from healthfood shops. Unfortunately, as many decaffeinated products are processed with the use of chemicals, they are not a good choice.

Carob, which is similar in taste to chocolate, is a healthy, caffeine-free alternative to cocoa and chocolate. It contains less fat and is naturally sweet, unlike the cocoa bean, which is bitter in its natural state and so is generally sweetened with sugar. Many people find carob bars an enjoyable replacement for chocolate and other confectionery. It is also available in powder form for use in baking and drinks.

Alcohol

Alcohol – a toxin – causes free radicals to be released in the liver's alcohol detoxificatlon process, which can result in damage to the nerve cells. On top of that, pesticides, colourants and other harmful additives are generally involved in modem-day alcohol production, exerting further strain on the liver.

The maximum safe daily alcohol intake for women is no more than two to three units, with some alcohol-free days in between. For men it is three to four units with some alcohol-free days in between. The weekly safe limit for women is no mote than 14 units and for men it is a maximum of 21 units. So what is a unit?

• Half a pint of normal-strength beer, lager or cider.

• One small (100-ml) glass of wine.

• A single (25-ml) measure of spirits.

• A 275-ml bottle of an alcopop (5.5 per cent/volume) equals 1.5 units.

• A large (175-ml) glass of wine equals two units.

Smoking

Smoking cigarettes and cigars reduces the flow of blood to the auditory system and greatly increases damage from free radicals. This results in damage to the nerve cell walls, certain cell structures and the genetic material within the cells, all of which accelerate cell death. The auditory system is as vulnerable to nerve cell damage as any other area, perpetuating tinnitus and often causing it. Many people have reported that once they stopped smoking, their tinnitus improved or even disappeared.

It's impossible for a smoker to be healthy and fit. As well as causing nerve cell degeneration, smoking does untold damage to other systems in the body. Perhaps the best thing you can do to improve your tinnitus is stop smoking. To find out more, you can check out Natural Remedies For Tinnitus.

Although our bodies need a certain amount of the sodium we obtain from salt, a high intake can be harmful in many ways. High blood pressure and heart disease are just two of the conditions linked to high salt consumption levels. In tinnitus, salt invariably worsens the condition, with immediate effect.

Salt as a preservative

Due to its ability to inhibit the growth of harmful micro-organisms, large quantities of salt are added as a preservative to most processed and prepackaged foods. For example, a tin of soup alone contains more salt (sodium) than the recommended daily allowance for an adult. Large amounts of salt are also added to most breakfast cereals, except for shredded wheat products.

It is recommended, therefore, that you limit your intake of salt in the following ways:

• reduce your consumption of processed and prepackaged foods;

• use only a very small amount of sea salt or rock salt in baking and cooking;

• try to avoid sprinkling any type of salt over your meals.

Reducing your salt intake very gradually is the best way to retrain your palate.

Reducing intake of stimulants

One of the main reasons we crave stimulants such as caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol and products containing white refined sugar is as a way of coping with high levels of stress. When we are stressed, our bodies demand a boost of energy – a 'lift'. However, the lift we obtain from stimulants is short-lived, unlike the damage it can cause to our bodies.

Cutting out stimulants can, ironically, significantly raise energy levels, reduce anxiety and greatly improve the health of our nerve cells, all of which are of benefit in tinnitus. If you find that you are unable to completely eliminate stimulants from your diet, reduce them as much as possible – it will make a difference.

Sugar

You may be surprised to hear that sugar consumption has been linked with many disorders, from diabetes to heart disease and cancer. However, we do need a certain amount of sugar to convert into energy. Also, sugar metabolism plays an important role in the efficient functioning of the auditory system. What you may not know, however, is that we can actually obtain all the sugar we need from fruit and complex (unrefined) carbohydrates (grains, lentils and so on), which convert into sugar in the body as nature intended.

For many years, scientists have spoken of a connection between tinnitus and sugar metabolism disorders, such as diabetes. Indeed, studies have shown that a massive 84-92 per cent of people with tinnitus have a sugar metabolism disorder called hyperinsulinaemia, which means that there is too much insulin present in the blood. Hyperinsulinaemia occurs when the body becomes insensitive to insulin and ineffective at delivering sugar to the required cells. As a consequence, the pancreas produces increasing amounts of insulin in an attempt to process the blood sugar. Too much insulin in the blood is the first step on the slippery slope to type II diabetes.

It has been found that when people with tinnitus follow a diet suitable for diabetics, their head noises can drastically reduce or even disappear. Such a diet Involves, eating regular meals, eliminating refined sugar and simple carbohydrates (table sugar and the sugars found in sweets, cakes, pastries, biscuits and sweetened cereals), restricting saturated and hydrogenated fats, drinking no more than two cups of coffee a day and drinking four to six glasses of water a day.

If you really need to sweeten your food and drinks, alternatives to refined white sugar include raw honey, barley malt and fruit juice sweetener (fructose). Also note that muscovado and demerara (also called soft brown) sugar are formed during the early stages of the sugar-refining process and so contain far more nutrients than refined white sugar. These may all be used in cooking and baking.

Artificial sweeteners

Refined sugar and simple carbohydrates are best avoided by those with tinnitus, so can they be replaced by a sugar substitute, such as aspartame, sold under the brand names of NutraSweet, Spoonful, Equal and Indulge. The short answer is no, not if you want to be healthy and improve your tinnitus. Aspartame is an excitatory neurotransmitter that causes nerve cells to fire continually until they become exhausted and die. As a result, the nervous system is damaged and conditions of nerve degeneration, including tinnitus, can develop.

Many people consume food and drinks containing aspartame in an attempt to lose weight. However, this artificial sweetener creates a craving for carbohydrates, which only causes them to gain weight. When they stop consuming aspartame – in diet drinks, for example – they generally lose weight.

Nancy Markle, an expert on multiple sclerosis, stated at a World Environment Conference that aspartame can be dangerous to diabetics, multiple sclerosis patients and people with Parkinson's disease. Neurosurgeon Dr Russell Blakelock states in his book entitled Excitotoxins: The taste that kills (Health Press Books, 1996) that the ingredients of aspartame can overstimulate the neurons of the brain, giving rise to dangerous symptoms. Furthermore, Dr H. J. Roberts, a specialist in diabetes, has written a book entitled Defense Against Alzheimer's Disease (Sunshine Sentinel Press Inc., 1995) in which he states that aspartame poisoning is escalating Alzheimer's disease.

The unrefined sugars found naturally in fruit and vegetables are safe and nutritious. They also take longer to digest, which avoids a sugar rush to the bloodstream and, thus, excessive production of insulin, which occurs when artificial sweeteners are ingested. Fortunately, there are natural sweeteners, such as Stevia and Xylitol, that are perfectly safe and available from healthfood shops. To find out more, you can check out Ringing Of The Ears Treatment.