Ear Pain

[Maria Elizabeth]

Dear Roy,
Almost a month ago I started to experience intermittent sharp pains in my left ear. Before that I noticed that any initial mucus that drained from my sinuses was brownish. Otherwise, I felt fine so I tried sesame oil and ginger drops afterwhich I felt the pain more in my head than in the ear. I then tried oil and garlic drops and alternating echinacea and goldenseal by mouth for about five days. At the same time I had (and still do) swollen tonsils but more the right one than the left although the left one looked redder. When the remedies didn't seem to be helping and I couldn't access this forum under my previous user name & address, I went to the doctor who, of course, prescribed an antiobiotic - 10 days of 500mg of amoxicillin three times daily. I waited a week in vain hoping I would see some healing. I ended up taking the amoxicillin. I experienced only slight improvement. I still do not hear right in the left ear and my right tonsil is still rather inflammed but no more dark mucus for some time now. The doctor has simply prescribed yet another antibiotic and I don't want to take it. What can I do? I should add that I have not been as conscientious in my macrobiotic regimen in the last year due to a new job and 12-13 hour work days... So little to time to cook and eat right has meant sweets, some dairy and very occasionally a bite of meat.

Looking forward to any information you can share.

Mary Elizabeth

[Roy Collins]

Hi Mary Elizabeth.

As you correctly ascertained, the root of the tonsil/sinus problem is (was) your intake of exess yin in the form of sweets and fats. This causes the sinuses to inflame, become infected and txins then move to the tonsils. The ears, nose and throat share the
same basic cavity in the skull and are intimately related.

Your course of treatment needs to be both internal as well as external, and stopping the intake of dairy, simple sugars, fats, and fruits will be most beneficial. Increasing your cooked grain intake at this time is also advisable as well as the use of miso soup with onion or scallions with shiitake and wakame. You can take as an ALTERNATIVE to amoxicilolin, the natural anti-biotic USNEA (Old Man's Beard) as an infusion in Kukicha, black or green tea for ten days. This lichen will not harm the intestinal lining or destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut. Keep us updated on your progress. I hope this helps.


In peace, Roy

[Maria Elizabeth]

Thank you so much. Will definitely follow-up.


Mary Elizabeth