Toddler with a toothache

Hot and cold relief: Ear pain in adults is less likely to be from an ear infection. What you perceive as ear pain may actually be coming from another location, such as your temperomandibular joint, your teeth, throat, or other location. This is called "referred" pain. A warm herb filled pillow can help you get needed pain relief and rest. The opposite strategy, ice is excellent in numbing nerve endings and can be an effective temporary relief from a toothache. Try to compress the affected area with ice. But if it aggravates the pain, discontinue it.

Herbs Used for Toothache/Earache

Bay Laurel * Chamomile * Clove * Hops * Hyssop * Kava-Kava * Thyme *

Bloodroot For: Dental plaque
Profile	The FDA has approved Bloodroot for use in commercially available toothpastes and oral rinses to inhibit the development of dental plaque and gingivitis

Caco For: Tooth decay
Profile	The Cocoa contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay. This fact will not overcome the fact that it cocoa is often prepared with copious amounts of sugar.

Calendula For: Gums
Profile	Calendula benefits gums with its antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-stimulating compounds. Typical Dosage: apply tincture to the affected area up to three times daily Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Cardamom For: Bad breath
Profile	Cardamom is perhaps the best source of cineole, a strong antiseptic that kills the bacteria responsible for bad breath. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Chamomile oil For: Dental abscess/Tooth/Ear Ache
Profile	For a dental abscess, put 1 drop of chamomile oil on a cotton ball and apply directly to the abscess. Chamomile flowers also work wonders when used in a warm compress and applied to a swollen jaw, or painful ear.

Clove For: Antiseptic, analgisic, Toothache
Profile	Clove's healthful help comes courtesy of eugenol, a powerful, multifaceted phytochemical that anesthetizes, kills bacteria and fungi, fights free radical oxidation and things the blood. Clove oil is virtually pure eugenol. Clove oil has been used for generations to relieve pain from toothache, however, avoid Clove oil when treating pain due to root canal work, since it may cause inflammation. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Cranberry For: Heart disease
Profile	The flavonoids in cranberries are potent antioxidants and may reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Cranberry extracts have also shown promise in the prevention of tooth decay. . . (), cranberryinstitute.org

German chamomile For: Gingivitis
Profile	German chamomile used as a gargle is beneficial for gingivitis.

Goldenseal For: Mouth infections, ulcers
Profile	A poultice or tincture of goldenseal can be applied directly for infections and ulcers of the mouth.

Gum arabic For: Dental plaque
Profile	Research suggests that gum arabic may be useful as a chewing gum to prevent dental plaque, but more studies are needed. Charles W. Fetrow, Juan R. Avila. The Complete Guide to Herbal Medicines. (2000),

Hops pillow For: Toothache, earache
Profile	A pillow of warm Hops will often relieve toothache and earache. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Vol 1 (1931)

Kava For: Toothache
Profile	Kava has an analgesic strength comparable to that of cocaine and procainamide. The herb also deadens pain in the kidneys and urinary tract as it is excreted from the body. The painkilling power of kava is effective for up to twenty-four hours. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Mullein flower oil For: Ear oil
Profile	An oil produced by macerating Mullein flowers in olive oil in a corked bottle, during prolonged exposure to the sun, or by keeping near the fire for several days, is used as a local application in country districts in Germany for piles and other mucus membrane inflammation, and also for frost bites and bruises. Mullein oil is recommended for earache and discharge from the ear, and for any eczema of the external ear and its canal. Dr. Fernie (Herbal Simples) states that some of the most brilliant results have been obtained in suppurative inflammation of the inner ear by a single application of Mullein oil, and that in acute or chronic cases, two or three drops of this oil should be made to fall in the ear twice or thrice in the day. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Volume 2 (1931)

Myrrh resin For: Gums, teeth, amenorrhoea
Profile	It (myrrh) is used in chronic catarrh, phthisis pulmonalis, chlorosis, and in amenorrhoea is often combined with aloes and iron. As a wash it is good for spongy gums, ulcerated throat and aphthous stomatitis, and the tincture is also applied to foul and indolent ulcers. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Volume 2 (1931)

Oil of Bays For: Earache
Profile	Oil of Bays is sometimes dropped into the ears to relieve pain. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Volume 2 (1931)

Thyme oil For: Toothache/ tooth infections
Profile	Thyme has been used to fight tooth infections and toothache.

Willow bark tea For: Inflammed gums
Profile	Decoctions of willow bark tea can be used as a gargle to treat inflamed gums.

Toothache/Earache Information

• Neuralgia :
  Herbal alternative treatments can bring some relief, but you may also wish to explore acupuncture and acupressure treatments.
• Migraine Headache :
  Many people are turning to herbs like butterbur and rosemary to help relieve and prevent migraines.
• Aches & Pains :
  Before you reach for over-the counter pain relievers, which have been shown to have negative side effects, try some of these natural solutions.