Can Xiang Er Cao (Herba Siegesbeckiae) treat tinnitus?

Xiang Er Cao (also known as Mo Zai Cao) is a traditional Chinese herb renowned for its heat-clearing, detoxifying, blood-activating, and orifice-opening properties. Can Xiang Er Cao treat tinnitus?

Can Xiang Er Cao Treat Tinnitus?

Yes, Xiang Er Cao can be used to treat tinnitus. The entire plant is utilized medicinally and is indicated for tinnitus, deafness, ear pain and swelling, sudden-onset hearing loss, neural hearing loss, age-related hearing loss, trauma-induced hearing loss, ototoxic hearing loss, immune-mediated hearing loss, tinnitus, hearing decline, and otitis media—particularly when attributable to damp-heat in the Liver and Gallbladder meridians. When administered daily, it moistens and clears dampness while promoting smooth circulation. Within seven days, symptoms such as ear itching, a crawling sensation, or ear fullness typically subside. For tinnitus and deafness, improvement may be observed within one month, though more severe cases may require two to three months for effective resolution. Even in long-standing ear disorders lasting decades, there remains hope for improvement—as long as residual hearing persists.

Tinnitus is a disorder of auditory function, representing abnormal responses of the auditory system to either appropriate or inappropriate stimuli. It may occur intermittently or persist continuously and manifests in various forms—including single-frequency narrowband noise or broadband (white) noise. Tinnitus has numerous potential causes and often appears as a concomitant symptom of other underlying conditions, especially hearing impairment.

Tinnitus is generally classified into two major categories: central and peripheral. Peripheral tinnitus is further divided into subjective and objective types, depending on whether others can perceive the sound. Subjective tinnitus is far more common, whereas objective tinnitus is relatively rare. Based on its temporal pattern, tinnitus may also be categorized as either continuous or rhythmic (pulsatile). We hope this information proves helpful!