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Children's Ear Infections: Helping Your Child Naturally
by Stacelynn Caughlan
PART TWO
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Recipes for Natural Relief of Ear Infections
Eliminate the Infection
Natural remedies can be very effective at curbing an ear infection, but a strong healthy immune system is even better. Ear infections are notorious for repeating themselves. Sometimes a child barely seems to recover from one before another one occurs. Therefore the best ways to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection is to:
a) stimulate the child's own immune defenses and
b) utilize natural microbials
Because many infections are precipitated by a viral infection attacking the respiratory system, this approach will cover all bases.
Be sure that the child's diet is free of refined and/or concentrated sugars (table sugar, corn syrup, honey) and low in naturally occurring sugars, such as those found in fruit juices. Sugar is known to lower the body's resistance to infection, and furthermore it feeds the yeast that may be triggering the infections in the first place. If your child is dealing with a severe yeast infection as determined by a qualified health practitioner, it is important to work closely with your caregiver in making the necessary dietary changes.
Whole grains; vegetable proteins such as beans, peas, and nuts; colourful fruits and vegetables; and adequate water/fluids should make up the bulk of your child's diet. For a child under 8 months, breastmilk should still be the primary source of calories. Breastfeeding has been clinically proven to reduce the risk of ear infections. It is best to continue nursing until your child weans themselves, which could be 2 years or more.
Breastmilk is also a convenient carrier for many of the following suggested remedies. The nursing mother can take an adult dose and pass on the benefits via her breastmilk.
Echinacea stimulates the white blood cells that are necessary for eliminating pathogens. Children who are prone to chronic ear infections have benefitted from continual use of echinacea throughout the cold and flu season with a one week break out of every four. Otherwise a dose at the first sign of symptoms, and every 3-4 hours thereafter may prevent the problem from progressing.
Zinc supplements also boost the immune response to infection. For children that are old enough to chew, zinc lozenges are very convenient. Some are easier to chew than others, and some varieties contain echinacea or other immune boosting remedies.
Vitamin C not only increases the immune response, but is also anti-inflammatory. Chewable and liquid vitamin C supplements are available for children. Be sure to brush their teeth afterward as this acidic vitamin can erode tooth enamel. You child may also experience loose stools while taking therapeutic dosages of vitamin C. Reduce the dosage until stools normalize and watch for signs of dehydration should it last for more than one day.
Garlic is surprisingly well tolerated by little tastebuds - if they are introduced to it early in life. Breastfed babies can taste garlic in Mom's breastmilk after she eats some of this potent anti-microbial herb. Raw garlic is better than most supplements and creative ways exist for getting children to eat it. Recipes such as garlic bread, hummus, and guacamole are popular. For smaller children, and older ones who might refuse to eat it, infused garlic oil (see recipe) can be rubbed onto the soles of the feet. It is readily absorbed into the body. Don't be surprised if your child has "garlic breath" shortly after a treatment, as garlic travels quickly to the lungs.
Probiotics For some unknown and many known reasons, some children have less intestinal flora than is necessary to properly digest food and protect the body from the growth of pathogens. Whether the mother used them during pregnancy, or they are used at any point in a child's life, antibiotics create an imbalance between the protective flora we need a lot of and the negative flora we do not. It is very difficult for the body to replace the missing flora without close attention paid to dietary sources. Fermented foods such as kefir and yogurt are good sources, as is a probiotic supplement (commonly referred to as acidophilus).
A lack of probiotics sets the stage for fungal growth that has been linked to triggering ear infections. Most, if not all, children would benefit from daily supplementation if they are prone to infections. Research has shown that maternal supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding lowers the risk of childhood allergies by increasing protective factors in the breastmilk.
Breastfeeding also supplies the child with important immune enhancing substances, further reduces the risk of developing allergies by protecting the intestines ("leaky" intestines allow more foreign material in to the blood stream) and contributes to appropriate physical development of the Eustachian tubes. Additional substances support the growth of intestinal flora which enhances the immune system.
Although prevention is the best medicine for ear infections, there are many natural solutions to the pain and discomfort your child experiences. Patience and diligence are key, but breaking the cycle is possible!
