TCM or traditional Chinese medicine in Miami (TCM) lies on the notion that everything is a mixture of opposites: yin (cleansing, cold,) and yang (building hot,), some of which we regulate through thoughts, the environment, diet sex,, exercise, etc.
Swimmer’s ear or external otitis, affects the outer ear and is mainly caused by an infection in the upper respiratory tract. Otitis media is a middle ear infection (the part of the ear behind the eardrums) that commonly affects infants and children. The auditory tubes ((the area of the ear connecting the ear to the back of the nasal cavity) and Eustachian (the area in the ear connecting the middle ear and naso-pharynx) regulate moisture, temperature, and air pressure. Colder low pressure temperatures tend to produce water in the ears and increase moisture particularly among babies and young children. This increase in moisture causes water in the Eustachian tubes and the ear canals to build up festering, stagnating, attracting and feeding viruses and bacteria that pressurize and inflame the ear resulting in earaches, high fever (with temp reaching as high as 103 F), fullness in the ear, and a throbbing, dull or sharp pain in the ear. Colder temperatures and high altitude increase the infection and discomfort.
Because they are connected to the nasal cavity, the ears are vulnerable to an internal and external invasion of damp and cold. Wind carries damp and cold air that easily penetrates the ears, mouth, and nose. In extreme winds, this can result in condensation in the ears. Winter causes the wind to turn cold. In nature during winter, the rain water solidifies and condenses into ice or snow. During winter, water in the body can condense into fluids, phlegm, or mucus in the ears, mouth, sinuses, throat, nose lungs, etc. Viruses and bacteria thrive in watery stagnant environments (urine, cysts, mucus, mucous, etc.) before infecting and inflaming.
Children are the highest risk group for middle ear infections. Their bodies are usually cold and weak as they are still developing. This lack of heat and energy and their weakness make them more likely to develop internal and external damp and cold.
The body is internally heated in various ways via locomotion, circulation, digestion, etc. all of which are fueled by fat, protein, nutrients, and blood. Fat and protein fuel and build all bodily function and structure.
Within the body, the major source of heat is digestion. Three meals each day stimulate the production of stomach bile, enzymes, and acid in the small intestines and stomach that in turn produces heat, much the same way as a car is heated up by the engine. Heat rises from the digestive system ascending into the ears, sinuses, nose, mouth, throat, and lungs.
The lungs (including the sinuses, nose, and throat.) are naturally moist. Water expedites the exchange of gases (oxygen to carbon dioxide). Too little or too much disrupts the exchange that in turn, causes inflammation or infection or weakens the breath.
Children commonly suffer from weak digestion which results in inadequate body heat causing a drop in temperature and subsequent moistening (phlegm, mucus, water) and cooling of the throat, nose, lungs, etc. In nature, cold night time and evening temperatures solidify and thicken water in the atmosphere turning it into morning dew. Cold temperatures during winter harden and thicken water in the air turning it into ice, snow, and rain. Colder temperatures cause the fluids and water In the body to harden and thicken turning them in phlegm and mucus in the sinuses, throat, nose, and lungs.
High carbohydrate diets and low fat, low protein foods (seeds and nuts, beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, and milk), in the extreme, dilute, cool, and weaken immunity (high risk of catching colds), the ears (water and infection), respiration (phlegm, mucus,), elimination (loose stools), and digestion (enzymes, acid), etc. Cereal and milk and are as damp cold as orange juice. Hot cereals with a dash of ginger or cinnamon are more building and warming.
A meal plan middle diet that includes spices (ginger, cayenne, fennel, coriander, cumin, etc.) is recommended. Use spices in desserts, stews, and soups as these types of food dry dampness and promote digestion: excess fluids: cellulite, edema, loose stools, phlegm, mucus, etc. Cinnamon or ginger can be used for desserts and cookies. Fruits (pineapples, apples, etc.) and veggies (yams and carrots) may be utilized as sweeteners. To eliminate sugar cravings, cooked foods, soups, stews, protein and fats stimulate and satisfy and warm the digestive organs and lungs. Cold and cool drinks, shakes, smoothies, tropical fruits, salads, ice cream, cottage cheese, yogurt, and milk are known to moisten the body.
Peppermint or garlic oil drops in the ear are usually used since they dry dampness whilst battling infection. Candles and Ear cones are used for the same reason. Place candles in the ears and light them up. As the cone or candle burns down, it dries the ear by absorbing water.