Herbal Remedies For Ear Infections

Ear infections are caused by bacteria or viruses in the middle ear. Ear infections occur more often in children than adults. Some causes and contributing factors that lead to ear infections are wax buildup, upper respiratory infections, food allergies, environmental allergies, fetal alcohol syndrome, genetics, nutritional deficiencies and internal injuries. Some common signs that someone is suffering from an ear infection are pain in the ear, tugging at the ear, difficulty sleeping, headache, poor response to sounds, high fever, fluid draining from the ear, vomiting, diarrhea and so on.

The ear is made up of three parts: outer, middle and inner.

Each part has specific functions that help a person hear. You can see in the diagram that the outer ear which shape like a leaf captures the traveling sound waves. In the outer part of our ear, there is a section called as pinna and through this section the sound waves enter into the ear canal. Through the ear canal the sound waves reach the eardrum which is located in the middle part.

In addition, the middle section of the ear also has other important ear organs like hammer, anvil, stir up, semicircular, and middle canal. Through the canal, sound waves travel to the inner section of our ear. In the inner part of the ear, there are important ear parts like cochlea, Eustachian tube, and nerves. Sound waves from the canal are sent to the nerves so that the brain can process the sound. After that we are able to recognize the sound and understand it.

Garlic :-

• Garlic is considered to have antimicrobial and pain relieving characteristics.
• Put some drops of fresh garlic oil or juice in the infected ear.
• This will provide an immediate relief.
• The process should be practised three times in a day.
• Else, boil 2-3 garlic cloves in water for five minutes.
• Add some salt after crushing the cloves.
• Wrap up the mixture in a clean cloth and put it on the infected ear.
• Apart from making these mixtures, one can eat 2-3 raw garlic cloves to facilitate the healing process.

Mango Leaf Juice :-

• • The extracts of mango leaf are effective for the treatment of ear infection.
  • Take two or three mango leaves. Grind or crush them to extract juice.
  • Slightly warm the extracted juice.
  • Put 2-3 drops of juice in the infected ear with the help of a dropper.
  • Leave it for a few minutes. After sometime, you will feel relief in the earache.

• If the procedure is practised for three times a day, then ear infection will surely get healed.

Onion :-

• Onion is not only used as the main ingredient for cooking, but also used for medicinal cure.
• It is very beneficial for ear infection. Take a small onion and chop it.
• Put the chopped onion in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. After microwaving, allow it to cool and extract its juice.
• Put two-three drops of onion juice in the infected ear and leave it for a few minutes.
• After sometime, turn your head and drain out the juice from the ear.

Basil :-

• • Basil leaves are also one of the remedies used to get relief in ear infections and minor earache.
  • Take 4-5 holy basil leaves. Crush them to extract their juice.

• Apply the extracted juice around the infected area.
• It should not be put into the ear canal.
• Apart from this, mixture of basil juice and coconut oil can also be used for healing the ear infection.
• Take a cotton ball and dip it into the mixture.
• Apply it gently on the inner part, outer edge and behind the ear.
• This process should be practised two times in a day.

Apple Cider Vinegar :-

To get rid of the fungus that may be causing the ear infection, apple cider vinegar is a good option.

• Mix one part apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water or alcohol.
• Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
• Put the cotton ball in your ear like a plug and leave it for about five minutes.
• Remove the cotton ball and lay down on your opposite side to drain the liquid from the ear.
• Use a hair dryer to dry your ear as much as possible.

If apple cider vinegar is not available, you can use white vinegar. If the cause of the ear infection is in the Eustachian tubes, try gargling with apple cider vinegar.

Olive Oil :-

One of the main causes of an ear infection is wax in the ear catching some fungal or bacterial growth leading to a blockage in the Eustachian tubes. You can easily clear the obstruction with the help of olive oil.

• Warm some olive oil slightly. Put a few drops of the warm oil into the infected ear.
• The oil will cause the wax to soften.
• Remove the infected wax with cotton-tipped swabs.
• Be careful not to put the swab too far in the ear or you might damage the eardrum.

Alternatively, you can also use mustard oil.

Warm Water Bottle :-

As soon as possible, apply some heat to the infected ear. This will quickly relieve some of the pain and will also prevent micro-organism infestation.

• Press a warm water bottle or heating pad against the ear.
• You can also use a warm compress. Dip a clean washcloth in lukewarm water, ring out the excess water and then place the washcloth on the infected ear.
• Do not apply heat to the ear for long periods of time. Start with five minutes, remove the heat for a while and then repeat the process as needed.

Tea Tree Oil :-

The mild antibacterial properties present in tea tree oil can give instant relief from earache.

To treat an ear infection, follow the steps below.

• • Mix three drops of tea tree oil, two tablespoons of olive oil, a teaspoon of colloidal silver and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Warm the mixture slightly.
  • Lay on your side with your head on a towel. Using a dropper, fill your ear with the mixture and let it sit for five minutes. Then turn and lay on your other side so that the mixture drains out of your ear completely.

• Follow this remedy two to three times a day for two days.

Breast Milk :-

• Breastfeeding infants have very fewer infections than a normal child or adult.
• Breast milk is considered as the best remedy for curing any type of ear infection.
• It is also used for treating eye infections, minor cuts, wounds or burns.
• It has natural antibodies, which lessen swelling and pain.
• With the help of dropper, put 2-3 drops of breast milk in the infected ear.
• If the process is repeated after every two hours, ear infection will surely get cured.

Mullein Drops :-

• Mullein is a wild flowering plant grown in several areas.
• To get relief in ear infection, take a teaspoon of mullein flowers and put them into ½ cup of boiling water.
• Allow it to cool. Now, mix one tbsp mullein tea and one tbsp olive oil in it.
• Leave the mixture for overnight. Put one drop of the resulted mixture in the infected ear.
• Instead of preparing mullein oil at home, you can also buy it from the market.