Ear Ache? First Treat it Naturally

This is one of my favorite at-home remedies: the onion steam! To treat mild earaches, swimmer's ear, or beginning stages of fungal or bacterial ear infection (from pools, lakes, etc) try this simple and soothing solution.

Cut off the top 1/3-1/2 of a large white onion, leaving on the outer skins and paper. The onion rings should be exposed, and now make several cuts into the inner onion rings with a knife to allow for easy steaming. Place the onion in the microwave for just 45 seconds until hot and juicy. Wrap in a linen cloth or cheesecloth and hold over the affected ear. Feel the warmth and stream penetrate the ear and relieve pressure and inflammation. It feels great on an earache!

This natural therapy combined with over-the-counter herbal ear drops (purchase drops with grapefruit seed extract oil or tea tree oil mixed with glycerin) can heal the majority of earaches in children and adults. The onion, grapefruit seed extract, and tea tree oil help to reduce inflammation and destroy bacteria, and the steam will help move accumulated wax and relieve pressure. I have used it myself several times to 100% recovery.

Try this natural earache solution before resorting to antibiotics, it may be all you need!

Acupuncture Point Profile: Yin Tang

Many of our patients will be familiar with the acupuncture point Yin Tang, which means “Bright Hall” or “Hall of Seal.” This is that point on your forehead, right between your eyebrows that we needle on our patients about 20 times a day!  Why do we use this point with such regularity? Yin Tang is the foremost point used for calming the mind and reducing mental anxiety or agitation - a wonderful point to bring serenity and clarity into your stressful day. Try stimulating this point on your own to calm your mind and settle the nerves. Close your eyes, and using your fingertip, press directly between the inner ends of your eyebrows for 30-60 seconds with medium pressure, and feel the tension begin to disperse and melt away. Yin Tang is a great point to press while beginning meditation as well, as it can focus the mind and reduce mental chatter. There have also been research studies on the use of Yin Tang in reducing pre-operative anxiety in both children and adults – with great success. Now, taking a “chill pill” can be as easy as touching your forehead!

~ Sarah Senter, L.Ac.