ENTER THE SACRED BACKYARD
SACRED SOUL FAMILY
Dodee Schmitt
Dodee is a Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, certified in Dr. Klinghardt's Autonomic Response Testing, and is an educator of the Living Biofield as an integral part of health, with nearly two decades of experience in detox strategies, holistic healing, and long-standing chronic illness. Dodhisattva.com, est. 2009
Table of Contents
If your ears started ringing after a COVID infection and your doctor has no answers, you are not imagining things and you are far from alone. COVID tinnitus is now documented in peer reviewed research from multiple institutions, and the numbers are striking.
A cross-sectional survey of 1,331 former COVID-19 patients found that 27.9% reported tinnitus following infection.Â
A separate study found that 22.6% of COVID patients experienced tinnitus, with women more prone than men.
 Tinnitus severity scores measured on validated clinical scales increased significantly from before the pandemic to during it, and remained elevated afterward, with large effect sizes across functional, emotional, and catastrophic symptom categories.
COVID tinnitus is not a coincidence. COVID does something specific to the auditory system, and understanding what it does is the first step toward addressing it naturally.
What COVID Does to the Auditory Nerve and Inner Ear
The inner ear is highly dependent on microvascular perfusion.
The cochlea and auditory nerve require consistent, clean blood flow and an inflammation-free environment to function properly. COVID disrupts both.
Research documents that the virus triggers widespread neuroinflammation through microglial activation and a systemic cytokine storm.
The same inflammatory cascade that damages hippocampal tissue also reaches the auditory brainstem pathways and cochlear nerve.
When these nerve pathways become inflamed, they generate phantom sound signals.
That is the mechanical origin of covid tinnitus in many post-infection cases.
On top of the neuroinflammation, COVID affects endothelial tissue throughout the body.
The cochlear microvasculature is extremely fine and particularly vulnerable to vascular disruption that reduces oxygen delivery to the hair cells of the inner ear.
When those hair cells are deprived of adequate circulation, tinnitus is a predictable result.
Key mechanisms behind COVID tinnitus
- Neuroinflammation from microglial activation reaches the cochlear nerve and auditory brainstem
- Cochlear microvasculature damage reduces oxygen delivery to inner ear hair cells
- Both mechanisms can generate phantom sound signals independently of each other
- Even mild COVID infection has been documented causing auditory system disruption
The Dormant Virus Connection Behind COVID Tinnitus
One of the most important pieces of the covid tinnitus picture is what the virus does to pathogens already living quietly in the body.
The herpesvirus family, which includes Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), HHV-6, HSV-1, and HSV-2, is carried by the majority of adults in a latent, suppressed state.
Under normal circumstances, the immune system keeps these viruses dormant.
COVID disrupts that balance in a specific way.
The virus depletes the body’s methylation capacity, the biochemical process it uses to silence latent viral DNA. When methylation breaks down, the silencing mechanism for these dormant viruses collapses, and they reactivate.
EBV and HHV-6, in particular, have an affinity for neural tissue, including the auditory nerve.
Reactivated neurotropic viruses inflaming the cochlear nerve is a plausible and clinically observed driver of COVID tinnitus that conventional medicine has been slow to acknowledge.
Bartonella is worth mentioning here as well.
There has been a significant uptick in Bartonella presentations post-COVID, and Bartonella has a particular affinity for endothelial tissue, including the microvasculature of the inner ear.
If COVID tinnitus is accompanied by brain fog, unusual fatigue, or stretch-mark-like skin striations, Bartonella co-infection deserves consideration.
Why Methylation Is the Root of COVID Tinnitus Recovery
My foundation has always been whole food nutrition.
Real food, ancestral eating, and nutrient dense living are the backbone of everything I teach.
However, the sheer volume of synthetic compounds in our modern environment, combined with viral insults like SARS-CoV-2 that disrupt methylation pathways and reactivate dormant viruses, has created situations that sometimes require tools outside of whole food formats.
Methylated B vitamins are one of those tools.
Not because food-based B vitamins are inadequate in a pristine world, but because we do not live in a pristine world, and the methylation deficit created by COVID-driven inflammation often requires a more targeted, bioavailable intervention to bridge the gap while the body rebuilds.
Methylation is the process the body uses to repair DNA, produce neurotransmitters, and silence latent viral DNA.
When it breaks down, elevated homocysteine accumulates, neurological tissue suffers, and dormant viruses reactivate.
Supporting this pathway with methyl B vitamins, TMG (trimethylglycine), and DMG (dimethylglycine) is foundational in addressing COVID tinnitus from the root rather than managing the symptom.
Methylation breakdown and COVID tinnitus: the connection
- COVID depletes methylation capacity, the process that silences latent viral DNA
- When methylation collapses, dormant herpesviruses including EBV and HHV-6 reactivate
- Reactivated neurotropic viruses inflame the auditory nerve and cochlear tissue
- Restoring methylation with methyl B vitamins, TMG, and DMG addresses this at the root
DMG: A Foundational Addition for Vaccine Shedding and Viral Tinnitus
- Restores methylation capacity — DMG is a methyl donor that feeds directly into the one-carbon metabolism cycle. Spike protein burden from COVID infection or shedding depletes methylation the same way, collapsing the silencing mechanism that keeps latent herpesviruses including EBV and HHV-6 suppressed. DMG helps restore that silencing capacity at the root
- Silences retroviruses and latent viruses — Dr. Judy Mikovits, whose research background is specifically in retroviruses, describes DMG as critical for restoring the balance of the human endogenous retrovirus system. When methylation is restored through DMG, the body regains its ability to keep neurotropic viruses that inflame the auditory nerve from reactivating
- Supports glutathione production upstream — DMG feeds the methylation cycle which produces SAMe, which in turn supports glutathione synthesis. The cochlear hair cells and auditory nerve are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. DMG provides antioxidant protection to exactly this tissue through upstream glutathione support rather than relying on poorly absorbed oral glutathione
- Addresses glyphosate displacement of glycine — Glyphosate, found throughout the modern food supply, is a glycine analog that competes with and depletes natural glycine in the body. DMG restores what the modern food supply can no longer reliably provide
- Rebalances immune surveillance — Shedding-related immune dysregulation allows latent viruses to escape the immune system's watch. DMG has documented ability to enhance both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses, helping restore the surveillance capacity that keeps neurotropic viruses suppressed
Dimethylglycine is a naturally occurring intermediate metabolite and amino acid found in plant and animal cells, produced in the body from choline. Research has documented DMG's role in enhancing immunological response, antioxidant activity, and methylation support. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — Dimethylglycine review | Dimethylglycine as antioxidant and free radical scavenger, PMC 2023
A Natural Protocol for COVID Tinnitus Worth Considering
The following is not a treatment for COVID tinnitus or any medical condition.
It is a framework for supporting the body’s terrain based on the mechanisms discussed above.
Always work with a practitioner experienced in post-viral illness.
Address methylation first.
Methyl B vitamins, TMG, and DMG provide the raw material the body needs to restore the silencing mechanism for latent viruses and support nerve tissue repair.
This is the starting point before anything else in a covid tinnitus recovery protocol.
Support the auditory nerve directly. Magnesium L-threonate, sold as Magtein, crosses the blood-brain barrier and reaches neural tissue, including auditory pathways.
It has documented benefits for nerve function and cognitive recovery.
Magnesium deficiency on its own is one of the most well-established nutritional drivers of tinnitus, and COVID-driven inflammation depletes magnesium significantly.
Address latent viral reactivation. Lauricidin (monolaurin) disrupts the lipid envelope of enveloped viruses including the entire herpesvirus family. Start low and increase slowly since die-off reactions are common. Pair it with L-lysine, which competes with the arginine that herpesviruses require for replication. Olive leaf extract and lemon balm offer additional antiviral support through different mechanisms and stack well alongside Lauricidin.
Support cochlear circulation. The inner ear needs blood flow. Practices that open and support microvascular circulation, adequate hydration, lymphatic movement, and specific circulatory botanicals are relevant here for anyone dealing with covid tinnitus.
The topical approach. DMSO applied behind the ear along the mastoid bone and down the cervical lymph nodes delivers antiviral and anti-inflammatory compounds directly to the tissue surrounding the auditory nerve pathway. The roll-on widget below outlines a simple formula for this purpose.
If your COVID tinnitus began around the time of menopause or perimenopause, the hormonal piece may be playing a significant role alongside the viral reactivation mechanisms discussed here.
Read more about the Tinnitus and Menopause Connection Here.
DMSO Antiviral Ear Roll-On
A topical formula to support the auditory nerve and cochlear tissue
For use behind the ear and along the neck
What goes in it and why
70%
DMSO
The penetrating carrier. Crosses skin and reaches nerve and vascular tissue directly. Also has its own antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
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20%
Organic castor oil
Secondary carrier and anti-inflammatory. Draws the other compounds deeper into tissue and supports lymphatic circulation in the area.
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5%
Organic lemon balm essential oil
Documented antiviral against herpes family at very low concentrations. Lipophilic nature makes it ideal for skin penetration alongside DMSO.
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5%
Fluoride-free green tea extract
EGCG provides antioxidant and antiviral support to cochlear vascular tissue. Choose a fluoride-free source.
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Why lemon balm? Published research found lemon balm essential oil reduced herpes virus plaque formation by 98.8% for HSV-1 and 97.2% for HSV-2 at very low concentrations, with the mode of antiviral action occurring before the virus can adsorb to host cells. Its lipophilic nature makes it particularly well suited for skin penetration alongside DMSO.
How to make it
- 1Make sure the skin behind the ear and along the neck is completely clean and free of any synthetic lotions, perfumes, or products. DMSO will carry whatever is on the skin into the body.
- 2Combine the DMSO, castor oil, lemon balm essential oil, and green tea extract in a glass container. Mix gently.
- 3Transfer to a 10ml glass roller bottle. Glass is essential as DMSO breaks down plastic over time.
- 4Apply a thin layer behind the ear along the mastoid bone and down the side of the neck along the cervical lymph nodes. Use once or twice daily.
- 5Allow to absorb for at least 20 minutes before contact with clothing or fabric.
Tip: A mild garlic-like taste or odor after application is completely normal with DMSO and temporary. Start with once daily to assess sensitivity before increasing frequency.
Important notes
- ·Use a glass roller bottle only. DMSO degrades plastic and will carry plastic compounds into the skin.
- ·Clean the application area thoroughly before every use. DMSO does not discriminate about what it carries into the tissue.
- ·Start with 50% DMSO if you have sensitive skin, and increase gradually to 70%.
- ·Choose pharmaceutical grade DMSO from a reputable source.
- ·This is not a treatment for tinnitus or any medical condition. Work with a qualified practitioner for individualized guidance.
Upgrading the Roller: Two Advanced Additions
Ginkgo biloba for cochlear circulation and tobacco essential oil as a clinical experiment
Addition 1: Ginkgo Biloba Extract for Cochlear Microvascular Support
Ginkgo biloba is one of the most extensively researched botanical ingredients for cerebral and microvascular circulation, and its relevance to COVID tinnitus is direct. The inner ear cochlear microvasculature is extremely fine and particularly vulnerable to the vascular disruption COVID causes — and ginkgo works precisely on this kind of small vessel circulation.
- ·Ginkgolides and bilobalide (the primary terpenoids in ginkgo) reduce platelet aggregation and improve blood flow through fine capillaries including the cochlear microvasculature
- ·Ginkgo modulates nitric oxide signaling pathways, enhancing blood vessel flexibility and promoting endothelial health in cerebral and peripheral vasculature
- ·Flavonoids in ginkgo protect endothelial cells from oxidative stress — directly relevant to COVID-driven vascular inflammation
- ·A Johns Hopkins pilot study using MRI perfusion imaging found measurable increases in cerebral blood flow after just four weeks of ginkgo extract supplementation
When ginkgo extract is added to the DMSO roller and applied behind the ear and along the carotid pathway in the neck, DMSO bypasses first-pass liver metabolism entirely, delivering the active ginkgolides and flavonoids transdermally directly to the vascular tissue surrounding the auditory nerve. Oral ginkgo loses significant potency through digestive processing — topical DMSO delivery may offer a more direct route to the cochlear microvasculature.
Ginkgo biloba is also one of the most studied natural treatments for tinnitus in the European medical literature, with multiple trials showing benefit specifically for tinnitus associated with vascular insufficiency — precisely the mechanism operating in COVID tinnitus.
Citation: Mashayekh A, et al. Effects of Ginkgo biloba on cerebral blood flow assessed by quantitative MR perfusion imaging: a pilot study. Neuroradiology. 2011;53(3):185-191. PMC3163160
Addition 2: Tobacco Essential Oil — A Clinical Experiment in Progress
This addition is different from everything else in this protocol. I want to be transparent: I am currently trialing tobacco essential oil as an addition to this roller in a small number of patients with confirmed spike protein related tinnitus. This is an experiment in progress and this section will be updated as clinical observations come in.
The rationale is grounded in published research on the Nicotiana tabacum plant as a medicinal resource — completely separate from the harmful effects of smoking tobacco. The tobacco leaf contains compounds that are genuinely interesting for spike protein driven neuroinflammation:
- ·Quercetin and rutin, both found in tobacco leaf, are among the most documented spike protein inhibitors in the COVID research literature — interfering with SARS-CoV-2 binding to ACE-2 receptors
- ·Solanesol, the most abundant lipid in tobacco leaves and a primary component of tobacco essential oil, has documented antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activities (Guo T, et al. Biomolecules. 2019)
- ·A 2024 Frontiers in Pharmacology paper confirmed Nicotiana tabacum phytochemicals have anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and antimicrobial activities when isolated from the toxic components of smoke
- ·Native American medicine has long recognized tobacco as a sacred medicinal plant — modern pharmacology is beginning to document why
This is an ongoing experiment. I am applying tobacco essential oil transdermally via DMSO in patients with post-COVID viral tinnitus where spike protein involvement is suspected. The mechanistic rationale is the quercetin, rutin, and solanesol content of Nicotiana tabacum and their published activity against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and neuroinflammation. I will update this section as clinical observations develop. This is not an established protocol — it is practitioner-led clinical exploration.
Citation: Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2024. Phytochemicals derived from Nicotiana tabacum L. plant contribute to pharmaceutical development. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1372456 | Guo T, et al. Bioactivities and Medicinal Value of Solanesol. Biomolecules. 2019;9(8):334. MDPI
Red light therapy and COVID tinnitus
- Nasal delivery brings red and near infrared light into the highly vascularized nasal cavity, supporting nitric oxide production, improving microvascular circulation to the cochlea, and reducing systemic neuroinflammation
- Ear canal delivery targets the cochlea, auditory nerve, and surrounding tissue directly, supporting mitochondrial function in cochlear hair cells and reducing local inflammation at the site of damage
- Using both together addresses the systemic vascular piece and the local tissue repair piece simultaneously, which matches the dual mechanism driving covid tinnitus
- Vielight makes devices designed specifically for both nasal and ear delivery and has published research behind their protocols
How Long Does COVID Tinnitus Last
This is one of the most common questions people ask, and the research gives a sobering answer.
A cross-sectional survey found that as covid tinnitus severity increases, the chances of natural recovery without intervention decrease.
Grade IV severe tinnitus was the most common presentation, affecting 33.2% of post-COVID tinnitus cases, and was strongly associated with the risk of developing long-term hearing loss, anxiety, and emotional disorders.
This means addressing covid tinnitus sooner and more completely gives the best outcome.
Waiting and hoping it resolves on its own is less likely to work the more severe the presentation is.
What the research shows about COVID tinnitus severity
- 27.9% of former COVID patients reported tinnitus following infection
- Grade IV severe tinnitus was the most common presentation at 33.2% of cases
- As severity increases, chances of natural recovery without intervention decrease
- Severe COVID tinnitus is associated with long-term hearing loss, anxiety, and emotional disorders
The Sequencing That Matters for COVID Tinnitus Recovery
Tinnitus after COVID that is rooted in viral reactivation and neuroinflammation does not resolve overnight.
The sequencing matters as much as the protocol itself.
Support drainage first so the body has an exit route for what gets mobilized.
Restore methylation so the silencing mechanism can come back online.
Then address the viral terrain and nerve tissue support together.
This is not a protocol to rush or do piecemeal.
If covid tinnitus started after your infection and has persisted, this is your body signaling that something systemic needs attention.
The ringing is not the problem. The ringing is the message.
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Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Work with a qualified integrative practitioner for individualized guidance.
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