Category: Meniere’s Disease

Face Massage for Eustachian Tube Relief

Posted on June 10, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease

Step by Step instructions

Face Massage For Eustachian Tubes Relief

If you’re dealing with ear pressure, blocked ears, or symptoms related to Meniere’s disease, opening the Eustachian tubes can offer real relief. A focused massage technique can help release the tension in the muscles that surround and sometimes compress these vital drainage pathways. Here’s how to do it more effectively by targeting key jaw and neck areas

Step 1

Start with Gentle Downward Massage

  • Begin by massaging along the sides of your face in a downward motion, moving toward your jaw. Use slow, firm strokes to encourage lymphatic drainage and release surface tension.

Step 2

Protrude the Jaw for Deeper Access

  • To make this technique more effective, gently push your lower jaw forward as you massage. This opens up access to deeper jaw muscles.

Step 3

Hook and Massage Beneath the Jawbone

  • Once your hands reach the jawline, hook your fingers underneath the jawbone. Gently massage the underside of the mandible. This targets the medial and lateral pterygoid muscles, which lie deep within the jaw and are closely connected to the function of the Eustachian tubes. Tightness here can obstruct proper ear drainage.

Step 4

Massage Around the Sternocleidomastoid Muscle (SCM)

  • You can find it by turning your head to one side and tilting it slightly downward, the muscle that stands out and runs from just behind your ear (the mastoid bone) diagonally down to your collarbone (clavicle) and the top of your sternum
  • Start in front of the muscle, using circular motions
  • Then reach behind the SCM, closer to the base of the ear and jaw
  • This area often holds tenderness, especially around the greater auricular nerve, which transmits sensation to the ear. When you press this region, you may feel a mild referral sensation into the ear. That’s a good sign—indicating you're stimulating the right spot.

Enhance the Benefits

Daily Routine

Combine with Face Massage for more relief

Face Massage Video

Pair it with Face Massage and nasal breathing for even greater results

You’re already rubbing your face, might as well go all in and hit the rest of your face while you’re at it!

This practice is free, simple, and accessible

Why This Works

This massage targets deeper muscular and neurological connections involved in Eustachian tube function:

Jaw Muscles: Releasing the pterygoid muscles can reduce compression near the ear’s drainage pathways.

Neck Nerves: Stimulating the greater auricular nerve enhances communication between the neck and ear, promoting circulation and drainage.


Lymphatic Flow: This massage also helps clear congestion in surrounding tissues, making it easier for the Eustachian tubes to open naturally.

Willard Sheppy

If you’re struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or Meniere’s Disease, you understand how frustrating it can be when your symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed by healthcare providers, leaving you without a clear path to relief.

Willard Sheppy, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, knows exactly how you feel because he himself lives with Meniere’s Disease and has successfully managed his condition through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies.

With firsthand experience and deep expertise, Will provides personalized care aimed at addressing the underlying causes of vertigo, reducing symptoms, and restoring balance to your life.

Willard Sheppy holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine certified by the NCCAOM.

Face Massage for Meniere’s Relief

Posted on June 9, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease

What is it

Face Massage

Meniere’s disease is a complex condition that allergies, sinus infections, neck and jaw pain, and more can exacerbate. While professional treatments and lifestyle adjustments are important, incorporating simple, at-home techniques like face massage can make a noticeable difference in managing symptoms.

Face massage is a holistic method that supports blood circulation, relaxes facial muscles, calms nerves, and encourages lymphatic drainage.

Step by Step instructions

Mappping fingers to your head

Stand or sit in a comfortable position. Drop your arms by your sides and imagine how your fingers map to your head

Thumbs

Thumbs connect to the front of your face

Middle Fingers

Middle fingers align with the sides of your head

Pinkies

Pinkies correlate to the back of your skull

Round One

How to Warm Up the Face

Rub your hands together vigorously until they feel warm. This increases Qi  in your palms and prepares you to begin.

Step 1

Front Face Massage

  • Place your warm palms on the front of your face.
  • Gently rub upward and downward over your cheeks and forehead
  • You’ll likely feel tension begin to melt away especially around the eyes and temples

Step 2

Side of the Head Massage

  • Take your fingers and place some in front of your ears, some behind
  • Gently rub upward and downward over your ears
  • This area connects to many cranial nerves and acupuncture points.

Step 3

Base of the Skull Massage

  • Interlace your fingers and place your Pinkies at the base of your skull
  • Rub side to side, with thumbs rubbing Du 14 (big bone on base of the neck)
  • This can help relieve headaches and tension that contribute to dizziness.

Enhance the Benefits

Daily Routine

Combine with Eustachian Tube Release

Eustachian Tube Video

Pair it with Eustachian Tube release and nasal breathing for even greater results

You’re already rubbing your face, might as well go all in and hit the rest of your ear while you’re at it!

Round Two

Focused Stimulation

Now let’s go deeper.

Step 1

Front Face Massage

  • Use your thumbs to massage alongside your nose (great for clearing sinuses.)
  • Index fingers go above and below the lips—massage in small, steady circles.

Step 2

Side of the Head Ear Massage

  • Ear release Pull your ears gently down, out, and up. (Repeat a few times.)
  • Full ear massage Rub your ears and rub from base to tip

Step 3

Base of the Skull Massage

  • Scalp massage Run your fingers through your hair and massage your scalp.
  • Neck release Rub the back of your neck to finish. (while holding your breath)

Enhance the Benefits

Holding Your Breath

By holding your breath, you increase levels of C02 and other gasses in your blood. This is similar to what happens when you exercise. Your body will begin to open blood vessels to your hands and feet. During the breath hold, C02 level increases, making your blood more acidic. This makes it easier for Hemoglobin to release oxygen. You are also getting your spleen to contractions which releases more red and white blood cells into your system. All this primes your body to receive more oxygen when you start breathing again.

This practice is free, simple, and accessible

Tips for Success

• Listen to Your Body

If holding your breath feels uncomfortable, shorten the duration or take breaks.
• Go at Your Own Pace

Adapt the intensity and timing of the massage to suit your comfort level.
• Consistency is Key

Make this massage a daily practice to experience the full benefits over time.

Willard Sheppy

If you’re struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or Meniere’s Disease, you understand how frustrating it can be when your symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed by healthcare providers, leaving you without a clear path to relief.

Willard Sheppy, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, knows exactly how you feel because he himself lives with Meniere’s Disease and has successfully managed his condition through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies.

With firsthand experience and deep expertise, Will provides personalized care aimed at addressing the underlying causes of vertigo, reducing symptoms, and restoring balance to your life.

Willard Sheppy holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine certified by the NCCAOM.

Breathing Techniques For Meniere’s Disease

Posted on June 6, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease

Breathing techniques for Meniere’s Disease

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to manage Meniere’s disease is by focusing on your breathing. While it may seem like a small change, it is incredibly powerful because breathing is something we do constantly, every day.

What You’ll Learn in This Article

In this article, you’ll discover how simple breathing techniques can play a powerful role in managing Meniere’s disease. You’ll learn how stress and dysfunctional breathing patterns can worsen symptoms like dizziness, and how shifting to nasal, diaphragmatic breathing, with long exhales can help calm the nervous system. Drawing from both modern science and Traditional Chinese Medicine, this guide offers clear, practical strategies to help you breathe your way toward greater relief.

Understanding the Stress–Vertigo Connection

Learn how Meniere’s disease symptoms can mimic a panic attack and why calming your nervous system is crucial for symptom control.

How Breathing Affects the Nervous System

Discover the difference between sympathetic and parasympathetic breathing—and how shifting your breath can shift your state.

The Chinese Medicine View on Breathing and Rising Qi

Understand how chest breathing reflects “rising energy” in TCM, and why learning to breathe downward helps restore balance.

Why Breathing Matters for Meniere’s

Who Can Help?

If you have question or need more help.

Breathing offer an accessible and effective way to calm the nervous system

Sympathetic Nervous System in Meniere’s

Meniere’s disease can look remarkably similar to a panic attack, with sweating, pounding heart, lightheadedness, etc. Research also indicates that the sympathetic nervous system spikes during a Meniere’s attack, intensifying symptoms. Patients often describe their fear or stress can exacerbating their symptoms—a vicious cycle that can feel impossible to break.

Sympathetic Breathing

Parasympathetic Breathing

To understand how breathing affects the nervous system, imagine two scenarios

Jumping into a cold bath

Your body gasps, inhaling sharply, and you find it difficult to exhale. This is how the sympathetic nervous system breathes

  • Breathing From Your Chest
  • Breathing From Your Mouth
  • Short Rapid Inhales
Learn More

Sinking into a hot tub

You let out a long sigh and feel your body relax. This is how your parasympathetic nervous system breathes

  • Breathing From Your Belly
  • Breathing From Your Nose
  • Long Slow Exhales
Learn More

For Meniere’s, the goal is to transition from chest and mouth inhales breathing to diaphragmatic and nasal breathing exhales.

Signs You May Be Stuck in Sympathetic Breathing

  1. Chest breathing: You primarily use your upper chest muscles, causing chronic tension in your neck and shoulders.
  2. Dry mouth in the morning: Mouth breathing at night leaves your mouth dry and disrupts restful sleep.
  3. Breath-holding: You unconsciously hold your breath during stress.
  4. Nose is always stuffy: Movement of air help keep the sinus open.

A simple test

Lie on your back with one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Take a deep breath. If your chest rises first, you are likely chest breathing. If breathing from your belly feels unnatural or weird, this is also a sign.

This indicates that focusing on diaphragmatic breathing will be beneficial.

Learning to guide your breath downward can help balance this rising energy

Chinese Medicine Perspective on Breathing

In Chinese medicine, vertigo is often described as a condition of “rising energy.” The symptoms, vertigo and anxiety, are linked to an excess of upward movement in the body.

Dysfunctional breathing mirrors this. It’s easy to breathe up into your chest but difficult to breathe down into your abdomen.

Chest Breathing

Belly Breathing

Nose Breathing

Chest breathing

People who are stuck in a state of stress may notice they breathe this way, even when resting. Chronic chest breathing uses muscles in the upper chest and neck to elevate the ribs. 

  • This can ead to chronic neck-jaw tightness.
  • This can Aggravate Vestibular Migraines
  • This Can Aggravate Ear Fullness

Belly Breathing

Breathing from the diaphragm (also known as belly breathing) engages the diaphragm and allows for deeper, fuller breaths. When practiced correctly, it helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes relaxation and helps calm dizziness.  

  • Prevents stress dizziness from progressing
  • Keeps Jaw, Ear, Neck Relaxed
  • Long Slow Exhales
Learn More

Nose Breathing

The sinuses and ears are intricately connected through the Eustachian tubes, which help regulate pressure and fluid in the middle ear. When sinus function is compromised, it can negatively impact the ears. Nasal breathing is particularly beneficial for Meniere’s management because:

 Breathing through the nose naturally activates the diaphragm, encouraging deeper, slower, and more efficient breaths.

The nasal passages produce nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and improves circulation; this is crucial for balance. Inflammation.

 The conditions created by nose breathing favor the growth of commensal bacteria, which can inhibit the growth of pathogens and modulate the immune response

If you struggle with nasal congestion, forcing yourself to breathe through your nose may feel uncomfortable at first. However, consistent practice increases nitric oxide levels, making nasal breathing easier over time.

Inhale

Quick, shallow breaths or gasping (often through the mouth) signal the body to engage the sympathetic nervous system. This is what happens when we’re startled or stressed, leading to a quick, shallow intake of air. For those with Meniere’s, the anxiety that can accompany an attack often leads to rapid, chest breathing, which can worsen symptoms like dizziness and tension.

Exhale

Slow, deep exhalations activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping the body relax. When we consciously extend our exhales, we can counteract the effects of the sympathetic response and promote a sense of calm. This is why you might notice yourself sighing or taking a deep breath to relieve tension, it’s your body’s natural way of soothing itself.

By making simple changes to your breathing habits, you can regain control over your body and reduce the frequency and intensity of Meniere’s symptoms.

Why Breathing Matters for Meniere’s

  1. Regulates the Nervous System Long exhales calm the SNS and activate the PNS, reducing stress and dizziness.
  2. Relaxes Muscles Diaphragmatic breathing reduces tension in the neck.
  3. Supports Inner Ear Health Nasal breathing increases nitric oxide, promoting blood flow and a healthy microbiome of the upper respiratory tract

Who Can Help

Willard Sheppy

If you’re struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or Meniere’s Disease, you understand how frustrating it can be when your symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed by healthcare providers, leaving you without a clear path to relief.

Willard Sheppy, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, knows exactly how you feel because he himself lives with Meniere’s Disease and has successfully managed his condition through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies.

With firsthand experience and deep expertise, Will provides personalized care aimed at addressing the underlying causes of vertigo, reducing symptoms, and restoring balance to your life.

Willard Sheppy holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine certified by the NCCAOM.

Is Sauna Good For Meniere’s Disease?

Posted on June 5, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease

Is Sauna Good For Meniere's Disease?

If you’ve ever wondered whether a sauna or a cold plunge is better for dizziness, the answer is, it depends. Both are powerful tools, but when it comes to conditions like Meniere’s disease and chronic dizziness, the right choice might actually be a bit of both

What you will learn.

If you’re wondering is sauna good for Meniere’s? this article breaks down the pros and cons of sauna, cold plunges, and offers a more effective approach.

The Sauna

Increases circulation and promotes detoxification, but may worsen symptoms from heat rising.

The Cold Plunge

Triggers adrenaline and reduce inflammation, but can overstimulate the nervous system.

The Hydrotherapy Solution

A safer approach is applying cold to the face and heat to the feet.

How to Do Hydrotherapy at Home

Learn how it is done.

Who Can Help?

The best solution for dizziness

Watch me explain how, and why it works.

Hydrotherapy with hot foot soaks and cold face compresses offers a more balanced therapy that combines the best of both worlds. 

Rooted in both modern science and Traditional Chinese Medicine, this technique regulates your nervous system and relieves your worst symptoms.

 

Sauna vs. Cold Plunge

Where Does the Blood Go? Before we dive into Meniere's specific recommendations, let’s understand what each practice does to the body.

The Sauna

When you enter a sauna, your blood rushes to the skin and extremities. This outward flow increases circulation, promotes sweating, and benefits both heart and brain health.

People who rarely sweat—often older adults or those with poor circulation—can find significant benefits from sauna therapy. It gently encourages detoxification and stimulates blood flow to areas that are typically cooler or more stagnant.

Read Article

Hussain, Joy, and Marc Cohen. "Clinical effects of regular dry sauna bathing: a systematic review." Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2018.1 (2018): 1857413.

The Cold Plunge

When you submerge in cold water, your body reacts dramatically. Blood rushes inward, your sympathetic nervous system spikes, and you get a jolt of adrenaline and endorphins.

This makes cold plunges a favorite for athletes dealing with soreness, or for those navigating depression and brain fog. It can provide a sharp mental reset and reduce inflammation in the body.

Read Article

Cain, Tara, et al. "Effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing: A systematic review and meta-analysis." PloS one 20.1 (2025): e0317615.

The Hydrotherapy Solution

Instead of engaging the full body in temperature shocks, we focus on targeted hydrotherapy.

But What About Meniere's or Chronic Dizziness?

That’s where things get more nuanced. People with Ménière’s or chronic dizziness often exhibit a common pattern: heat above, cold below.

Symptoms such as migraines, tinnitus, and dizziness indicate a rising yang in Traditional Chinese Medicine, or inflammation in the head. At the same time, cold feet and hands signal stress and poor circulation.

In both Western and Chinese medicine, this “inverted circulation” can actually worsen dizziness and throw off your internal balance. That means a sauna may make head pressure worse, and a cold plunge could overstimulate your nervous system, triggering vertigo or anxiety.

Cool Head and Warm Feet

Instead of engaging the full-body in temperature shocks, we focus on targeted hydrotherapy:

  • Cold on the face and neck
  • Warm water on the feet

In a healthy state, qi and blood circulate freely, allowing excess heat to be drawn downward, where it can be dispersed through the legs and feet. At the same time, the natural coolness of the lower body rises upward, keeping the head clear and the senses sharp. This continuous dynamic—heat descending, coolness ascending—is what keeps the body’s internal climate regulated.

Why Cold on the Face Helps

Applying cold to the face activates the dive reflex, slowing your heart rate, calming your breath, and reducing sympathetic overdrive. It also vasoconstricts the blood vessels in the head, reducing inflammation and pressure in the ears and eyes.

Studies show this technique can help reduce migraines, anxiety, and even improves inner ear function.

Read Article

Hsu, Yu‐Yun, et al. "Cold intervention for relieving migraine symptoms: A systematic review and meta‐analysis." Journal of clinical nursing 32.11-12 (2023): 2455-2465.

Why Hot on the Feet Helps

Soaking the feet in hot water pulls energy downward, increases peripheral circulation, and soothes the nervous system.

It improves sleep, reduces dizziness, and helps reverse the body’s pattern of cold extremities and hot heads.

Read Article

Sujan, M. U., et al. "Influence of hydrotherapy on clinical and cardiac autonomic function in migraine patients." Journal of neurosciences in rural practice 7.1 (2016): 109.

How to Do Hydrotherapy at Home

You’ll need just a few simple supplies

  • A basin large enough for both feet (electric heated or collapsible recommended)
  • Ice packs, a migraine cold cap, or a cold cloth
  • A towel and a comfortable chair

Instructions

  1. Fill the basin with hot water (100–104°F) and soak your feet up to the ankles.
  2. Place an ice pack or cold cloth on the forehead, neck, or behind the ears.
  3. Wrap yourself in a blanket and sit quietly for 10–20 minutes, breathing slowly and deeply.
  4. Remove your feet, dry them, and relax.

Don’t use ice directly on the skin—wrap it in a cloth to avoid frostbite.

Ease your feet into hot water gradually. It’s okay to dip in and out at first.

Focus on cooling the ears and neck more than the forehead, which can trigger “brain freeze” in sensitive people.

Bai Zhu Balance

Bai Zhu Balance is one of the only supplements specifically designed to support the gut microbiome while targeting symptoms of Meniere’s disease. 

If you’ve tried everything and still struggle with flare-ups, Bai Zhu Balance offers a natural, gut-focused solution created with your inner ear health in mind

Buy Now

Who Can Help?

Willard Sheppy

If you’re struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or Meniere’s Disease, you understand how frustrating it can be when your symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed by healthcare providers, leaving you without a clear path to relief.

Willard Sheppy, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, knows exactly how you feel because he himself lives with Meniere’s Disease and has successfully managed his condition through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies.

With firsthand experience and deep expertise, Will provides personalized care aimed at addressing the underlying causes of vertigo, reducing symptoms, and restoring balance to your life.

Willard Sheppy holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine certified by the NCCAOM.

Meniere’s Disease Diet: Part Two

Posted on May 19, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease

Meniere’s Disease Diet

Dietary Strategies for Managing Meniere’s Disease

What is the Meniere’s Disease Diet?

This Article shares dietary approaches to help improve Meniere’s Disease Symptoms, Including foods to eat and avoid.

Focusing on your diet to better your gut health is a manageable, low-risk strategy that can potentially improve symptoms and overall well-being

You Will Learn

In this article, we will explore what the Meniere’s Disease Diet is and how it can help manage Meniere‘s symptoms

Should I Change My Diet If I Have Meniere’s?

Foods You Need To Avoid with Meniere's Disease Diet

Foods You Need to Eat with Meniere's Disease Diet

How You Need To Eat

Understanding Meniere's Disease Diet With Traditional Chinese Medicine

Herbs to Clear Dampness

Therapies to Clear Dampness

Supplement for Meniere's Disease

Who Can Help?

Should I Change My Diet If I Have Meniere’s?

Changing your diet doesn't help everyone. Let's take a closer look at your current digestive health. To see if changing your diet with help you.

Will Changing My Diet Be Helpful?

If you’re managing Meniere’s disease and wondering whether dietary changes could make a difference, start by looking at your current digestion. 

Ask yourself the following questions to help decide if improving your diet might help

1. Do I Have a Thick Tongue Coating?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the tongue is a mirror of your digestive health.

  • A thick tongue coat often suggests gut imbalance, poor digestion, or excess dampness.
  • If your tongue coating is unusually thick, that’s a strong sign your gut needs support and diet will be helpful.

2. Are My Bowel Movements Regular?

Regularity is a window into how well your intestines are moving things along.

  • Ideally, you should have one complete bowel movement per day.
  • If your routine constantly changes, or you skip days, it’s a sign your gut could benefit from dietary changes.

3. Are My Stools Formed?

Take note of the texture and ease of your bowel movements

  • Too hard or too soft stools indicate digestive imbalance.
  • Straining or Urgency is another sign your gut may be under stress and changing your diet can help.

4. Do I Bloating, Burping or Fart?

Gas production is natural, but too much can be a red flag

  • Frequent burping, bloating after meals, or excess farting suggest stomach bacteria are producing too much gas.
  •  Dietary adjustments may bring real relief.

If your current diet isn’t helping, try doing the opposite.

  • If you’re vegetarian, consider adding some high-quality animal protein.
  • If you follow a carnivore diet, try incorporating more vegetables.
  • If you're fasting, try eating more regularly.
  • If you're eating frequently, consider trying intermittent fasting

Foods You Need To Avoid with Meniere's Disease Diet

When you have Meniere‘s Disease, it is best to eliminate foods from your diet that can produce mucus and increase inflammation.

Food to Avoid Bread

Bread

Especially white bread, which may contribute to nasal congestion and mucus production.

Food to Avoid Sugar

Sugar

An inflammatory agent, sugar is linked to the worsening of respiratory conditions like asthma.

Food to Avoid Milk

Milk

Stimulates mucus production, and buildup in the nose and throat

Food to Avoid Fast Food

Fast Food

Often prepared with oils that promote inflammation and increase mucus.

Food to Avoid Soda

Soda

High in sugar and additives, it worsens inflammation and mucus accumulation.

Food to Avoid SAlt

Sodium

Excessive sodium encourages bodily swelling, triggering mucus secretion as a defensive response.

Foods You Need to Eat with Meniere's Disease Diet

Now that we know what to avoid with Meniere‘s Disease, here are foods that should eat.

Dr. Joshua Park Top 10 Foods That Clear Dampness

Drawn from a list by Dr. Joshua Park, a doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine specializing in digestive disorders like IBS, Crohn’s, and ulcerative colitis. 

Regularly consuming these foods can help your body support the clearance of dampness and alleviate symptoms associated with congestion and inflammation.

Top 10 Recommended Foods

  1. Asparagus
  2. Daikon Radish
  3. Watercress
  4. Mung Beans
  5. Romaine Heart
  6. Bittermelon
  7. Spinach
  8. Mushrooms (Shiitake, button)
  9. Fish (especially freshwater fish)
  10. Sauerkraut, Kimchi

You should also consume small amounts of garlic, onion, and turmeric and drink green, mint, and chrysanthemum tea.

How You Need To Eat

The following Meniere's disease diet recommendations are aimed explicitly at helping balance the fluid dynamics of the inner ear.

The inner ear contains fluid essential for hearing and balance. The volume and electrolyte levels (sodium and potassium) of this fluid remain stable regardless of the body's overall fluid balance.

However, when navigating Meniere's disease, the inner ear loses this independent regulation.

1. Consistent sodium intake

Maintaining consistent sodium intake is important. If you fluctuate in an extreme nature, it can also make symptoms worse

  • Reduce your daily sodium intake to 1500-2000 mg, which is slightly lower than the standard recommendation.
  • Sodium is not the same as table salt (sodium chloride). Monitor sodium specifically.

2. Consistent hydration

Proper hydration is vital. Even mild dehydration can affect fluid balance in your inner ear and worsen symptoms

  • Drink fluids consistently throughout the day, especially when exercising or in hot conditions.
  • Replace fluids proactively, especially when exercising or in hot condition

3. Limited caffeine and alcohol

Evidence is inconclusive, clinical experience suggests caffeine and alcohol might exacerbate symptoms by triggering migraines

  • NO Energy Drinks, but green tea is usually good. 
  • No Beer and Wine, the added sugar, sulfates, yeast are the problem.
  • Sake or potato vodka may be fine. 

4. Focus on fresh produce and whole grains

Foods high in sugar and heavily processed foods indirectly influence fluid balance.

  • Avoid processed and canned foods they typically have high sodium and sugar 
  • Cant go wrong with fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains

Understanding Meniere's Disease Diet With Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a unique perspective on diet by focusing on how food affects the body’s internal balance. It views food not just as nourishment but as a tool for balancing the body’s internal environment.

Foods can warm or cool the body. Food can dry or moisten it.  

It can dry it out or increase its dampness. By evaluating your diet now and changing what you’re doing, you can pinpoint which foods impact your symptoms

What is Dampness?

Dampness refers to excessive fluids accumulating in areas of the body where they shouldn’t be, causing symptoms such as congestion, swelling, sluggishness, and inflammation.

Meniere's Disease is Damp Heat rising into the head

The most common pattern for individuals with Meniere’s disease is damp heat, which is characterized by inflammation, congestion, and excessive fluid in the head.

Eating foods that are cooling and drying

Using the TCM dietary approach, you can carefully choose foods to help clear this damp heat, reduce symptoms, and restore balance. This nutritional strategy is personal, but it can assist you in understanding exactly how specific foods affect your health.

Herbs to Clear Dampness

These natural herbs are used in TCM to help support digestive health and clear dampness naturally.

Poria

Fu Ling

  • promotes urination and reduces fluid retention.

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium

Chen Pi

  • aids digestion and reduces mucus.

Pinelliae Rhizoma

Ban Xia

  • dries dampness, transforms phlegm, and supports digestion.

Supplement for Meniere's Disease

Bai Zhu Balance

Bai Zhu Balance contains all of these herbs in a carefully formulated blend designed to support digestive health and help clear dampness naturally. If you’re looking for a convenient way to implement these herbal strategies, Bai Zhu Balance may be a great place to start.

Buy Now

Therapies to Clear Dampness

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, you can find several method that are encouraged to reduce dampness. .

Celery

Promoting Urination

Certain foods have mild diuretic effects and help flush excess fluids. My personal favorite is Celery

Tibetan Herbal Foot Soaks in Foot Bath

Inducing Sweating

Sauna or exercise can release dampness through sweat. My Favorite is method is foot soaks as they don't trigger dizzy spells as easily.

Digestion

Improving Digestion

Increases the intestine's gut motility, helps the body manage bacteria, and fluid accumulation. My favorite way is by Drinking Warm Water

Don't Eat Cold Foods

Cold temperature foods slow down digestion and fluid metabolism, worsening congestion and dampness. Opting instead for warm or room-temperature foods helps promote healthy digestion and fluid balance

The Meniere’s Disease Diet

Diet helps

While research on the effectiveness of a Meniere’s disease diet continues to evolve, what remains clear is that many patients report real-world benefits from dietary changes, particularly those that support gut health, reduce inflammation, and promote internal balance.

You can do it today

Whether you follow Western medical advice to manage sodium intake or embrace Traditional Chinese Medicine principles to clear dampness and heat, your diet is a powerful tool for regaining control. 

 

Be consistent

What you do most of the time is more important, then what you do some of the time.

 Small, consistent dietary changes offer significant relief over time. 

Who Can Help?

Willard Sheppy

If you’re struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or Meniere’s Disease, you understand how frustrating it can be when your symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed by healthcare providers, leaving you without a clear path to relief.

Willard Sheppy, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, knows exactly how you feel because he himself lives with Meniere’s Disease and has successfully managed his condition through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies.

With firsthand experience and deep expertise, Will provides personalized care aimed at addressing the underlying causes of vertigo, reducing symptoms, and restoring balance to your life.

Willard Sheppy holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine certified by the NCCAOM.

Meniere’s Disease Diet: Part One

Posted on May 13, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease

Meniere’s Disease Diet

The Link Between Diet and Symptoms

Does Meniere’s Disease Diet Acually Help? Meniere‘s Disease is a complex condition that affects everyday life. In search of relief from these symptoms, patients with Meniere‘s often turn to over-the-counter medication or solutions in Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, what we put into our body can also impact how we feel every day. 

You Will Learn

In this article, we will explore whether changes in Meniere’s Disease Diet can help manage Meniere‘s symptoms

How Meniere’s Disease Diet Does Not Help

How Meniere’s Disease Diet Does Help

How Gut Health Is Connected to The Ear

How Gut Health Is Connected to Meniere’s Disease

What Supplement Can Help?

Who Can Help?

Can Diet Really Help with Meniere’s Disease?

Meniere’s Disease Diet offers a proactive, low-risk way to support your health, even as scientific studies present mixed findings on its effectiveness. From Western recommendations like Hydrops Diet to Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches that focus on balancing internal heat, dampness, and digestive health, let us explores how dietary changes may influence Meniere’s symptoms, especially through the often overlooked connection between the gut and inner ear.

How Meniere’s Disease Diet Does Not Help

When it comes to navigating Meniere‘s Disease, the science is still emerging.

There is a lack of high-quality studies confirming that restricting salt, caffeine, or alcohol significantly helps people with Meniere’s disease. 

A systematic review conducted by Cochrane examined the benefits of lifestyle and dietary interventions, including the “low sodium diet for vertigo” in managing Meniere’s disease.

The review concluded that there is insufficient high-quality evidence supporting the effectiveness of these dietary changes in managing MD symptoms. The authors emphasized the need for well-designed randomized controlled trials to establish clear recommendations for lifestyle and dietary modifications in MD treatment.

Read Article

A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition assessed the relationship between dietary factors—specifically salt, alcohol, and coffee intake—and Meniere’s disease. The study found no significant evidence that restricting these dietary components has a beneficial effect on MD. The findings suggested that, actually, common recommended dietary restrictions may not have any causal impact on the development or progression of Meniere‘s disease, putting us back at square one

Read Article

Both of the studies above highlight the current uncertainty regarding the role of lifestyle and dietary interventions in managing Meniere’s disease and underscore the necessity for further research to inform clinical guidelines

But the truth is, even if the evidence isn’t definitive, if making dietary changes helps you feel better, then it’s absolutely worth trying. Utilizing diet to support Meniere’s disease is one of the few affordable, low-risk strategies that you can control, especially when so much about the condition can feel unpredictable and overwhelming.

If your digestion is strong and regular, this may not be a major area of concern. But if you’re experiencing digestive issues, changing your diet can be a simple, accessible step that can make a real difference by improving your gut health and strengthening your entire system.

The Connection Between Diet and Meniere‘s Disease

Recent studies highlight a significant relationship between gut health and Meniere's disease. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, may contribute to the severity of symptoms. And because of this connection, treatment for Meniere’s disease can include diet changes, which can then affect gut microbiome in a positive way.

How Meniere’s Disease Diet Does Help

Recent studies highlight a significant relationship between gut health and Meniere’s disease. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, may contribute to the severity of symptoms. And because of this connection, treatment for Meniere’s disease can include daily lifestyle guidance, which can then affect digestion in a positive way

The Gut-Brain Axis

The gut-brain axis is a complex, bidirectional communication pathway involving neurological, hormonal, and immune signals between the gut and brain. Disruptions in this communication can lead to inflammation, metabolic changes, and neurological symptoms, as well as various conditions including migraines, allergies, anxiety, depression, all relevant to MD.

Research indicates that dysbiosis can exacerbate inflammation and metabolic imbalances, potentially contributing to neurological symptoms like vertigo, tinnitus, and migraines.

How Gut Health Is Connected to The Ear

If you’re dealing with ongoing sinus pressure, ear congestion, or symptoms of Meniere’s disease, don’t overlook your gut. The connection between your digestive system, sinuses, and ears is real—and powerful.

Inflammation Pathways

When your gut is inflamed, it can send inflammatory signals through the bloodstream. This affects sensitive areas like the blood-labyrinth barrier in your inner ear—similar to the blood-brain barrier. Once that barrier is compromised, you become more vulnerable to ear infections and even hearing loss.

Vagus Nerve Signaling

The vagus nerve is a powerful communication channel that runs between your gut and your brain—and it also connects to your ears. When your gut is healthy, it produces compounds like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that reduce oxidative stress and calm inflammation in the auditory system. This may help with conditions like vertigo or Meniere’s disease.

Microbiome Overlap

Research shows that the same microbial imbalances in the gut can influence the bacteria in your middle ear. This is why children and adults with recurring ear infections often have underlying gut health issues. Interestingly, taking probiotics along with antibiotics has been shown to improve outcomes for middle ear infections.

How the Sinus and Ear Are Connected

You may have noticed that when you have a sinus infection, your ears feel blocked or your hearing gets fuzzy. That’s because your sinuses and ears are directly connected through a small passage called the Eustachian tube

Ear Infections and Gut Health

Gut dysbiosis can also contribute to recurring ear infections and swimmer’s ear by weakening immune defenses, making ears more prone to infection.

Probiotics like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can help block pathogens and protect ear health.

Read Article

How Gut Health Is Connected to Meniere’s Disease

If you’re dealing with ongoing sinus pressure, ear congestion, or symptoms of Meniere’s disease, don’t overlook your gut. The connection between your digestive system, sinuses, and ears is real and powerful.

Gut Dysbiosis and Meniere’s Progression

  • A small study found that the longer someone had Meniere’s disease, the more disrupted their gut microbiome became.
  • In all the patients studied, a beneficial gut bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila was completely absent.
  • The progression of gut imbalances can also worsen with stress, which often triggers Meniere’s symptoms —similar to patterns seen in depression and IBS
Read study

Leaky Gut and Inflammation in Meniere’s Disease

  • Patients with active symptoms were found to have increased intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”). 
  • This allows harmful substances to enter the bloodstream, potentially increasing inflammation and worsening symptoms
Read study

Gut Health, Vertigo, and Mental Health

  •  Animal studies show that balance issues (like vertigo) are linked to gut bacteria changes and increased anxiety.
  • Bacteria such as Bifidobacterium are known to affect metabolism, possibly influencing vertigo indirectly.
  • After a closer look, findings discovered specific bacterial strains and metabolites were directly associated with anxiety-related behavior.
Read study

Links to Neurological Conditions

  • Imbalances in the gut microbiome are also associated with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and multiple sclerosis.
  • And in contrast, healthy gut bacteria support brain function, immune regulation, and inflammation control—factors likely relevant to Meniere’s disease.
Read Article

Dietary Dilemma

While there is ongoing debate regarding the role of The Meniere's Disease Diet in managing symptoms, it is a low risk strategy that can help!

In our next blog, Dietary Strategies for Managing Meniere’s Disease Symptoms, we are going to take a closer look at the relationship between gut health and Meniere‘s Disease, as well as Dietary Therapy Recommendations to help the management of Meniere‘s. real—and powerful.

Read Part Two

Bai Zhu Balance

Bai Zhu Balance is one of the only supplements specifically designed to support the gut microbiome while targeting symptoms of Meniere’s disease. 

If you’ve tried everything and still struggle with flare-ups, Bai Zhu Balance offers a natural, gut-focused solution created with your inner ear health in mind

Buy Now

Who Can Help?

Willard Sheppy

If you’re struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or Meniere’s Disease, you understand how frustrating it can be when your symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed by healthcare providers, leaving you without a clear path to relief.

Willard Sheppy, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, knows exactly how you feel because he himself lives with Meniere’s Disease and has successfully managed his condition through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies.

With firsthand experience and deep expertise, Will provides personalized care aimed at addressing the underlying causes of vertigo, reducing symptoms, and restoring balance to your life.

Willard Sheppy holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine certified by the NCCAOM.

Self-Help Therapies for Meniere’s Disease

Posted on May 7, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease

Self-Help Therapies for Meniere's Disease

Effective self-help strategies for managing Meniere's disease.

Through the implementation of self-help strategies for Meniere’s disease, you can feel empowered to manage symptoms effectively. Regular exercises, relaxation techniques, and lifestyle adjustments like the ones we will suggest today can play a crucial role in alleviating discomfort.

AOYI Patches for Stress Management
Meniere's Disease is aggravated from chronic stress. Learn techniques that calm the mind and relax the sympathetic nervous system.
Learn More
Acupressure Points
Acupressure points specific body points to alleviate pain, dizziness, and anxiety.
Learn More
Gua Sha on the Neck
This traditional therapy can effectively address the cervical dizziness, migraines, and tension headaches that often come with Meniere‘s disease
Learn More
Face Massage
The benefits of facial massage to address Meniere's disease symptoms, such as sinus congestion
Learn More
Nasal Breathing
This section will briefly overview the potential benefits of nasal breathing in alleviating Meniere's disease symptoms
Learn More

Understanding Meniere's Disease Therapies

There are several effective therapies for Meniere’s disease that you can do to improve symptoms and stabilize attacks. These methods, including face massage, nasal breathing, gua sha, acupressure, pressure points, and AOYI patches, can help you manage meniere’s ear disease – and hopefully improve your day-to-day quality of life, living with its symptoms.

Face Massage

Stimulates lymphatic flow and sinus drainage, relaxes facial tension, and helps relieve ear pressure and congestion.

Nasal Breathing

Encourages diaphragm activation, reduces stress by calming the sympathetic nervous system, and boosts nitric oxide production to improve circulation to the inner ear

Gua Sha on the Neck

A scraping technique that increases microcirculation and releases tension in the neck and jaw, areas commonly involved in vertigo and ear symptoms.

AOYI Patches for Stress Management

Herbal medicated patches applied on the acupuncture poitns to help decrease stress.

Acupressure Points

Uses gentle pressure on acupuncture points to regulate nervous system activity, promote fluid movement, and reduce dizziness.

Home Therapy Routine for Meniere's Disease

Learn a daily routine that keep you feeling good and attack free.

Three Key Zones

By focusing on three critical areas around your ears, you can significantly reduce symptoms through simple massage and manual manipulation

In Front Of The Ear

Targets the jaw, affecting the trigeminal nerve and pterygoid muscles, which influence the eustachian tube.

Below The Ear

Improves lymphatic drainage and decreases potential nerve compression at the greater auricular nerve

Behind The Ear

Relieves nerve and blood flow restrictions in the neck that aggravate symptoms and can cause dizziness

Where Do You Start?

Simply put, look for areas of pain.

Areas that feel more tender on touch or are more painful compared to the other side of the head typically respond well to treatment and can offer stronger results.

Face Massage

Finding relief through face massage

The benefits of facial massage to address Meniere’s disease symptoms, such as sinus congestion

When paired with controlled nasal breathing, facial massage can provide significant benefits for these common symptoms of Meniere’s

Recommended For

  • Individuals experiencing sinus congestion and blocked eustachian tubes
  • People with facial puffiness and poor lymphatic drainage
  • People with allergies

Massaging the nose and ears helps drain mucus and clears blocked eustachian tubes.

Sinus Congestion Relief

  • Holding your breath boosts CO2 levels, dilating blood vessels, and enhancing circulation.
  • Releasing jaw, neck, and scalp tension can reduce headaches and migraines.
  • Massaging around the ear helps move fluid out of the face and decrease facial puffiness.

1. Massage the Front of the Face

Place your palms on your face and gently rub upwards and downwards. Focus on releasing tension in the forehead and jaw

2. Massage the Sides of the Face

Split your fingers so some are in front of your ears and others are behind. Massage the sides of your head in a up and down motion.

3. Hair and Neck Massage:

Run your hands through your hair, massaging the scalp to release tension. Clasp your hands behind your neck and massage the base of your skull, focusing on the occipital area.

Nasal Breathing

Nasal breathing can be practiced anywhere, at any time, offering a convenient way to enhance relaxation and improve circulation.

Nasal breathing supports relaxation by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting a calming effect on the body. It also increases nitric oxide production, which improves blood circulation to critical areas like the ear and eustachian tubes. Nasal breathing also encourages diaphragmatic breathing, which can help prevent chronic neck tension

When paired with controlled nasal breathing, facial massage can provide significant benefits for these common symptoms of Meniere’s

Recommended For

  • People whose Allergies aggravate Meniere’s (chronic stuffy nose)
  • People who mouth breathe (waking up with a dry mouth)
  • People who chest breath (experiencing chronic stiff neck)
  • People with high stress levels who need help calming down

1. Close Your Mouth And Breath In

Using your diaphram, inhale gently through the nose for four seconds

2. Keep Your Mouth Closed And Breath Out

Exhale through your nose for longer than you inhale (eight seconds)

3. Add Humming

As you breath out add a humming sound to create vibrations that enhance nitric oxide production in your sinuses

Gua Sha on the Neck

Gua Sha is a traditional East Asian medicine practice using a smooth-edged tool to scrape the skin.

This therapy can effectively address the cervical dizziness, migraines, and tension headaches that often come with Meniere‘s disease. By relieving pain and tension in the upper cervical region, patients often experience relief

 

Buy Evil Bone Water

Gua Sha works amazingly for relieving nerve pressure in the occipital and upper cervical region, which are common trouble spots in Meniere’s disease. It helps symptoms by improving circulation and reducing muscle tension, and can be done regularly to address symptoms and find nearly immediate relief.

Recommended For

  • Individuals experiencing cervical dizziness.
  • Those who frequently suffer from migraines or tension headaches.
  • People with persistent neck tension or stiffness

1. Protect Your Skin

Apply liniment like Evil Bone Water to minimize friction on the skin.

2. What To Use

Use a rounded-edge tool,(such as a Chinese soup spoon a jar lid, or the back of a comb.

3. How To Do It

Scrape gently from your hairline to your shoulders.Gradually increase pressure comfortable feeling of relief

AOYI Patches for Stress Management

Meniere's Disease is aggravated from chronic stress. Techniques that calm the sympathetic nervous system are beneficial in decreasing the attacks.

This therapy can effectively address the cervical dizziness, migraines, and tension headaches that often come with Meniere‘s disease. By relieving pain and tension in the upper cervical region, patients often experience relief

 

Buy AOYI Patches

Stress significantly worsens Meniere’s symptoms. There is research showing that Meniere’s attacks come with a spike in SNS. People often report stress situations as a trigger for an attack. Stress causes blood vessels to constrict in the hands and feet, causing tightness in the jaw and neck tension. AOYI patches help keep you grounded and increase circulation to the feet.

Recommended For

  • Individuals with high-stress jobs who are experiencing dizziness
  • People who are experiencing episodes resembling panic attacks
  • Those whose symptoms worsen toward the end of the day

1. When To Use

Use AO YI patches daily or during times of high stress for consistent relief

Where To Use

Inside ankles or soles (SP-6 and Kid-1 points)

Found on the lower leg, three fingers above the prominence of the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone), just behind the tibia
located on the bottom of the foot approximately one third of the distance between the base of the second toe and the heel.

Acupressure Points

Addressing Meniere's Disease Ear Pain And Fullness

Acupressure targets specific body points to alleviate pain, dizziness, and anxiety. Points near the jaw, below and behind the ear, relieve nerve and muscle tension, which can enhance lymph drainage. Points near the feet help calm the nervous system and decrease stress.

Gently rub each point in small circles (both clockwise and counterclockwise) for about one minute. Repeat this 2–3 times daily, or whenever you feel the need for relief. You can also try grasping the point by gently squeezing and lifting the skin or muscle around it using your thumb and fingers. Most importantly, listen to your body. Do what feels good

Recommended For

  • People who experience relief when gently pressing on sore or tender areas.
  • People who are sensitive to deep pressure or find traditional massage too intense.

SJ17 (Yifeng)

Fold the earlobe forward to reveal this point. It is the deep depression just under the ear. It is located between the ramus of the mandible and the mastoid process in the depression, just superior to the palpable transverse process of the first cervical vertebrae. Targeting this area can improve lymph drainage

SP6 (Sānyīnjiāo)

Four finger-widths above the prominent bone on the inside of your ankle (the medial malleolus), the spot, found in a slight depression just behind the edge of the tibia (the shin bone). Targeting this area can help restore calm and balance.

Anmian

Find the midpoint between GB20 (at the base of the skull) and SJ17 (below the mastoid process). Anmian is slightly above this midpoint.

Found on the lower leg, three fingers above the prominence of the medial malleolus (inner ankle bone), just behind the tibia
This point is located between the jaw and the mastoid process, in a depression behind the earlobe.
This point is location posterior and sligltyle superior to the mastoid process

Press Tacks For Continuous Relief

Press tacks are small adhesive needles providing ongoing stimulation, reducing inflammation and improving drainage

Clean Skin Thoroughly

Place tack over the acupressure point

Ensure comfort and Take off in 1-3 days or if there is pain.

Recommended For

People who experience short-term relief with acupuncture, and want it to last longer.

Home Therapy Routine for Meniere's Disease

A practical morning routine might include

  • Face massage and nasal humming for sinus and lymphatic drainage.
  • Applying Evil Bone Water and performing Gua Sha.
  • Placing press tacks behind the ear (SJ17).
  • Using AOYI patches on the inside ankles (SP6).
AOYI Patches for Stress Management
Meniere's Disease is aggravated from chronic stress. Learn techniques that calm the mind and relax the sympathetic nervous system.
Buy Now
Acupressure Points
Acupressure points specific body points to alleviate pain, dizziness, and anxiety.
Learn More
Gua Sha on the Neck
This traditional therapy can effectively address the cervical dizziness, migraines, and tension headaches that often come with Meniere‘s disease
Buy Evil Bone Water
Face Massage
The benefits of facial massage to address Meniere's disease symptoms, such as sinus congestion
Learn More
Nasal Breathing
Learn about potential benefits of nasal breathing in alleviating Meniere's disease symptoms
Learn More

Ready to Take Control of Your Meniere’s Symptoms?

Don’t let Meniere’s disease control your life. By consistently incorporating these effective home therapies, you’ll likely notice decreased symptoms and greater comfort, improving the quality of your life!

Willard Sheppy

If you’re struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or Meniere’s Disease, you understand how frustrating it can be when your symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed by healthcare providers, leaving you without a clear path to relief.

Willard Sheppy, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, knows exactly how you feel because he himself lives with Meniere’s Disease and has successfully managed his condition through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies.

With firsthand experience and deep expertise, Will provides personalized care aimed at addressing the underlying causes of vertigo, reducing symptoms, and restoring balance to your life.

Willard Sheppy holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine certified by the NCCAOM.

5 Drugs To Treat Meniere’s Disease and Natural Alternatives

Posted on May 2, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease

5 Drugs Used To Treat Meniere's Disease and Natural Alternatives

Learning about the Drugs to treat Meniere’s Disease and the Natural Alternatives can offer a clearer path for those navigating the daily disruptions of this complex condition.

Meniere’s disease can be overwhelming, turning your world upside down with sudden episodes of dizziness, nausea, and ear pressure that disrupt your daily life. Finding stability starts with understanding the drugs used to treat Meniere’s and natural alternatives that can help manage symptoms. While conventional medications offer relief, many people struggle with side effects or prefer to avoid relying solely on pharmaceuticals. Integrating natural supplements and holistic therapies may enhance results, reduce side effects, and provide a more balanced, sustainable approach to managing this complex condition. 

Common Drugs for Meniere's Disease

Several types of drugs are used to treat Meniere’s disease, each targeting a different underlying cause or symptom. Some reduce inflammation or internal heat, while others act as diuretics to manage fluid buildup. Some also help calm the sympathetic nervous system, addressing the effects of stress and anxiety on the body

Learn More

Antihistamines For Meniere’s

Learn how first- and second-generation antihistamines work on H1, H2, and H3 receptors—and which are most effective for dizziness and vertigo.

First and Second Generation Antihistamines

Learn the difference between the old and the new antihistamines, what works best for reducing vertigo and improving balance in Meniere’s disease.

Diuretics For Meniere’s

Understand how diuretics help relieve inner ear pressure and why herbal diuretics like Ze Xie and Fu Ling offer gentle, natural support.

Corticosteroids For Meniere’s

Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatories but carry risks. Discover how herbal alternatives may help manage inflammation.

Anti-anxiety Medications For Meniere’s

Benzodiazepines can reduce anxiety and vertigo, but natural remedies like Yuan Zhi and Ling Zhi may add support.

Overview Chart Of Common Drugs to Treat Meniere's Disease.

An overview chart of treatment options for Meniere's disease, from least invasive to most.

If you're looking for a natural

Support Meniere's Naturally with Bai Zhu Balance

 Based on time-tested Chinese herbs and modern research, this formula supports your body’s balance and resilience—without the heavy side effects of pharmaceuticals.

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Antihistamines For Meniere’s

Antihistamines treat Meniere’s disease by suppressing abnormal vestibular signals, reducing vertigo and nausea, and in some cases, improving blood flow in the inner ear. They are primarily used for acute symptom relief rather than long-term prevention and do not cure the underlying disease.

How Antihistamines Work

Antihistamines work by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions that causes symptoms such as itching, sneezing, a runny nose, and watery eyes. Blocking happens when substances bind to the body‘s histamine receptors, preventing histamine from attaching itself to the body!

Types of Antihistamines

Your body has three main types of histamine receptors (H1, H2, and H3), each playing a different role in how you respond to allergens, regulate digestion, and control balance and brain function.

  • H1 receptors are primarily involved in skin and allergy
  • H2 receptors regulate stomach acid
  • H3 receptors affect brain function and balance

Meclizine excels at treating vertigo

Dimenhydrinate tends to be more effective for motion sickness

H1 Receptors

Primarily involved in skin and allergy

Most antihistamines used for allergies and vertigo target the H1 receptors..

Common H1 blockers which are frequently used to manage motion sickness, include:

  • Meclizine (Dramamine, non-drowsy)
  • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
  • Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, original formula)

H2 Receptors

Regulate stomach acid

H2 receptor antagonists, on the other hand, primarily work in the stomach to reduce acid production.

Medications like:

  • Ranitidine (formerly Zantac)
  • Famotidine (Pepcid)

Which are not directly used for Meniere’s disease

H3 Receptors

Affect brain function

H3 receptors are found in the central nervous system and help regulate the release of histamine and other neurotransmitters.

One of the few medications that affects these receptors is betahistine, which acts as an H3 antagonist and H1 agonist.

Betahistine is particularly relevant to Meniere’s because it improves blood flow in the inner ear and helps reduce vertigo, making it one of the few drugs that could be are beneficial.

First Generation Antihistamines

First-generation antihistamines are older medicines that not only block histamine receptors but also have anticholinergic properties, meaning they interfere with acetylcholine, a chemical involved in nerve signaling, memory, and muscle control

How They Work

 By dampening acetylcholine activity, these medications can reduce nausea and dizziness, making them useful for vertigo and motion sickness. 

Risk And Effectiveness

Because they easily cross the blood-brain barrier, they often cause drowsiness, and with long-term use, may impair alertness, memory, and overall brain health. 

While effective for allergy symptoms, medications like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and meclizine come with potential cognitive side effects, especially in older adults.

Second Generation Antihistamines

Are newer, longer-lasting, and less sedating, making them ideal for managing seasonal allergies without drowsiness.

How They Work

They more selective for peripheral H1 receptors as opposed to the first generation central nervous system H1 receptors and cholinergic receptors.

They are very polar and are less likely to cross the blood–brain barrier. They act mainly outside the central nervous system.

Risk And Effectiveness

They are less likely to cause drowsiness because they act mainly on peripheral H1 receptors and do not easily enter the brain.

They are not effective for vertigo.

Antihistamines like Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra are not effective against vertigo but can help if allergies accompany Meniere’s symptoms

Natural Alternatives

Ginkgo Biloba

Supports circulation and helps with cervical and non-specific vertigo, but is less effective for Meniere’s disease.

Read Article

Ginger

Widely used for its anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory properties, ginger can help soothe dizziness and nausea during vertigo attack

Read Article

Turmeric

Contains curcumin, a compound with anti-inflammatory effects. Some find that reducing overall inflammation helps with symptom managemen

Read Article

Herbal Supplements

Formulas such as modified Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang, which is the foundation of Bai Zhu Balance, have shown significant effectiveness in clinical studies for reducing Ménière’s symptoms

Read Article

Diuretics For Meniere’s

Doctors commonly prescribe diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide to manage fluid retention associated with Meniere’s disease

How They Work

Diuretics help remove fluid from the body, reducing excess fluid buildup in the inner ear. Thiazide diuretics inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption in the kidneys’ distal convoluted tubules. This increases sodium, chloride, and water excretion, reducing blood volume and fluid retention

Risk And Effectiveness

These medications are beneficial if you also manage high blood pressure and fluid overload.

Diuretics require careful monitoring to avoid electrolyte imbalances.

Natural Alternatives

Ze Xie

Enhances urination by promoting fluid removal it helps reducing ear fluid buildup, and managing high blood pressure.

Read Article

Yi Yi Ren

Supports digestion and provides mild diuretic effects

Fu Ling

Gently drains dampness and calms the mind

Read Article

Corticosteroids For Meniere’s

Corticosteroids, like prednisone and methylprednisolone, reduce severe inflammation and fluid accumulation. They suppress immune responses during acute flare-ups 

How They Work

Corticosteroids work by entering your cells and attaching to special receptors inside. Once attached, they travel into the cell’s control center (the nucleus), where they help turn specific genes on or off. They turn on the production of proteins that fight inflammation, and off genes that may be harmful, reducing the production of substances that cause inflammation and swelling.

Risk And Effectiveness

Corticosteroids cause sodium retention, which can lead to increased blood pressure.

Corticosteroids also carry risks, including weight gain, mood changes, increased blood sugar, elevated blood pressure, and potential long-term side effects such as osteoporosis and immune suppression.

Natural Alternatives

Jin Yin Hua

Offers antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing inflammation by suppressing cytokine release

Read Article

Chuan Xin Lian

Strongly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-modulating, useful for gastrointestinal and systemic inflammation.

Read Article

Bai Shao

Provides anti-inflammatory effects and is beneficial in painful and inflammatory conditions

Read Article

Anti-anxiety Medications For Meniere’s

Benzodiazepines

 Commonly prescribed to manage acute vertigo episodes in Meniere’s disease due to their sedative and anxiolytic properties

How They Work

These medications bind to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, enhancing GABA’s calming effects and reducing nervous system activity. While effective, these drugs carry risks of dependency and drowsiness. Therefore, short-term or occasional use is advised.

Read Article

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

SSRIs, such as sertraline, have been found beneficial in treating patients with Meniere’s disease, particularly those experiencing anxiety or depression

How They Work

SSRIs inhibit this reuptake by blocking the serotonin transporter, leading to increased serotonin availability in the synaptic cleft. This enhanced presence of serotonin allows for prolonged stimulation of the postsynaptic neuron, which is believed to contribute to mood improvement and anxiety reduction.

Read Article

Risk And Effectiveness

Benzodiazepines are generally recommended for short-term or occasional use rather than long-term management. These drugs offer rapid symptom relief during acute episodes, but they carry notable risks, including drowsiness, impaired cognitive function, dependency, and withdrawal symptoms.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors are generally well-tolerated, but they can cause side effects such as nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, and increased anxiety during the initial treatment phase.

Natural Alternatives

Yuan Zhi

Calms the mind, reducing susceptibility to anxiety and stress.

Read Article

Shi Chang Pu

Clears mental fog and supports cognitive clarity.

Ling Zhi

Strengthens the body’s resilience, improving stress management and overall wellness.: Clears mental fog and supports cognitive clarity.

Read Article

Overview Chart Of Common Drugs to Treat Meniere's Disease.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Each stage of Ménière’s disease may call for different strategies, and what works for one person may not work for another. The goal is always to reduce vertigo, preserve hearing, and improve your quality of life, starting with the least invasive methods and progressing only if necessary.

Chart of Drugs Used to Treat Meniere's Disease

Acute Non-Destructive

These therapies aim to calm the overactive vestibular system without causing lasting damage to the inner ear.

 

  • Antihistamines like Betahistine, meclizine, and promethazine are commonly used. They work by modulating histamine receptors in the vestibular system to suppress vertigo and may improve inner ear circulation. Betahistine is especially popular in Europe and Canada but less so in the U.S.

  • Anticholinergics such as Scopolamine and Atropine target acetylcholine receptors, which are involved in the balance system’s sensitivity. These drugs help reduce the hyperactivity of vestibular pathways during an attack.

  • Benzodiazepines like Diazepam act on the GABA-A receptors, promoting relaxation in the central nervous system. These drugs not only suppress vertigo but also help manage the anxiety and panic often linked to acute episodes.

  • Antiemetics, including metoclopramide, are used to control nausea and vomiting by blocking dopamine receptors in the brainstem.

  • Steroids, particularly in the form of intratympanic injections (directly into the ear), are sometimes used to manage inflammation and hearing loss. However, systemic steroid use (like oral prednisone) remains controversial due to limited supporting evidence.

Intermittent Phase

The intermittent phase offers a vital opportunity to stabilize symptoms, reduce vertigo frequency, and avoid disease progression

Medication Lifestyle Changes

  • Moderate exercise, stress reduction, and sufficient rest help minimize symptom triggers.

  • A low-sodium diet and limiting caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and sugar may support fluid balance in the inner ear.

Medication

  • Betahistine is a widely used anti-vertigo medication, especially in Europe, that improves circulation and neural balance.

  • Diuretics like HCTZ, isosorbide, and acetazolamide help regulate fluid in the inner ear.

  • Corticosteroids (especially intratympanic) reduce inflammation and improve fluid stability, but often require repeated use.

Vestibular Therapy 

  • Vestibular rehab can retrain the balance system in stable cases.

  • Behavioral and emotional support enhances recovery outcomes and resilience.

Intermittent Phase

Non-destructive and Destructive Surgical interventions

(Non Destructive)

  • Ventilation Tubes
    Tiny ear tubes help relieve pressure and prevent vertigo.
  • Middle Ear Positive Pressure 
    Air pulses can regulate inner ear pressure and reduce attacks.
  • Endolymphatic Sac Surgery
    Surgical decompression drains excess inner ear fluid.
  • Semicircular Canal Plugging
    Surgery to stop vertigo-causing signals from the balance canals.

(Destructive)

  • Intratympanic Gentamicin 
    This antibiotic disables part of the inner ear to stop vertigo.
  • Labyrinthectomy
    A full removal of the balance organ to eliminate vertigo.
  • Vestibular Neurectomy
    Nerve-cutting surgery to stop dizziness without harming hearing.
  •  Sacculotomy
    A targeted drainage procedure for severe, one-sided vertigo.

A herbal formula specifically designed to support people living with Meniere’s

Bai Zhu Balance

If you’ve tried everything and still struggle with the challenges of Ménière’s disease, you’re not alone, and you’re not out of options. Bai Zhu Balance offers a safe, time-tested solution for those still searching for relief 

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The Best Medicine For Meniere’s Disease

Posted on April 29, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease

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The Best Medicine for Meniere's Disease

Bai Zhu Balance

The best medicine for Meniere’s disease is the one specifically made to treat it. A lot of other formulas generally address vertigo and dizziness but don’t treat the problem that makes Meniere’s so frustrating and unique

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What You’ll Learn in This Article

You’ll learn how Dampness, Heat, and Stagnation contribute to your Meniere’s Disease, and how specific herbs in Bai Zhu Balance work together to support your health. 

Meniere’s Disease Causes

Meniere's disease is more than just ear problems. Learn how Dampness (fluid), Heat (inflammation), and Stagnation (muslces tension) aggravate symptoms.

Natural Diuretics

Bai Zhu Balance uses gentle herbal diuretics to clear excess fluid from the inner ear. It also supports healthy blood pressure without the harsh side effects of pharmaceuticals

Calming the Nervous System And Reducing Stress

Stress can trigger or worsen Ménière’s attacks. Bai Zhu Balance helps calm your mind, ease anxiety, and reduce nervous system overactivity

FAQ About Bai Zhu Balance

Find answers about Bai Zhu Balance's ingredients, recommended dosage, safety guidelines, and what makes this formula uniquely effective

Bai Zhu Balance

the best medicine for Meniere’s disease is the one specifically made to treat it

If you‘re suffering, don‘t just look for any new treatment for Meniere’s disease… the solution instead can be found in the most ancient of herbs! Bai Zhu, a Chinese herb also known as Atractylodes macrocephala, uses centuries old wisdom and modern research to help address imbalances with Dampness, Heat, and Stagnation in the body that often comes with Meniere‘s Disease. Each herb in the formula plays a specific role in restoring balance, decreasing symptoms, and the frequency of Menieres attacks.

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What is the best medicine for Meniere's disease?

The best medicine for Meniere’s disease is the one specifically made to treat it

Bai Zhu Balance

Just like with any pain or sickness, treating something at its source is going to be a lot more effective than treating just the symptoms. So, logically, the best medicine for Meniere’s disease is the one specifically made to treat it. 

Bai Zhu Balance is a Traditional Chinese Medicine formula specifically tailored for managing Meniere’s disease, this herb acts as a natural diuretic and addresses the causes of Meniere‘s Disease‘s worst symptoms.

Why?

A lot of other formulas available will typically address only Meniere’s symptoms, like vertigo and dizziness, but don’t treat the problem that makes Meniere’s so frustrating and unique

What is it?

Bai Zhu Balance is a mixture of herbs in a powerful Chinese formula that can help you find symptom relief and restore the overall balance in your body.

How?

Let‘s break down Meniere‘s causes and then how the role of each herb will help you fight it at its source!

Meniere’s Disease Causes

To truly explain Meniere‘s disease, let‘s take a closer look at the root of the illness, and what causes its attacks. Once we understand that imbalance, we can work hard on correcting it!

When there is an imbalance of Dampness, Heat, and Stagnation in your body, there is no flow of movement, energy, and even blood,  disrupting so many core body functions! This unevenness causes Meniere‘s, and when left untreated or left to its own devices, it also makes symptoms worse. When there is no flow, when the body‘s temperatures are too hot, and when digestion is interrupted, this will break patterns of the body’s natural ability to decrease the severity and frequency of Meniere‘s attacks. 

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Addressing Dampness

Clearing and Draining Excess Fluid

Dampness refers to the fluid buildup in the body. In Meniere‘s disease, this often presents as fluid accumulation in the ear, causing fullness and vertigo. By improving digestion, and the overall movement of your body‘s lymphatic system, this formula helps to reduce symptoms.

Combatting Dampness

Natural Remedying Herbs

The Bai Zhu Balance herbal formula is specifically designed to help people with Meniere‘s disease, here are the active herbal ingredients in it to help combat Dampness

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Ban Xia

Rhizoma Pinelliae

  • Helps target phlegm and fluid congestion in the upper body, such as in the ears, head, or chest.

Chen Pi

Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae

  • Helps digestion by reducing bloating and mucus

Bai Zhu

Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae

  • Prevents Dampness from forming in the first place

Natural Diuretics

Natural diuretics that can help with Meniere‘s Disease

Diuretics are commonly prescribed for Meniere’s disease to reduce inner ear fluid buildup. Natural herbal diuretics offer a powerful and gentle alternative to most common Western medicines.

Fu Ling

Poria

  • A gentle diuretic herb that helps drain Dampness and calms the mind.

Ze Xie

Rhizoma Alismatis

  • A powerful diuretic that enhances urination, promoting the removal of excess fluids from the body and reduces ear fluid buildup and high blood pressure
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Yi Yi Ren

Semen Coicis

  • A gentle diuretic that helps support digestion, which often gets disrupted with Meniere‘s.

Addressing Heat

Reducing Inflammation and Excessive Vasodilation

Heat is often related to inflammation, but you also may be suffering from it if you‘re feeling flushed or overheated. Heat can often be found in patients with autoimmune conditions with chronic inflammation. 

Wind is another important concept. In TCM, Wind describes sudden or unpredictable movement in the body. It’s called Wind because, just like real wind outside, it moves quickly and can change direction without warning. In your body, Wind can cause symptoms that come and go or move around.

Combatting Heat and Wind

Natural Remedying Herbs

To help calm these symptoms, we use specific herbs that clear Heat (reduce inflammation) and extinguish Wind (settle sudden movement), working to restore balance and stability. Addressing both the Heat and Wind patterns together gives a stronger, more lasting approach to managing Ménière’s disease

Tian Ma

Rhizoma Gastrodiae

  • Calms the liver and settles Wind, directly addressing vertigo and helps prevent dizziness.

Herbs That Help Inflamation and Dizziness

Ju Hua

Flos Chrysanthemi

  • A cooling herb that reduces inflammation, clears Heat, and provides gentle relief for the eyes and head

Addressing Stagnation

Restoring Movement and Decreasing Pain

Stagnation refers to restricted movement within the body. Neck pain, migraines, jaw tension, and pressure in the head are all common signs of Stagnation, and these issues can aggravate vertigo, ear fullness, and dizziness. When there is pain or tightness in the neck and head, it can irritate the nerves and blood flow connected to the ear, making Ménière’s symptoms more frequent and intense

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Combatting Stagnation

Natural Remedying Herbs

These three herbs help break the cycle of muscle tension, poor circulation, that can aggravate Ménière’s symptoms. By improving blood flow and relaxing muscles in the neck

Ge Gen

Radix Puerariae

  • Helps ease tension and improve circulation. Known for relaxing muscles in the head and neck

Chuan Xiong

Ligusticum Striatum

  • Invigorates blood flow in the upper body, relieving pressure and supporting the free movement of Qi and blood

Bai Shao

Radix Paeoniae Alba

  • Works with Chuan Xiong to ease muscular tension and relieve discomfort, particularly in the neck and head area

Calming the Nervous System

Decreasing Stress

Elevated sympathetic nervous system the “fight or flight” response is closely tied to Ménière’s attacks.

For many people, panic attacks and dizziness team up, creating a vicious cycle. The dizziness makes you feel panicked, and the panic makes the dizziness even worse. 

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Combatting Stress

Natural Remedying Herbs

These three herbs support a relaxed, calm mind, helping to prevent the nervous system from becoming overactive and exacerbating symptoms.

Shi Chang Pu

Rhizoma Acori

  • Opens the orifices and clears the head

Yuan Zhi

Radix Polygalae

  • Helps keep you less susceptible to anxiety and stress. Known for its calming effects on the mind.

Ling Zhi

Ganoderma Lucidum

  • Strengthens the body to become more resilient under stress

Ready to take control of your balance?

Bai Zhu Balance

Watch our video on Bai Zhu Balance and discover how this natural formula can help you manage Ménière’s symptoms and support a steadier, healthier life!

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Frequently Ask Questions

Learn more about Bai Zhu Balance

In this FAQ, you’ll find answers about Bai Zhu Balance’s ingredients, recommended dosage, safety guidelines, and what makes this formula uniquely effective

Questions About Bai Zhu Balance

Serving Size: 2 Capsules = 1 gram

Servings Per Container: 50

Total grams: 50g

Dosage Type: Granular, Capsules

Granules of Herbs in Each Bottle 

  • Bai Shao (White Peony Root) – 3.00g
  • Bai Zhu (Atractylodes – White) – 8.88g
  • Chen Pi (Citrus Peel) – 3.38g
  • Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum) – 3.50g
  • Fu Ling (Poria/Hoelen) – 1.00g
  • Gan Cao (Licorice) – 0.88g
  • Ge Gen (Pueraria) – 4.00g
  • Jiang Ban Xia (Pinellia) – 2.88g
  • Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) – 3.00g
  • Ling Zhi (Hei) (Ganoderma) – 1.12g
  • Shi Chang Pu (Acorus) – 3.75g
  • Tian Ma (Gastrodia) – 2.50g
  • Yi Yi Ren (Coix) – 1.50g
  • Yuan Zhi (Polygala) – 2.62g
  • Ze Xie (Alisma) – 8.00g

Total weight: 50g

Other Ingredients

  • Gelatin Capsules
  • Microcrystalline Cellulose
  • Non-GMO Corn Starch

Directions

Take 2 capsules 3 times daily after meals with a glass of warm water or follow your healthcare practitioner’s instructions.

Caution 

Consult with your healthcare practitioner if you are nursing, pregnant or taking medications. Keep out of reach of children. Tamper-resistant: do not use if the safety seal is missing or broken.

It is not ment to cure or treat Meniere’s disease 

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Storage

Keep tightly closed in a cool dry place.

Laboratory tested for microbiological contaminants, heavy metals, & pesticide residues.

Formulated to deliver more active ingredients.

Does not contain: dyes, sugars

Compounded by Sun Ten Laboratories (GMP Certified)

9250 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, CA, 92618

Phone: (800) 333-4372

Email: order@sunten.com

Website: https://sunten.com

Manufactured in a certified GMP factory.

If you’re ready to experience targeted support for dizziness, vertigo, and fluid imbalance, now is the perfect time to start

Order Bai Zhu Balance today and take the first step toward feeling  in control again.

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What You Need To Know About Treating Meniere’s Disease

Posted on March 21, 2025 by - Meniere's Disease, Staff

Person Ear with Meniere's Disease

What You Need To Know About Treating Meniere's Disease

What is Meniere’s disease and how is it treated?

Learn how Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches Meniere’s Disease. Explore how imbalances like Dampness, Heat, and Stagnation can contribute to your symptoms and how specific lifestyle changes and TCM treatments may offer relief. This will help you better understand your treatment’s rationale and how to better help yourself.

About Us

What you will learn about Meniere's Disease

How imbalances like Dampness, Heat, and Stagnation contribute to symptoms. How common comorbidities can aggravate your symptoms.  How Traditional-based treatments such as herbs, acupuncture, diet, movement, and hydrotherapy help symptoms.

How Traditional Chinese Medicine Understanding Meniere's Disease

The Role of Comorbidities

The Role of Sympathetic Nervous System

The Best Treatments for Meniere's Disease

Who Can Help

How Traditional Chinese Medicine Understands Meniere's Disease

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Meniere's Disease is categorized as a patterns involving Dampness, Heat, and Stagnation in the upper body. Addressing these patterns can provide effective symptom relief and improved quality of life.

Dampness

Improper fluid movement in the body—whether there’s too much, or it’s not where it should be. 

Dampness reflects the improper movement or accumulation of fluids in the body. In Meniere’s Disease, Dampness often appears as a buildup of fluid in the ear, leading to symptoms like ear fullness and vertigo. However, Dampness can also present in other ways, such as excessive mucus in the nose, watery eyes, swelling (edema), and biofilm buildup where bacteria and viruses can hide and thrive. Other signs of Dampness might include watery stool, and a feeling of heaviness in the body. Dampness is often produced from poor digestion, diet plays a crucial role in managing Meniere’s Disease.

Heat

Inflammation and Vasodilation


Heat in the body corresponds to inflammation and excessive vasodilation, similar to the feeling of being flushed or overheated. This pattern can be especially pronounced in people with autoimmune conditions, where chronic inflammation often creates symptoms like redness, itching, and general discomfort. An overactive histamine response is also a sign of Heat in the body. Medicines that control histamine receptors, such as H1 (used for allergy management) and H3 (for brain inflammation), like betahistine, are commonly prescribed for managing these inflammatory symptoms in Ménière’s disease. Heat may be triggered by allergies, viral attacks, or autoimmune responses, each intensifying inflammation and worsening Meniere’s symptoms.

Stagnation

Lack of Movement. Things are stuck and painful.

Stagnation describes areas of the body where movement is restricted, often resulting in pain, tension, or pressure. Common examples include neck pain, jaw tension, and migraines—all of which are frequently associated with Meniere’s Disease. Stagnation impedes the free movement of  blood and gasses inthe body leading to pressure and pain. This is why some people find relief with therapies that promote movement, such as chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage. These methods work to release areas of Stagnation, restoring movement and relieving pressure, which can help alleviate the symptoms of Meniere’s.

Patterns

They help us understand what is going on and what might make things better

Understanding patterns in Traditional Chinese Medicine gives us a powerful framework for treating Meniere’s Disease—not just as an isolated condition, but as part of a larger picture of health.

Meniere’s Disease typically involves a pattern of Dampness, reflected by excessive fluid buildup in the inner ear. This Dampness often arises from underlying Heat, representing inflammation or autoimmune activity within the body. The condition is further aggravated by Stagnation, particularly tension or pain in the neck area, which irritates nerves and disrupts normal blood flow and energy circulation. 

The patterns of Dampness, Heat, and Stagnation also align with common comorbidities such as digestive issues, allergies, and chronic headaches. This means that as we treat the patterns causing these comorbidities, we’re also supporting the body in reducing the frequency and severity of Meniere’s symptoms. In other words, when we treat the whole person, we help the ear heal too.

The Role of Comorbidities

Comorbidities play a significant role in how Meniere's Disease manifests, progresses and how we can treat it. By focusing on these related Conditions such as autoimmune disorders, migraines, and chronic stress, we can can decrease Heat, Dampness, and Stagnation in the body.

Gut Dysbiosis

An imbalance in the gut microbiota, may be a contributing factor in the development and progression of Meniere’s Disease.

Dampness

Addressing the body’s digestive health and fluid machanics can improve Meniere’s outcomes

  • Significant negative correlation between disease duration and microbial diversity, indicating dysbiosis. 
  • Gut microbiota becomes increasingly imbalanced as the disease progresses.
  • Some patients with Ménière’s disease experience gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or constipation during exacerbations, even without pre-existing bowel conditions.
Read Article

Immune Disorders

Autoimmune have a higher prevalence among Meniere’s patients, and these inflammatory responses can intensify symptoms

Heat

Controlling heat and  inflammation  in the body can help manage overactive immune system and improve Meniere’s

  • Roughly one-third of MD cases involve autoimmune components. Commonly associated autoimmune diseases include rheumatoid arthritis and thyroiditis. Several theories, including cross-reaction and genetic predisposition, explain the autoimmune link.

  • Allergic reactions are recognized as potential MD triggers, with patients showing symptom improvement after allergy-specific therapies.

  •  Viruses such as cytomegalovirus may also be involved, supported by the presence of viral structures in affected tissues and symptom improvement after antiviral treatments.
Read Article

Neck Pain and Migraines

Symptoms include migraines, neck pain, and jaw tension, which frequently coexist with Meniere’s Disease

Stagnation

Effective treatment of neck pain vestibular migraine can help reduce frequency and severity of Meniere’s episodes

  • Neck pain can trigger or worsen symptoms in Ménière’s disease due to restricted blood flow and nerve irritation from cervical spine issues.

  • Migraines share overlapping mechanisms with Ménière’s disease.

    -Cervical vertigo arises from dysfunction in the neck (cervical spine), causing dizziness and balance issues.

  • Vestibular migraine is characterized by vertigo and dizziness linked directly to migraine episodes.

Read Article

The Role of Sympathetic Nervous System

Understanding stress is crucial in reducing Meniere's episodes

Chronic illnesses frequently involve an overactive sympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the body’s “fight-or-flight” response.

Meniere’s disease is no exception. Research shows that just before a dizzy spell, there is typically a spike in sympathetic nervous system activity.

Both physical and emotional stress can further activate the sympathetic nervous system, making Ménière’s symptoms even more severe.

Read Article

The Best Treatments for Meniere's Disease

Comprehensive treatment plan for Meniers, designed to clear Heat, Dampness, and Stagnation

This protocol uses dietary changes, herbal supplements, and intermittent fasting to reduce Dampness, controlling excess fluid buildup in the ear and improving digestive health.

It incorporates antihistamines and hydrotherapy to manage inflammation Heat, calming autoimmune responses and allergic reactions that worsen symptoms.

To address Stagnation, treatments like acupuncture, self-massage, and gentle stretching are included to improve circulation, relieve neck tension, and alleviate pain.

Finally, breathing exercises and calming patches help balance an Overactive sympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and promoting overall relaxation, essential for long-term relief from Meniere’s episodes.

Back Bai Zhu Balance Bottle with Pills

Bai Zhu Balance

The Bai Zhu Balance herbal formula is specifically designed to help people with Meniere's disease.

Pills

5 Drugs To Treat Meniere's Disease And Natural Alternatives

Learn about what drug options are used to treat meniere's disease.

face massage

Self-Help Therapies for Meniere's Disease

Learn about effective self-help strategies for managing Meniere's disease.

Meniere's Disease Diet

Meniere's Disease Diet: Part One

Is there a link between diet and Meniere's attacks? Learn what is true and what is not.

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Meniere's Disease Diet: Part Two

Learn about what foods to eat, what to avoid and how to eat it.

Hydrotherapy

Saunas vs. Cold Plunges What's Best for Ménière's?

If you've ever wondered whether a sauna or a cold plunge is better for your dizziness

Nose Breathing

Breathing Techniques For Meniere’s Disease

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to manage Meniere’s disease is by focusing on your breathing.

Face Massage

Face Massage for Meniere’s Relief

Discover the benefits of Face massage. Learn how face massage can help relieve Meniere’s disease symptoms.

Ear Massage

Face Massage for Eustachian Tube Relief

Instructions Eustachian Tube Massage. If you’re dealing with ear pressure, blocked ears, or symptoms related to Meniere’s disease.

EAr Muscles

Acupressure Support

Learn targeted pressure points and self massage to help remove stagnation and help manage symptoms

2_Home_Online_Training-AboutUs-Img_2.jpg

Breathing & Movement

Gentle Qigong and stretching routines to enhance circulation and calm the nervous system

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AOYI Patches

Learn how to use Patches to calm the nervous systme and ground the body to help prevent dizzyness.

Who Can Help?

Willard Sheppy

If you’re struggling with vertigo, dizziness, or Meniere’s Disease, you understand how frustrating it can be when your symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed by healthcare providers, leaving you without a clear path to relief.

Willard Sheppy, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist, knows exactly how you feel because he himself lives with Meniere’s Disease and has successfully managed his condition through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle strategies.

With firsthand experience and deep expertise, Will provides personalized care aimed at addressing the underlying causes of vertigo, reducing symptoms, and restoring balance to your life.

Willard Sheppy holds a Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine and is a Diplomate of Oriental Medicine certified by the NCCAOM.