Goldenseal to Treat Inner Ear Problems
Natural Treatment of Ear Fluid in Children with Down Syndrome
May 28, 2009
More than half of children with Down Syndrome suffer from hearing loss caused by fluid in the inner ear. This type of hearing loss can inhibit language development and impede learning. It is important that the hearing loss is treated to ensure the child develops to his/her full potential.
Common Medical Treatment
For children with Down Syndrome, inner ear problems are frequently treated with ear tubes. Ear tubes can present additional complications for children with Down Syndrome. First, the tubes are a temporary solution to a chronic problem. The tubes fall out quickly. Secondly, the holes left by the tubes heal spontaneously for most children, but for children with Down Syndrome, the holes usually do not heal.
For children with Down Syndrome, holes left in the eardrum by tubes are frequently patched surgically. Failing to patch the hole in the eardrum, after the loss of the tube, causes hearing loss as well. For this reason, herbal treatment can be useful in treating inner problems and improving hearing in children without resorting to surgery.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal is an herbal remedy that can effectively treat inner ear problems and is worth trying before resorting to ear tubes. Goldenseal, or hydrastis canadensis, is a very commonly used perennial herb. Like all herbal and home remedies it should be used with caution in children. Goldenseal has been shown to reduce mucus build-up in the head, nose and ears brought on by allergies, frequent colds or congestion. Goldenseal should not be used by women who are pregnant.
The medicinally used portion of Goldenseal is derived from the roots of plants in the fall after the plant reaches at least three years of age. The roots can be used fresh or dried and ground into powder. Because Goldenseal is one of the five most commonly used herbs in the world, supply is not keeping up with demand and it is considered at risk. As a result of it's low supply it is difficult to find pure Goldenseal in health food stores. Recent scientific studies have shown that only one of ten Goldenseal samples studied contained pure Goldenseal. For continued use of Goldenseal, consider cultivating it at home, so as not to further endanger its existence.
Dosage
To find the correct herbal dosage for a child, divide the weight of the child by 150. For example, a child weighing 75 pounds would be 75/150 or ½ the adult dose. Adult doses of Goldenseal are prepared as follows:
Tea - To prepare tea from dried Goldenseal, pour 1 cup of boiling water over a teaspoon of the herb and allow to steep for 15 minutes. Drink two or three times each day.
Tincture - 2 ml of tincture three times per day.
Powdered Root - 5 grams of powdered root three times each day.
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