Home Remedies for Ear Infections

Home Remedies for Ear Infections....

Are you in pain with an ear infection?

Read on for more information on how natural health remedies can help your earache....

Earache and ear infections are very common, especially with children.

This does not make them any less painful, though…not to mention the obvious difficulties with temporary deafness….

Home remedies for ear infections are an ideal solution.

They are easy to get hold of, natural, gentle and effective.

They treat the pain of the earache, as well as the cause of the infection.

Earache or ear infections can have a variety of different causes…

Causes of Earache

• Earache and ear infections can be caused by:
  • infections in the ear – for example, from swimming
  • viral infections – for example, cold and flu
  • swollen glands, from sore throats
  • injuries to the ear
  • objects lodged in the ear
  • compacted wax built up in the ear
• Earache can also be caused by inner ear infections (also known as ‘middle ear’ infections)
• Inner ear infections can be more serious, causing:
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • sickness
  • difficulty in focusing
• These are usually caused by viral infections which have spread to the inner ear.
• They can also be caused by food allergies. I frequently used to suffer from inner ear infections (and its associated problems) until I took a hair-analysis, food allergy test. Once I had identified my main food allergies and intolerances, I was able to avoid these foods, and my inner ear infections have totally cleared up!
• Common food allergies and intolerances are:
  • dairy
  • wheat
  • eggs
  • peanuts
  • citrus fruits
• Try to avoid your food allergy ‘triggers’ for a period of a few months. Then, try to re-introduce foods gradually, to assess their affect on your health.
• Other airborne ‘pollutants’ can also have an effect on your ear problems:
  • cigarette smoke
  • airborne molds
  • pet hair
  • dust
  • chemicals such as cleaners or air fresheners
• Never poke the ear. The ear is very delicate. Even over-enthusiastic use of cotton buds can sometimes cause damage and pain.

Problems with Conventional Earache Treatments

• There is no doubt that conventional ear infection treatments can be fast acting and effective.
• Home remedies for ear infections can be a better option, though. As well as being easily obtained, a natural remedy for earache is every bit as gentle as it is effective …. And without the nasty side effects of some, more conventional treatments.
• Ear drops can sometimes cause allergies, leading to redness and swelling.
• They can also travel down your inner tubes, down to your throat and even stomach. This tastes horrible and causes sore throats. It also means that you are ingesting something that is intended for ‘external use’ only!
• Antibiotics, too, are very effective. But these can cause:
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • sore mouth
  • yeast infections
  • allergic rashes
• Antibiotics should not be used too regularly either, or they can lose their effectiveness.
• Drugs for inner ear infections can, themselves, cause:
  • dizziness
  • blurred vision
  • drowsiness
  • dry mouth, nose and throat
  • constipation
  • low blood pressure
• Home remedies for ear infections are gentle on the body, but are very soothing and effective. They also treat the underlying virus or infection.

Home Remedies for Ear Infection and Earache

• If your ear infection has a viral cause, such as a cold or flu, you should treat the virus.
• Try these natural flu remedies, or the following herbal remedies, which fight viruses:

Echinacea
Astralgus
Garlic
Lemon Balm
Liquorice
Elderflower Tea
Ginger
Plantain
Almond Oil or Olive Oil and Herbal Ear Oils
Hot Water Bottle
Hopi Ear Candles

Echinacea

• This is an excellent natural remedy for earache.
• You can drink tea, or take capsules or the tincture.
• It is usually best to take frequent doses of Echinacea, while you are actually suffering from earache or viruses – rather than taking it every day, as a preventative measure.
• It should begin to clear up the infection within a few days. You should reduce your dose gradually, as you start to feel better.
• Caution:
  • Do not use if you have an auto-immune disease.
  • Do not use if you are allergic to any member of the daisy family

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Astralgus

• This is one of the best home remedies, for ear infections which recur regularly.
• This is a natural remedy for earache which treats the underlying virus or infection.
• Take capsules or the tincture.

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Garlic

• Garlic works as a natural remedy for earache by treating the underlying virus or infection.
• Raw cloves of garlic are the most effective – but you may be reluctant to take these, because of their distinctive odour.
• If so, try taking capsules instead. Aim for around 4000-5000 micrograms of active ingredient ‘allicin’ per day. Odour free capsules are also available.




• Garlic can also be used topically for very effective ear infection pain relief:
  • Crush a clove of garlic, and soak in warm olive oil for 15 minutes
  • Do not allow the oil to bubble or boil
  • Strain, and soak a clean cotton ball in the garlic oil
  • Place gently into the outer ear
• Caution: Do not put anything into the ear if you have any drainage from the ear, stick to oral remedies instead.

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Lemon Balm

• Again, this is one of the most effective virus-beating home remedies for ear infections.
• It is also very relaxing and soothing. It is ideal if the pain from your earache is stopping you sleep.
• Try capsules, or for the most effective solution, make your own tea:
  • Use 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb in a cupful of hot water
  • Steep for 10 minutes
  • Strain, and drink up to 4 cups per day

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Liquorice

• Liquorice is another of the home remedies for ear infections, which works by fighting the virus or infection which caused the pain.
• Use ‘whole’ liquorice (not DGL liquorice – ‘deglycyrrhizinated’).
• Take capsules or the tincture.
• Caution:
  • Do not use for longer than 6 weeks
  • Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Do not take if you have high blood pressure, diabetes or problems with heart, liver, kidney or thyroid.
  • Do not take with diuretics or corticosteroids

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Elderflower Tea

• Drink elderflower tea or an elderberry drink to reduce mucus and phlegm. This may build up in the ear, due to an allergy, or cold or flu, and lead to infection, pain, or inner ear problems.

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Ginger

• Ginger is not specifically an ear infection pain relief remedy. But it can be very effective in treating nausea, as a symptom of your inner ear infection.
• The tea is a very effective nausea treatment. Use:
  • 1 teaspoon of powdered ginger or grated ginger root, in a cupful of hot water
  • Steep for 10 minutes
  • Strain and drink up to 3 times a day, whenever you feel nausea coming on.
• You can also suck or chew sweets with real ginger in them.

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Plantain

• This is another natural remedy for earache, which is excellent at toning up and strengthening the delicate middle ear membranes.
• It helps to prevent you feeling dizzy and nauseous.
• To make a tea, use:
  • 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in a cupful of hot water
  • Steep for 10 minutes
  • Strain and drink

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There are also, of course, home remedies for earache which you apply directly in the ear. This is effective ear infection pain relief, and works on soothing the pain, and curing the underlying infection.

Almond Oil or Olive Oil, and Herbal Ear Oils

• Dribble a little warm (but not too hot) almond oil or olive oil into the ear with a dropper
• Do not allow the oil to bubble or boil
• Place your head on one side, to dribble the oil into it
• Stay in this position for a few minutes, to allow the oil to flow into the ear canal
• Use a cotton ball to mop up any excess

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Hot Water Bottle

• A really simple natural remedy for earache, is to hold a hot water bottle up against your painful ear.
• Make sure that it is not too hot, and cover it in a towel, or other cloth, for safety and comfort.

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Hopi Ear Candles

• Hopi ear candles are a traditional way of treating ear problems, (from the American Hopi Indians). It is becoming more and more popular in the modern, western world.
• The candles are hollow, and are made of all natural materials, including beeswax and herbs.
• The candle is gently inserted into the ear, lit, and burnt down to a specific point.
• While burning, the hollow candle creates a ‘chimney effect’. This helps draw out impurities and infections, and resonates and vibrates inside the ear.
• It balances pressures in the ear, and gently massages the inner parts of the ear.
• I haven’t tried it myself, but plenty of people swear by its benefits.
• Hopi candles can be bought in health stores for use as home remedies for ear infections, on your own. If you are feeling a little nervous, the first time, you can get a qualified therapist to use the hopi candles on you, and show you what to do.

These home remedies for ear infections are all very easy to obtain and are very effective for ear infection pain relief.

I hope that using these home remedies for ear infections means that you will soon be free from that painful earache.

What works for you?

Do you have any tips and experiences in finding home remedies for ear infections, to share? Tell us about your experiences...

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