More than a third of American adults, and more than one in 10 children, use some form of complementary or alternative medicine, according to a government report. Natural remedies have an obvious appeal, but how do you know which ones to choose and whether the claims are backed by science? In this occasional series, Anahad O’Connor, the New York Times “Really?” columnist, explores the claims and the science behind alternative remedies that you may want to consider for your family medicine cabinet.
The Remedy: Herbal ear drops.
The Claim: They relieve pain from ear infections.
The Science: As many parents know, ear infections can be one of the most painful — and common — conditions that afflict children. Millions of cases are diagnosed every year, and some studies show that about 90 percent of all children in the United States experience at least one episode of acute otitis media, as the condition is known scientifically.
But treatment is controversial. Many doctors write antibiotic prescriptions even though medical experts say they do almost nothing to help, and in some cases may do more harm than good.
Depending on a child’s age and symptoms, medical experts advise parents to take a wait-and-see approach, in part because almost two-thirds of children recover from pain and fever within 24 hours of diagnosis. In the meantime, some doctors prescribe anesthetic medications like antipyrine combined with benzocaine to help ease the pain, but studies suggest that herbal ear drops may be just as effective, with minimal side effects.
In one study, published in The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in 2001, a team of pediatricians recruited 103 children ages 6 to 18 with earaches resulting from acute otitis media. The subjects were randomly split into groups and assigned to be treated with either anesthetic ear drops or an herbal ear drop known as Otikon, which contains extracts of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents like garlic, calendula, St. John’s wort and mullein (a flowering plant) in an olive oil solution. At the end of the study, the researchers found reductions in ear pain in both groups, and concluded that the herbal ear drop was just as effective as the anesthetic one.
A similar study appeared in 2003 in the well-respected journal Pediatrics. This time, the scientists used an herbal ear drop that contained the same ingredients as in the earlier study, as well as lavender and vitamin E. The scientists recruited about 180 children ages 5 to 18, then randomly assigned them to numerous groups. Some of the children received the herbal ear drops alone (three times a day, five drops at a time), and others received them in combination with the antibiotic amoxicillin. Other children were treated with anesthetic ear drops, with or without antibiotics.
Ultimately, the patients who were given the ear drops alone had greater pain relief than those who took them with the antibiotic. The scientists concluded that in many cases, the pain caused by acute otitis media may subside with the simple passage of time. But in cases where “active treatment” is needed for pain relief, an herbal ear drop may be just as good as one that requires a prescription.
The Risks: In the studies, no side effects were noted. But parents should always consult with a doctor before deciding on a course of treatment.
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