Oil Pulling With Nirgundi Oil In Tinnitus

Our sense organs play an important role to perceive the external stimuli. One among them is our ears. The ear is an organ that helps in hearing along with that it also balances the body.

Tinnitus is a condition that pertains to ears. Tinnitus is not a disease it is merely a condition or a symptom, in which a person experiences ringing, buzzing sound in the ear when there is no external sound. The person may perceive musical sounds but these sounds are usually soft and are of low pitched. Tinnitus can affect one or both ears. Tinnitus usually affects the old age people. The affected index ratio is higher in males than in females. Tinnitus may be constant or intermittent.

According to Ayurveda tinnitus is related to "Karna Naada' a condition explained under 'Karna rogas'. Hearing is the attribution of "Akash mahabhuta" in our body and it is the prime function of Vata dosha. Hence, the vitiation of Vata dosha leads to tinnitus.

CAUSES OF TINNITUS

The most common causes of tinnitus are:-

• Exposure to loud noise
• Swimming in polluted water
• Excessive consumption of dry and cold food items.
• Malnutrition
• Health ailments like high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, other ENT problems, etc.
• Tumors or cysts in the sensory pathway of ear
• Stress and Anxiety
• Hormonal imbalance
• Nerves weakness
• History of ear infection
• Damage to cochlea
• Reduced blood flow and muscle spasm

SOME RISK FACTORS ARE

• Old age
• Habits of alcohol consumption, smoking, etc
• Excessive use of earphones
• Medicines like aspirin
• Excessive ear wax accumulation
• Cold climate

SYMPTOMS OF TINNITUS

• Hearing different sounds like ringing, buzzing, humming and some musical nodes. This is the prime symptom of tinnitus. It may or may not be associated with other symptoms like -
• Insomnia (because of this low pitched sound)
• Headache
• Anxiety
• Stress
• Nausea
• Reduced hearing
• Dizziness
• Occasionally a person may experience pain
• Depression
• In extreme conditions, may leads to vertigo.

DIAGNOSIS OF TINNITUS

1. On a clinical basis with interrogation and examination (with the help of otoscope)
2. Hearing tests - Audiogram is helpful to evaluate the intensity of tinnitus.
3. CT scan or MRI

TREATMENT PROTOCOL AS PER AYURVEDA

There is no cure in modern medicine but there are some herbs in Ayurveda that can manage this condition.

According to Ayurveda, any derangement in the equilibrium of tridoshas leads to improper functioning of the organs and causes disease. In this condition among tridoshas the prime vitiated dosha is ‘Vata’. Here, Vata vridhi takes place hence, we need to take measures to pacify this aggravated Vata.

Management includes - Palliative care (Shaman) and Purificatory measures (Shodhana).

• Palliative care helps to subside Vata with the help of rejuvenating and vatahar herbs.
• Shodhana (Purificatory methods) – Gandusha (oil pulling), Karna purna (instillation of oil in the ears) and Nasya (instillation of oil in the nasal cavity), Shirodhara, etc are beneficial.

EFFECTS OF OIL PULLING

Oil pulling (Gandusha) is one of the Panchakarma procedures. Gandusha or oil pulling means retaining the fluids inside the oral cavity for a stipulated period of time, that helps to eliminate the toxins and pacifies Vata and Kapha dosha in the head and neck region. Let us discuss the benefits that are mentioned in our classics -

Reference:- Ashtanga hrudyam / Sutrasthanam / Chapter no. 22 / Shloka no. 12

As per our Classics, benefits of gandusha are as follows -

• Manya – Treat diseases of the neck
• Shira – Treats all the neurological disorders
• Karna – Manage all the problems related to ears.
• Mukha – Beneficial in oral disorders
• Akshi – Good for eye ailments
• Kantha – Deals with all throat ailments
• Praseka – Helpful in excessive salivation
• Vaktrashosha – And also manage the dryness of the oral cavity.

BENEFITS OF NIRGUNDI OIL IN TINNITUS

Sinduwar (Nirgundi) is the main ingredient of 'Nirgundi oil'. It is a Vata shamaka and rasayan (rejuvenating) herb that helps to pacify the pain, swelling and Vata, it eliminates toxins from the body, beneficial for eyes, ears and promotes the hair growth. This oil can be used externally in various neurological conditions, ulcers, piles, wounds, etc. In tinnitus, it can be used in Gandusha, Karnapurna and Nasya procedure.

BENEFITS OF OIL PULLING WITH NIRGUNDI OIL IN TINNITUS

• As we know, Vata is the main vitiated dosha. For subsiding that Vata snehan karma (Oleation) is the best way, that too with oils. Thus, gandusha with oil is helpful in this condition.
• Gandusha helps to relieve Vata from the oral cavity. As we know, the middle ear is connected to the oral cavity or nasopharynx via the Eustachian tube. This tube helps to relieve the pressure of the air inside the ear. Air is nothing just Vata, thus gandusha helps to pacify it directly from the middle ear, hence it is beneficial.
• This procedure is helpful in managing neurological disorders. Tinnitus may also occur due to the damage of the vestibulocochlear nerve hence, effective in tinnitus.

PROCEDURE OF OIL PULLING

• Initially, brush your teeth.
• Lukewarm the oil but avoid direct heat to the oil.
• Fill the mouth with nirgundi oil.
• Hold the oil until tears appear in your eyes. Then spit it out.
• Repeat this procedure for 2-3 times.
• Afterward, you can wash the oral cavity with lukewarm water.

Time – Prefer in the early morning.

Duration of Gandusha – It varies from person to person but approx 2 to 5 minutes (It depends upon the individual's retaining capacity)

PRECAUTION

• Avoid oil pulling in bleeding disorders and in poisoning conditions.
• The patient is advised to avoid direct exposure to cold wind and weather.
• Avoid intake of heavy, spicy, sour and cold foodstuffs.
• Oil should not be hot.
• Do not swallow the medicated oil.

Tinnitus (Ringing in the ears) Treatment in Ayurveda

Tinnitus is the condition, where an individual perceives a ringing sensation or a sensation of noise in ears. It is quite a common disorder. And, it affects almost every single individual out of 5 people. It is not a complication itself. However, it is a symptom of some of the complications like ear injury, hearing loss due to age or complication in cardio vascular system. Though it is not a serious issue, yet it is bothersome to a huge extent. And, it gets worsened further with age. However, the condition can improve with medications and treatments.

TYPES OF TINNITUS

Tinnitus is basically of two major types. These are as follows:

1. Subjective Tinnitus

It is a condition where only the patient can hear. It is supposed to be the most common type of disorder. It is caused due to the complications in the outer, middle or inner ear. Some other causes of the disorder is the complication in the auditory nerve or other parts of the brain, which interpret the signals of the nerve as sound.

2. Objective Tinnitus

It is a type of tinnitus, where the doctor can also hear the ringing sound while carrying out an examination. This is a rare type. And, it is caused by the complication in the blood vessels, condition of the middle ear bone and muscular contractions as well.

MAJOR CAUSES OF TINNITUS

There are a number of serious health conditions, which give rise to the condition of tinnitus. Though, the exact cause is hard to find, but the common cause of this condition is damage of the cells of the inner ear. The delicate, tiny hairs of the inner ear make movement due to the pressure created by the sound waves. This situation triggers the ear cells and release electric signal through the auditory nerves (nerve from the ear) to the brain. The brain then interprets this signal as the sound. If these hairs are broken, there occurs a leakage of the electric impulses randomly to the brain. And, this often leads to tinnitus. Age related hearing complication, too much exposure to the loud noise, blockages of the ear wax, changes in ear bones, injuries, chronic health complications and other related ear complications are some of the common causes of this disorder. Some other causes of this disorder are the disorders related to temporomandibular joint on the sides of the head in front of the ears, Meniere's disorder, accoustic neuroma and injuries on the neck and the head. The disorder may be caused due to disorders related to the blood vessels, which include atherosclerosis, neck tumor, high blood pressure, arteriovenous malformation, irregular and turbulent blood flow. And, disorder due to complications in blood vessels is known as the Pulsatile tinnitus. This is a rare condition.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF TINNITUS

Tinnitus gives rise to the irritating feeling of hearing a tingling sensation always even in the absence of the external sound. The various types of symptoms include the noises of ringing, buzzing, clicking, roaring and hissing sounds. The pitch of the noise may vary and it may happen that you may hear it in both the ears or only in one ear. It may come and vanish from time to time or may be present all throughout the time.

AYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF TINNUTIS

According to Ayurveda, Tinnutis is known as Karnanada. It is basically a sign of disturbance of prana vayu, which is a subdosha of the Vata element of the body. It is caused due to the imbalance of the Vata disorder. It is basically vata that is related to the perception of different sounds.

TINNITUS AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

This situation can be treated with the help of Ayurvedic herbs. Planet Ayurveda has provided some of the excellent solutions to this complication. The herbal formulations are absolutely safe, easy to consume and purely natural. The herbal formulations to treat the disorder are as follows:

Herbal Remedies For Tinnitus

1. Yograj Guggul

This medicine is made up of a lot of herbs and herbal compounds. These are Commiphora mukul, Embelia ribes, Piper longum, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, Emblica officinalis, Cyperus rotundus, Tribulus terrestris, Plumbago zeylanica, Nigella sativa, Zingiber officinale, Cinnamomum zeylanica, Cinnamomum tamala, Coriandrum sativum, Piper cubeba, Piper nigrum, rock salt and many more. This medicine helps in maintaining the balance of the vata energy.

Dose: 2 tablets two times daily with water.

2. Ashwagandha Capsules

These capsules are manufactured from the standardized extracts of the herb, Ashwagandha. This herb is scientifically known as Withania somnifera. This herb has anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties. Also, these capsules help in alleviating pain to a huge extent.

Dose: 2 capsules two times daily with water.

3. Brahmi Capsules

These capsules help in supporting a healthy body and a healthy mind. These capsules are manufactured from the standardized extracts of the herb, Brahmi. It is scientically known as Bacopa monnieri. These capsules help to alleviate the vitiated Vata related disorders. These are extremely effective to manage the condition of Tinnitus effectively.

Dose: 2 capsules two times daily with water.

Thus, these herbal formulations work together to fight away the complications of the disorder to a significant extent. These formulations are extremely helpful to fight away the signs and symptoms of Tinnitus effectively.

TINNITUS HOME REMEDIES

There are several home remedies of this disorder. These are given below:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

This is a superb home remedy, which is used to treat the infection, which gives rise to tinnitus. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. It helps to maintain the balance of the alkaline level in the individuals.

2. Holy Basil

This is yet another herb, which provides relief from the complication of tinnitus. It has anti-bacterial properties. It also has the potential to provide relief from the pain and other conditions of Tinnitus.

3. Onion Juice

Onions have anti-bacterial properties. Thus, two to three drops of onion juice are poured in the ears, which is drained out after 5 minutes. This provides relief from the condition.

4. Garlic

Garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This helps in maintaining a steady blood circulation of the body. It serves to be an effective home remedy for tinnitus.

5. Ginger

Ginger is an effective home remedy for treating the condition of tinnitus. It has healing properties, which helps in reducing the pain, fighting the free radicals, getting rid of pathogens and improving the process of blood circulation. It also helps in relieving the pressure created in the ear as well.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Meniere's Disease - Causes, Symptoms & Lifestyle

It is well said that blindness cuts us off from things but deafness cuts us off from people. Ear problems can make you cry sometimes.

Meniere's disease is also hearing disorder of inner ear which affects only one ear. It is the disorder which may lead to permanent loss of hearing. It is the disorder in which one can have the problems like spinning (vertigo), ringing in the ear (tinnitus), pressure in ear and fluctuating hearing loss with a progressive ultimate permanent loss of hearing.

In Ayurveda cause of Meniere's disease is imbalance of vata dosha. Herbs like Brahmi (Bacopa monnierri), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) and Mulethi (Glycerrhiza glabra) are quite beneficial to pacify the vitiated dosha. These herbs also help to manage the symptoms of this disease in a natural way without causing any negative impacts on health. Thus Ayurvedic treatment of Meniere's disease is an effective way to get rid from this problem.

LET'S SEE THE SYMPTOMS OF MENIERE'S DISEASE?

• Recurring episodes of vertigo - When someone has a spinning sensation that occurs spontaneously. Episodes of vertigo usually last from 20 minutes to several hours. Nausea and vomiting can occur in the severe vertigo.
• Hearing loss - Fluctuating hearing loss with progressive permanent hearing loss.
• Ringing in the ear (tinnitus) - Roaring, ringing, buzzing, whistling and hissing sound in ear.
• Feeling of fullness in the ear - People who have the Meniere’s disease feel pressure or fullness in the affected ear.

CAUSES OF MENIERE'S DISEASE?

Before switching to the treatment part let see the causes associated with Meniere's disease

Factors which affect the fluid may contribute to Meniere's disease are listed below –

• Improper fluid drainage, because of an anatomic abnormality or blockage.
• Allergies
• Head trauma
• Migraine
• Viral infection
• Genetic predisposition
• Abnormal immune response

COMPLICATIONS

Don't take Meniere's disease lightly because it may lead to permanent hearing loss. This disease also disturbs your life and results in the fatigue, emotional stress, depression and anxiety. Recurrent episodes of this disease may lead to lose balance so increases the risk of accident and falls while operating heavy machinery or while driving.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR MENIERE'S DISEASE

Planet Ayurveda offers the four herbal products for the treatment of Meniere's disease. These herbal products are prepared from the pure extracts of herbs which have the great medicinal importance. These herbs uproot the disease without resulting any negative impacts on health. All the products are completely safe for use and free from any preservatives, colors, starch and yeast.

LIST OF PRODUCTS

1. Brahmi Capsules
2. Ashwagandha Capsules
3. Memory Support
4. Brahmi Chayawanprash

PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS

1. BRAHMI CAPSULES:

Planet Ayurveda offers the brahmi capsules for treatment of Meniere's disease. These capsules are prepared from the pure extract of herb Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri).These capsules are an effective Ayurvedic treatment of Meniere's disease without causing side effects on health.

Benefits - This herb is also known by the other names like bacopa, Babies tear, Bacopa monnieri, Herpestis monniera and water hyssop. Whole plant parts have the medicinal importance. It is an annual creeping plant which is found throughout India including the North Eastern region. This herb has great medicinal importance in Ayurveda and known to be very effective to cure the mental fatigue. Use of this herb is also known to very effective for the treatment of Meniere's disease. It helps to manage the symptoms of Meniere's disease like recurrent episodes of vertigo and pressure in ear.

Dosage - 1 capsule two times in a day with plain water.

2. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES:

Ashwagandha capsules are an effective Ayurvedic formulation for Meniere's disease. It is a 100% Ayurvedic product and various patients are benefitted with the use of this product.

Benefits - These capsules are prepared from the pure extracts of herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This herb is also known by the other names like Winter cherry and Indian ginseng.  According to Ayurveda, Ashwagandha helps to pacify the vata dosha. This herb is considered as the nervine tonic and thus helps to calm the nervous system. Thus quite effective in the treatment of Meniere’s disease.

Dosage - 1 capsule two times in a day with plain water after meals.

3. MEMORY SUPPORT:

Planet Ayurveda offers the Memory Support Capsules to manage the problem of Meniere's disease. This herbal product is available in the form of capsules. These capsules are an amazing blend of various herbs which are given below -

Ingredients -

• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)
• Vacha (Acorus calamus)
• Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
• Mulethi (Glycerrhiza glabra)

Benefits - Above mentioned herbs have wonderful properties, used in the formulation of memory support. These herbs support the good brain health and help to provide the relief in the symptoms associated with Meniere's disease like spinning (vertigo), ringing in the ear (tinnitus), and pressure in ear. These herbs also help to manage the recurrent episodes of vertigo which is associated with vomiting and nausea.

Dosage - 1 capsule two times in a day with plain water after meals.

4. BRAHMI CHAYAWANPRASH:

Brahmi chayawanprash is prepared by the combination of main herbs like Amla (Emblica officianalis), Brahmi (Bacopa monieri) andvarious other herbs. Use of this Ayurvedic product is also very effective to manage the Meniere’s disease.

Dosage - 1-2 tablespoon two times in a day with milk.

LIFESTYLE

• Sit or lie down when you feel light headed - During an episode of vertigo, avoid things like watching television, reading, bright lights and sudden movements.  
• Take proper rest during and after attacks - Avoid to return to your normal activities.
• Be careful you may lose your balance - Due to the loss of balance serious injury can occur. So consider walking with a stick for stability.
• Avoid vehicle driving or operating heavy machinery - If one has the frequent episodes of vertigo.  So avoid doing these things because injury or accident may happen.

SUGGESTIONS

Take low salt diet and avoid stress.

WHY SHOULD ONE GO FOR PLANET AYURVEDA?

• All the products are 100% pure.
• Efficacy of the herbs is checked in the labs before making any herbal formulation.
• Products are free from chemicals, preservatives, starch and any color.
• All the products are manufactured under the guidance of highly experienced MD Ayurveda doctors.