The experience can be terrible bringing your life to a halt. While numerous factors can cause an ear infection like the bacterial build-up, cold, flue, etc., the good news is that mild infections can easily be treated at home using some natural remedies. As children are more prone to such infections, it is better to try home remedies for ear infections that do not pose any side-effects.
Below mentioned are some of the effective home remedies for ear infections that give you quick results.
1. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is the magical oil that can treat numerous ailments including ear infections. The oil contains antimicrobial anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties which make it highly effective in treating ear infections.
How to use?
Pour a few drops of coconut oil in your ear and cover with a cotton ball
Move your lower jaw in vertical motion so that the oil reaches your ear canal
Leave it for about fifteen minutes and then clean the ear
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2. Castor oil
Another oil that can effectively cure your ear infection is Castor oil. Besides having antimicrobial properties, the warmth of the oil stimulates lymphatic flow and soothes the irritation in your inner ear.
How to use?
Warm the oil slightly
Pour a few drops of it in the infected ear and cover with a cotton ball
Leave it overnight
Clean the ear with a swab of cotton, the next morning
3. Echinacea
Consuming Echinacea strengthens your immune system and aids it in fighting the infection. Further, it has antimicrobial properties that kill the microbes causing infection and ease the discomfort .
How to use?
Take Echinacea in a tablet or tincture form along with water
The recommended dosage for adults is 300 mg, and that for children is 150 mg.
4. Breast milk
Breast milk is known to contain natural antibodies that help fight the ear infection and accelerate the healing process.
How to use?
Pour two to three drops of the milk in the infected ear
Repeat the process after every three to four hours to clear the infection
4. Mullein Oil
Reduce the inflammation and pain in your ear with Mullein Oil which fights the superoxide radicals causing the swelling.
How to use?
Warm the oil slightly
Tilt your head with the infected ear facing upwards and pour a few drops of the oil in it
Keep your head in the same position for about 15 minutes and after that drain the oil
Clean the area with a cotton ball
5. Essential Oils
The use of essential oil for ear infection can be an effective method for dealing with ear pain. They have potent properties that can help treat ear infection and reduce the symptoms of pain and swelling.
How to use?
Pour two drops of lavender essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in your ear
Add one to two drops of Lemon essential oil in half a cup of coconut oil
Massage the blend behind your ear in the downward motion, starting from ear to the jaw
Remove the cotton ball once the pain in your ear subsides.
6. Rubbing Alcohol
Alcohol being a disinfectant kills the microbes causing the infection. Besides, it also dries up the fluid accumulated in your ear causing the pain.
How to use?
Pour two to three drops of alcohol in your ear using a cotton ball
Repeat it two to three times a day
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7. Oil of Oregano
Oil of Oregano also comes in the list of effective home remedies for ear infections as it can quickly ease the pain and swelling. Also, it has antibacterial properties that fight bacterial build-up in your ear.
How to use?
Take some oil on your fingers and massage it around and behind your ear
Repeat after a few hours to ease the symptoms.
8. Holy basil
Owing to its antimicrobial effect; holy basil can be used to treat ear infections.
How to use?
Crush a few fresh leaves of Holy basil
Extract the juice and apply it around the ear
Repeat after a few hours
9. Salt Sock
Fluid build-up can cause excessive pain in your ear. Warm salt compress effectively draws out the liquid from your ear which is absorbed by the salt and relieves you of the pain.
How to use?
Microwave or heat half a cup of sea salt
Put it in a clean sock and tie a knot
Place it for some time on your ear when it is not too hot
10. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide helps in clearing ear wax which might be causing pain in your ear. Besides, it has antifungal and antibacterial properties which make it highly effective in treating the infection.
How to use?
Add hydrogen peroxide (3%) in an equal amount of hot water
Let the mixture cool a bit and put a few drops of it in the infected ear
Let it work for about ten minutes and then clean the drainage
11. Olive Oil
Extra Virgin olive oil can also significantly ease the pain caused due to an ear infection.
How to use?
Warm olive oil a little
Pour a few drops of the oil in the infected ear
Let it stay for ten minutes and after that clean your ear
12. Steam
Steam can help clear the congestion and build-up of wax in your ear causing [pain and inflammation.
How to use?
Heat a bowl of water
Cover your head with a towel and bend over the bowl to inhale the steam
13. Cold and warm compress
If you are experiencing terrible pain in your ear, then alternating between cold compress and warm compress is a simple and quick way to alleviate it.
How to use?
Place an ice pack over the for ten minutes
Replace it with a warm compress
Repeat the process to ease the pain and clear the congestion
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14. Saltwater
Ear pain often accompanies a sore throat. If this is the case with you too then gargle with saltwater that soothes your throat and eases the ear pain naturally.
How to use?
Add a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water
Gargle with the mixture
15. Thyme Essential Oil
Thyme Essential oil contains an active compound known as Thymol which has potent antibacterial properties that can effectively combat the bacterial build-up in your ear.
How to use?
Add a few drops of thyme essential oil in a carrier oil
Apply the blend around the ear to treat the infection.
Conclusion
Ear infections can be troublesome. The excessive pain associated with them can significantly affect your routine life. Get rid of the trouble by using the home remedies for ear infections mentioned above. These are quite effective and provide quick results.
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