The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Tinnitus can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like tinnitus here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here tinnitus is often associated with dizziness, night sweats and back pain in the pattern “Kidney Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause tinnitus.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of tinnitus we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat tinnitus.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause tinnitus
In Chinese Medicine tinnitus is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Cracked
Kidney Yin Deficiency causes false Heat symptoms, such as night sweats, thirst and five palm heat. These signs are from a depletion of Body Fluids and Essence. It can be caused by prolonged overwork, excessive sexual activity, chronic long term illnesses, consumption of Body Fluids by Heat, prolonged blood loss, overdosage of Kidney Yang tonics herbs, smoking and Kidney depleting foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, and fruit juices.
In addition to tinnitus, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yin Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and back pain.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Menopausal Syndrome, Prolonged Periods or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yin Deficiency is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to tinnitus, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and back pain.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Yang".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to tinnitus, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is often treated with Dang Gui Di Huang Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Dang Gui Di Huang Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes Blood".
Read more about Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency here
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to tinnitus, other symptoms associated with Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency include dizziness, fatigue and palpitations.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation.
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency is often treated with Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Gui Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to tinnitus, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, night sweats and insomnia.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Vaginal Itching.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu Wei Di Huang Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
Five herbal formulas that might help with tinnitus
Zuo Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin. Strengthens the Kidneys. Fills the Essence. Augments the marrow.
Why might Zuo Gui Wan help with tinnitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which tinnitus is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Irregular Menstruation.
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with tinnitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which tinnitus is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Qi Ju Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1350 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Kidney and Liver Yin. Improves vision.
Why might Qi Ju Di Huang Wan help with tinnitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency' of which tinnitus is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
You Gui Wan
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang. Replenishes the Essence. Tonifies the Blood.
Why might You Gui Wan help with tinnitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which tinnitus is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yang Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Irregular Menstruation.
He Che Da Zao Wan
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Kidneys. Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels. Regulates the periods.
Why might He Che Da Zao Wan help with tinnitus?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency' of which tinnitus is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Early Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat tinnitus
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with tinnitus?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat tinnitus and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat tinnitus as a symptom (such as Zuo Gui Wan for instance).
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with tinnitus?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat tinnitus and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat tinnitus as a symptom (such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for instance).
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Goji Berry (Gou Qi Zi) help with tinnitus?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat tinnitus and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat tinnitus as a symptom (such as Zuo Gui Wan for instance).
Goji Berries is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Yin of the Liver and Yin of the Kidneys. Brightens the eyes. Moistens the Lungs.
Why might Cuscuta Seed (Tu Si Zi) help with tinnitus?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat tinnitus and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat tinnitus as a symptom (such as Zuo Gui Wan for instance).
Cuscuta Seeds is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies Kidney Yang and Essence. Nourishes the Liver.
Why might Human Placenta (Zi He Che) help with tinnitus?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat tinnitus and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat tinnitus as a symptom (such as He Che Da Zao Wan for instance).
Human Placentas is a Warm herb that tastes Salty and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys and assists the Essence. Tonifies the Qi and Blood.
Other symptoms often associated with tinnitus
Dizziness Night sweats Back pain Insomnia Scanty periods Blurred vision Fatigue Depression Restlessness Palpitations