Health/Nutrition: Ear Bacteria and Fungus

Q. My daughter has had three sets of ear tubes since the age of 4. She is now ten. In July, her body seemed to finally reject the tubes, particularly in one ear. Her doctor removed them. Since that time he has been unable to clear up a fungus in her ear. We see him three times a week, he suctions the ear, cleans it and puts Gentian Violet in it. Alcohol drops are very very painful for her. Boric Acid does not work either. He tried Diflucan to no avail. On September 3rd we thought we had finally come out of the woods – we had not seen him for a week and both ears were clear of fungus. On September 10th she was back with fungus in the other ear and is now in pain again. He is baffled. Do you have any thoughts on why this might be happening and why we can't seem to get rid of it? Many thanks.

A. Recurring ear infections and fungal situations can be frustrating. I know you and your daughter are so tired of dealing with this situation over and over through all the years. Natural medicine does have a few things to offer and you may want to consider any of the following nutritional, supplemental or herbal possibilities.

The first thing to consider is her daily diet. Certain foods can create what we call in natural medicine, a “mucoid environment.” Where there is a build-up of excess mucous in the membranes, it leaves that area vulnerable to bacteria and fungus. This is one reason naturopaths talk about daily diet so much, because it has the power to effect all body systems and mucous membranes, which in turn can either help to support or to weaken in specific areas, leading to chronic diseases. I have known many people through the years who have learned to use healthy nutrition as the cornerstone to their process of healing, even being able to eliminate certain prescription medications. The body has its own inherent system of healing built right in, all we need to do is to support that and give it a chance.

Where are the mucous membranes? This is amazing to realize the first time. The mucous membranes include the ears, eyes, sinuses, mouth, lungs, esophagus, stomach and entire intestinal tract. This is why we recognize the importance of healthy nutrition when dealing with upper respiratory problems, including the ear canals. It is literally all connected. How well your body processes food and the quality of food you provide have much to do with the overall health of the ears, sinuses and lungs.

Here are foods to lessen or eliminate completely:

Dairy products – these are considered one of the most “mucous creating” foods which we consume, especially in children, who usually drink a lot of milk, and eat cheese and ice cream. The last thing someone with chronic upper respiratory conditions would need is a glass of milk with each meal, along with cheese and ice cream. Dairy intolerance, or the inability for a person to properly digest dairy, is another factor in this. Remember, whatever we have a hard time digesting can negatively affect the respiratory system...it is all connected.

Healthy alternatives include: soy milk, brown rice milk, almond milk, oat milk, soy cheese, rice and soy ice creams. Many of these are now available in regular grocery stores, but all will be available in you local health food stores.

Sugar – white sugar in particular, but also artificial sweeteners. These are basically “non-foods,” chemicalized, processed and far removed from their original state. Sugar is very acid and mucous causing. White sugar has been so bleached, filtered and purged that there is zero nutritional value in it. The only thing left is a cosmetically white and very sweet tasting “thing” which puts great burden on the system. In natural medicine we recognize that white sugar will weaken the immune system, especially in people who have ongoing problems with infections. If your daughter consumes regular sweets, candy, cookies, etc., containing white sugar, I would definitely think of alternatives.

Healthy alternatives include: brown rice syrup, barley malt syrup, pure maple syrup, blackstrap molasses, stevia, LoHan fruit sweetener, raw honey (fine for older children, not for those under the age of 5 or 6), Sucanat (pure cane sugar, unbleached and unprocessed). All of these are available in healthy treats in the grocery section of your local health food store.

White, bleached wheat products – again, anytime you bleach and process something which Mother Nature provided naturally, you denature it and turn it into a non-food. White breads are in this category, another cosmetically white and pure looking food with little taste and virtually no nutritional content. Wheat intolerance could be a part of recurring infections, also, especially white bread products. Any chemicalized and processed food can create residues in the system which can contribute to excess mucous build-up and recurring vulnerability to bacteria and fungus.

Wheat alternatives include: spelt, oat, kamut, soy, barley, quinoa, rice.

Botanicals to consider:

Ginger root Astragalus root Olive leaf Oregano oil Garlic

Check with a local naturopath or trained herbalist for specifics for your daughter's condition. There are different phases to work through with a situation like hers, and some herbs may be beneficial during a flare-up and others work preventively between times. Overall, I would consider astragalus root as the main herbal possibility each day to strengthen her immune system. In herbal medicine, we will consider this one for people who seem weakened by recurring infections and who get sick easily. It is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to rebuild the immune response.

Good luck with her process. Remember, children respond very quickly to healthy changes, especially dietary, (if they are willing to make them). Their bodies can respond very fast to improvements, allowing healing to finally happen. Perhaps try an experiment of 2-4 weeks without dairy or sugar (or both) and see how she does on her own, even before adding any botanicals.

Reading List: Herbs of Life by Lesley Tierra, L.Ac., Herbalist Better Health Through Natural Healing by Dr. Ross Tattler Radical Healing by Rudolf Ballantine, M.D.

©Copyright 2002 by AlternativeApproaches.com

Susie Cooper, ND earned her Doctor of Naturopathy degree at the Southern College of Naturopathic Medicine, and is Board Licensed and Certified. She has continued most of her study in Classical Homeopathy with the New England School of Homeopathy. Dr. Susie has taught workshops in homeopathy, herbal medicine and nutrition in North Carolina for many years. She now teaches all her workshops in her shop, Blue Mountain Herbs & Supplements, in beautiful Pilot Mountain, NC, where she also takes private appointments for herbal, nutritional and homeopathic assessments. (336) 368-5955.

Important note: The information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or prescribe for specific ailments, but is intended for educational support only. Please seek the advise of a licensed health practitioner for specific illnesses and emergency situations.