The most common victims of ear infections are children. Three-quarters of all children suffer from the painful but generally non-dangerous illness at least once. Parents seeking gentle forms of medicine sometimes turn to herbal eardrops rather than antibiotics. Goldenseal ear drops are one such remedy, but always ask your doctor if the natural remedy is OK for your or your family member's ear infection.
Condition
Ear infections, also known as otitis media, can come from bacterial or viral origins, causing pain in the middle ear. Some children are prone to frequent ear infections, notes MayoClinic.com. The most obvious symptom of ear infections in both adults and children is ear pain, but the infection may also be accompanied by fever, fluid drainage, headaches, hearing problems and poor balance.
Herb
Makers of goldenseal formulas use the root of the buttercup-like flower to make oral and topical herbal products. The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that the herb's best known oral use involves its ill-founded -- and false -- reputation for hiding illegal drug use when taken before drug tests. The herb also contains antibacterial and antifungal properties that some people use in both topical and oral medications. But goldenseal doesn't easily yield its active ingredient, berberine, when taken orally.
Theory
In cases in which ear infections result from bacteria, topical use of goldenseal eardrops may prove effective. Goldenseal contains the anti-bacterial compound berberine. For this reason, goldenseal appears in some topical herbal formulas for infections such as cold sores, yeast infections, conjunctivitis and eczema. Theoretically, using goldenseal eardrops fights bacteria-based ear infections. Traditionally, goldenseal is used to address other ear problems, such as poor hearing and ringing in the ears.
Considerations
The U.S. National Library of Medicine, NLM, states that too little is known about goldenseal's effectiveness to recommend it for any use, including ear infections. If your doctor approves its use to treat ear infections, ask for dosage directions or follow package instructions. Do not give goldenseal to newborns in any form, warns the NLM, and do not use it while pregnant of breastfeeding. Goldenseal is considered an antibacterial and antifungal agent rather than a pain killer, so you may need to add an herbal or over-the-counter pain reliever even when using goldenseal.
Alternatives
Herbal eardrops suggested by the University of Maryland Medical Center do not include goldenseal. Instead, the center suggests pain-relieving natural remedies such as garlic, mullein, St. John's wort and calendula. Look for them in health food stores or specialty shops. Alternatively, use herbal author Barbara Griggs' method of steeping garlic cloves and mullein flowers in olive oil for several weeks. Strain the infused oil and store it in dropper bottles. Use a few drops in each ear during infections to relieve pain.
