Are you apprehensive about using home remedies to treat that painful ear infection? Pause and rewind to a few decades ago. In earlier times, there were no antibiotics, no clinics and no pain killers. What did our ancestors do to treat ailments like this? Yes, you guessed it right. They depended on nature’s many bounties to cure specific diseases and ailments.
So, are natural and home remedies for ear infections safe? Yes, they are certainly safe, effective and most importantly have minimal or no side effects at all. So, the next time you ear hurts or your tiny tot complains of earache and you do not know what to do, try a few natural remedies that are sure to alleviate the pain and cure the infection naturally.
Ear infections are reported more amongst children than in adults. There are various causes for an infection – viral or bacterial infection, wax build-up, moisture build-up, allergies and so on. The following natural remedies for ear infections can help reduce the swelling and pain without having to swallow pain killers.
Ear Infection Home Remedies
1. Olive Oil:
Seeing your child writhing in pain can be heart wrenching. But, do not despair, for in most cases, ear infection or ear ache is a manifestation of the wax in the ears having gotten infected leading to a blockage in the Eustachian tubes. This blockage can be easily cleared with olive oil. Warm up some olive oil and put a few drops into the ear. It is essential to make sure that the oil is not too hot. The oil will soften the wax or dirt hardened in the ear which can then be cleared by using sterilized cotton tipped swab.
2. Salt:
Now, this is a tricky one. Heat the salt in a pan or microwave (I personally prefer the pan) for 5 minutes. Put the salt into a thick cloth and tie it into a ball, closing the open end with a band. Wait till it is bearably hot and gently place this on the ear while tilting your head slightly. The heat will gently draw out any moisture and the salt will absorb it. This will bring down both swelling and pain. Alternatively, use rice as a warm compress in the same fashion. Remember rice will take longer to cool, so make sure you check how hot the stock is before you place it on your ear.
3. Garlic:
Garlic is known for its antibacterial properties and pungent flavor. Cooking garlic in sesame or mustard oil and straining the oil, then putting a few drops (when it is cooled down a bit, of course) into the infected ear can bring a lot of relief. Alternatively, boil 3 cloves of fresh garlic and wait until they cool down. Then, crush them and add a pinch of salt to it. Put the mixture onto a clean napkin and place it against the infected ear for quick relief from pain.
4. Onion:
The onion that is detested by many for its pungent odor and the fact that it tears up the eyes has extensive medicinal properties. Warm onion juice can help relieve ear infection. Warm or heat the onion, preferably in an oven and strain the juice. Put several drops into the affected ear and slightly tilt the head downwards to allow the liquid to flow out. You may also use onion as a warm compress. Bake an onion for a good half an hour and wrap it up in a clean cloth before you place it near the ear. This will draw the fluid out and heal the infection quicker.
5. Mango Leaf:
Mango leaf? You may wonder how they can help clear an ear infection. The softer mango leaves are used in particular to treat a bad case of ear infection. You can crush or grind them and warm the extracted juice. Use this juice like an ear drop as frequently as you need for full relief from both the pain and infection. You will be taken aback at how quickly this juice begins to work in subsiding the pain.
6. Castor Oil:
Yet another simple home remedy for ear infections, warm up some castor oil and put a few drops into the infected ear before you hit the sack. Make sure you put a cotton plug and sleep with the ear facing upwards. Clean the ear with a cotton bud the following morning. A week of this treatment is sure to show wondrous results.
7. Holy Basil Leaves (Tulsi):
Treat an ear infection by crushing a few basil leaves and applying the juice around the ear and a little on the ear. Care needs to be taken to make sure that the oil does not enter the ear canal. Tulsi is said to have medicinal properties and will reduce the ear infection in a few days.
8. Fenugreek (Methi Seeds):
This is a common kitchen ingredient which can really come handy in treating an ear infection. Take a handful of these seeds and warm it in coconut, sesame or even castor oil. Strain the oil and use it as an ear drop and also apply it externally. Leave the seeds to do the trick.
9. Steam Inhalation:
The good old fashioned steaming can do wonders. If the infection is caused by a blockage, inhalation can clear it up in a jiffy. Add a few drops of tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil to increase the efficacy of the treatment. Also, plug the ear with a cotton ball. It will absorb the moisture in your ear and prevent air from going in.
10. Breast Milk:
If you are treating an infant, this is perhaps the best antidote for an ear ache. Breast milk as you all know has natural antibodies that help speed up the healing process of any ailment including ear infections. Using a dropper put a few drops of breast milk into the infected ear for immediate relief from inflammation and acute pain. Repeat every few hours to control and completely banish the infection.
An ear infection can leave you frustrated but with these remedies, you can be assured of instant relief. Be sure to diligently follow them for best results. And, please don’t forget to share your feedback with us in the comments section below.
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