Then and Now...Oregon Grape

Those little ears cause so many problems ! So I am going to back track a little here. When my now 4 year old was around 1 years old he woke up from a nap with a large inflamed poofy eye AND OFCOURSE IT WAS AFTER THE DOCTORS OFFICE CLOSED. I am on the phone with the doctor on call who tells me you needs to watch this carefully because it could be cellulites and a person can lose their eye from that (totally freaking out at this point).  However , he did say that it could be an allergic reaction and told me the dosage of Benadryl to give and if the swelling did not go down to call back.  After, the swelling did not go down, I did not even bother to call the doctor back, of to the ER we went. In the thank g-d all it was, was an ear infection and all the fluid was draining into his eye. We went home with oral anti biotic and eye drops. 

Now let’s fast forward 3 years later and the same thing happens to my youngest son. This time I have a little more knowledge under my belt so I am not panicking as much. However, I still went to the doctors just to double check it was not anything serious. In the end he did not have an ear infection, he did have fluid in his ears and it was draining into his eye socket all because of a cold. However she did want to put him on antibiotics just in case it got infected.  At this point I have learned about an herb call Oregon grape according to http://bestmedicalalternatives.com/?p=656   Oregon grape is widely regarded as a wonderful antibiotic and is used as a lymphatic and liver stimulating blood cleanser. It helps to release stacked away iron from the liver into the blood stream. I always like to have a plan B so I filled the script just incase! However I gave my son Oregon grape 3x a day for 3 days  and after the first day all the swelling went away. 

Little Ushkys (Ears)

So its time for my weekly post!!!! I am excited!!! Since I started talking about remedies for the ear last week I thought why not just keep with the topic. The annoying ear infections were the cause of constant visits to the doctor for my family.  Garlic Oil is an essential in my house that is always readily available.

People underestimate the power of garlic! It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.  To make garlic oil (I personally use an old baby food jar) Get a small glass jar , Place 3-4 garlic cloves and cover them in olive oil, Let sit for at least 24 hours.

After 24 hours the oil will contain the properties of garlic. Typically when my children will tell me their ear hurts I make a mixture of 1 tsp garlic oil and 1 drop of PURE lavender oil.

(When buying essential oils and herbs I always make sure there are no fillers added and the best place to get that is at Natures Sunshine. In a health store I will typically find the essential oil plus jojoba oil or some other type of oil added which lessen the strength of the oil. At Natures Sunshine everything is 100% pure no filler and there screen there herbs to make sure they have absolutely no chemicals)

I typically will double the mixture so I always have enough and don’t have to constantly make it. I then will pour the tsp of garlic oil and 1 drop lavender oil into a small jar with a pipette that I got at whole foods. I will typically place 2 drops in the ear that is hurting 3 times a day for at least 2 days, even if it doesn’t hurt. BUT I ALWAYS MAKE SURE 10000% THAT THERE EAR DRUM IS NOT RUPTURED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  If the ear drum is ruptured I WOULD NEVER PUT GARLIC OIL IN THEIR EAR.

Quick Ear Ache Recipe:

1. Make sure ear drum is not ruptured
2. Get a small glass jar
3. Place 3-4 garlic cloves and cover them in olive oil,
4. Let sit for at least 24 hours.
5. Mix 1 tbs of garlic oil and 1 drop pure lavender oil
6. Place 2 drops of mixture into effected ear, 3 times/daily for 2 days.