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Inner ear infection is a medical condition caused due to the infection or the inflammation of the labyrinth or the inner ear, therefore, it is also known as labyrinthitis.  From the clinical point of view, the symptoms of this disease are myriad and ranging from hearing impairment to loss of balance. Inner ear infection can be unilateral or bilateral (affecting both ears), and it is caused by bacterial or viral infection, autoimmune disease, and vascular ischemia (an impairment in the blood supply to the inner ear).

Anatomically, the inner ear or labyrinth is formed of an external bony framework, which surrounds a very thin membrane. This delicate membrane contains a meshwork of the microscopic endings of the hearing and the balance sensory organs, furthermore, these sensory organs are formed of the saccule, the utricle, the semicircular, and the cochlea. The symptoms of the inner ear infection appear when the pathogens invade the labyrinth’s membrane causing its inflammation or irritation, and eventually leading
to the destruction of the nerve endings.

The most common symptoms of the inner ear infection are; vertigo, dizziness, failure in focusing with the eyes, unilateral deafness, loss of the balance sensation, tinnitus or noises in the ear, and vomiting.

The causes of the inner ear infection (Labyrinthitis) are myriad. But there are some factors that increase the risk for this type of infection, like heavy smoking and drinking, fatigue, stresses, allergic reactions, Cholesteatoma, upper respiratory tract infection, viral diseases, and taking certain non-prescribed medications that can harm the inner ear if taken in large doses, like aspirin.

Labyrinthitis (inner ear infection) usually subsides within a few weeks, actually, most cases will be cured completely within two to three months, but there are some drugs that can effectively relief the symptoms, like antihistamines, antiemetic drugs, sedatives and drugs to reduce dizziness.

Unfortunately, there are some dangerous complications for inner ear infection, like permanent deafness and self-injury during dizziness or vertigo.

Inner ear infection (also known as Labyrinthitis) is a very annoying disease with serious symptoms, because this condition will cause all transmitted information to the brain to be interrupted, therefore, the affected person will suffer from a gagging sensation, some dizziness, the loss of balance, and the impairment of hearing. Furthermore, the complications of an untreated inner ear infection include: Vertigo, tinnitus, hissing or ringing in the ear. Some drugs are prescribed to relief the symptoms of the inner ear infection, especially in the cases of Vertigo. But unfortunately, the majority of these drugs cause transient relief, which usually lasts for a few hours only.

The inner ear consists of multiple canals and tubes, which form the labyrinth. Anatomically, the inner ear is formed mainly of; the cochlea, which is responsible for transmitting the sound to the brain, and the vestibular system, which determines the head movement and corrects the sense of balance. Labyrinthitis or the inner ear infection occurs due to a myriad range of causes, including a bacterial or a viral infection, a trauma in the head area, an allergic reaction, some stress or fatigue, and heavy smoking or drinking.

According to the National Institute of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Echinacea is a native herb that grows naturally in Southern Canada and in USA. This herb has nine different species, the most potent and the most used type is called Echinacea purpurea.

In traditional medicine, Echinacea is used for the treatment and the prevention of flu, common cold, and other types of infections. This herb is believed to possess some potent antibacterial
properties, which enhance the immunity system, and increase the body’s ability to fight the infections. The roots and the aboveground parts of Echinacea herb can be used, either in the fresh or in the dried forms, for the preparation of teas, concentrated juices, topical applications, capsules or tincture extracts.

For enhancing the immunity system, the University of Maryland Medical Center advises taking from six to nine milliliters of the squeezed juice, or two to three milliliters of the standardized tincture, or two grams of the dried Echinacea to form an herbal tea. These preparations are used up to three times daily, for ten days.