Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is based on the premise that the universe is a combination of opposites: yin (cleansing, cold) and yang (building, hot), a lot of which is controlled through thought, environment, sex, exercise, diet, etc.

The two types of ear infections (otitis/ear inflammation) are external otitis and internal otitis. External otitis affects the outer ear and is also called swimmer’s ear. It may be caused by an infection in the upper respiratory tract. Middle ear infection or otitis media occurs behind the eardrum and infants and children are most prone to this condition. The auditory tubes (connecting the ear to the nasal cavity) and Eustachian tube (connecting the middle ear to the naso-pharynx) regulate moisture, temperature, and air pressure. Colder temperature and low pressure have a tendency to increase moisture and produce water in the ears. Babies and young children are again prone to this. The moisture and water in the Eustachian tube and ear canal can build up, fester and stagnate, giving viruses and bacteria an environment in which to thrive that in turn, creates ear pressure and inflammation causing an earache and symptoms such as a high fever, a fullness sensation in the ear, and throbbing, dull, or sharp pain. The infection and discomfort exacerbate in colder temperature and high altitude.

The ears are quite vulnerable to an internal or external invasion of damp and cold. Damp and cold air is carried by the wind and can easily enter the ears, mouth, and nose. In highly damp or cold conditions, this can lead to condensation in the ears. During winter, cold solidifies and condenses water in air into snow, rain, and ice. Cold in the body causes the fluids in the ears, mouth, sinuses, throat, nose, and lungs, nose to condense into water, phlegm, and mucus. Viruses and bacteria abundantly grow in watery, stagnant mediums (urine, cysts, phlegm, mucus, etc.) prior to infecting and inflaming.

As mentioned before, children are very prone to middle ear infections. This is because their bodies are not yet fully developed making them susceptible to cold and internal and external dampness.

The human body is internally heated through locomotion, circulation, digestion, etc. They are all fueled and heated by fat, protein, nutrients, and blood. All body function and structure is actually fueled and built by fat and protein.

One of the largest sources of heat in the body is digestion. By eating three meals a day, we stimulate digestion, bile, enzymes, and acid in our abdomen and small intestines that create heat, much like a car engine heating the car. The heat naturally goes up into the throat, lungs, nose, mouth, ears, and sinuses drying and heating all these organs.

The sinuses, nose, throat and lungs are naturally moist. Water and moisture expedite the exchange of gases (carbon dioxide and oxygen). This exchange can be weakened when there is too little or too much water and moisture and this disrupts the breath causing inflammation and infection.

Less heat is created when digestion is weak (typical in children). This causes the temperature to drop, in turn, moistening and cooling the phlegm, mucus, and water in the throat, nose, and lungs. In nature, cold temperatures of night thicken and solidify the water in the air turning it into morning dew. During winter, the frigid temperatures also thicken and solidify water in the air turning into ice, rain, or snow. In the body, a cold climate thickens and solidifies water in the sinuses, throat, nose, and lungs increasing the phlegm and mucus in the body.

In cold temperatures, high carbohydrate diets, low fat (seeds, nuts, beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, and milk), and low protein foods cool, dilute, and weaken elimination (loose stools), immunity (susceptibility to colds), the ears (water, inflammation, infection), digestion (enzymes, acid), respiration (phlegm, mucus), etc. Orange juice, cereal, and milk create dampness. Building and warming can come from eating hot cereals with a little ginger or cinnamon and so are highly recommended.

Also recommended is a diet consisting of spices (cayenne, fennel, coriander, cumin, etc.) which can be used in desserts, stews, soups, etc. Spices help dry out dampness and boost digestion. They also prevent the development of cellulite, edema, loose stools, phlegm, and mucus. Fruits such as pineapples and apples and vegetables such as yams and carrots are also suggested and can be used to eliminate sugar cravings as well. Cold drinks, shakes, smoothies, tropical fruits, salads, ice cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, and milk moisten and cool the body while fat, protein, stews, soups, and cooked foods warm and stimulate the body.

Peppermint or garlic ear drops are widely used to treat and infection dry out dampness. Ear candles and cones are used for similar purposes. The candles are placed in the ear and lit. As the candle or cone burns, it dries the ear by absorbing water.

Eastern Healing Solutions, LLC
10875 Grandview St #2200
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 549-4322
https://www.overlandparkacupuncturist.com