Treating Ear Infections Naturally
Posted by Admin
For parents of young children, it is clear that ear pain or earache can be a major childhood discomfort.
Earache may indicate an ear infection, which is more common in children as the Eustachian tube is much shorter and is more likely to get clogged by un-drained fluid. Three out of four children will have at least one ear infection by the age of three, with ear infection remaining one of the most common reasons parents bring their child to the doctor.
Antibiotics, most commonly prescribed to children for ear infection, do virtually nothing for most infections, do not speed up recovery, and potentially increase the risk of side effects. While only half of ear infections are caused by viruses, and there is no way to determine whether the infection is viral or bacterial, antibiotics are only needed to treat one in eight children with ear infections. The rest will recover on their own, and the healing process can be helped using natural remedies.
Avoid antibiotics and discover how natural remedies can alleviate pain, speed up the healing process, and prevent recurrent infection.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
– Acupuncture: extremely effective in speeding natural healing and preventing recurrence; treating the condition holistically by addressing symptoms and root causes.
– Chinese Herbs: extremely effective in resolving ear infection and preventing recurrence; classic herbal formula Xiao Chai Hu Tang commonly used to resolve infection.
Natural Supplements
– Mullein Oil: Mullein is an anti-inflammatory found in a wild flowering plant, commonly used to treat ear infection. Drop directly into infected ear.
– Allicin Oil: Allicin is an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory compound found in garlic. Can also use garlic oil (garlic infused with olive oil). Drop directed into infected ear.
* Note- can buy combination formula with mullein, allicin (garlic oil), and/or St. John’s wort flower
– Echinacea and Vitamins A & C: to stimulate body to produce more white blood cells to fight viral and bacterial infection.
Simple Treatments
– Raise the head of the bed or crib to allow tubes to drain fluid naturally. Lying down tends to make ear pain worsen.
– Warm compress; heat may help alleviate pain.
– Have child drink fluids, to encourage action of swallowing which helps tubes open and drain.
– Ensure child has enough sleep in order for body to recover from infection.
Signs to Watch Out For
– Abnormally coloured fluid draining from ear
– Persistent high fever greater than 102°, or any fever in babies less than 6 months old
– Extreme lethargy and/or unresponsiveness
– Severe pain or other symptoms of illness that last longer than a few days
For more information, contact us!
