The following is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the observation that everything is a combination of opposites: yin (cold, cleanliness) and yang (heat, build), many of which we control through diet, exercise, sex, environment, thought, etc.
There are two types of ear infections, inflammation (otitis): external and internal. Otitis externa, also known as swimmer’s ear, affects the outer ear. It is usually caused by an upper respiratory infection. Otitis media affects the middle ear (behind the eardrum) and is common in infants and children. Eustachian tubes (connect the nasopharynx and middle ear) and auditory tubes (connect the ear to the back of the nasal cavity) regulate air pressure, temperature, and humidity. Low pressure, colder temperatures tend to increase humidity, water in the ears, especially in young children, babies. Excess moisture, water in the ear canals and Eustachian tubes can accumulate, stagnate and rot, attracting and feeding bacteria and viruses that inflame and pressurize the ear causing earache: sharp, dull or throbbing pain, feeling of fullness in the ear and or a high fever (as high as 103 F). High altitudes or colder temperatures increase discomfort and infections.
The ears (connected to the nasal cavity) are susceptible to an external or internal attack of cold and humidity. Cold, humid air travels with the wind and easily enters the nose, mouth, and ears. In the extreme, this tends to cause condensation in the ears. The cold condenses. In nature, the cold of winter cools, hardens, and condenses the water in the air into rain, snow, and ice. In the body, cold condenses fluids in the lungs, nose, throat, sinuses, mouth, ears, etc. in water, mucous membranes and phlegm. Bacteria and viruses thrive in stagnant aqueous media (mucous membranes, phlegm, cysts, urine, etc.) before becoming inflamed and infectious.
Middle ear infections are common in children. Children tend to be weak, cold as they are still developing. This weakness, lack of energy, heat makes them more susceptible to cold and humidity, external and internal.
Internally, the body heats up in many ways through digestion, circulation, locomotion, etc. all of which are heated fed by blood, nutrients, proteins and fats. Proteins and fats accumulate and feed all structures and functions.
Digestion is an important source of heat within the body. Three meals a day activate digestion, acid, enzymes and bile in the stomach and small intestine (six meters long), which in turn generates heat, in the same way that a car engine heats the car. The heat of digestion naturally rises to the lungs, throat, mouth, nose, sinuses and ears, heating and drying.
The lungs (including the throat, nose, sinuses, etc.) are naturally moist. Moisture, water facilitates the exchange of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide. Too much or too little weakens the exchange, which, in turn, alters respiration and / or causes infection, inflammation, etc.
Weak digestion (common in children) generates less heat, causing a drop in temperature and subsequent cooling and moistening (water, mucous membranes and phlegm) of the lungs, nose, throat, etc. In nature, the low temperatures in the afternoon and at night thicken and harden the water in the air in the morning dew. In winter, cold temperatures thicken, hardening the water in the air, turning into rain, snow, and ice. In the body, colder temperatures thicken, hardening the water in the lungs, nose, throat, and sinuses, turning it into mucus and phlegm.
Diets low in protein, low in fat (milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, beans, nuts and seeds) and high in carbohydrates, in the extreme, weaken, cool and dilute digestion (acid, enzymes), elimination (loose stools) , respiration (mucous membranes, phlegm), ears (water, infection, inflammation), immunity (tendency to catch a cold), etc. Milk and cereal are cold and wet, as is orange juice. Hot cereals with a little cinnamon or ginger are warmer and build.
The average diet, a meal plan that includes spices (cumin, coriander, fennel, cayenne, ginger, etc.) is recommended. Use spices in soups, stews, desserts, etc. Spices increase digestion and dry moisture: excess fluids: mucous membranes, phlegm, loose stools, edema, cellulite, etc. Ginger or cinnamon can be used in cookies, desserts. Vegetables (carrots, yams) and fruits (apples, pineapple, etc.) can be used as sweeteners to reduce sugar cravings. Cooked foods, soups, stews, proteins and fats stimulate, warm the body: lungs, digestive organs, etc. Milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, ice cream, salads, tropical fruits, smoothies, shakes, and cold drinks cool and moisturize the body.
Garlic or peppermint oil drops in the ear are commonly used as they dry up moisture while fighting infection. Ear cones, candles are used for the same reason. The candles are placed in the ear and set on fire. As the cone burns, the candle absorbs water and dries out the ear. There are different types of ear candles. Waxed ear candles can drip excess wax into the ears.