The ears are highly sensitive. On getting afflicted with infection, they become painful and irksome. The most prevalent form of ear infection is the acute otitis media that makes the middle portion of the ear very painful.
The general symptoms of ear infection include a severe or a mild earache that persists for a long time, a feeling of blankness in the eardrum or tympanum, hearing issues and a constant discomfort accompanied by a throat infection and a sore throat, congested sinuses, and fever. Essential oils for ear infection make for the best home remedy with just a drop of it that is powerful enough to heal the pain and alleviate the disease.
Types & Symptoms of Ear Infection
There are two broad categories of ear infection. Explained here are acute otitis media and otitis media with effusion with its own set of symptoms.
1. Acute Otitis Media
Characterized by swelling and redness of the ears, acute otitis media gets associated with fever, common cold, etc. It causes the entrapping of mucus in the ears and leads to pain, impairment in hearing and infection.
2. Otitis Media with Effusion
Otitis media with effusion is the retention of mucus in the ears post infection. It results in hearing loss, earache and blockage of the ear canal.
Causes of Ear Infection
The primary reason for ear infection (1) is a respiratory problem. The Eustachian tube that connects the pharynx to the ear faces inflammation and congestion with mucus fluids that accumulate and leads to the development of bacterial infection.
[ Read: Best Remedies For Ear Infection ]
Top 10 Natural Cures with Essential Oils for Ear Infection
Administration of essential oils for ear infection is one of the most effective cures at home. Massage the sides of your ears with a few drops of the essential oils to heal the inflammation and pain of ear infection. So, what essential oils are good for an ear infection? Here is a list of the most effective of them.
The oils not only help in curing the inflammation but can also assist in the draining out of unhealthy mucus that causes the microbial infection in the ears.
Essential Oils
It is a sad fact that child ear infections are the most common. With their slowly developing immunity and overexposure to germs at schools, children contract respiratory troubles quite frequently, and that comes with an ear infection and aching.
Ear infection causes insomnia, discomfort, headache, dizziness, and fever as well. Popping painkillers is the worst way to resort to, whereas, making good use of essential oils is a natural and highly effective cure for an ear infection that leaves no side effects and alleviates the pain quickly.
Elucidated below are 10 essential oils for ear infection along with their way of administration for the treatment of ear infection.
1. Olive Oil
Besides being an incredibly healthy cooking medium, olive oil is highly beneficial for the cure of an ear infection at home. Its potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties cure the inflammation through inhibition of bacterial infection and enhance the ability of hearing.
How to use?
- Massaging with warmed olive oil can also relieve mucus congestion
- It keeps the respiratory and ear passages clear
2. Tea Tree Oil
The antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial nature of the essential oil of tea tree is incredibly useful for the alleviation of pain and inflammation of ear infection.
How to use?
- Take half a teaspoon of tea tree oil
- Massage the outer areas of your ears and the sides of your neck
3. Garlic Oil
The rich content of allicin in raw garlic oil is excellent for the natural cure of pain and inflammation of ear infection. The antibacterial nature of the oil works by the inhibition of bacterial infection and enhances the ability of hearing. It helps in curing inner ear infection and external ear infection as well. However, you should avoid this remedy if you have a ruptured tympanum.
How to use?
- Prepare a mixture of garlic and jojoba oil in an equal amount
- Topically apply the mixture to the inner and outer parts of the ears
4. Coconut Oil
Wondering how to get rid of ear infection with coconut oil? Well, coconut oil(2) is full of antioxidants and activated ingredients that can relieve sinus congestion and quickly clear the nasal passage. It inhibits the growth and spread of infection and provides instant relief from ear blockage.
How to use?
- Massaging with warmed coconut oil is highly effective for the cure of the disease
- Do not drip it into ears directly
- It is also beneficial for baby ear infection
5. Sweet Oil
Sweet oil is highly effective for the cure of mild ear infection and aches.
How to use?
- Warm a tablespoon of sweet oil for about 15 seconds
- Use a sterilized glass dropper to drip a couple of drops of the warmed oil into your ears
- Cover the ears with a warm compress or cotton swab for some time
The pain will go away by the next morning.
6. Castor Oil
Castor oil is an incredibly beneficial home remedy for the cure of ear infection and pain. It has antioxidants that can effectively cure the inflammation in no time.
How to use?
- The best way of administration of castor oil is to soak a small ball of cotton in castor oil
- Season the oily cotton ball with powdered black pepper
- Apply the oiled and peppered cotton ball to the outer part of the ears for the natural treatment of ear infection
7. Rosemary Oil
If you are seeking for one of the best ways to get rid of bacterial infection then here’s rosemary essential oil to your rescue. From soothing sinus inflammation to curing the pain of middle ear infection, rosemary oil is versatile and useful.
How to use?
- Mix half a teaspoon of rosemary essential oil mixed with a teaspoon of coconut oil
- Massage the outer areas of your ears and the sides of your neck with for the cure of infection
[Read More: Best Tips for Sinus Infection]
8. Basil Oil
The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiviral properties of basil essential oil make it wonderfully useful for the cure of ear infection and problems. A pea-sized amount of basil oil is enough to cure the ear infection in a day or two.
How to use?
- Soak a small ball of cotton in basil oil
- Stick the oiled cotton ball using sterile gauze
- Tape to the outer part of the ears for the natural treatment of ear infection
9. Thyme Oil
The rich analgesic and anti-inflammatory nature of the active ingredients of thyme essential oil makes it as one of the highly effective natural remedies for ear infection(3). Besides, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties thyme essential oil is a potent cure for the pain and the natural infection of the middle ear. It helps in the expulsion of congested mucus as well.
How to use?
- Mix half a teaspoon each of thyme and lavender essential oils
- Apply it to your ears using a cotton swab
[Also Read: Lavender Oil Benefits]
10. Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is known for its incredible antibacterial action and its content of active antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. It fights against oxidative stress inside the ears and cures the infection in no time hence making it one of the best essential oils for ear infection.
How to use?
- Warm a tablespoon of mustard oil for a few seconds
- Mix a teaspoon of the slightly warm oil with a few tablespoons of water
- Use a sterilized glass dropper to a drip a couple of drops of the mixture into your ears
Other Important Essential Oils
- Peppermint essential oil
- Eucalyptus essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Oregano essential oil and more.
DIY (How to make the essential oils?)
Some essential oils for ear infection are easy to prepare at home. Follow the procedures given below.
1. Garlic Oil
- Peel a few cloves of raw garlic and heat them in coconut oil until the oil starts to bubble
- Cook this for about 10 minutes until the garlic turns golden brown
- Remove the oil from the heat and let it cool down
- Your garlic oil is ready for use
2. Olive Oil
- Rinse a handful of ripe and fresh olives
- Grind them into a smooth paste to extract the olive oil
Side Effects of Using Essential Oils
If your earache persists beyond a couple of days, then consult with a physician. The use of essential oils for ear infection might trigger allergic reactions and irritation of skin and in no case should the oil be used in undiluted form. Avoid using the oil if your eardrum is ruptured.
Other Home Remedies
- Warm compresses for the aching ears
- Neck exercises for the cure of the pain in ear infection
- Ginger juice for the inhibition of bacterial action
FAQs
1. How to Soothe the Pain in Ear Infection?
If the pain is making you sleepless then merely make use of a warm compress, and the pain will gradually subside and help you sleep in peace.
2. Is Peroxide Beneficial for an Ear Infection?
If congestion of earwax causes the infection, then hydrogen peroxide is highly effective.
The use of essential oils for ear infection is indeed incredibly beneficial. But, get it immediately checked by a doctor if the pain or secretion of fluids from ears occurs persistently. Prolonged pain and infection may cause detrimental effects on the body.
