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Definition

Tinnitus aurium is the ringing, tinkling, buzzing, or other sounds in the ear. Found in certain diseases of the exterior, middle, or inner ear. Also called sonitus. The sensation of noises in one or both ears; associated with disease in the middle ear, in the inner, or the central auditory apparatus. Pronunciation according to Taber's Medical Dictionary: Tinnitus, tin-i (long I) -tus
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Causes

Impacted ear-wax; ear inflammation or infection, sound pollution, obstruction of the ear, hysteria are some of the causes. Also follows overdosage of drugs such as quinine and saliclylates including aspirin. Treatment of the underlying causes usually will stop the noises.

Synonym: Sonitus
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Herbs

• Blood root (Sanguinaria canadensis)
• Calico bush (Kalmia latifolia)
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Labrador tea (Ledum latifolium)
• Sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum)
• Wormseed (Chenopodium anthelminticum)

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Recommendations

Ginkgo biloba is reported by Earl Mindell's Herb Bible to relieve symptoms of tinnitus such as noises in the ear and vertigo (dizziness).

With the sesame seed remedy, which is said to be very effective, the seeds are thoroughly ground into a powder and mixed into a paste with honey (the mixture is eaten as a candy called halva in the Middle East) and 2 tsp. are taken daily. Or 2 tsp. may be made into a candy and refrigerated to be eaten daily. There is a halva bar on the market; care should be taken as to its contents. Some manufacturers use sugars instead of honey.

Also, a recommended treatment for tinnitus is to combine oil of Roses and oil of Savory, warm slightly and apply 2 drops to each ear affected, morning and night. This is an ancient remedy, said to be very effective.
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Bibliography

Earl Mindell's Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020

Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 15th Edition, F. A. Davis Company, 1915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, copyright 1985

Webster's New World Medical Dictionary, New World Dictionaries, 850 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44114, 1987.

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