14 DIY Home Remedies for Ear Infection

The space behind your eardrum, called the middle ear, contains many small bones that pass vibrations to your inner ear. If the space between those bones fills with fluid, it puts painful pressure on the inner ear and allows bacteria to grow and cause infection.

Ear infections occur most commonly in infants and children because the inner workings of their ears are smaller and their immune systems are weaker. But they can also affect adults. Symptoms include ear pain, difficulty hearing, difficulty sleeping, fever, drainage of fluid from the ear, vomiting, and loss of appetite. You’re about to learn how to cure ear infections safely, naturally, and affordably. The methods listed below can be used for adults and children.

Home Remedies for Ear Infection:

1. Garlic

Garlic has anti-bacterial properties which help cure ear infection, and it also relieves swelling and pain.

Process 1:

• Wrap crushed garlic in small cloth.
• Stuff the cloth in your ear.
• Leave it in for 30 minutes.

Process 2:

• Puree garlic and wrap it in a cloth.
• Squeeze out the liquid.
• Pour the liquid into the ear.

Process 3:

• Heat 1 teaspoon of mustard or sesame oil.
• Mix in 2-3 cloves of garlic.
• Let the mixture cool to lukewarm.
• Apply it around and inside your ear.
• Note: You can pour few drops in the ear.

Process 4:

• Boil 2-3 cloves of fresh garlic in water for a few minutes.
• Remove them from water.
• Crush them and add salt to it.
• Mix well and wrap them in a clean cloth.
• Press it against the infected area for a few minutes.
• Repeat regularly.

2. Onion Juice

Onions have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that heal infection while soothing and calming symptoms.

Process 1:

• Heat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Bake your onion for 15 minutes.
• Once cooked, let your onion cool.
• Squeeze the onion to extract juice.
• Use a dropper to apply the juice to your ear.
• Tilt your head sideways for a few moments.
• Repeat regularly.

Process 2:

• Bake an onion for 30 minutes.
• Cut it in half and wrap one half in a cloth.
• Place against infected ear for 5 minutes.
• Repeat regularly.

3. Vinegar

The acidity of white vinegar is toxic to the micro organisms that cause ear infection. It prevents growth and reproduction of micro organisms within the ear canal.

Process 1:

• Place 3-4 drops of white or apple cider vinegar in the infected ear.
• Lie on your side and plug your ear with a cotton ball so the vinegar drips deep into the ear canal.
• Repeat 3 times daily.

Process 2:

• In a bowl, mix equal quantities vinegar and warm water or vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.
• Use a dropper to put the solution in your ear.
• Plug your ear with a cotton ball and lie on your side.
• Repeat several times a day.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has mild anti-bacterial properties which relieve pain while curing the infection.

Process:

• Mix 3 drops of tea tree oil, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 teaspoon of colloidal silver, and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
• Warm the mixture slightly.
• Use a dropper to put some in your ear.
• Lie on your side for 5 minutes, then lie on your other side to drain the solution from your ear.
• Repeat 2-3 times daily.

5. Steam

Steam opens the Eustachian tubes (airway link to the throat), helping to ease pressure and drain fluids out of the ear.

Process:

• Boil water and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to it.
• Put a towel over your head and lean over the pot.
• Inhale the steam for a few minutes.
• Repeat once daily.

6. Holy Basil Leaves

This method cleanses and disinfects, killing the bacteria that cause ear infection.

Process 1:

• Crush a few fresh basil leaves to extract juice.
• Rub the juice into your ear.
• Repeat regularly.

Process 2:

• Mix a few drops of Holy Basil Oil with a equal drops of coconut oil.
• Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture inside, around, and behind your ear.
• Repeat daily.

7. Salt

Heated salt relieves irritation and pain.

Process:

• Heat 1 cup of salt in a microwave or pan for 3-5 minutes.
• Place heated salt in cloth or sock and tie the open end.
• Check the heat before placing near the ear.
• Press cloth against infected ear for 5-10 minutes.
• The heat will draw moisture out of the ear and the salt will soak it up.
• Note: you can replace the salt with rice.
• Repeat several times a day.

8. Olive Oil

Olive oil relieves irritation in the inner and outer and helps to open up the Eustachian tubes.

Process:

• Heat olive oil.
• Pour few drops of warm oil inside the infected ear to soften infected wax.
• Use a cotton ball to remove wax from the ear.
• Repeat several times daily.
• Note: you can replace the olive oil with mustard oil.
• Note: apply oil to the outside of the ear if you have a perforated ear drum.

9. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm has antiseptic and anti-viral properties that help cure infection.

Process:

• Apply lemon balm to the inside of the infected ear.
• Repeat twice daily.

10. Mango Leaf Juice

Mango leaf acts as a natural antibiotic and used to treat ear infection.

Process:

• Crush or grind 3-4 fresh mango leaves to extract juice.
• Warm the juice slightly.
• Use a dropper to pour few drops in the infected ear.
• Repeat 2-3 times daily.

11. Warm Compress

A warm compress will help open up the Eustachian tubes and relieve pain.

Process:

• Soak a clean cloth in warm water.
• Wring out excess water and place it to your infected ear for 5 minutes, then take it off.
• Again place it and then take it off.
• Make sure you don’t over heat your water.
• Repeat several times daily.
• Note: you can also use a hot water bottle or heat pad.

12. Mullein Flower Oil

Mullein flower oil relieves the pain of ear infection.

Process:

• Soak a cotton ball in a few drops of Mullein Flower Oil.
• Stuff the cotton ball in your infected ear.
• Leave it in for 3 minutes.
• Repeat whenever your ear hurts.

13. Breast Milk

Breast milk contains antibiotics that boost the immune system and protect your baby from infection.

Process:

• Breast fee your baby for 6 months to strengthen her immune system.
• If you can’t breast feed, make sure to hold your baby in an upright position while bottle feeding.
• Use a dropper to apply breast milk to the infected ear twice a day.

14. Diet Plan

A healthy diet that includes the foods mentioned below will help heal and prevent ear infection.

• Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. Use it raw, cook it into tea or soups, mix it with juice, or eat it with apple or carrot.
• Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. Use it to spice up your cooking.
• Eat foods that contain vitamins A and C in order to boost your immune system.
• Eat foods rich in zinc.
• Drink plenty of water to thin secretions and help them drain more effectively.

Tips for Reducing Ear Infection

1. Wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
2. Take measures to prevent common cold, allergies, and respiratory problems.
3. Teach children to cover their mouths when sneezing or coughing.
4. Keep children away from those who have ear infections.
5. Get plenty of rest.
6. Quit smoking.
7. Ask your doctor about flu shots and pneumococcal vaccinations. They prevent ear infection.
8. Avoid pacifiers. They spread the bacteria that cause ear infection.
9. Clean outside your ear with a cotton swab regularly.
10. Pour few drops of hydrogen peroxide to the ear to kill infection and remove excess fluids.
11. Take probiotics to promote proper digestion.
12. Yawn to open up the Eustachian tubes.
13. Never take antibiotics without the guidance of a healthcare professional.
14. If your infection or your child’s does not heal within 3-4 days of using the above remedies, consult your doctor.

Earache usually occurs in children than adults due to their low immune system. It can be caused by ear infection, wax inside the ear, blockage in the nasal passage, trapping of polluted water in the ear, enlargement of adenoid, wisdom teeth and having a cold.

Some common symptoms are fever, nausea, vomiting, swelling, itching sensation etc. However there are some effective home remedies to get rid of this problem.

Home Remedies for Earache:

Try these natural remedies to cure simple earache problems.

1. Garlic

Garlic contains antibiotics and analgesic properties which help to reduce and cure the pain.

Process:

• Heat 1 teaspoon of minced garlic in 2 tablespoon of sesame oil.
• Cool it for a few minutes and filter the oil.
• Pour 2 -3 drops of this in the ear.
• Or Pour 2 drops of juice extracted from the garlic cloves in the ear.
• Follow this remedy twice a day.

2. Ginger

Ginger is a natural painkiller which helps to get rid of the pain. It also acts as anti inflammatory to reduce the infection.

Process 1:

• Crush and extract the juice from fresh ginger.
• Pour this juice directly into the ear.
• Repeat twice a day to get relief.

Process 2:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger with 1/4 cup of warm sesame oil.
• Leave it for few minutes to cool.
• Apply it externally around your paining ear.
• Repeat the remedy as needed.

3. Onions

Onions contain antiseptic and antibacterial properties which help in treating the earache.

Process 1:

• Crush a fresh onion and wrap in a piece of cloth tightly.
• Hold the cloth over the aching ear for about 5 – 10 minutes
• Repeat several times a day.

Process 2:

• Crush a grated onion to extract the juice.
• Heat slowly until it gets to lukewarm.
• Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
• Put 2-3 drops of this juice into the infected ear.
• Do this process 2-3 times a day.

4. Hot Water

Moist heat opens the eustachian tubes and cures the earache.

Process 1:

• Cover a hot water bottle in a towel.
• Hold it against the aching ear and press it for few minutes.
• Repeated as necessary.

Process 2:

• Wring out a towel in hot water.
• Place it against the affected ear and hold it for few minutes.
• Repeat it whenever you feel necessary.

5. Bishop’s Weed Oil

Bishop’s weed oil posses pain killing properties which helps to cure the earache.

Process 1:

• Boil 1/2 teaspoon of bishop’s weed seeds in a cup of milk
• Strain and use as ear drops to reduce the congestion and also to get relief from pain.

Process 2:

• Mix a teaspoon of bishop’s weed oil with 3 teaspoons of sesame oil.
• Warm it slightly.
• Pour 5 drops of this oil mixture in the ear.
• Repeat regularly.

Process 3:

• Pour 2 -3 drops of bishop’s oil directly into the infected ear to ease any pain.
• Do this whenever you have earache.

6. Olive Oil

Olive oil acts as a lubricant agent and helps to reduce the ear ache and the infection. It also eradicates the buzzing sensations inside your ear.

Process:

• Warm a few drops of olive oil.
• Remove the heat after it becomes lukewarm.
• Put 4 drops of warm olive oil into the ear canal using a dropper.
• Repeat the process if it is necessary.
• You can also use mustard oil or coconut oil in the place of olive oil.

7. Mullein Flower Oil

Mullein flower oil helps in relieving the earache which is caused by ear infection.

Process 1:

• Dip the cotton ball into mullein oil and place in your ear.
• Take it off after few minutes.
• Repeat the process whenever you get ear pain.

Process 2:

• Mix a few drops of garlic juice with mullein oil.
• Pour few drops of this oil in the affected ear to get rid of the pain.
• You can use olive oil in the place of garlic and mullein oil.
• Repeat the process when you feel ear pain.

8. Radish

Radish is a root vegetable which helps to reduce the pain by clearing the wax. It also reduces the inflammation.

Process:

• Finely chop one fresh radish into small pieces
• Warm them in a mustard oil for 5 minute.
• Let it come to room temperature before straining.
• Put few drops of oil into the infected ear.
• Follow this remedy regularly.

9. Peppermint

Peppermint has anti inflammatory, anti-bacterial and mild anesthetic properties. It also acts as a soothing agent.

Process 1:

• Mix a drop of peppermint oil with 5 drops of olive oil.
• Put this oil in the ear using an ear syringe.
• Some people are sensitive to peppermint oil, so mix with more olive oil.

Process 2:

• Crush a few peppermint leaves to get the juice.
• Use a dropper to pour few drops inside your ear
• Repeat this remedy regularly.

Process 3:

• Take few drops of peppermint oil (mix with olive oil if needed)
• Apply this oil externally around the ear, massaging the area gently.
• Make sure not to get any in the ear.

10. Steam

Steam helps to open up the Eustachian tubes and reduces the inflammation.

Process:

• Place your face over hot water and cover it with a towel so that the steam will not escape.
• Inhale the steam from your mouth and nose to clear up the infection.
• Repeat the process when needed.

11. Licorice

Licorice herb helps to lower the inflammation and eases discomfort.

Process:

• Warm licorice slightly in clarified butter.
• Apply this externally around the ear.

12. Basil Leaves

Basil leaves have antibiotic properties which help to cure the earache and the infection.

Process:

• Crush the juice from a few basil leaves.
• Strain the juice and pour 2 drops into the affected ear.

13. Diet Plan

Diet can play an important role in reducing ear pain, so follow these tips.

• Eat foods which are rich in vitamin A and C (fruits and vegetables).
• Consume foods which are rich in zinc.
• Avoid taking the mucous forming food like wheat, dairy products, oranges, peanut butter, citrus fruits, bananas etc.
• Drink plenty of water and herbal teas like chamomile tea, basil tea, ginger, honey tea to get rid of the earache.
• Eat foods rich in amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Avoid over processed meals and junk foods.

Tips to Reduce the Earache:

• After taking shower, use a hair dryer to blow onto your ear gently on a low setting. Do not use for more than 5 minutes.
• Whenever you go outdoors, wear a scarf which helps to cover your ears from wind.
• When you’re in a plane, the change in pressure can cause pain. Chew gum or candy that will activate the muscles that send air into the inner ear and equalizes the pressure.
• Yawning helps to cure ear pain as it opens up the Eustachian tube.
• Prevent the cold, flu and other allergies.
• Gently rub lavender oil around your ear to get soothing effect.
• Avoid swimming until you get relief from the earache. Or simply coat your ear with a few drops of mineral oil before head.
• Avoid taking antibiotics as it harm to your body. Don’t give aspirin to your children as it leads to another health problem.
• Quit smoking and drinking alcohol as it can increase your earache.

If the pain not cured in 3- 4 days or if the earache is severe then consult doctor. Take the advice of your doctor whether to use these remedies for children.

Have you tried any of the above home remedies for ear infection? Do you know of any we haven’t mentioned? Share your experience with us!

Are you interested in home remedies for plugged ears? Let us know in the comments below!