Earaches are incredibly common, especially among young children. Doctors estimate that 80 percent of children will suffer some form of ear infection by the age of five. Earaches are often caused by an infection of the middle ear, although in some cases a buildup of earwax or a damaged eardrum may be responsible.
Native Americans had numerous ways of coping with earache, and many have stood the test of time. Here are a few you may want to try.
Soothe the ear with mullein. When earaches are caused by infection or irritation of the outer part of the ear, you can give relief by using an oil made with mullein. This herb acts as an antiseptic, killing bacteria while also soothing the delicate tissues, says herbalist David Hoffmann.
You can buy mullein oil in health food and herb stores—or you can make your own in advance. Put several tablespoons of finely chopped mullein leaves into a glass container, add olive oil to cover, seal the container, and store it in a warm place (such as on a sunny window sill) for two to three weeks, shaking it once a day. Then strain the oil into a dark glass container, seal it well, and store it in a cool, dark place.
Treat the earache by putting several drops of the oil into the ear. Seal the ear with a cotton ball for a while to prevent the oil from leaking out, Hoffmann advises.
Stop infections with garlic. “Dripping garlic oil directly into the ear canal has been shown to treat fungal infections as well as or even better than pharmaceutical drugs,” reports herbal expert James A. Duke, Ph.D. You can make garlic oil at home, but many herbalists recommend buying it ready-made at health food stores or herb shops. Garlic is such a powerful germ fighter, in fact, that it’s also effective when taken in the diet, Dr. Duke adds.
Stop infection from the inside out. Because most earaches are caused by infection, one of the best ways to stop them is to strengthen the immune system so it’s better able to resist bacteria and other germs. Hoffmann recommends using teas made with echinacea, goldenseal, yarrow, or peppermint. When giving teas to children, be sure to use the proper doses. See the dosing chart on page 127.
Try an ear-soothing pillow. Native Americans sometimes treated earaches by sleeping on a small pouch filled with dried hops blossoms. If you don’t have a pouch, cheesecloth works just as well. For extra comfort, wrap the hops in the cheesecloth and heat briefly in the microwave until it’s pleasantly warm. Then hold it against the ear until you’re feeling better.
This home remedy for earache article is taken from :
Healing Secrets of the Native Americans - Porter Shimer
