Did you know that a good percentage of ear infections are caused by viruses? And, the infection caused by a virus will not respond to antibiotics. In fact, the body will usually heal itself and the viral infection will go away on its own.
The goal with treatment of a viral ear infection is symptom relief. Symptoms such as pain, irritability, and distress can make for a very unpleasant experience.
One of the most effective natural remedies for the ear pain associated with an ear infection is warm homemade garlic oil. Garlic’s properties include, but are not limited to, use as an antiseptic, antiviral, and antibacterial agent. When preparing garlic for use in this recipe, or any recipe for that matter, it is important to allow garlic to rest after mincing for approximately 10 minutes (please click on this link to learn more).
Garlic Oil Recipe
-1 clove of garlic, minced
-2 tablespoons of olive or coconut oil
Directions: Warm oil slightly over low heat in small pot. Remove oil from heat and add minced garlic. Cover and allow oil and garlic to steep for at least 30 minutes. Strain and bottle if necessary. Oil will keep in refrigerator for 4-5 days.
To use: Instill 2-3 drops of oil in the ear as often as needed for pain relief.
You may also want to administer a light massage of the neck in an attempt to help the lymph nodes drain fluid away from the ears. Thereby reducing the risk for bacterial growth.
Lavender Oil
-1 drop of lavender essential oil
-1 tablespoon of carrier oil (olive, coconut, almond, jojoba, avocado)
Directions: Mix the 2 ingredients and rub it on your hands. Begin massaging gently from the ear down the neck toward the chest as well as massaging from the ear down the jaw line.
Tips:
-For added pain relief, heat a small cloth bag of rice for use as a warm compress applied directly over the ear.
-If the pain increases and lasts longer than 48 hours, or if the child/adult’s symptoms are associated with an uncontrolled fever. This may indicate a bacterial infection, requiring medical attention.
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DISCLAIMER:
The statements made here have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.
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Love this idea! I will have to try this with my girls…
So I pre-peel a few heads of garlic & store them in olive oil in the fridge. Would the resulting oil have the same usefulness of the garlic oil described here, or is the heating/mincing necessary?
Most ear infections are not viral. Especially in children. Otitis media is generally a bacterial infection in the middle ear. This would work for otitis externa which is generally known as swimmers ear. A fungal infection. NEVER use homemade concoctions if there is any drainage coming from the ear!
From what I know, most middle ear infections ARE viral, and are likely to resolve on their own within a few days. It is frequently associated with the viruses that cause the flu or the common cold, but there are bacteria that cause infection too. More and more doctors suggest deferring the use of antibiotics, but treating the pain with pain reducers, numbing agents, or warm compresses. They generally don’t agree with alternative therapies, but with an intact eardrum, warm garlic oil could be soothing even if it doesn’t get rid of the infection (and I think it does). OUTER ear infections can be viral or bacterial, as well as fungal, and again, garlic oil would certainly help here. One of the best ways to prevent (not treat) ear infections is to breastfeed (also very frugal and sustainable). Many studies show that breastfed children experience far fewer ear infections than non-breastfed children.
You really need to be careful when placing anything in your ears, for any reason! It is possible that any type of ear infection can cause a ruptured ear drum in which case putting things in your ear will lead to extreme pain and possibly cause further damage including permanent hearing loss. As an adult who still suffers ear infections I recommend you always get your ears checked by a DR.
Sounds like yours is an extreme case. Have you identified the source of your recurring infections?
My childrens doctor always recommended a very simple treatment for ear infections. Cut a brown onion in half, scrap a teaspoon up the cut face of the onion to extract a bit of juice, pour this from the teaspoon inot your childs ear. Works a treat every time.
As a mother of seven children, the oldest is 38 tomorrow and the youngest is 12, I have rarely had to deal with ear infections and when there was a complaint of ear pain, garlic oil is the only thing I ever used because it worked every time.
, the treatment was over and it was rarely necessary to repeat. These days I think my go-to would be plantain leaves… my favorite weed!… but back then I was unfamiliar with it and tea is something most everyone has available to them.
For eye infections I used warm tea bags. Chamomile was my first pick if I had it but green and back tea were also effective. Avoid peppermint, or any other herb which would cause the eyes to sting/burn. Just apply the tea, either in a bag or between a layer of paper towel or fine muslin/cheesecloth, as warm as can be tolerated without burning and leave it on till it cools. Rewarm and reapply as needed for comfort, using fresh tea after 3 or 4 uses. As soon as the child felt relieved, or got too bored
The remedy I have used for ear infections since 1979 is goldenseal tea. 1/4 tsp. goldenseal powder to a cup of water, let cool, irrigate the ear. Works quite well.
A combo of garlic and mullein oil is great for ear infections. Place 4 drops in each ear (even if only one ear is infected). Place a cotton ball in each ear and go to sleep.