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cryshellia

ear infection home remedy?

cryshellia
20 years ago

Hi all,

I have some sort of ear infection, where my ear keeps getting stuffed up with liquids, feels swollen, my throat is sometimes scratchy, and i am also dizzy and sometimes nauseous. i've had this about a week now. i can't see a doctor, because i have no health insurance and can't afford it.

any home remedies or herbal suggestions that people have had success with? i am very hesitant to try ones i've heard of that involve putting things in the ear.

thank you all for advice

amy

Comments (44)

  • Daisyduckworth
    20 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Like any other infection, an ear infection can quickly spread through the blood stream and make you very ill. You have only 2 ears to last you a life-time, and as you get older, you're hearing will deteriorate anyway. Do you really want to risk early deafness and/or a serious illness by leaving this infection untreated? I understand poverty better than most, but surely you can visit the Outpatients department of a hospital, or arrange to pay any debt in installments? It's only your health at stake here!! You will probably need antibiotics as well as prescribed ear drops.

    I hate advising people to use any herbal remedy without consulting a doctor first, but 1-2 drops of either garlic or onion juice in the affected ear just might help a little. It may sting, so you may need to dilute the juice with a little cool, boiled water. Lying down with your ear pressed onto a sock or small bag filled with salt may help to draw out any pus-y matter. Neither of these ideas is likely to completely cure your problem.

    I strongly recommend you to see a doctor ASAP before you have double or treble the problems to deal with, which will be much more expensive for you in the long run. "A stitch in time....."

  • Demeter
    20 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I second seeing a doctor. My husband had a little ear infection ... figured he'd wait it out ... next thing we knew, he was in the hospital with labyrinthitis (nausea, vertigo) for a week. Sounds like your labyrinths (which control balance) are already involved. And since the ears connect to the throat and nose, the infection can spread that way, too. There's a drug called Antivert which will work on the vertigo, and a simple antibiotic will probably take out the infection. Neither is really very expensive.

  • kfgesq
    20 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    You can try ear candelling it is supposed to bring out the nasty matter in the ear and is not harmful. I would also suggest some strong herbals such as echinecea and goldenseal for any infection. Sounds like it could be sinus infection, post nasal drip making the throat scratchy and causing dizziness and naseua.

  • bushpoet
    20 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi Cryshellia, hopefully you're feeling better or went to the Dr...?

    You didn't mention whether the ear problem is a recurring or first time problem, but here are some basic herbal/holistic approaches that I've used personally to deal with ear infections. As always with herbal/holistic treatment, beginning treatment at the first sign of illness is usually more effective.

    First, avoid dairy products. They increase mucus production in the body & may exacerbate the pain & congestion, esp. in children bcz their eustachian tubes are shorter & more horizontal than an adult's. Food allergies are implicated in middle ear infections.

    Second, for any possible infection I do two things: hydrotherapy & large doses of buffered or esterized vitamin C in divided doses throughout the day. I've used 10,000mg in a day with excellent results (2,500 mg every 4 hours). And I always take a little extra B-complex and zinc along w/my multi & other supplements when I use high doses of vitamin C. I am often returned to full health with 24 72 hours after this basic treatment alone though I continue supportive treatments for up to 5-10 days to prevent relapse. If you want detailed info on hydrotherapy, feel free to e-mail me & I'll post it on the board.

    I agree w/kfgesq about it possibly involving the sinuses (I've been there). Ech/goldenseal tincture will definitely give the body a boost & also help dry out the excessive mucus. I know goldenseal is overharvested but it's a specific for catarrh & gets the job done in about 7 days.

    Those store-bought nasal rinses (saline solution) really help; I esp. liked the colloidal silver/xylitol nasal rinse sold by Quantum though the plastic spray part of the bottle was not very sturdy & broke off and became a pain to use. (Xylitol has been shown to prevent microbes from sticking to the mucus membranes.) Alternately, you could do a steam facial (towel draped over head as you sit over a bowl of steaming hot water), adding essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint and ginger; 2 drops per quart should be sufficient to open the sinuses and clear congestion. A cool mist humidifier in your home, esp. the bedroom will help the body heal too.

    Finely chopped raw garlic mixed into a tsp of raw honey and washed down w/warm tea w/lemon 3x daily will also give the immune system a boost (don't chew the garlic or you will smell pungent). Try the same with ginger if your tastebuds and tummy aren't too tender. Ginger is an excellent source of zinc and also reduces nausea and improves digestion.

    You could try one of the homeopathic ear infection formulas but I am not sure the one I took did much for me. I had been self-treating for about a week & was feeling nearly 100% again, but I had gotten a bit of water in my ear in the shower that morning before going about my errands in the city. It was windy & I went mad with pain & bought the homeopathic stuff bcz the stuff I had been self-treating with was at home. I ended up going to the emergency room for fear something had really gone wrong. Of course I waited there for several hours (napped) then felt better. I refused meds & just told the doctor I needed him to look in my ear & reassure me that it was not ruptured, which it was not. I also know that homeopathy could make things a little worse right before they get a whole lot better, so maybe that's what happened. In any event, I did not take antibiotics & continued to self-treat & was fully recovered in another day or two.

    Most everything else I know unfortunately involves putting things in the ear  which you shouldn't ever do if you think the eardrum is ruptured (usu. a sudden cessation of pain, loss of hearing &/or fluid coming out of the ear). Most effective for me: a combo of grapefruit seed extract (liquid), st. john's wort oil and tea tree essential oil dropped into the ear together every few hours.

    The ever-popular garlic/mullein ear oil is available in most natural markets & will work fabulously for bacterial ear problems but not viral ones according to one naturalist I know. I've never tried this one myself.

    And whenever I'm sick I always do a little journaling to try to touch on any emotional aspects of the illness. For example, if near the holiday season I got an ear infection, the timing & the fact that it is a common childhood illness would lead me to explore that my child-heart might be trying to communicate something to me that I've been unwilling to listen to. Louise L. Hay's book "You Can Heal Your Life" really opened me to this often neglected aspect of healing.

    Prescription antibiotics for the treatment of ear infections is often unnecessary & wipes out beneficial bacteria in the body & can make the body vulnerable to recurrent ear infections and candida. I had a great naturopathic link about ear infections but can't find it; instead, here's a fairly decent link from a naturopathic college.

    In any event, avoid loud or windy environs and keep water out of the ear while bathing etc. by putting cotton balls into outer ear & covering head & ears w/shower cap if you can.

    Hope you find something that helps.

    Speedy recovery & green blessings,
    ~bushpoet

  • yeona_sky
    20 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The above info is great. What always, without fail, has worked for my family, is heating a half of an onion in a microwave, and wrapping it in a cloth so it doesn't burn. Hold it up to the ear, or ears for as long as possible, getting a new onion as the scent fades, and let the fumes do their work. It works for us in 12 to 24 hours.

    I also take vit. c, oil of oregano, raw garlic, and ginger, and echinacea and goldenseal, as others do, above. When I don't have much money, garlic and onions are all I use, and they work for us.

    It can't hurt to do these things and also go to the doctor's.

    Hope this helps,

    Yeona

  • yeona_sky
    20 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Just thought this would interest people.

    Yeona

  • arttulip
    20 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Using the warmed juice from the fresh onion as ear drops ( 2 drops in each ear for the night time)is also very good. Cover the ear with a cotton and wool cloth for keep it warm.

  • Jitai
    20 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    You could go to the pharmacy or your local drugstore and ask the people behind the counter if they have anything to recommend...?

  • The_Passenger
    20 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I just heard this doctor on a morning news show, she said, take a sock, fill it with salt, microwave it until it is as hot as tolerable and then lay your head on it....the salt will drain the fluid out. Sounds like a good thing to do.

  • Traute_Biogardener
    19 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I am surprised that I haven't posted in this thread before. I have made a list of all the natural earache remedies which I have collected during my life and I can send it to you on request. It is too long to post here.

  • moonwolf23
    19 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    ok dokey their are free clinics around. call a dr and ask. At the very worst get your butt to a emergency room and well say you can't afford to pay. They'll eat the cost, you'll have to fill out paperwork.

    at most you should be paying about 20 bucks for antibiotics unless your allergic to pennicillin. I know when my son had a ear infection and we paid out of pocket and it starts with a a. it was 12 bucks compared to the 5 day your not supposed to give to kids due to kidney problems 50 something bucks of the antibiotic that starts with a z. darn it why can't i remember. anyway the one with a a. is fairly common.

  • vijesh4ever
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I dont know what i should call it,but seriously it hurts when i say i suffer (or may be suffering) from Labyrinthitis .Cool! huh, i see all the symptoms of it in me.But twice i have visited a doctor and one said its an infection (i have completed 2 courses from him,but still the pain didn't go down ouch!).Next i visited an ENT specialist ,he ruled out its 'coz of sinus or may be accumulation of cough in dense quantity . Huh! even his prescribed medicines have done no good. Now its affecting my second ear too. My second ear also pains hard and so does my throat too.
    So do i have to say this is the same disease Laby...** afraid to take this name (yaar)! Or am i just hallucinating?

    Some question please( bear me ),is this a serious kind of a disease......Do i need to have a surgery ,or the above herbal medicines and remedies will help me.
    Thanx to one and all in advance.

  • kellicox1_live_com
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    hydrogen peroxide. this is cheap and very effective. i have avoided my ear infections using this method.
    pour 1 cap full of h.p. (i use the cap from the bottle or about 1/2 tablespoon h.p.). lay down on your side with the affected ear skyward, get comfortable/put a pillow under your head. pour the h.p. in the ear, some may spill out. you should feel a bubbling sensation in the ear: this is sign that the h.p. is working on the infection! now relax. when the bubbling seems to have petered out, empty the ear the pour another capfull of h.p. in. repeat this procedure until you reach a point where a new application of h.p. does not bubble or react at all. all done.

  • brendan_of_bonsai
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    HP is a good choice for an outer ear infection, however the bubbling is more in response to your own body than to the infection. Stopping when the bubbling stops is probably a good idea however.

    Ear candles do not work, it seems like they pull junk out if you look at them, but its really residue from the burning process, light one and put it in a jar to see what happens.

  • eibren
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Ear infections can be very dangerous.

    One of my college profs put off seeing to his, and DIED from a secondary brain abcess from it.

    That said, if you feel you may be getting one but are trying to stave it off, there are a couple of good homeopathic treatments (Rite Aid sells Hyland's, and some others can be found in some Vitamin Stores and health food stores). They are specifically labeled for earaches.

    I have never tried alternative treatments for a real earache; if you've let it get that far you should consult a medical practitioner stat. There are spongy bones behind the ear that infections can lodge in, and then they are almost impossible to get out. There used to be a lot of surgeries for that before antibiotics were able to prevent it.

  • brendan_of_bonsai
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Homeopathic remedies routinely and consistently fail all reasonable tests of efficacy, its a multibillion dollar industry but they have yet to fund a halfway decent study that shows any positive result, a single solid double blinded test would be groundbreaking, but they simply do not exist.

    A thought, good clean air (air filters) will reduce your load of fungal and bacterial spores, decreasing your likely hood of getting an ear infection.

  • eibren
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Brendan, please define exactly what you mean by a "reasonable test of efficacy."

    Homeopathic treatments do not work as quickly or as noticeably as allopathic medications, and are not advisable for well-entrenched conditions which could rapidly progress to a dangerous point, but they definitely can be helpful in assisting the body to right itself before conditions become that severe.

    Your point regarding air quality is worthy of note, however.

  • brendan_of_bonsai
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    A reasonable test of efficacy is a double or triple blinded clinical trial with a large population. Even if they work at a slow pace they should be able to reduce joint pain more than placebo, or reduce the incidence of ear infection more than placebo, or have any kind of medical effect.

    Typically these trials end in failure, and it is claimed that the Homeoipathic remedies affect the placebo, no matter how they are stored, which really means that there is nothing special about the remedy.

    There is a disturbing new trend in the homeopathic literature, they have started doing "pragmatic" studies. Sound odd to you? Me too. Basically what they do is get people to go to a homeopath, and the Homeopath prescribes them a treatment, and they are sent home with the remedy. After a few weeks someone swings round and asks them if they were helped or not by the remedy, they average the results and in the end what they have is an uncontrolled unblinded study, which tells you exactly nothing.

  • eibren
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    If they are only placebo, that's fine with me, because I have found them to be quite helpful.

    I took some for sinus and other allergy-associated ailments some time ago when I had to visit with a relative that had an enormous dog and birds, both of which can cause me allergies, and remained symptom-free.

    I have found the Hyland's one for arthritis to be only mildly helpful, but the ones for flu and early signs of earache I have found to be very helpful, and I am never without them.

    The zinc gluconate nosespray sold as Zicam is more than that--I have not had any overt cold symptoms since I began using it as a preventive over two years ago now. I used to get several horrendous colds every year and was desperate, because the last several times they all ended with bronchitis.

    Last spring my DH and I both contracted viral bronchitis, and we were able to deal with it by using Chestal, another homeopathic remedy, and Sambucol, which is based on elderberies. My DH has to be very careful, as he had open heart surgery previously--which makes the chest cavity more susceptible to things. When he went to the family doctor for this, the doctor was prepared to give him an antibiotic, but found that his chest was clear. He was amazed by this, because most of the patients he had been seeing for the viral bronchitis were going on to secondary infections which necessitated antibiotics.

    My DH does not believe in homeopathy, and I doubt the Chestal would have worked on him without having had some positive effect above and beyond the placebo effect. He first took it under extreme protest, and only became more cooperative when he found his coughing would stop a little while after he took it.

    Anyway, I stocked up on both Chestal and Sambucol for this winter. They are both fairly costly, so, believe me, I would not purchase them if they were not helpful.

    I have found that the different homeopathic remedies vary in effectiveness for me, but possibly that is because with some of them I am not taking the correct one. I mostly use the remedies put out by Hyland for the general public.

    It is very comforting to know that if the entire economy collapses or if I am stranded in a blizzard, I have something at home that will probably never spoil that I can use in an emergency to help treat a malady.

    The peace of mind that comes from having faith in a remedy is an important part of the healing process, and not something that a true man of medicine would want to deprive his patients of, it would seem to me.

    I understand your concern that someone might miss out on a better medical treatment if they only avail themselves of homeopathic treatments, but most people in our times use them more to prevent a condition from progressing to the point that it manifests in a clinical form. I don't think that too many people are willing to wait for the months or even years that the old timers had to for a homeopathic treatment to prevail in a serious case.

    Basically, homeopathy causes a jolt to the body's system by making it experience the symptoms of the disorder it is attempting to treat. The theory is that the body will then take this as a signal to produce the necessary corrective actions. I was quite doubtful of its efficacy myself, but I am fairly open minded and decided to try it when it became obvious I would not be seeing much more in the way of preventive help from the medical community. I have found it to be quite helpful on numerous occasions.

  • rusty_blackhaw
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It's amazing the makers of Zicam get by with marketing their product as "homeopathic", when it appears to violate the basis of homeopathy by containing an active ingredient (one which may have some effect on colds as well as potentially destroying one's sense of smell).

    For cold prevention I'd sooner use echinacea or possibly Andrographis, rather than a "true" homeopathic product which has no potential for help beyond placebo effect.

  • brendan_of_bonsai
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    They say that if you take Homeopathic Remedies you will cut your cold down to only 7 days, but if you go with just chicken soup you will have it for a whole week!

  • silversword
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi Eibren,
    I use Hyland's too. My doctor recommended them as a first line of defense for my daughter's ear infections. Since they are not recommending antibiotics for most ear infections these days I'm grateful there is an alternative that works. I also used them for her colic (on recommendation by my physician again) and they were very effective.

    The best part? She got a hold of them one day and ate nearly the whole bottle. After a FRANTIC call to poison control, and reading them the ingredients, they said she'd be fine, that maybe her stomach would hurt a little, but there was no chance of damage because the ingredients were so gentle. I loved homeopathic medicine even more that day!!

    We also use vinegar diluted with water, put in a jar with a little straw. After swimming I put a little in each ear and have her sit to one side for 30 seconds or so. The doctor says this will kill any bacteria that was in the water that may be now in the ear and prevent future ear infections.

    That said, I take ear infections seriously, and if I had the symptoms that the OP has I would be off to the doctor immediately.

  • eibren
    15 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    "It's amazing the makers of Zicam get by with marketing their product as "homeopathic", when it appears to violate the basis of homeopathy by containing an active ingredient (one which may have some effect on colds as well as potentially destroying one's sense of smell).

    I am extremely pragmatic--if something works, I don't care what it calls itself. When I started using it, though, I was aware that the soil in the US is supposed to be low in zinc, which means most of the population is as well, and I thought that might be the reason it worked.

    Regarding the risk to the sense of smell, sorry, I usually remember to mention that risk when I praise Zicam. There are little tendrils that come out of the scent cells, and I think maybe those are what it has the potential to damage.

    I believe it has adversely affected my sense of smell. Once when I had been using it rather regularly, I went into a perfume shop and couldn't smell any of the perfume.

    I suppose the damage could become permanent, too--but, in my case, the risk is worth it, because after one particularly bad cold I contracted chronic bronchitis, which is something I will have to contend with for the rest of my life. It also makes colds more dangerous.

    I don't want any more colds.

    Zicam does prevent colds if you use it at night on any day that you have been anywhere you might have been exposed to the cold virus. As I said, I haven't had any for over two years now. I do think it also helps that I am now retired, and don't have to see people every day. Additionally, I now get more rest and eat better. However, despite those improvements, I still kept getting colds until I began to use Zicam (their zinc gluconate nasal spray).

    The last time I discussed Zicam with my doctor, he told me it works because the cold germs stick to the zinc gluconate.

    I notice the pharmacies around here are starting to more prominently display it. When I first tried to explain how well it works to one of my local pharmacy workers, I overheard him telling another worker "They pay people to go around and say those things about their products." With that kind of resistance, I imagine it is sales numbers that have caused them to give it more shelf space, not anybody's feedback or medical information.

    I did try echinacea a few times, and I suspect I may be a bit allergic to it, because it never improved any of my symptoms. If I were to try another herbal remedy along that line, I think I would try astralagus again. The few times I tried herbal tinctures of astralagus, it seemed vaguely helpful. I will check into Andrographis.

  • r1im
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I had the same problem, amoxicillin was the drug that helped me. Bought it @ http://www.cheap-amoxicillin.com/

  • rusty_blackhaw
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    About the last thing I'd do is buy antibiotics online on the recommendation of an Estonian spammer.

    Common sense cold avoidance measures and possibly trying the herbs recommended previously make a lot more sense than shotgunning the problem with an antibiotic that may not be indicated and could result in side effects/resistance.

    By the way, I've had no colds in the last couple of years without taking Zicam. By that testimonial evidence, not taking Zicam prevents colds. :)

    "The last time I discussed Zicam with my doctor, he told me it works because the cold germs stick to the zinc gluconate"

    If my doctor told me a fish story like that, I'd look for another doctor (preferably a physician) with a grip on reality.

  • anne4
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Actually, it is NOT a fish story. Zinc gluconate binds to receptors on rhinovirus that normally bind to our cells. Since the viral receptors are alread bound to the zinc, they cannot then bind to our cells and begin the infection process.

  • rusty_blackhaw
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I know of no research that demonstrates that zinc gluconate does this. There are a number of mechanisms suggested for zinc supposedly acting to prevent or reduce duration of colds, but the bottom line is that there's no good evidence for any of them. From a Cochrane review on claims made for zinc and the common cold:

    "The review showed that there is no strong evidence to indicate that zinc lozenges reduce the duration of the common cold. People taking zinc lozenges were more likely to complain of mouth irritation, unpleasant taste, feeling sick and diarrhoea. More research is needed to determine if zinc lozenges can reduce the duration of the common cold and the potential for zinc lozenges to adversely effect health."

    Here's more from the National Institutes of Health on zinc.

  • angela00
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I've had lots of ear infections. Living in Germany for 4 years (where homeopathic treatments have been integrated with standard medical practices) has given me a perspective on US medical trends. I used to be quick to take an antibiotic for an ear infection. Now I wouldn't consider doing so unless the infection has gone on for several weeks. Antibiotics are too frequently prescribed. But I also haven't had an ear infection in a few years, thanks to getting my seasonal allergy problems under control.

    The ear infection and itchy sore throat are symptoms of a bad allergy to the pollen in the air. In addition to using some of the great advice recommended above, you should treat the root of the problem by taking an over-the-counter antihistamine (or an herbal equivalent, if any one knows of one). Prescription antihistamines are a little more effective, but over-the-counter ones are better than nothing. After you've been outdoors for awhile, make sure to take a steaming hot shower to clear your nasal passages and wash the pollen from your hair and skin. Put on fresh clothes immediately after working outdoors. Avoid using perfumed candles/soaps/air fresheners, etc. All of these will act as irritants when your allergy symptoms are full-blown. Drink a lot of water. Some people (like myself)have to stop drinking all beer and wine when allergy symptoms get critical. Getting your allergies under control will help to get the ear infection under control.

    On a side note ... if you know a mom who is nursing an infant ... perhaps they will donate a small cup of breast milk. A few drops of breast milk (using a dropper) in the ear or nose is an effective way to clear up sinus and ear infections. It's a remedy that has been used internationally for thousands of years, as breast milk contains antibodies.

  • rusty_blackhaw
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    angela00 said: "Living in Germany for 4 years (where homeopathic treatments have been integrated with standard medical practices) has given me a perspective on US medical trends."

    To my knowledge, homeopathy is not an accepted part of standard medical practice. in Germany.

    "Homeopathic treatment is covered by private insurers, but not by the statutory health system...German (homeopathic) practitioners have long been seeking wider recognition for homeopathy and have filed a suit with the Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe. But experts doubt the case will be decided anytime soon, as unambiguous scientific proof of the efficacy of homeopathy has yet to be delivered."

    According to some sources more Germans than Americans use homeopathic "drugs" (which typically consist of such extreme dilutions of the supposed active substance that not a single molecule remains in the product, which then consists of water), and there are private insurance plans that cover these "drugs".

    I'm glad that the money I pay into my health insurance plan is not wasted on other people's "magic" water.

  • geeky
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    eric_oh:

    I also lived in Germany (twice, both times for 3 years).

    When my son was an infant, I went to the drug store (Apotheke)because he had a cough and I didn't want him taking those children's cold medicine concoctions (he was too little, in my opinion, and there had been too many recalls). The clerk gave me some herbal cough syrup that basically was derived from the Ivy plant. I had my German friend helping me translate and she said she had given it to her three kids before, so I felt it was safe.

    Anyway, the point is, after two doses of this herbal cough syrup, he was fine. 100% better! I had never considered herbal treatments or homeopathy until then, but I'm glad I did. My kids have not returned to traditional doctors since (they are now approaching their teens, and they are healthy).

    My point of telling this story is that I can verify from my life experience that Germans in general do embrace a mix traditional medical treatment and homeopathic/herbal treatment. If you have never been to Germany, you should really not comment by attaching some link from a newspaper. It's the same as attaching a link to Fox news to prove all Americans are in favor of owning a hand gun. LOL.

    So you can take your know-it-all sarcasm and eat it...swallow it like a little antibiotic pill and puke from the side effects. Go ahead...make other people rich. I applaud you -- you alone will help the economy recover. :)

    I'm actually glad you pay money into a "health" care system that is designed to make you sick. I find it funny that people pay $800+ monthly premiums for a system that doesn't make you better. It's pathetic to me that people have so much faith in these doctors that are paid off by pharmaceutical companies to offer you their poisons.

    You just keep paying your sky high premiums and I will keep paying my occasional $10 once or twice a year for my "magic" water. LMAO. Let's see $20 a year vs. $9,000+ a year...hmmmm????

    P.S. You didn't have to hijack this thread to be a jerk. All someone asked about was a home remedy.

  • rusty_blackhaw
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    geeky, sorry you feel you must stoop to insults to get your point across. Here's a tip - question an idea, don't attack the poster making it.

    My point was simply that homeopathy is not, contrary to your claim, an integral part of medical practice in Germany.

    And it may surprise you, but a number of herbalists agree with me that the legitimacy of herbalism suffers when it is linked with homeopathy, which by contrast has no scientific credibility.

    And while you may be able to skate by with using homeopathic remedies for minor complaints, it'd be a far different story if you were faced with a heart attack, pneumonia, traumatic injury or any of the other serious problems for which homeopathy's placebo effects are useless.

    That's why we have evidence-based medicine and health insurance to cover its costs.

  • alexspricher
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    DO NOT TRY TO HEAL YOUR EAR INFECTION AT HOME. your hearing is one of the most valuable things you have in life, and ear infections do not heal up on their own. i made the mistake this week of waiting out an ear infection and trying to put off seeing a doctor by doing all of the above: buying over the counter ear drops and trying herbal treatments...none of them worked and my ear canal swelled shut. i was in so much pain, i had to be rushed to the ER and given codeine as a pain killer as well as steroids so my ear canal would open again. it's been two days and my ear canal STILL is not open and i'm still experiencing pain. do not try to heal infections on your own, that's why we have doctors, hospitals, and people trained in health and body to help us heal the proper way......

    i honestly can't stress it enough. the pain was horrendous, and i could've lost my hearing just as you can. please see a professional and get yourself checked out...

  • silversword
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Alex, it sounds like you needed the doctor. I grew up with natural hot ponds, swimming every day. My mother would treat my ears with garlic and warm oil and vinegar/water 50/50. If caught in the very beginning there is a very good chance such treatments will work.

    My daughter's physician does not like to give antibiotics for standard ear infections. He prescribes ear drops, or recommends using one of the home treatments my mother used. If the infection does not clear up within 3 days he has another look. Per my physician, over 80% of ear infections clear up on their own.

    With all due respect; the problems you faced were because you avoided the doctor, not because you didn't take antibiotics. When my child has the beginnings of an infection I take her to the doctor. More often than not I am sent home with recommendations for home remedies and the infection clears up in a couple of days.

  • theherbalist
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    The original posting was back in 2003, so . . . what the heck!! ha,ha

    However, as an herbal physician, I have to say that this whole thread was based on quite an ASSUMPTION that he/she had an ear infection. Based on many years of seeing patients/clients, it appeared that it may NOT have been an ear infection at all which changes the whole approach. (No mention of a fever nor loss of appetite nor pain.) There's a good chance it's merely an acute, secondary symptom of some other chronic conditions. Can't say more without knowing more specifics, but the mention of dizziness and nausea strongly points to a systemic problem possibly from a liver condition. Even something as simple as eating too much spicy food can create acute symptoms similar to what was described. I'm not saying exactly what it IS, but I'm just suggesting what it may NOT be.

    Just my two cents worth.

    Charles in Arizona
    The Herbalist

  • rusty_blackhaw
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Original post: "I have some sort of ear infection, where my ear keeps getting stuffed up with liquids, feels swollen, my throat is sometimes scratchy, and i am also dizzy and sometimes nauseous."

    Sure sounds like an infectious process mostly affecting the upper respiratory tract and ear. But as others have suggested (and the last post unintentionally highlights), proper diagnosis requires the attention of a physician whose training covers such problems - after which potential alternative remedies can be reasonably discussed.

  • theherbalist
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Eric:

    I agree with you. It should be seen by their local practitioner.

    I suppose semantics get in the way sometimes. In the west, we'll talk about infection which covers a multitude of conditions. More specifically, from the Chinese herbology perspective, we try to determine if this is a hot or cold, wet or dry, excess or deficient condition. THEN, the appropriate herb can be applied to the existing conditions.

    Charlie in Arizona
    The Herbalist

  • rusty_blackhaw
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    A "semantic" problem arises when terms like "herbology science" obscure that belief system's actual lack of scientific foundation.

    Attributing an upper respiratory tract/ear complaint as being due to "a hot or cold, wet or dry, excess or deficient condition" and attempting to prescribe herbs on that basis may satisfy traditional beliefs, but are very unlikely to help the patient.

    By contrast, evidence-based herbalists consulted on an actual liver problem might suggest milk thistle as part of a treatment plan, because there's limited evidence it could be helpful.

    Increasingly, a lot of people's preference is to explore what herbs realistically can do for them, rather than relying on what unproven/unfounded claims were believed by the ancients.

  • theherbalist
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Actually, Eric, I base my claims on 40 years experience. They're pretty well proven by my success. And remember that for several years I've used the western analytical approach until I found that the eastern phenomenological approach to herbology is far more accurate and affective.

    Even if you don't mean to be, do you realize your posts come across antagonistic, demeaning and contentious?

    If you're a professional, it's more fun to share than to bicker. Please, . . . what do you do for a living? I mean, what's your background in natural healing arts? I always take the approach that the person I talk to knows more than me. I'm listening.

    Thanks.

    Charlie in Arizona
    The Herbalist

  • rusty_blackhaw
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm a physician with an interest in evidence-based herbalism. I'm well aware that in medicine as well as herbalism "experience" and anecdotes can lead us astray, to the extent that useless and potentially hazardous treatments are kept alive in the face of solid research indicating otherwise.

    Medicine back in the days of Hippocrates believed that disease was caused by an imbalance in the "four humors" of the body. Those beliefs were deservedly discarded long ago. It seems that "herbology science" is still clinging to "hot or cold, wet or dry, excess or deficient condition" to explain disease - which is an unfortunate relic of the past.

    "Even if you don't mean to be, do you realize your posts come across antagonistic, demeaning and contentious?"

    In the past, some posters in this forum have taken the tack that disagreement with their beliefs is an attack on them as a person, and responded with personal critiques and insults.
    In your post in the thread about wormwood dangers you stated (without referring to the warnings others had posted) that your wormwood tonics were safe. Should I have regarded that as antagonistic, contentious and demeaning to my beliefs and responded accordingly? Instead, I asked you some followup questions and presented more evidence.

    I hope our interactions can be maintained on a level of civility and calm exchange.

  • theherbalist
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    "herbalism "experience" and anecdotes can lead us astray." I agree and I've occasionally stumbled into that pitfall. Thankfully, we recover from such and continue on in more accurate procedures.

    I'm interested . . . what's your background? What type of physician are you? In what state do you practice?

    Charlie in Arizona
    The Herbalist

  • theherbalist
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    "herbalism "experience" and anecdotes can lead us astray." I agree and I've occasionally stumbled into that pitfall. Thankfully, we recover from such and continue on in more accurate procedures.

    I'm interested . . . what's your background? What type of physician are you? In what state do you practice?

    Charlie in Arizona
    The Herbalist

  • rusty_blackhaw
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Further personal inquiries are best left to e-mail correspondence.

  • theherbalist
    13 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Eric:

    I suppose. Please, correspond to me at:
    cbenghauser@gmail.com
    I'd much like to hear from you.

    Charlie in Arizona
    The Herbalist

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