First it was ringing, then a roaring rush. That annoying noise in your ears slowly developed. Lately the noise is there day and night. For some people tinnitus sounds like clicking, hissing, or buzzing. Tinnitus isn’t a disease, though rarely it may be the symptom of something else.
Tinnitus occurs because of changes in ear structure, such as damage to ear nerves or cilia, the hair-like fibers that help with sound conduction. There’s even a form of arthritis that affects ears, as does aging, hormonal changes in women, and ear or sinus infections. At one time or another during the year, millions of adult Americans have tinnitus.
Why Essential Oils are good for Tinnitus
There are several benefits essential oils offer if you have tinnitus. Circulation stimulation aids blood flow around ear structures. Several oils relieve tension and stress, factors that contribute to tinnitus. If you have temporomandibular issues, the joint’s tight muscles affect the outer and middle ear canals. Neck tension is another factor, with oils softening tight muscles.
There are oils that support the body with flushing toxins, and those that help with sleep disruption, a common occurrence when living with tinnitus. And there are oils that promote nerve health, a vital factor for reducing tinnitus disruption.
Best Essential Oils For Tinnitus
1. Patchouli Oil (Pogostemon cablin)
Patchouli encourages smooth circulation to nourish and clean your cells. Nutrients are delivered throughout your inner and middle ear tissues. At the same time toxins are removed. Researchers conducting an vitro study of patchouli concluded that the oil has broader…prospects related to antimicrobial benefits. Its sesquiterpene compounds fend off microbes, including those that infect ears and sinuses.
The interplay of patchouli’s alcohol and terpene compounds create uplifting, balancing benefits along with analgesia. This combination helps to allay tinnitus related anxiety.
Blend 1 drop of patchouli in 5 ml of carrier oil and massage a dab behind each ear.
Best for: Stimulating circulation.
2. Helichrysum Oil (Helichrysum italicum)
One benefit of helichrysum is its ability to boost your immune system. Pinene is the terpene compound responsible for reducing the irritation that is part of tinnitus. Its cleansing benefits add a layer of protection for your disrupted ear tissues by fending off microbes associated with ear and sinus infections.
Helichrysum relieves ear discomfort and tension, aiding your sleep and overall well being. This benefit occurs because helichrysum reduces muscle spasms and calms nerves. These two actions alone make this a go-to oil when you have tinnitus!
Use tip: Blend 6 drops of helichrysum in 10 ml of carrier oil, massaging the oil around the outside of your ear.
Best for: Calming ear nerve tissues.
3. Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender’s gentle powers support tinnitus tension relief. Her detoxifying prowess rids your system of free radicals that limit immune function. It then reduces the stress hormone cortisol level as you rest. When cortisol remains elevated it contributes to inflammation. Healthy human volunteers experienced reductions in saliva cortisol levels after smelling lavender.
Lavender reduces worry, combining this with relieved muscle tension, such as those in your middle ear. The main compound, linalyl acetate, bestows calm while promoting clarity, one reason for feeling refreshed after a lavender supported sleep.
Create a sleepy time sachet by adding two drops of lavender to a small cloth to tuck beneath your pillow.
Best for: Balancing stress hormones.
4. Cypress Oil (Cupressus sempervirens)
Cypress is rich in the compounds a-pinene, limonene, thujopsene, and cedrol. This smorgasbord of care cleanses, reduces the effects of inflammation, eliminates excess fluids, and relieves tissue spasms. It stimulates circulation, combining with the other benefits to offer powerful aid when you have tinnitus.
Along with these welcome physical benefits, cypress has a lifting quality that lightens your mood with a welcome brightening amidst the stifling disquiet of tinnitus.
Prepare a room spritzer in a glass spray bottle. Add 20 drops of cypress to 120 ml of filtered or distilled water mixed with 10 ml of vodka. Shake before using.
Best for: Relieving congestion, especially important when your head is stuffy.
5. Juniper Oil (Juniperus communis)
Juniper is stimulating, boosting much needed circulation throughout your inner and middle ear. It detoxifies, scavenging the free radicals that harm delicate ear structures, limiting the actions of ear fibers, nerves, and bones.
Sesquiterpene compounds bestow calming effects, making juniper a friend when tinnitus disrupts peace of mind. This state of peaceful balance relieves the muscular tension that can contribute to causes of tinnitus.
Add 2 drops of juniper to 20 ml of your shampoo to soothe scalp and head tissues with detoxifying benefits.
Best for: Detoxification.
6. Sweet Basil Essential Oil (Ocimum basilicum)
Sweet basil is rich in linalool, a compound that cares for inflamed tissues, just what’s needed when tinnitus is ringing, pinging, and throbbing throughout your ears. The compound eugenol relieves discomfort, especially when your neck tightens, causing ear noises to worsen.
Basil promotes focus and clear thinking, reducing anxiety with its warm, balancing support. This, along with its ability to foster determination, helps you to move forward with creating changes to reduce your tinnitus symptoms.
Place 2 drops of sweet basil on a lava necklace, helping you to enjoy its calming benefits throughout the day.
Best for: Caring for inflamed tissues.
7. Frankincense Oil (Boswellia carterii)
Frankincense offers sedating care when tinnitus disrupts your peace. It calms, reducing muscular tension in the neck and jaw, potential causes of ear noise. Frankincense stimulates serotonin, a neurotransmitter that enhances feelings of wellbeing.
Frankincense offers pain relief for inflamed tissues. Alpha-pinene is responsible for this benefit. The compound is being observed for its arthritic relieving abilities, such as those related to ear structure issues.
Place a cotton ball moistened with 1 drop frankincense mixed in 5 ml grapeseed oil in your outer ear. Do not push into the ear canal. Leave in place for 2 hours, repeating twice 24 hours.
Best for: Reducing tinnitus related muscular tension.
8. Petitgrain Oil (Citrus aurantium amara)
Petitgrain is a sweetly aromatic oil rich in components that offer support when enduring tinnitus. Geraniol aids in detoxification and reduction in signs of inflammation. Linalool is another terpene alcohol that offers stress relief as it promotes sleep. Petitgrain promotes immune system well being, helping to thwart congestion and infections that contribute to tinnitus.
Create a calming steam inhalation by filling a large bowl with very warm water. Add 20 drops of petitgrain. Cover your head with a towel, holding your face 7 inches from the water, using care to avoid scalding. Tuck the towel around the bowl and breathe vapors for 10 minutes.
Best for: Immune system support.
Best Essential Oils For Tinnitus Recipes
Tame The Tinnitus Tonic
This tonic blends oils to stimulate circulation, release toxins, and reduce tension. It is designed to infuse the tissues near your outer ear with the compounds that bestow these benefits.
- 30 ml of coconut carrier oil
- 7 drops of juniper
- 5 drops of patchouli
- 4 drops of helichrysum
- 3 drops of frankincense
Blend the oils in a glass bottle.
Here are the spots on which to rub this tonic: In front of and behind your outer ear; on the nape of your neck, along the hairline; and on the temporomandibular joint. Consider using this tonic upon arising and before bedtime.
Calm And Quiet Sleep Sachet
Imagine a way to use sleeping hours to reduce tinnitus while promoting deep rest. This sachet does just that!
- An organza or muslin sachet bag
- 1 ounce of lavender buds
- A 6-inch square piece of cotton quilt batting or flannel
- 3 drops of lavender
- 2 drops of petitgrain
- 2 drops of helichrysum
Place lavender buds on the batting/cloth. Fold in the edges and clip with a pin. Drop the oils onto the batting/cloth. Place in the sachet bag, cinching closed.
Tuck the sachet beneath your pillow or fasten to bedding. Infuse the sachet with fresh oils as needed.
Tinnitus Tension Taming Steam Inhalation
This is a relaxing way to clear your head at the end of a long day. It relieves congestion and anxiety as it clears the swelling and discomfort of inflamed tissues. Best to do this while seated.
- A large bowl of very warm distilled or filtered water
- A large towel
- 12 drops of sweet basil
- 8 drops of cypress
- 6 drops of helichrysum
Drop the oils onto the water. Place the towel over your head, keeping your face 6-7 inches from the surface of the water, using caution not to scald your skin.
Tuck the towel in around the bowl to create a tent. Inhale the vapors for 5 to 10 minutes by taking full breaths. Arise carefully when done.
To Summarize
- Tinnitus is ringing, swishing, and throbbing sounds that occur in the middle and inner ears. It is caused by loud noises, aging, hormonal changes in women, arthritis, and ear and sinus infections. It is not a disease; it affects millions of adults annually.
- Essential oils have multiple benefits to quell tinnitus. They stimulate circulation, boost the immune system, relieve muscular tension, are detoxifying, and promote sound sleep.
- Best essential oils for tinnitus are lavender, juniper, frankincense, sweet basil, petitgrain, patchouli, cypress, and helichrysum.
- Tips for use include sachets, diffusing jewelry, personal inhalers, steam inhalation, massage oil, in shampoo, on a cotton ball, and room spritzers.
Read more:
- Essential Oils For Earache: Best Oils & How To Use For Ear Infection And Pain!
- 6 Essential Oils For Arthritis & How To Use Them To Alleviate Arthritic Ailments
