As with eyes, serious infections of the inner ear should be referred to a specialist. Alternative therapies can be very helpful for problems caused by infection of the outer ear and excessive catarrh. Glue ear, a condition that commonly affects children, is discussed on.

Earache

Earache is a sharp pain and fever caused by an infection of the outer or middle ear.

Treatment

Herbal Medicine For immediate relief, carefully apply in the ear two drops of essential oil of St. John's wort, almond, garlic, or mullein and hold a warm hot-water bottle wrapped in a towel to the ear.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Homeopathy Belladonna might be prescribed for acute throbbing.

Tinnitus

Tinnitus is a continuous ringing sound in the ears, usually the result of foreign bodies in the ear, pressure damage, some drugs, wax, and aging.

Treatment

Yoga Increase the blood circulation to the head with gentle head and neck exercises.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Herbal Medicine Hopi ear candle therapy is a traditional Native American remedy and a safe and natural way of removing wax from the ear, one of the causes of this condition. A trained practitioner places a specially made cylinder or candle in the ear and lights it, drawing out old wax from the ear and introducing healing herbal vapors.

Homeopathy Specific remedies include Salicyclie are 6c; Carbon sulf. 6c; China sulf. 6c; and Kali iod. 6c

Deafness

This is complete or partial loss of hearing. Deafness may be due to infection, Eustachian tube blockage, excessive amounts of ear wax, or otosclerosis. It may also be caused by Meniere's disease, drugs, poor nutrtion, aging, and congenital conditions.

Treatment

Naturopathy A naturopathic diet rich in vitamin A promotes repair of damaged tissues in the ear and helps stimulate the auditory nerve. A grapefruit seed extract called Citricidal breaks up hardened wax - a common cause of partial deafness.

Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:

Homeopathy Treatment would be constitutional specific remedies may include Phosphorus, Graphites, Aconite, China, A Gelsemium, and Chenopodium, all 6c.

Acupuncture Therapists relate the with the working of the kidney and bladder, and may use fine needles; to unblock these energy pathways and stimulate the nerves of the ears.!