Eliminate ear infections naturally
Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash
Ear infections are prevalent among children and can be with adults as well. When I used to fly on airplanes a lot, I used to get ear infections every other month or so.
“Many people don’t know that you have several other options besides taking the overused and abused antibiotics.”
In fact, many recent studies state that antibiotics are being overprescribed, which is causing more health problems than they initially solved.
To learn more, visit: Using Antibiotics Correctly — Watch WebMD Video. Also, I would recommend reading “The Lost Language of Plants” by Stephen Harrod Buhner that talks about how we are all ingesting antibiotics and other drugs, whether we want to or not.
Try a Chiropractor
The first thing I recommend if you have an ear infection is to see a good chiropractor. Surprisingly to some, chiropractic care is indicated not only for ear infections but also as a safeguard against them.
As you know, children are rambunctious, and vulnerable structures in the upper and lower neck are often affected without readily apparent symptoms or signs. Because these injuries also affect the nervous system, many people don’t associate them with altered spinal conditions.
The top two bones in the neck, called the Atlas and Axis, surround and are lightly tethered to the brain stem. As these bones fail to move fluidly due to injury, brain function is impaired and affects the body’s immune response.
Ear infections then occur because of the opportunistic bacteria and viruses. The body responds by spiking a fever to burn up the bacteria as a secondary defense.
Chiropractic care is effective because the neck tissues are now swollen from the “infection,” and poor drainage occurs. Gentle spinal adjustments reduce the underlying muscle tightness contributing to the poor drainage and ensure the bones are aligned and moving in a balanced fashion. (Information from Dr. Michael Ashley — Chiropractor)
Diet
Next, it is recommended that the person stop eating dairy, sugar, and wheat products. So many of my clients no longer have ear or sinus problems, just from eliminating these things from their diet.
Dairy especially is bad at clogging up the lymph system, and if the lymph system isn’t draining properly, it can cause a build-up in the head, causing ear problems, sinus problems, and headaches.
If you have had an ear infection before and have taken an antibiotic, after you have finished it, you should take a probiotic to repopulate the beneficial bacteria or probiotics that were killed when you took the antibiotic.
It has also been proven that taking a probiotic when you have a respiratory infection can shorten it significantly and prevent future infections. Read more about this at http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20051107/good-bacteria-good-for-colds.
Of course, eating yogurt would be bad because of the dairy and the high percentage of sugar they put in the yogurts. Instead, find a good probiotic at your local health food store. There are many strains. Acidophilus is just one strain. Try to get one with more than one strain for best results with amounts in the Billions.
Colloidal silver or olive oil
Another beneficial supplement that is good for ear infections is colloidal silver. There are many colloidal silver brands, but only a few actually have a U.S. Patent on them that lists the organisms they are proven to kill.
Colloidal silver has no taste and can be taken internally and put into the ears with a dropper.
If you are in a pinch and can’t get to the health food store, one thing you can try, which many mothers have used in the past, is warmed olive oil dropped into the ear. You can add garlic to the olive oil as well if you want to help kill the infection.
The olive oil acts as a natural anti-inflammatory to help bring down inflammation in the ear. Some stores sell garlic oil in capsules that you can prick with a pin and squirt into the ear for infections.
Herbs and homeopathy
There is one herb that is used to strengthen the ears, and that is mullein. Taken in liquid, capsules, or tea, it can strengthen the ears to prevent future issues.
Several homeopathic remedies are for inflammation, including Ferrum Phosphorus and Belladonna. These both can be used to help bring down inflammation and fevers associated with infection.
Alternative causes of pain
On that same note, are you sure it is even an infection and that the pain isn’t being caused by teething? When my son was young, I have found that giving him a homeopathic for teething stops the pain and the problem.
Remember, teething affects the whole head, and often as they have teeth falling out and growing back in, it can cause an imbalance, inflammation, and symptoms identical to ear infections. The homeopathic I use for this is Chamomilla. It is great for teething and irritability.
There are several other remedies we sell for inflammation, infection, and flushing the lymph system. Check with your local herbalist or health food store for what people are finding useful. Some companies sell natural products specifically for ear infections and inflammation that work extremely well.
Underlying emotions
Ear infections have an underlying emotional issue also. For example: what do you not what to hear? Or what are you not hearing that you want to hear?
Obviously, this is popular with kids as they don’t want to hear what their parents and teachers are trying to tell them — do this, do that, clean your room, etc. Acknowledging this often can help to break the cycle of reoccurrence.
As a parent, maybe look at your delivery system and how you are talking to the child, and find a way to explain things that will cause them to reach for the information instead of close down.
In addition to the items listed, making sure the person is eating an overall healthy diet, getting adequate rest and utilizing stress relievers that work for the person.
As always, you have the choices, it is up to you to make the best choice for yourself.
About the Author
Kasara is educated as a Mental Health Therapist, Master Herbalist, Traditional Naturopath and Energy Worker with over 35 years of helping thousands of clients find alternative health options that work. She writes articles on Medium, and on her website http://truhealth.com/. You may subscribe to her Medium account or her newsletter to stay connected.