Earache
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An earache is often a symptom of a cold, the
flu or another infection. It usually results when the eustachian
tube, which leads from the back of the throat to the middle ear,
gets plugged with microbes. An earache can also occur when hair
and other objects get stuck in the ear. The natural remedies in
this chapter-used in conjunction with medical care and with the
approval of your doctor-may help prevent or relieve an earache,
according to some health professionals.
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See Your Medical Doctor When...
Your earache lasts for more than a week or continues to hurt three
days after taking antibiotics. ·
Your ear hurts when you chew.
You have sudden or severe ear pain without an accompanying cold
or sore throat.
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| Ayurveda
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Acute ear infections require professional medical
attention, says Acharyaji. But people who have chronic problems
with ear infections can try some preventive measures. First, simplify
your diet, says Dr. Frawley: Cut back on sweets, fats and dairy
products, and use ginger and cloves to spice foods.
The herb gotu kola reduces the likelihood of ear infections (and,
as an added benefit, improves hearing), according to Acharyaji.
You can purchase gotu kola in capsule form in most health food stores.
He says to take two 500-milligram capsules in the morning and two
in the evening. You can also buy gotu kola powder (it's also available
in most health food stores) and take 1¼4 teaspoon, mixed
with honey, twice daily, he says.
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| Food Therapy
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"Eating one or two cloves of raw garlic
each day may help end chronic episodes of earache," says Acharyaji.
"It has natural antiviral and antibiotic qualities that kill
many of the germs that cause earaches."
But be careful: Eating raw garlic can cause gastrointestinal upset,
says Acharyaji. If you find you have trouble tolerating raw garlic,
try taking garlic supplements instead. Acharyaji suggests taking
one capsule with each meal. Garlic supplements are available in
most health food stores and many drugstores.
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| Homeopathy
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If you develop an earache accompanied by a yellowish
green, creamy discharge from the ear after having had a cold for
several days, you have no thirst and you desire company and sympathy,
try taking a 6C or 12C dose of Pulsatilla, says Acharyaji
. He suggests a similar dose of Mercurius if you have an earache
accompanied by a high fever, thick, greenish nasal or ear discharge,
salivation, foul breath and irritability. If you develop a very
painful earache during the night, the ear is very sensitive to touch
and to cold and you feel very chilly, Acharyaji recommends a 6C
or 12C dose of Hepar sulphuris. If the earache develops suddenly
with a fever and a hot, red ear, he says to try a dose of Belladonna
30C. If there is no response after four doses of the indicated remedy
in 24 hoursAcharyaji advises that you contact your homeopath or
medical doctor.
All of these remedies are available in many health food stores.
To purchase the remedies by mail, refer to the resource list on
page 637.
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| Hydrotherapy |
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Hot compresses on the ears, combined with a hot
foot bath, are the treatment of choice for earaches, according to
Acharyaji :. Soak your feet in a tub of hot water for anywhere from
10 to 30 minutes, adding water as needed to keep the water comfortably
hot. While you're soaking, apply a hot compress from ear to ear,
covering the throat. Leave it in place for about 5 minutes. Apply
another hot compress for 5 minutes and continue with a new compress
every 3 to 5 minutes until the ache is relieved or for a maximum
of 30 minutes. If the pain persists, repeat the entire procedure
two or three times a day.
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| Reflexology
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Pay special attention to the ear, throat and
neck reflexes on your feet, says Acharyaji., Florida, reflexologist
Acharyaji,. He also recommends working all of the points on the
sides and bottoms of the toes on both feet, using whichever technique
you find most comfortable.
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