Certain herbs may be helpful in treating fluid in your ears, or otitis media. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, otitis media is inflammation of your middle ear that develops when fluid builds up behind your tympanic membrane, or eardrum. Otitis media is more common in children than in adults. Before taking herbs to help treat your otitis media, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Echinacea
Echinacea, also known as Echinacea purpurea or Echinacea angustifolia, is an herbal remedy that may be helpful in treating your otitis media. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, echinacea, a member of the aster family, is used to help treat many health problems, boost your immune system and help your body ward off infections. Echinacea is an herbaceous perennial plant endemic to certain parts of North America, especially the prairies. Echinacea has a pungent and sweet taste; possesses stimulating, cooling and drying tendencies; and is a drought-tolerant plant. The plants' root, seeds and flowers are used for medicinal purposes, including otitis media. Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that echinacea is helpful in treating infectious conditions and therefore may be helpful in treating otitis media caused by bacterial infection.
Mullein
Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that mullein, also called Cerbascum thapsus, is a demulcent, expectorant, astringent and alterative, or a substance that enhances your body's ability to repair tissues. Mullein may be helpful in treating otitis media, coughs, hoarseness, bronchitis, asthma, hay fever, facial neuralgia and urinary tract irritation. According to Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," mullein is a soothing expectorant that helps reduce irritation of your mucous membranes. Mullein oil has been used to help treat ear infections in both children and adults. Mullein is a biennial plant native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa, although it now grows in the Americas and Australia. Practitioners of herbal medicine use the flower and leaves of the plant medicinally.
Garlic
Garlic is a perennial plant native to Central Asia that is now cultivated extensively throughout the word for both culinary and medicinal purposes. The bulb of the garlic plant, which contains numerous cloves, is the most commonly used portion of the plant. The plants' cloves have a characteristic warm and pungent taste and possess drying, stimulating and heating tendencies. Garlic, also known as Allium sativa, is a member of the lily family. According to Mitchell, garlic is helpful in treating otitis media caused by bacterial or viral infection. Tilgner states that garlic is an antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, diuretic, anticoagulant and antispasmodic that is beneficial in treating infectious conditions, such as otitis media caused by bacterial infections. Tilgner notes that garlic may cause gastrointestinal upset in sensitive individuals and should not be taken if you are experiencing acute inflammation.
References
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: Ear Infections in Children
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Echinacea
- "Plant Medicine in Practice;" William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
