Natural Cures for Ear Aches and Ear Infections

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Millions of people, especially babies and young children, get repeated ear infections throughout the year. Unfortunately, this seems to be a trend. Ear infections are becoming a chronic health problem for kids.

Most children who have problems with recurring ear infections stay on prescription antibiotics for several months at a time, only to return to them again after they've stopped for just a month or two.

Middle and inner ear infections happen so often in small children because the eustachian tubes are not fully developed. The eustachian tubes are what connect the ear and throat areas in the body, and when the tubes are too small or undeveloped, they allow bacteria to enter the ear much more easily.

Since children are still developing when they're born, their eustachian tubes are, of course, small and the tubes tend to be straighter as well--all of which allows germs to pass into the ear easier as compared to older children and adults.

Another reason for chronic ear infections is the prescription of antibiotics. Antibiotics have been over prescribed for many years and as a result germs and bacteria have become resistant to them. So, the infection may recede while a child is on antibiotics, but the bacteria aren't killed off by these medications, and the ear infections return once medication is stopped.

When kids have too many problems with ear infections, a popular next step is to have surgery performed to insert small drainage tubes into their eardrums. This works well while the tubes are in place, because it allows the fluid behind the ear to drain from an alternate route when it's unable to drain through the eustachian tubes as it should. Unfortunately some children will have repeated surgeries because it's only a temporary solution to the problem.

Thankfully there are many alternative and herbal remedies that work quite well in resolving ear infections. And these are much more gentle on the child's body than using antibiotics or getting surgery.

The best natural ear infection remedy is garlic, and onion is a close runner up. Both of these not only clear up the infection within just a day or two, but they also relieve the pain quickly. This is something of a lifesaver for any parents walking the floor at 2 a.m. with a child in pain from an ear infection.

To use, simply slice a small piece of raw fresh garlic, wrap it in tissue, then insert it partially into the ear canal. Within about 15 minutes the pain is usually gone and the child can sleep, and within a day or two the infection is often gone too.

Garlic oil can be used instead of fresh garlic, but be sure you're using true garlic oil. If it says odor free for instance, it will not work because the healing ingredient is allicin, and that is also the primary source of garlic's smell.

If you don't have garlic on hand, plain old onion will work as well. Just follow the same procedure noted with garlic above. Cutting a small piece of garlic or onion is important, because it releases the juices and odor - both of which travel into the ear canal and begin quickly killing the bacteria.

Wrapping the onion or garlic in tissue is important too, because the juices can irritate the sensitive skin inside the ear.

Homeopathic Remedies

Several homeopathic remedies are available for treating ear infections. Many homeopathic physicians suggest taking one dose and waiting for a response. If you see improvement, continue to wait and let the remedy work.

If improvement slows or stops completely, you can take another dose. The required frequency of dosage varies based on the condition and the individual.

A dose may be required several times an hour, several times per day, or once per day or less. If you do not see any response within a reasonable amount of time, you should select a different remedy.

Keep in mind that the information provided is for educational purposes and cannot substitute the care of a trained healthcare provider.

Belladonna This remedy is used when an earache involves intense pain, bright red outer ear, high fever, or pain extending down the neck.

Chamomilla Used when pain appears intolerable; symptoms indicating the use of this remedy include extremely irritability, severe ear pain, worsened symptoms when bending over, clear nasal discharge, and the child calms down when carried.

Ferrum phosphoricum Used when symptoms first appear to soothe the ache and inflammation of an ear infection. A person will typically look pink and flushed with the outer ear also being warm and pink and may have a fever and a feeling of weariness.

Hepar sulphuris calcareum Used when there is sharp and severe pain, pink, or colored discharge from the nose and ears, irritability and desire for warmth; symptoms are usually worse in cold and at night.

Mercurius solubilis Used with advanced ear infections with pus formation in the middle ear, shooting pains and roaring in the ear, pain worsening at night and in warmth, sweating and drooling while sleeping, bad breath, and puffiness of the tongue.

Pulsatilla Use with ear infections that follow a cold. The ear may be hot and swollen with a yellow-to-green thick discharge from the nose and ears; pain is often worse at night and when exposed to warmth. Children needing this remedy are often tearful and crave affection.

Silica Use in later stages of an earache characterized by physical weakness, chills, mild and whimpering disposition, pain behind the ear, and sweating from head, hands or feet.

The key to effective homeopathic treatment is to select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. Instructions for dosage are usually indicated on the label or will be given by your healthcare provider. If self-treatment is appropriate, unless directed otherwise by your healthcare provider, lower dosages can be used (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C).

References:
Smart Medicine for Healthier Living

Ear Ache Video

Mullein Garlic Ear Oil