06/10/2026
Tinnitus and Herbal Treatments
Tinnitus affects an estimated 14% of adults worldwide and can range in effects from being plain annoying to truly debilitating. There is no definitive treatment available in either conventional or herbal medicine and is a complex multifactorial condition, and it's my personal belief that the longer you have it (as with most conditions) the harder it is to fix it.
A recent study tested 195 patients newly diagnosed with tinnitus with 2 doses of gingko (Gingo biloba) at 120mg/day and 240mg/day for one month. Gingko leaves are used in herbal medicine to treat cognitive function, blood circulation, support eye health and help with anxiety and depression. While there was no difference in results between the two dosages, there was a significant reduction in average THI (Tinnitus Handicap Inventory). The average decline was from 48.99 (baseline) to 28.33 in one month to 16.97 after 6 months to 10.54 after 18 months.
Importantly to note, there was no placebo with this trial, but it does suggest that supplements with correct herbs that, primarily support brain health, should be further studied in relation to this condition. We really know very little about this condition, despite the quite large percentage of the adult population that it affects. and I know people who suffer from it would love any reprieve from that constant droning noise forever in their ears!
Please remember to have professional advice before having this herb especially if you have had previous strokes, aneurism, burst blood vessel in the eyes or suffer from headaches or migraines (especially vascular type), or if you have uncontrolled or controlled hypertension. This herb works by slightly increasing blood circulation to the head, and therefore, increases head blood pressure, so it is possible to potentiate the previously mentioned conditions.