6 Ear Infection Treatments from the Pantry

6 Ear Infection Treatments from the Pantry

Ways to Soothe an Earache at Home


Toddler with Ear Infection

 

Not all ear infections are the same, but all can be comforted with a few items from your kitchen pantry. 

 


 

 Proviso:

 

 Nothing in this blog constitutes medical or legal advice.  You should consult your own physician before making medical decisions. 

 



The Use of Antibiotics & Getting Medical Care

Over 75% of all children (by the age of three years old) suffer from some type of ear infection (Balch, p 384).  When it is your baby, you are desperate to make the booboo go away.  Perhaps that is why so many pediatricians have routinely prescribed antibiotics.  I had a pediatrician tell me that some parents did not feel like it was a positive experience at the doctor’s office until he handed them a piece of paper with scribbles on it.  Then they got what they paid for.   Well, the American Academy of Pediatrics thought perhaps my pediatrician might be right about parental attitudes about walking away empty-handed, and so they studied it.  He was right. 

 

To know the efficacy of prescribing an antibiotic, the doctor would first need to know if it had a bacterial or viral cause and ear infections can be caused by either.  Whether the doctor will do this investigative work or not, there are many reasons to seek medical help for an ear infection.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends antibiotics if: 1) the fever is high, 2) if there is a ruptured ear drum with drainage,  3) if the pain is severe, or 4) if a child under two years old is experiencing a double ear infection.  Ear infections can also be a sign of something like strep throat, an allergy, or other environmental factors which a physician is trained to help you determine.  They can also track the occurrences and patterns; there may be a need for further intervention later.

 

Tongue Depressors


I personally regret the knee-jerk reaction towards antibiotics with one of our children who has an immunity built up to all-but-the strongest.  If faced with something serious or—God forbid—life threatening, the doctors must be told to skip the first three levels of antibiotics and just go for the kill.  The usual stuff will not work for him because he was placed on antibiotics perpetually for the first 15 months of his life (we also went to a pediatric group which did not guarantee seeing the same doctor consistently).  You can probably surmise my parenting style in the beginning—I ran to the doctor for every sniffle and never questioned their authority.  Still, sometimes antibiotics are necessary for ear infections; and sometimes they need to run their course. 


Chiropractor adjusting newborn


Parent-to-Parent: the most successful measure we took to assist in soothing the ear infection and to speed up the healing process was chiropractic care! While at a chiropractor for myself, I casually mentioned that the reason for the fussy six month old was yet another ear infection.  He convinced me that he could speed the healing along if I let him treat my baby; it was hard to agree at first.  When my baby instantly stopped crying and when the ear infection cleared up days faster, it was a common course of action thereafter.  So much of this has to do with the shape of the Eustachian tubes in a young child’s head, and sometimes they get blocked.

 

When the doctor says to “let it run its course” does that mean I must watch my child suffer in agony?  Here are some things you can do to help your child cope through the pain.  We offer 6 major tips for soothing an earache at home.

 

1.  Consider Food Allergies

During the 15 months of my son’s perpetual antibiotics, we were drinking store bought milk; sure, he wasn’t drinking it but I was and I breastfed.


Years later (and many ear infections later), I began milking my neighbor’s goats in exchange for fresh milk and my son’s ear infections magically stopped.  Too much cheese? Start again.  Homemade cheese & fresh milk?  Stop.  Our new pediatrician said that there was likely no connection, just so you know, and previously not a single pediatrician suggested we consider food allergies or dairy products as a possible cause.  Although I do not believe my son has a true “allergy” (many people who are allergic to store-bought milk thrive on the real stuff—in fact, other allergies might diminish), it has a direct affect on my child. 


It has been established that inflammation occurs with allergies, and that inflammation directly affects the middle ear’s ability to drain properly.  Whereas my child is affected by milk, others may be affected by gluten or other allergies altogether. 


 

2.  Colloidal Silver

I currently have three jars in my house.  I have a bottle of gel on the kitchen windowsill to treat burns immediately (hey, I might be a good cook but I am also a clumsy one).  I keep one in my travel bag—never go anywhere without it!  I always keep one bottle in the bathroom medicine chest.  The stuff is that good.  It is a mineral (not water soluble, overdosing is possible) and so you must be sure to follow the dosages given.  But it is a natural antibiotic.  If it seems that someone is coming down with something in our home, I immediately grab for this bottle (as well as our homemade elderberry tincture for an immune booster); a natural antibiotic will not allow your body to build immunity to it in the way that the sterilized and processed ones do.   It is not static, it is always just the tiniest bit different than the last bottle, like essential oils are. Another consideration is that pharmaceuticals kill all bacteria, whether friend or foe.  Healthy, natural antibiotics have a knowledge built right into their DNA of who the bad guys really are.  Colloidal Silver is very, very good to use topically—especially on young children with whom you might be hesitant to give colloidal silver as an oral antibiotic (although you certainly can choose to do so).  The National Institute of Health (NIH) discourages the use of colloidal silver orally but even they admit that it is still an active ingredient in many topical medications.  Used as an ear wash, you will attack any bacteria lurking in there!  Apply it at least twice a day with the child’s head on your lap and the ear up.  They will only be uncomfortable in that you just poured a water-like liquid in a very painful ear.  The Colloidal Silver itself will not cause any more pain or burning like some other ear washes we have tried in the past.


Is Colloidal Silver Safe


You must know that most medical organizations say that, in spite of its use to successfully treat a wide range of illness and in spite of the sum of all human history using silver for health benefits, it is “likely unsafe” due to the side effects experienced by large dosing. But then again, I would say that Twinkies are “likely unsafe” (as are many of the items you will find on their GRAS list).  So the FDA and I might just have to “agreed to disagree” on this one.  If you research this and determine that only topical use is appropriate for your family, your child’s ear infection will likely clear up faster through the ear wash method than without it.

 

3.  Herbs

Although a myriad of herbal teas and tinctures will benefit your child or you when nursing an ear infection, we will focus only upon the ones more likely found in your pantry already. 


Stainless Steel Tea Kettle, Pantry Paratus

Brew a pot of chamomile tea to help relax your child, and be generous with the honey (the tastiest natural antibiotic you can use).  Chamomile also has anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties which might assist with eliminating some of the potential root causes of the ear infection (allergies lead to inflammation).  Even if your child has difficulty swallowing, using chamomile as a mouth rinse might help reduce inflammation in the back of the throat.  Warning: do not use chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed. 


Find some great tea supplies at Pantry Paratus.


 


Mullein tea or oil.  Mullein is antiviral, it is an expectorant, and it has a mild relaxant quality.  You might not have mullein in the pantry exactly but you probably have it in your yard!


Mullein


This common weed (never a weed in my book but considered “noxious” locally) is wonderful for treating topical injuries, bacterial respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and some say that it is effective in treating influenza.  The traditional use is as a tea for coughs and lung disorders, and I personally think it is easiest used as a tea.  Every year I dehydrate a small amount of mullein leaves (which have tiny little spiky hairs on them).  It tastes awful but if I mix it in a small quantity (1 TBS per pot) with an herbal tea that I’ve doused with honey.  You can sometimes purchase Mullein oil at the health food store which does wonders as an ear drop.  In fact, if you look at homeopathic ear drops for children, you often see it listed as an ingredient, right along with garlic!


4.  Onion Poultice 

 Onion will draw the toxins out and is a proven remedy for ear infections.  Poultices might be out of fashion but are they are useful for nearly every injury or illness your family is likely to endure. 


Poultice

(This picture is actually a comfrey poultice that was applied to a cut. You can read that blog by Chiot’s Run)


* Never let the onion touch the skin. 

* Chop the onion finely to release the juice, and sandwich it in a folded kitchen towel or hand towel that has been moistened with warm water.

*  I have used kitchen twine on it to ensure it won’t open when the child jostles around. 

*Place on lymph nodes on the side of the neck and just behind the ear. 

*Onion can agitate sensitive skin so you must check it often!  

*Consider adding some of your dehydrated mullein too, which will help draw out the toxins also.  If you happen to have Goldenseal, it can help with inflammation.  If you do not have Goldenseal, grind some flax seed to mix with the onion and mullein; flax seed is anti-inflammatory whether used orally or topically. 


5.  Garlic should get its own category 


Garlic Keeper

Did you know that you should store garlic in a dry, dark, and cool place, but not at refrigerated temperatures?  We recommend this beautiful garlic keeper to preserve your garlic all year long.


Sure, you can use the garlic in a poultice, you can increase the oral intake with amazing comfort foods like this roasted garlic and onion soup, but here is the method I use consistently with every ear infection and I will tell you why; whether the ear infection was viral or bacterial, you have other people in your home who may come in contact with the germs too.  Having the house filled with the smell of roasted garlic is not only inviting, but the roasted garlic smeared on some toast will only help to boost the immune systems of everyone else, too. 

Terra Cotta Garlic BakerWe love the double duty of this terra cotta garlic baker and tortilla warmer (and we definitely use it for both purposes).  Can you bake garlic without it? Sure, but it will come out perfectly moist in this.


1.Soak your terra cotta garlic baker in warm water for about 10 minutes.

2. Cut one end off of an entire bulb of garlic so that you can see into each individual clove.  

3.  Shed some of the excess paper around the entire bulb, and if the bulb does not sit flat, trim the bottom of the bulb so that it does.

4. Cover in a lot of olive oil (for an ear infection, do not add any other spices, but for culinary purposes you may). 

5.  Put the dome on the baker and place into a cold oven.  Heat oven to 325°.

6.  Bake for appoximately 45 minutes, or until the garlic is extremely soft (poke it with a fork) and browned. 

For treating an ear infection:

Let the oil in the garlic baker cool until just warm.  This oil has been infused with garlic.  You can now use the cloves however you use (smashing one for your poultice is a good idea), but the oil is to be put into the ear as drops.  Please ensure that the oil is warm but not hot.


6.  Heat

If you apply a hot pack behind the ear when your child is laying down, they will feel some relief to the sensation of pressure.  Please be careful of the temperature for that sensitive little head and remove before the 20 minute mark.  

 

Remember that these will not serve as a miracle-cure but will aid in comfort and in speeding up the healing process by providing immune support, alleviating inflammation, and removing toxins.  Remember to seek professional medical attention when appropriate.


Do you have any methods for soothing an earache at home?  Let us know in the comments!


 

May your well stocked pantry provide health for your family,

 

Chaya

 


 Proviso:

 Nothing in this blog constitutes medical or legal advice.  You should consult your own physician before making any dietary changes.  Statements in this blog may or may not be congruent with current USDA or FDA guidance.


 

 

 

 

Sources:

Many online sources are linked directly in the blog text. 

Balch, P. (2006). Prescription for Nutritional Healing. In (4 ed.). New York: Avery.


Photo Credits:

 

Toddler with earache: clappstar via photopin cc

 

Tongue Depressors: Denver Aquino via photopin cc

 

chiropractor: Gardner Chiropractic via photopin cc

 

Mullein: milesizz via photopin cc

 

www.Hypersmash.com

2 thoughts on “6 Ear Infection Treatments from the Pantry

  1. Hello Chaya, my dad used to pour some vinegar into my ear to cure the infection. Is that treatment recommended??? Thank you.

    1. That’s a great home remedy, too! Nothing feels great when you have an ear infection, vinegar included…but it is antibacterial and natural, so it’s a great choice.

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