Symptoms and relief

Our purpose is not to hinder the physiological processes of the organism. Ours is a holistic approach. An approach that encourages the ristoring of the physical balance, by facing the causes as efficiently as possible and by ensuring a fast relief of all the symptoms.

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Eyes and ears

The eye, a complex and delicate organ designated for the mechanism of vision by means of structures that make it optically equivalent to a camera. It transforms light in information that reaches the brain in the form of electrical impulses. When we look at an object, the light coming from it enters our eyes and passes through a number of natural lenses – the cornea, the crystalline lens and the vitreous body, equivalent to the camera lens – , and is then focused on the retina (the “photographic film”).

The complexity and diversity of elements that contribute to its functionality make it particularly delicate; if one then considers that the organ interacts with the external world, it is clear how vulnerable it can be to aggressions of different kinds (bacterial, viral, atmospheric, foreign bodies, etc.). The retina relays information to the brain by sending electrical impulses through a biological cable: the optic nerve.

The protective function is taken care of by conjunctiva, eyelids and related glands. The conjunctive is a thin, transparent mucosa covering the front surface of the eye and the inner walls of the eyelids; its defensive function of the cornea is made possible not only thanks to a purely mechanical action (through a homogeneous distribution of the tear fluid), but also owing to the secretion of antibodies (IgA and IgG) and to substances with an antibacterial action (lysozyme). The eyelids, with their movements, contribute to adjust the quantity of light entering the eye, protecting it from too intensive illumination. They spread the tear film on the conjunctiva, allowing it to be constantly moistened and preventing dehydration. The gland system is mainly in charge of producing the tear film so as to obtain the right balance between the aqueous and lipidic components of tear fluid, thereby avoiding a too rapid evaporation which would expose the eye to dryness.

At times, the eye is not sufficiently equipped to protect itself from microbial, physical and chemical agents, allergens, foreign bodies, etc.; several problems can therefore arise, according to the variables and to the part of the eye involved.

The ear is the hearing organ and can be divided into 3 parts:

the outer ear, consisting in the earcup and ear canal, which collects the sound waves;
the middle ear, formed by the tympanic cavity and tympanic membrane, auditory bones (hammer, anvil and stirrup) and by the Eustachean tube, receives the vibrations produced by the sound waves and conveys them to the inner ear;
the inner ear, comprising the labyrinth, formed by the vestibular system regulating the sense of balance and by the cochlea, sensorineural hearing organ, conveys the stimuli of vibrations to the brain and it is where the sense of balance is located.

This anatomical district is also sometimes prone to problems of different types, from the build-up of earwax to painful otitis media.

It is therefore vital to have effective natural remedies available to successfully treat the different affections, each with an approach targeted to eradicate the cause of the problem, using suitable means considering the specific anatomical district involved.

Otitis media is an acute or chronic inflammation of the cavity situated behind the eardrum, commonly referred to as “middle ear”. The ear, in fact, consists in three parts: external, middle and inner ear. A small duct, called Eustachian tube, connects the middle ear with the rear part of the nose (nasopharynx), enabling a balancing of the external pressure with that of the middle ear.

Following infections of the upper airway tract (nose-throat), the Eustachian tube may become inflamed and swell, until it causes a stagnation of mucous in the inner ear. If this liquid is infected by viruses or bacteria, a swelling of the eardrum membrane and intense ear pain may occur: this type of infection is called acute otitis media. Particularly common in children, it is often accompanied by fever – even high fever and reduced hearing or even temporary hearing loss.

In children, Otitis media is favoured by several conditions: first of all, the presence of a still fragile and immature immune system, exposing the body to more frequent respiratory infections (of which, as explained above, Otitis Media often represents a complication); secondly, but not less important, the fact that in children the Eustachian tube has a very narrow diameter (and can therefore quickly clog) and is horizontally oriented, whereas in adults the inclination angle is greater, which facilitates the outflow of mucous.

Treatment of Otimis Media with conventional medicine

These types of affections, and acute Otitis Media in particular, which are extremely widespread amongst children as already mentioned, are almost always treated by so-called “official” medicine with antibiotic therapy.

The extremely widespread use and abuse of antibiotics today reaches a peak in this case. Consequences are, on the one hand, the development of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains spreading throughout the population; on the other, the onset of a vicious circle linked to a continuous depletion of children’s fragile defensive system, leading to ever more frequent relapses.

As a matter of fact, intake of antibiotics weakens the organism, so an inadequate use of antibiotics actually multiplies relapses instead of bringing them to a halt. Despite this fact, traditional therapy continues to be administered even if it turns out to be insufficient in most cases. Yet, since the early Seventies, a group of Danish medics have started to realise that the repeated use of antibiotics in treating Otitis Media in children leads to a possible increase of recurring ear infections and, therefore, to further use of antibiotics.

After lengthy investigation, the researchers found that 88% of young patients do not actually need antibiotic treatment. Moreover, the frequency of relapses is greater in children treated with antibiotics compared to children who have not been administered such therapy. Many other researches, published in medical journals such as British Medical Journal, The Lancet, Journal of American Medical Association, etc., have confirmed the Danish point of view. Certain American researchers have stated that “the percentage of relapses are significantly higher in the group of children treated with antibiotics compared to those who have not undergone the same treatment. In fact, in children treated with antibiotics, the chances of falling prey to relapses are between 200 and 600% higher, compared to those that leave it to the immune system to solve the infection.”

The problem, amply recognized from a purely theorical point of view by any branch of medicine – whether “conventional” or “alternative”, but as it seems just as amply underestimated, is that antibiotics deplete the intestinal bacterial flora of the child, exposing it to the colonization of intestinal opportunists and pathogens that weaken the immune system, making it become increasingly unable to adequately respond to further infections.

It must be moreover underlined that numerous researches carried out in this direction have shown that in 90% of cases antibiotic treatment does not accelerate healing, neither in terms of disappearance of pain, nor eliminating fever or other typical symptoms of Otitis. Yet, despite all the supporting evidence, antibiotics still continue to be prescribed, when the best way to cure and prevent Otitis consists in reinforcing the immune system, as well as resorting to specific, effective natural remedies that can alleviate symptoms and help solve the infection in its acute phase.

At this point, given the above considerations, a really valid and effective approach, aimed at solving and preventing recurring Otitis Media in children, must on the one hand act directly at systemic level (via oral administration), by means of natural antibiotic action; at the same time, it must contribute to reinforcing and balancing the organism’s natural and defensive mechanisms. In addition, the approach must favour the cleansing and draining of nasal cavities and of the upper airway tract, using natural remedies for local use, so as to reduce inflammation of the respiratory mucous, clogged by colds and infections, and restore patency of the Eustachian tube, with a consequent reduction of the inflammatory status of the middle ear cavity. A further supporting aid can be provided by applying natural remedies having proven antimicrobial properties directly in the ear duct.

Nature can once more be of valuable help, offering elements of proven efficacy.

Nature can help you in case of Otitis Media

A natural and effective approach

Affections such as Otitis Media, mostly widespread among children, are almost always treated by conventional medicine using antibiotic therapy.

Development of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains;
Onset of a vicious circle (caused by the depletion of intestinal physiological flora and consequent weakening of children’s fragile immune defenses);
Insurgence of increasingly frequent relapses

Numerous scientific studies have proven that taking antibiotics leads to these consequences, yet patients continue to overuse them, even if it is evident that:

almost all patients don’t really need antibiotics;
the frequency of relapses is greater in children treated with antibiotics;
antibiotics do not speed up the healing process;
neither pain nor other typical symptoms are reduced.

Solving Otitis Media without resorting to antibiotics is, however, possible, besides being a desirable objective, avoiding complications and relapses. Nature can once more be of valuable help thanks to the extraordinary antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE).

GSE and Otitis Media

Efficacy of Grapefruit Seed Extract as a broad spectrum antimicrobial has been proven by Laboratories and Institutes worldwide: in fact, GSE is active against over 800 bacterial strains (both Gram+ and Gram-), on several viruses and over 100 strains of yeasts and moulds. There is ample evidence, by now, confirming its validity, stating moreover that as for efficacy and rapidity of action, GSE is unequalled in nature. Moreover, given its being a selective antimicrobial, it does not have a significant impact on the physiological flora of skin and mucosae, preserving their essential, defensive functionality. Its efficacy and rapidity of action, together with the unique characteristic thanks to which it does not significantly affect the intestinal microbial flora, as confirmed by a study published in the “Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine” n° 5 of 1990, make it a really extraordinary remedy to control proliferation of pathogenic and/or opportunistic pathogens. The importance of having a healthy and balanced intestinal microflora to ensure balance and efficiency of the immune system has already been pointed out, if an adequate defensive system of the organism from any form of microbial infection is to be safeguarded.

Moreover, even when employed in formulations for local use, as a “selective cleanser” it acts against pathogens without significantly affecting the physiological flora of skin and mucosae, therefore preserving their essential defensive functionality. Due to the above-mentioned considerations, GSE thus represents the cornerstone of an effective and complete approach to solve Otitis media, that allows for the following actions:

Systemic action by means of a product capable of contrasting microbial proliferation, whether of bacterial, viral or fungal original, while simultaneously reinforcing the organism’s natural defences;
“Selective” cleansing of the upper airways, thanks to cleansing of the naval cavities and to aerosol therapy, useful for decongestion, expectoration, inducing gradual drainage of the Eustachian tube and reducing inflammation of the middle ear.

This approach, combined with a healthy lifestyle (in terms of diet, but not only), includes the use of natural remedies that are well known in folk tradition and the efficacy of which in providing an opportunity to reach a solution has been confirmed by recent studies.

1 - For systemic action by means of a product capable of contrasting microbial proliferation, whether of bacterial, viral or fungal original, while simultaneously reinforcing the organisms natural defences…
Nature can help you with…

Grapefruit Seed Extract: results obtained regarding the efficacy of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) against over 800 bacterial strains, numerous viruses and over 100 strains of yeasts, including species most frequently responsible for Otitis Media, confirm the usefulness of GSE not only for local but also for systemic use, in contrasting ongoing infections directly and to improve general efficiency of the organism’s defensive system against any kind of microbial attack.

In fact, as highlighted by a study published in the “Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine” n° 5 of 1990, GSE acts as an extraordinary “selective cleanser”; in other words, it is effective against pathogens while not significantly affecting mucosal microbial flora; instead, it restores beneficial flora, representing the first line of defence of our organism against any external aggression, thereby ensuring protection against infections.

Echinacea purpurea: this plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and native to the central regions of the US. It is capable of slowing down the spread of pathogenic germs, triggering a defensive mechanism against germs, while activating the regenerative function of tissues. For this reason, preparations with Echinacea are considered effective in the treatment of septic states and in infective pathologies in general.

Rhodiola: a typical plant belonging to cold climates in the Northern Hemisphere, it can heighten the organism’s resistance to toxins, it increases the level of enzymes, of RNA and proteins and is therefore capable of reducing recovery time following fatigue and prolonged diseases;

Morinda citrifolia (Noni): useful in regulating function and regeneration of cells and damaged cells, it simulates the production of T cells that play a key role in destroying diseases and strengthening the immune system.

For children, the ideal vehicle to convey the above-described ingredients is a drinkable formulation. The version devised for adults, featuring the same constituents, is presented in swallowable tablets. For both children and adults, the alternative to these two solutions is an innovative formulation, in effervescent tablets, based on GSE at high concentrations, together with Uncaria; the exclusively natural formulation, the high concentration of active constituents and the advantages offered by an effervescent formulation (rapid dissolution and heightened bioavailability) confer pleasant taste, efficacy and speed of action.

2 - “Selective” cleansing of the upper airways, thanks to cleansing of the naval cavities and to aerosol therapy, useful for decongestion, expectoration, inducing gradual drainage of the Eustachian tube and reducing inflammation of the middle ear.

TO CLEANSE THE NASAL CAVITIES…

Nature can help you with…

Grapefruit Seed Extract: results obtained regarding microbial efficacy of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) confirm the usefulness of GSE for local use. Its synergy with specific plant extracts makes the formulation effective and safe to use.

Echinacea purpurea: this plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to the central regions of the US. It is capable of slowing down the spread of pathogenic germs, triggering a defensive mechanism against germs, while activating the regenerative function of tissues. For this reason, preparations with Echinacea are considered effective in the treatment of septic states and in infective pathologies accompanied by fever, particularly when there is a clear tendency to develop chronicisation and relapses.

Timo serpillo: a plant belonging the family of Labiateae and native to the Mediterranean, its most significant action is as an expectorant and it is therefore successfully employed in the treatment of catarrh in the respiratory tract. Moreover, its proven bacteriostatic property, especially on Gram + bacteria, completes the antiseptic and secretolytic action on the nasal cavities.

Calendula: Calendula belongs to the family of Asteraceae and is rich in triterpene derivatives, mainly responsible for its marked anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties. Other constituents are carotenoids, numerous resins, flavonoids, polysaccharides and mucilages, markedly bioadhesive on the skin and mucosae and contributing for this reason to the plant’s health properties. The most significant actions carried out are: anti-inflammatory, anti-reddening, immunomodulating, antimicrobial, cicatrizing, analgesic, lenitive and decongestant, therefore promoting rapid healing of inflammations located in the connective tissue.

Fruit water: thanks to its important contribution of vitamins and oligoelements, it completes and enriches the formulation.

These plant ingredients are conveyed in a natural solution,contained in a bottle with practical eco-spray nebuliser, ideal to nebulise directly in the nasal cavities.

FOR AEROSOL THERAPY

Nature can help you with…

Grapefruit Seed Extract: results obtained regarding the microbial efficacy of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) confirm its usefulness in formulations devised for aerosol therapy. Its synergy with specific plant extract makes the formulation effective and safe to use.

Echinacea: this plant belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to the central regions of the US; it is capable of slowing down the spread of pathogenic germs, triggering a defensive mechanism against germs, while activating the regenerative function of tissues. For this reason, preparations with Echinacea are considered effective in the treatment of septic states and in infective pathologies accompanied by fever, particularly when there is a clear tendency to develop chronicisation and relapses.

Drosera rutundifolia: this plant belongs to the Droseraceae family, native to Australia, Africa and South America. It carries out a spasmolytic activity on smooth muscles, with an action similar to adrenalin, reducing spasms caused by histamine on the chain of bronchial rings; consequently, it relaxes the bronchi.

Enula bell: a plant belonging the Asteraceae family, native to South-East Europe and West Asia, it is mostly found in temperate zones. It has secretolytic properties, thanks to its sesquiterpene lactions in particular, and is markedly anti-inflammatory.

Dwarf pine: belonging to the Pinaceae family, this is an evergreen shrub with needle-shaped leaves. The extract obtained is a mixture of monoterpene hydrocarbons such as alfa and beta pinene, limonene, phellandrene, camphene and borneol: all these substances have antiseptic, balsamic and secretolytic properties, particularly aimed at the respiratory tract.

Thymus Serpyllum: belonging to the Labiateae family and native to the Mediterranean, its most significant action is as an expectorant and is therefore successfully employed in the treatment of catarrh in the respiratory tract. Moreover, its proven bacteriostatic property, especially on Gram + bacteria, completes the antiseptic and secretolytic action on the respiratory organs.

Thymus: belonging to the Labiateae family, its essence includes, consituents such as thymol (up to 55%) and other volatile compounds such as: geraniol, terpineol, cymene, linalool, camphene, borneol. It has antiseptic, balsamic and fluidifying properties.

Atomised sea water: sea water is the most complete mineral water because is contains all elements present in nature. Used for inhalation, it is beneficial in treating or preventing numerous affections and is a good remedy for all respiratory disorders.

For both adults and children the ideal vehicle to convey the above-mentioned ingredients is a solution to nebulise using an aerosol device.

The association of the above-described active consituents, essential to provide a definitive solution against Otitis media, can be further supported by specific remedies indicated for:

Direct antimicrobial cleansing of the external ear: GSE, plant glycerine, Horse Chestnut and Blackcurrant in preservative-free ear drops.
Integrative action at intestinal microflora level, with immunostimulating activity: for children, single use vials with patented cap, based on probiotics (B. infantis, B. longum, L. Rhamnosus), fructo-oligosaccharides, GSE, Astragalus and Uncaria tomentosa; for adults, single use vials with measuring cap, based on probiotics (B. bifidum, L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus), fructo-oligosaccharides, GSE, Uncaria and Morinda Citrifolia (Noni).