EAR INFECTION

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Most children suffer at least once, and often repeatedly, from middle ear infection.  The main causes of ear infection are bacterial infection and food allergy.  Antibiotics, when compared with placebo treatments, have not been shown to be helpful in speeding up the healing, but instead multiplies the risk of getting another infection.  Having said that, middle ear infection can be serious and should always be seen by a medical Doctor.  Recurrent ear infection is strongly associated with early bottle feeding, whilst breastfeeding of at least six months has a protective effect.  This is probably often due to the combination of breast-fed babies avoiding the cow’s milk allergy, and also receiving natural immunity through the breast milk.  Breast milk is also high in essential fatty acids which are anti-inflammatory. 

Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for ear infections

• Avoid the most common allergenic foods: dairy, wheat, oranges, eggs, corn, sugar.

• Eat plenty of vegetables. 

• Vegetable juices are particularly beneficial. 

• With a young child, introduce only one new food at a time, and watch for any reactions (diarrhoea, vomiting, irritability, skin rash, etc.).  Discontinue anything which you suspect may have caused a reaction. 

• Ear infections are more common in the homes of smokers.

To help alleviate pain 

• Place a few drops of warm garlic oil or olive oil in the ear, and a drop or two of mullein oil.  Plug the ear loosely with cotton wool to keep the oil from running out.

• Take echinacea and goldenseal tinctures several times per day – if there is alcohol in the mixture, put the drops in hot water for 10 minutes and let the alcohol dissipate.  For bla

• Do not use goldenseal for more than a week at

  Health Supplements - ear infections - adults 

Often, a combination of supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are shown below:

(please also read this important notice concerning supplement medical claims)

• 1 x Multivitamin and mineral (e.g. VM75 from Solgar)

• 2 x Advanced Antioxidant Formula (from Solgar)

• 1-2 grams Ultra Vitamin C Plus, 3 x a day (Higher Nature)

• AquaSource Essential Fatty Acid Complex (1/3 teaspoon twice a day, plus a drop in the ear itself)

• Echinacea (Solgar)

• Goldenseal (for one week at a time only and not during pregnancy)

• Bioforce Plantago 15 drops 2 to 3 times a day, in a little water.

Health Supplements - babies and young children

Often, a combination of supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice. Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are shown below:

(please also read this important notice concerning supplement medical claims)

• Bifidobacterium infantis (INT B1)  (from BioCare Ltd)

• Vitaforte Banana Multivitamins and Minerals POWDER (from BioCare Ltd)

• Echinacea and limited amounts of goldenseal

• Bioforce Plantago 1 drop for each year of age (2-12 years) 2 to 3 times a day, in a little water.

Recommended Health Books

health book - Boost Your Child's Immune System
health book - Eczema in Childhood

see also allergies and food intolerance  cookbooks