Otitis media, poor hygiene, dental problems… ear pain can have many different causes, but you should see a doctor immediately to determine the cause. As naturopath Marie-Laure Durand tells us, while you wait for a doctor’s appointment, you can ease the pain with natural remedies.
Otitis media is a common ear, nose and throat condition
Otitis media is a very common condition, especially in children. In most cases, it is the result of a viral or bacterial infection, such as rhinitis or pharyngitis. The infection travels down the throat to the Eustachian tube, causing otitis media. Otitis media can be accompanied by ear pain, called otalgia, which is one of the symptoms of this inflammation.
How to treat an ear infection without going to the doctor?
If you develop an ear infection, you should consult a doctor. Only he has the authority to make a diagnosis, determine the cause of the ear infection and prescribe treatment, if necessary.
It is natural to want to speed up the healing of an often painful otitis media. Also, the duration depends on the type of otitis media: for bacterial otitis media it is about 3-5 days, for serous otitis media it is about several weeks to several months.
In fact, natural health remedies are not a substitute for drug therapy prescribed by a doctor. If symptoms persist or worsen, you should consult a doctor. In addition, only a doctor has the authority to examine the integrity of the eardrum.
How to treat otitis media with grandmother’s recipes?
A very effective and medically recognized natural technique: rinsing the nose with physiological serum. Patients with any kind of ear infection, both adults and children, should have their nasal passages irrigated with saline.
Nasal irrigation is especially recommended as it is very effective. You will need some saline, bottled at a pharmacy, and a nasal syringe. Fill the syringe with liquid and pour its contents into one nostril. Make sure to tilt the head over a sink so that the secretions can flow out.
For babies, you can wash as many times as needed during the day. Place the baby on the changing table with his back on his stomach and support his head and neck if he is not yet able to sit up on his own. Tilt his head slightly forward and pour the contents of the syringe into his nostril. Let the secretions drain into a tissue, wipe off any excess, then perform the same procedure for the other nostril.
Irrigation with physiological serum prevents the accumulation of secretions in the fallopian tubes and prevents all kinds of otitis media, especially serous otitis media, in adults and children. “Eustache”.
Otherwise, there is also the option of trying certain natural remedies, especially those based on essential oils and homeopathic remedies. What to do if you get an ear infection at night: Aspic Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is valued, among other things, for its antiviral and calming properties. It is very effective against the symptoms of otitis media.For babies, you can wash as many times as needed during the day. Place the baby on the changing table with his back on his stomach and support his head and neck if he is not yet able to sit up on his own. Tilt his head slightly forward and pour the contents of the syringe into his nostril. Let the secretions drain into a tissue, wipe off any excess, then perform the same procedure for the other nostril.
Irrigation with physiological serum prevents the accumulation of secretions in the fallopian tubes and prevents all kinds of otitis media, especially serous otitis media, in adults and children. “Eustache”.
Otherwise, there is also the option of trying certain natural remedies, especially those based on essential oils and homeopathic remedies. What to do if you get an ear infection at night: Aspic Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is valued, among other things, for its antiviral and calming properties. It is very effective against the symptoms of otitis media.
Instructions for use?For topical use, add 2 drops of Aspic Lavender Essential Oil (HE) to 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil. Take a small amount on your index finger and massage around the ear (earlobe, behind the ear) 2-3 times a day for 5 days. For children, especially in cases of painful otitis externa, use 1 drop of this mixture 1-2 times a day.
Lavensara Aromatica EO works well if you dilute this EO with 1 tablespoon of organic arnica.
Essential oils are contraindicated for infants, pregnant and breastfeeding women. Consult a doctor for children.
Essential oils should always be diluted with vegetable oil. How to speed up healing of middle ear infection: White Broth for Earache
White broth is a medicinal plant that has sedative, healing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Use it as a decoction and keep drinking it throughout the day.
Do not use on children or pregnant women.
Olive Oil Compress for Earache
Olive oil is a natural lubricant that can help relieve ear pain even before an appointment.Directions: Pour a few warm drops into your ear twice a day. Before applying the oil to your ears, be sure to check the temperature of the oil you dropped on your finger. It is easier to do this if you soak a cotton pad and then drip it into your ear canal. Then place the cotton at the entrance of your ear to avoid staining the sheet, and leave the drops in your ear.
Do not use this product if your eardrum is perforated or damaged, as there is a risk of it reaching the middle ear. Seek medical advice. Green clay compresses applied topically around the outer ear also seem to reduce pain.
For acute otitis media or AOM, try 15 ch of thuja every 8 hours for 24 hours, then once a day for at least 2 days. For chronic serous otitis media, try 30 tablets of thuja and 15 tablets of psorinum monthly.
These treatments are suitable for both children and adults, but should not be used as the sole treatment. They may be used as an adjunct to medications prescribed by a doctor. Echinacea Mother Tincture Echinacea Mother Tincture is a highly concentrated hydroalcoholic plant extract that can strengthen the immune system. It fights various infections and acts as a natural antibiotic.
Directions: Mix 30 drops of Mother Tincture in water and drink. Repeat twice a day.
Contains alcohol, not suitable for children or pregnant women.
Propolis for Earache Relief in Adults
Propolis is a beehive product rich in flavonoids (antioxidants) and is an excellent antiseptic.
Add 30 drops of Mother Tincture to water and drink. Repeat 2-3 times a day.
Do not use on children or pregnant women as it contains alcohol.
Propolis can also be taken in capsules or chewing gum.
Cold Water Compresses
Cooling provides almost immediate pain relief and is particularly effective for ear pain such as that caused by external and middle ear infections.
To avoid burning the skin, apply pressure to the ear for 15 minutes using a water glove that has been soaked in very cold water or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth. Hot ShowersIf you have headaches due to blocked sinuses, a hot shower can do wonders and is a natural way to soothe ear pain. The steam and heat combine to dissolve the mucus in your ears. You can also use a hot water bottle.
Clean your ears properlyEar pain can be caused by earwax buildup. Therefore, it is important to maintain good hygiene, but not excessively, focusing on the right gestures. Trim the hair with clippers to prevent wax from sticking. Do not insert a cotton swab into the canal. Only remove any earwax that is directly visible at the entrance to the ear canal. Don’t forget to clean the ear cup with a clean cotton swab.
Ear pain: Chewing!
If you experience pain in your ear, you may bite down on gum too hard. The pressure of your teeth in the ENT area will release the pressure that is causing the pain. In aircraft it is very effective during the landing phase for example.
Are garlic and onions a remedy for ear infections? Garlic and onions are considered grandmothers’ best remedy. Although scientific evidence is lacking, it has been proven that garlic, like thyme, has amazing antibacterial properties. It also has antifungal (against fungi) and antibacterial (against microorganisms) effects, making it perfect for preventing bacterial infections. However, we recommend that you do not put garlic or onion juice in your ears, as it can irritate the skin, especially the mucous membranes. On the other hand, we believe that garnishing your dishes with these spices is safer and just as effective. Therefore, add onions and garlic to your dishes, especially fermented black garlic, which relieves the symptoms of ear infections. However, onions seem to be a beneficial natural remedy, for example in cases of external middle ear infections, as a poultice (with gauze or a thin, clean cloth) on the painful ear.
If you have a punctured or damaged eardrum, do not use this remedy, as there is a risk of it reaching the middle ear. Seek medical advice. Green clay compresses applied topically around the outer ear also seem to reduce pain.
How to treat an ear infection quickly: what medicines (bacterial, viral infection, etc.)? Only a doctor can prescribe medicines for an ear infection. Self-medication is not recommended. Treatment varies depending on the patient’s age, the cause, and the type of otitis media. If the infection is bacterial, these may include antibiotics, especially amoxicillin. If it is a viral infection, antibiotics will not help (thus contributing to antibiotic resistance). An acute suppurative middle ear infection in a child is probably a bacterial infection and will be treated with an antibiotic (usually taken by mouth). If the ear is hurting badly, painkillers are often recommended. If the fever is intolerable, antipyretics will be prescribed. Recurrent ear infections always require medical advice.