“Tinnitus is commonly described as a ringing in the ears, but it also can sound like roaring, clicking, hissing, or buzzing. It may be soft or loud, high pitched or low pitched. You might hear it in either one or both ears. Roughly 10 percent of the adult population of the United States has experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year. This amounts to nearly 25 million Americans “(1)
As an Aromatherapist I am always searching for ways to improve the overall emotional well – being also find alternatives ways to help with the symptoms, I was very curious to read about the treatments used for tinnitus from a historical perspective, we have to keep in mind that Aromatherapy is not a substitute for treatments offered by health care professionals
My Go- To historical books were:
1) Ebers papyrus, one of the most complete and most comprehensive medical texts from ancient Egypt written in the 18th Dynasty (sixteenth century B.C.) and includes many treatments, in paragraph 678 there is a treatment mentioned for a 'Bewitched Ear' which describes the treatments as infusion of Balanites aegyptiaca and frankincense oil together with two other unknown ingredients into the ear.
2) The Canonon one of the major medieval medical textbooks written by Avicenna or Ibn-Sina (980-1036) the amazing Persian physicians, he mentioned at least five types of tinnitus, one of them was related to the brain and his prescription was “comforting of the brain with myrrh and administration of the oil of almonds to the ears.
However, internal use of aromatherapy is not something we promote but it was interesting to see Frankincense and Myrrh in the treatments and their approach in treating the symptoms.
After watching this Video “ The Journey of the sound to the Brain” , understanding the anatomy of the ears , reading the MIT research about “you hear what your brain hears”, learning about the auditory nerve ( cochlear nerve) which is responsible for carrying the electrical signals to the brain . knowing that all nerves and brain cells are interconnected inside our body, my approach was to work with oils on the psychological aspects to keep the brain active, healthy calm and focused and at the same time work on the inflammations and Cortisol the stress hormone.
I was looking for a synergy that can be balancing and work on many different levels therapeutically and energetically, my intention was to help the Tinnitus patients calm down, work on their nervous system, and help to enhance the signals inside the brain with the following selection of essential oils to be used in an inhaler.
1- Bergamot Citrus bergamia
Therapeutic properties: Antimicrobial
Energetics : Harmonizing – Emotional stability
2- Helichrysum Helichrysum italicum
Therapeutic properties: Anti-inflammatory
Energetics: Harmonizing and restorative
3- Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
Therapeutic properties: Anti-inflammatory
Energetics: Balancing, uplifting, and nourishing
4- Basil Ocimum basilicum
Therapeutic properties: Nervine
Energetics: Clarity and strength
5- Frankincense Frankincense Carterii
Therapeutic properties: Nervine
Energetics: Relaxing, revitalizing and stimulant
6- Rosemary 1,8 cineole Rosmarinus officinalis
Therapeutic properties: Free Radicals scavenging activity
Energetics: Stimulant and restorative
The reason I like personal inhalers is that it is very personal, and it has the fast and greatest impact on our emotions, stress levels and memory.
With Love
Raghda
All information, content and product descriptions are for reference and educational purposes and is not intended to substitute advice given by a pharmacist, physician, or other licensed health-care professional. Information and statements regarding Ebers School of Aromatherapy products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any health condition or disease.
References
1- The Journal of Laryngology and Otology October 1984. Vol.'98. pp.'963-972Department of Audiological Rehabilitation Royal National Throat. Nose and Ear Hospital. London. Paper read at the meeting of the British Tinnitus Association. London. 6th November. 1982.
2- https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/ The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
3- BRYAN, CYRIL P., ed. Ancient Egyptian Medicine: The Papyrus Ebers. Chicago: Ares, 1974.
4- Pormann, Peter E.; Savage-Smith, Emilie (2007). Medieval Islamic Medicine. Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press.
The videos in this lesson were obtained from http://youtube.com and may be copyrighted material of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in an effort to advance the understanding of essential oils, which we believe will enhance your studies and believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.