Ear Infections, Diet, Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda

There are two types of ear infection, inflammation (otitis): external and internal. (1) External otitis, infection of the outer ear can be caused by cosmetics, piercing and or bacterial infection. (2) Internal otitis of the inner ear (vertigo, loss of balance) and otitis media (affects the middle ear, behind eardrum) common in infants and children tends to be caused by extreme cold, damp diet, climate (winter, air conditioning, etc.), bacterial and or upper respiratory infections. The Eustachian tube connects the naso-pharynx (nose, throat), middle ear and auditory tubes (connect the ear to the back of the nasal cavity). It regulates air pressure, temperature and moisture. Excess moisture, fluids can pass from the nose and throat into the ears (via the Eustachian tube), collect, stagnate, fester and infect with bacteria that inflame and pressurize the ear causing earache, sharp, dull or throbbing pain, feeling of fullness in the ear and or a high fever. Low pressure, colder temperatures (winter, air conditioning, sleeping in cold, damp basement, etc.) tend to increase moisture in the lungs, throat, nose, etc. Cold and damp travel in the air, wind and can easily penetrate the body (head, neck and shoulders), and cool, harden fluids in the throat, mouth and nose into excess mucous and or phlegm. High altitude and colder temperatures increase discomfort and infection. The cold temperatures of nature cool harden water in the air into the morning dew, rain, snow and ice. In the body, colder temperatures (via diet or climate) harden fluids in the lungs, throat, nose and sinuses into excess water, mucous, which can pass into the ears and stagnate. Bacteria, viruses thrive in stagnant, watery mediums (mucous, urine) before inflaming and infecting tissue. . Bacteria, virus→ excess fluid→ infection→ inflammation Middle ear infections are common in children. Children, by their nature (under developed) tend to be weak, cold and damp, especially when they eat cold, damp diets (milk and cereal) or live in cold, damp climates making them more susceptible to cold, damp diseases. Protein, fat, cooked foods and digestion (three meals per day) heats and dries (regulates moisture) the body. Long-term low protein, low fat (soft dairy, ice cream) diets tend to decrease, thin the blood (blood deficiency), which weakens, cools and dampen the body. Too many salads, tropical fruits, juices, smoothies, cold drinks (includes ice water), sodas, etc. dilute, cool and decrease digestion (abdominal bloating, gas), elimination (loose stools) and nutrient absorption, blood, energy, heat, body temperature. Do not drink juice with meals. Weak digestion, deficient, low protein, fat blood also weakens the immune system, increasing the tendency to catch colds. Blood fuels immunity. The hotter middle diet (spices, cooking) is recommended, in addition to medical consultation, evaluation. Spices increase digestion and dry dampness: mucous, phlegm, loose stools, edema, etc. Ginger or cinnamon can be used in cookies, desserts. Vegetables (carrots, yams) and fruits (apples) can be used as sweeteners (in cookies), to reduce sugar cravings. Cooked foods, soups, stews, protein, fat stimulate, warm the body. Hot cereals, nuts, seeds and spices are more warming, building than milk and cereal, which is cold and damp. Garlic or peppermint oil drops in the ear dry dampness while fighting infection. Ear cones, candles also dry excess fluids. The candles (different types) are placed in the ear and set on fire. As the cone, candle burns down, it absorbs water, dries the ear. Ear candles, made with wax may drip excess wax into the ears. Consult with a doctor first. The cure (correct diet, bitter herbs and mild spices) for most diease is fairly simply and you can find it in my book, for today's and tomorrow's diseases, Hot and Cold Health, A Simple Guide to Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda $12.77- 14.95)