Can ginkgo biloba help with persistent ear ringing? Or is this just an urban legend, with no basis in fact?
Unfortunately, 1 in 5 people suffer from tinnitus or ear ringing, according to the Mayo Clinic. The causes vary. Sometimes it’s related to aging or a build up of ear wax. Or certain drugs may increase the sensation of ringing in the ears. If the problem is pervasive, it’s always a good idea to get more serious issues ruled out.
Tinnitus can be longstanding and even debilitating. It can interfere with sleep. It can make it difficult to concentrate.
Regular mainstream treatment options are limited. They include anti-anxiety medication or antidepressants. However, unfortunately, these drugs can have side effects. Plus, they don’t hit the underlying cause. Sometimes sound masking devices are used. If the underlying cause is a buildup of ear wax, this can be removed.
Home Remedies for Ear Ringing Problems
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There is also a treatment called Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. This involves retraining the brain to sort of ignore ear ringing. It can take a long time to see results. Mainstream medicine, however, is not always successful in reducing the sensation of ringing.
Not surprisingly, many people turn to natural remedies. One of the most common home remedies for tinnitus is an herb called gingko biloba. But does this really help with tinnitus?
Ginkgo Biloba Benefits for Ear Ringing
The entire site is devoted to natural remedies and non-toxic health tips. So I’m a huge fan of herbs, drugs and essential oils. But only if there’s some reason to believe they’ll help a particular problem.
I’m honestly not sure if gingko biloba will help stop ringing in the ears. So far, findings have been mixed. It is known that this time-tested herbal remedy can improve circulation. So it’s conceivable that tinnitus caused by poor circulation could be helped.
Natural Remedy for Ear Ringing
However, one study did find that a standardized gingko extract did result in a significant reduction in reported tinnitus symptoms. The authors noted that other research showing that gingko biloba didn’t result in improvements may have had study flaws.
Since I’m not a doctor, and can’t give medical advice, I can’t tell you whether it’s a good idea to take gingko biloba for bothersome ear ringing.
But given the fact there’s some supporting evidence, you may want to ask your doctor whether ginkgo biloba is right for you. This herbal remedy does have some potential additional benefits, including enhanced memory and cognition. It may also help with depression. (This herb should not be given to children. Definitely check with your doctor beforehand if you take any prescription medication.)
Does Gingko Biloba Help Ear Ringing?
There are many different types of gingko biloba on the market. I have never used this herbal remedy myself. But I may add it to my natural medicine cabinet, in the near future. The brand I’d buy buy is sold by Oregon’s Wild Harvest. This is where I get a lot of my herbal remedies. I totally trust the purity ad potency of its products, and I appreciate the fact Oregon’s Wild Harvest sells whole herbs, as opposed to laboratory-extracted isolates.
Whole herbs have been used for ages. But only recently have scientists begun to separate out individual active ingredients and sell them as dietary supplements. So I prefer to only take whole herbs, since they may contain additional components that work together in synergy. If you can’t find Oregon’s Wild Harvest Gingko Biloba locally, it’s available online.
Gingko Biloba for Ear Ringing
Like many other people, I do have ringing in my ears. I’ve had it for as long as I remember. But this is not an overwhelming or debilitating symptom. So I’m not going to worry about it.
If it did start to bother me, I would consider taking gingko biloba for a few weeks, to see if it helped. I don’t think herbal remedies are meant to be taken indefinitely. I know I certainly can’t take them long term.
Home Remedies for Tinnitus Ear Ringing
Also, I probably wouldn’t solely rely upon herbal gingko biloba to ease tinnitus. I would most likely also turn to homeopathy, which can lead to deep and lasting healing. I’d also consider chiropractic care, as tinnitus can be related to TMJ, also known as temporomandibular joint disorder.
TMJ is a painful and stubborn condition that affects a large number of people. I developed TMJ last year. I hope it never returns to the point it did, where I was in so much pain I couldn’t sleep. My chiropractor was so helpful. But I also used homeopathy, as well as essential oils for breakthrough discomfort. I’ve been using natural remedies for more than 20 years. And I’ve found that using multiple remedies and layering treatments is what works best for me.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use herbal remedies unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
