Discover the Best All Natural Ear Infection Treatments
Ear infections are the number reason families with children visit the doctor. While ear infections are common, almost every child experiences at least one in their childhood, the methods of treatment vary greatly.
Most Ear Infections Clear without Treatment
Many doctors and nurse practitioners immediately prescribe antibiotics for ear infection treatment. Most ear infections are viral, which means they won’t respond to antibiotics. Despite this fact and statistics that prove ear infections (85% of cases) clear up on their own within 3 to 7 days doctors continue to unnecessarily prescribe antibiotics.
This over prescribing of antibiotics weakens a child’s immune system, making them more susceptible to other illnesses and creates bacteria that are anti-body resistant. That means when you really need an antibiotic the germ, or bug will be stronger than the antibiotic you’re prescribed making the medicine ineffective.
We don’t want our children to suffer pain from the often uncomfortable ear infection, nor do we wish them to fall victim to complications that, although rare, sometimes occur. What then are alternative ear infection treatments?
Ear infections most frequently occur in the middle ear, or the Eustachian tubes. Infections can occur from blockage due to structure problems, allergies, or viruses and bacteria. The first step is knowing the cause of the infection.
Allergies and Ear Infection Treatment
If you suspect allergies in repeated cases of ear infections take your child to an allergist to have them tested or eliminate certain foods from their diet and items from the house, especially their bedrooms. Focus on dust reduction in your house as well as allergies to down or feather pillows and blankets. Dairy allergies are the number one allergy cause of ear infections, be sure this isn’t the case for your child. Allergies to wheat, eggs, chocolate, peanuts, and soy can also cause repeated ear problems.
Herbs for Ear Infection Treatment
If you’ve decided to avoid antibiotics for an ear infection treatment, herbal medicine offers some alternatives. As with any medical condition if it continues without improvement or worsens contact your family physician. When using homeopathic or herbal medicine it’s best to do it to complement allopathic medicine. Make sure your doctor looks at your child first to determine if there’s a perforation in the ear or other more serious situations. If there’s not let your physician know your plan and then begin herbal treatment.
Herbs Commonly Used in Ear Infection Treatment:
For Ear Infections without Perforation
- Elderberry. This bush produces a blue/black berry and flower with anti-viral properties, that supports immune system function, is loaded with antioxidants and flavonoids (including powerful quercitin that protects cells from damage), soothes irritation, and supports respiratory health.
You’ll find a syrup of this herb at local health food stores. One teaspoon to one tablespoon (5 ml to 15 ml) for children; two teaspoons to two tablespoons (10 ml to 30 ml) for adults is the recommended dosages.
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Garlic Oil. Soak a cotton ball in garlic oil and place on infected ear(s) or place a few drops in the sore ear and place a cotton ball on the ear while the oil reaches the Eustachian tubes. Lie down for several minutes. Repeat several times if needed. Check your local health food store for bottles of garlic oil or capsules you can break open and use.
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Mullein Oil. Use several drops of mullein oil either on a cotton ball or preferably place directly in the ear. Warm the oil by placing the container in a pot of warm water on the stove. Test temperature before use. Once the oil is in the affected ear, gently massage the ear lobe away from the head in a slightly downward motion.
Homeopathic Choices for Ear Infection Treatment
When using homeopathic treatments for medical problems, consider the specific symptoms associated with each situation.
- Pulsatilla.
This is used to treat ear infections associated with a cold.
- Belladona.
Use this if sufferer has a fever, and experiences intense intermittent ear pain.
- Ferrum phosphoricum.
Give this treatment at the initial onset of ear ache symptoms or when ear is pink and warm.
- Chamomilla.
Choose this treatment when pain is excruciating, face is hot and red.
- Aconitum napellus.
This treatment should be used when onset of ear infection is severe and intense accompanied by a high fever and thirst.
Tips for Using Homeopathic Remedies
Once you’ve determined which remedy best suits the ear infection use a low potency formula with clear instructions. In general it’s suggested to take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement begins most homeopaths recommend allowing the remedy to work without further doses. If improvement stops, reverses, or doesn’t occur give an additional dose.
Treatment frequency and amount of dosages varies by individual, remedy, and infection. If several doses are given and no improvement is noted you may want to choose a different remedy or contact your doctor.
Ease the Pain and Prevent Ear Infections Naturally
With ear infections there are many choices to ease the pain. If you don’t want to use herbs or homeopathic remedies, keep the sufferer comfortable with pain reliever, plenty of water, and warm compresses if they help. Some ear infections become more painful with heat.
Preventing infections by building and supporting a strong immune system is vital to life time health. Make sure your child eats healthy and supplements their diet with a multivitamin. When illness strikes help the immune system do its job with an increase in Vitamin C, zinc, and flax oil.
Antibiotics aren’t necessary for effective ear infection treatment. Carefully evaluate each situation and consider alternative ear infection treatments. Always consult a doctor when your child is sick.
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