Question
Is there a connection between tinnitus and any of the popular herbal drugs (eg. St. John's Wort)?
Answer
Most US-based research does not correlate any herbal therapy with tinnitus relief. In fact, most studies dispel it as ludicrous. Even so, you will see claims of bottled "cures" and "therapy" for sale commercially in the US, sometimes not fully identifying what is even in the bottle!
By remarkable contrast, I know of only one herbal treatment with meaningful reports of tinnitus relief. This comes out of European-based research (esp French and German) showing impressive blind and double blind trials using Ginkgo biloba (oral administration of Ginkgo special extract EGb 76, typically 24% ginkgo-flavonol glycosides, 6% terpene lactones) on significant numbers of subjects who reported unequivocal benefit and even complete relief from tinnitus, and in some cases, improved hearing thresholds. Data from these studies suggest that early-onset tinnitus responded more favorably to Ginkgo treatment, as one might expect.
European studies are, to say the least, impressive and hopeful. For the record, I tell all my patients complaining of tinnitus to consider a regimen of Ginkgo under the direction of their physician. Although powerful, it appears to be safe with no more reported side effects than a placebo.
Dr Carmen conducted and published his early tinnitus research (relaxation-biofeedback) in the 1970s, and headed up audiological assessment and research for a tinnitus clinic in the 1970s-80s. He is a frequent contributor to the field, and editor of the popular industry resource, The Consumer Handbook on Hearing Loss & Hearing Aids: A Bridge to Healing--Second Edition (Auricle Ink Publishers, 2004). He can be reached at rcarmen27@yahoo.com.