Ear infection
There are two main types of ear infection - otitis media and otitis externa. Otitis media is the infection of the middle ear, found mainly among infants and children. Otitis externa also known as swimmer’s ear is the infection of the external ear. Ear infection is more commonly seen in winter season.
Common signs and symptoms include - ear pain, drainage of fluid from the ear, trouble hearing, fever, headache
An ear infection is caused by a bacterium or virus in the middle ear. This infection often results from another illness — cold, flu or allergy — that causes congestion and swelling of the nasal passages, throat and eustachian tubes.
The eustachian tubes are a pair of narrow tubes that run from each middle ear to high in the back of the throat, behind the nasal passages. The throat end of the tubes open and close to:
- regulate air pressure in the middle ear
- refresh air in the ear
- drain normal secretions from the middle ear
Swollen eustachian tubes can become blocked, causing fluids to build up in the middle ear. This fluid can become infected and cause the symptoms of an ear infection.
Ayurveda divide Ear infection in different types according to caused by the aggravation of any of the three doshas, and the symptoms will vary accordingly - ear pain this is attributed to Vata aggravation. Kapha aggravation may also result in fungal Infections which may cause crusting or oozing. When there is bleeding Pitta is seen to be aggravated.
Ayurvedic ear infection treatment consists of both internal and external preparations.
Ayurveda has many effective ear massage oils, generally in a sesame oil base. For ear infection useful treatments include the breathing exercise Nadishodhana Pranayama
Useful Herbs for the Treatment of Ear Infections and Aches – Bael, Bishop's Weed, Holy Basil , Neem, Balahadi thailam, Kayunnyadui thailam, Vacha lasunadi thailam, Kshara thailam, Surasadi choornam, Guggulupanchapala Choorna. Sariwa and Asafoetida are herbs that can be very effective when taken as a medicine.
Important!!!
Ear infection problem specialist should be consulted. It can be dangerous to put anything into the ears – even oils – without medical advice!
holy basil (tulsi) are considered to be an effective ear pain remedy
Cloves can also be used ear pain remedies. It has pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties
clove oil, saute a clove in a teaspoon of sesame (til) oil. Bring it to a boil and let it cool down. Filter the oil and put one to two drops of the warm oil in the affected ear 3 time per day
Tea tree oil is an essential oil which is widely used as a natural remedy to get rid of the pain
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger make it an effective and simple home remedy
