TINNITUS

Usually a symptom of some other condition, tinnitus describes any sort of ringing in the ears. Causes can include aging, inflammation, and wax buildup. Tinnitus can be made worse by stress, making a combination of calming and anti-inflammatory essential oils an effective treatment.

Essential Oils That May Help

Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for tinnitus are:

•  Cedarwood

•  Cypress

•  Frankincense

•  Helichrysum

•  Lavender

Safety First

To avoid damage to the ear or to find a potential underlying problem, consult with a healthcare professional.

How to Use Them

These aromatherapy techniques can help you relieve the discomfort of tinnitus using relaxing and anti-inflammatory essential oils.

•  Eardrops. Although you should never put essential oils directly into your ears, you can dilute them and apply them to your outer ear using a cotton ball.

•  Simple massage. Dilute healing or calming oils in your favorite carrier oil and apply the mixture to the back of the ears and jawline behind the earlobes.

•  Warm compress. The warmth of a compress coupled with the right essential oils can help reduce the inflammation.

Natural Partners for Aromatherapy

For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:

•  Use white noise. White noise can help suppress the sounds of tinnitus.

•  Clean out your ears. Tinnitus can be caused by a buildup of earwax.

•  Meditate. Stress can aggravate tinnitus, and meditation is a great way to reduce tension and mental anxiety.

Remedies for Tinnitus

These aromatherapy recipes may help offer some relief for the annoying condition.

RING-RELIEF MASSAGE

When you’re in search of quick relief for tinnitus, try this blend. Make sure you take several deep breaths for effective inhalation of the relaxing aromas.

2 drops lavender oil

2 drops frankincense oil

1 teaspoon carrier oil

Combine the oils in a small glass bowl. Massage the mixture onto the back of your ears and down to your jawline every few hours until symptoms subside.

TINNITUS “EARDROPS

Helichrysum reduces inflammation while cypress relieves stress. Allow the oils to absorb from the cotton ball and into your ear.

3 drops helichrysum oil

3 drops cypress oil

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 small dark-glass dropper bottle

Add all of the oils to the bottle and shake to blend. Add 3 drops of the mixture to a clean cotton ball and place it just inside the opening of the ear (do not push it in farther). Leave it there for up to 2 hours and repeat, as needed.