Ear Infections: Break the Vicious Cycle
by author Stacelynn Caughlan, Cl.N, CH, CBC

Another sleepless night. Your little one is miserable, and you fear the cause is yet another ear infection. For many young children, ear infections become recurrent and difficult to avoid. Although prevention is the best medicine, there are many natural solutions to the pain and discomfort your child experiences. With patience and diligence, you can break the cycle!

Inside The Ear

The ear is divided into three parts. The outer ear is the area most visible. Sound travels through the ear canal, past the ear drum to the middle ear, the bones of which transmit sound to the inner ear.

The middle ear houses the eustachian tube, which connects to the nose and throat, and allows drainage of fluids collected in the middle ear. In infants and young children, the eustachian tube is shorter and lies more horizontally (over time it will develop a more downward angle). This position makes it harder for excess fluid to drain properly. Should this tube become blocked, infection can readily develop in the middle ear and trap fluids. The eustachian tube can become blocked by congestion caused by a cold or other upper respiratory infection, or by a reaction to a food or environmental allergen.

If your child has ear pain or hearing loss, is unable to lie flat, wakes frequently at night, is extremely fussy, has a fever, or has fluid draining from his/her ear, see a physician. A proper diagnosis will give you more confidence in choosing the appropriate remedies.

PDF Diagram of the Ear and Recommended Remedies

Natural Pain Relief

Your child may experience pain relief from a warm compress placed over the affected ear. Dip a soft cloth in very warm water or tea and wring it out. When it is cool enough to touch, place it over the ear. You can also use a heat pack filled with flax seeds, buckwheat or rice. These tend to maintain their heat longer and are less messy than a wet cloth. Essential oils of lavender, Roman chamomile and/or tea tree can be added to the water or dropped onto the heat pack.

Massaging around the ear can help fluid drain into the eustachian tube and provide some pain relief. This can be done with or without oil, but if a massage oil is used, consider adding essential oils (see recipe below). Massage along the back of the ear down toward the jawline in repeated strokes. Discontinue if it causes your child any pain. If the lymph nodes (glands) are swollen, massage them lightly using the same essential oil blend to help them drain and to relieve discomfort.

If pain is caused by congestion, particularly from a cold, keep the mucus thinned by having your child drink very warm herbal teas such as lemon balm, catnip, spearmint, ginger and/or licorice root. A vaporizer used in the room where your child sleeps or some time spent in a steamy bathroom before bed can help, too. Try adding lavender essential oil to the vaporizer, or eucalyptus oil if your child is over the age of two.

Prop your child’s head up at a 30-degree angle while she’s lying down. This encourages drainage and discourages any feeling of pressure. Adjust the upper portion of the bed so that it slopes down toward her feet by placing something under the mattress or the bed legs.

Preventing Infection

Stacelynn Caughlan, Cl.N, CH, CBC, is a prenatal/pediatric herbalist and nutritionist, birth doula and certified breastfeeding counsellor. She maintains a private practice in Vancouver at Gaia Garden Healing Clinic. Phone 604-224-5501. Website: motherandchildhealth.com.

Source: alive #239, September 2002