Home Remedies That Give Instant Relief from Ear Pain

Updated on March 19th, 2020
home remedies for ear pain

Infection in the ear can be painful. Sometimes it causes a dull pain, or you may experience a sharp burning sensation. Ear infections may occur due to bacteria, viruses, or it may happen because of yeast too. It includes outer ear infections or swimmer’s ear, middle ear infection, and inner ear infection. Most of the time, it isn’t a cause for worry.

Usually, 3 out of 4 kids experience ear pain between 1-3 years of age. Adults may also suffer from ear infections. In the case of otitis media, boys experience it more as compared to the girls.

As per the survey report, 8.8 million or 11.8% of the children in the U.S. below 18 years of age reported having ear infections.

Ear pain can be healed through traditional methods of treatment, which are easy home remedies. The typical home remedies for ear pain include everything from onions and olive oil to hairdryers.

Home Remedies for Ear Pain

1. Massage

Ear Massage
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Gentle massage is beneficial when you experience pain in the ear that radiates from the teeth or jaw, and can cause a headache. You can massage the affected area and the nearby muscles. For instance, if you experience pain behind the ear, try massaging the muscles of the jaw and neck. Massage can effectively help in easing the pain due to an ear infection.

A therapist does the massage in a downward motion; by applying the pressure just down the neck and behind the ears. They will apply pressure in a downward direction continuously, working forward to the ear front. It may help in draining excess fluid from the ears. It can prevent the pain from getting worse.

You can continue taking a massage until the ear pain subsides.

[ Read: How to Relieve Ear Pain with the Help of Natural Remedies ]

2. Herbs

Herbs are highly effective in treating ear pains. Recommended herbs for ear pain include holy basil leaves and echinacea(1). Holy basil leaves (Tulsi) is considered a perfect herbal remedy due to its medicinal properties.

To use this remedy, crush few Holy Basil leaves. Extract the juice and apply it around the infected ear. Ensure that the juice doesn’t enter into the ear.

You can apply the juice every few hours. It will reduce the infection of the ear in a few days.

3. Mullein Oil

Mullein Oil
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Verbascum thapsus or mullein is a weed, which is useful as herbal medicine. Mullein oil helps clear bacterial or viral infection and helps effectively. Home remedies, which aim to soothe the infection through the respiratory system, incorporate mullein leaves and flowers. It is also useful as an alcoholic beverage flavor.

Flowers and leaves of mullein contain specific compounds, which act as expectorants or demulcents. Demulcent is a substance, which can calm inflammation or irritation in your skin or inner side of your mouth, nose, throat, or ear. Expectorants act as a stimulating agent that helps secretion or production of phlegm.

There is no specific recommended mullein dose. The dosage may depend on many factors, such as gender, age, and health condition.

[ Read: Natural Ways to Clean Ears ]

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is capable of killing fungi and bacteria. This oil is obtained from the Melaleuca alternifolia tree leaves(2). Tea tree oil is used as a complementary therapy in burn care, dental care, and surgery. Because of its effective antiseptic properties, it has become the best essential to fight against the ear pain.

Prepare a mixture by adding 3 to 4 drops of tea tree oil to 1/4 cup of olive oil. Heat this oil and cool it down to room or mildly warm temperature. Pour a few drops of oil in the infected ear and keep your head tilted for some time so that the oil penetrates in the ear after, drain out the oil and melted wax from the ear. Clean your ear with cotton. You may also do the gentle massage behind the ear with this mixture oil and let it stay for a while.

Repeat this process two times a day until the ear infection gets cleared.

[Also Read: Tea Tree Oil: Uses And Benefits ]

5. Garlic

Garlic
Image:ShutterStock

Due to antifungal, anti-viral, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidizing properties, garlic has been one of the oldest remedies to get rid of ear infections. Additionally, it is capable of boosting the immune system, fight against the virus, bacteria, and other pathogens. You may also use garlic oil, as you will see similar benefits. Garlic is useful as a home remedy for ear pain, and it also heals tinnitus and other ear infection.

Firstly, warm a little amount of garlic oil and put 2 to 3 drops in the infected ear. Lye down with a tilted head, with the infected ear facing upwards.

You can continue using this remedy until you get relief from ear pain.

6. Cold Pack

For easing the pain in the ear, you can hold a cold pack or wrap ice cubes in a washed cotton cloth and place it over the ear. This will help in decreasing the pressure and swelling that is inside the ear.

Some doctor may recommend a heating pad or warm moist washed cotton cloth. When you place the hot or cold cloth on the infected ear, it will numb the ear pain. It will also reduce inflammation.

You must remove the heat or cold pack within 20 minutes to prevent burns or frostbite.

Lavender essential oil, mullein oil, organic tea tree essential oil, etc. are effective essential oils to treat earache. You may diffuse lavender oil in your room, which will help calm any anxiety (in case of any). You may also do massage of warm mullein oil and tea tree essential oil on the infected ear.

Natural remedies with minimal side effects are a perfect source to treat and prevent ear infections. These natural remedies also alleviate the symptoms surrounding the ear infections and aids in prevention. However, if the ear pain is chronic or severe, or is affecting the deeper layers, it is a must to consult a physician.

[ Read: Home Remedies for Clogged Ear ]


FAQs

1. What Are Top Home Remedies for Ear Pain?

There are numerous home remedies for ear pain but few proven remedies such as Garlic Oil, Essential Oils, Tea Tree Oil, Sweet Oil, Hydrogen Peroxide, Breast Milk, Coconut Oil, Oregano Oil, Onion Juice, Salt Sock, Rubbing Alcohol, Mullein Oil, Garlic, Castor Oil, Herbs, Apple Cider Vinegar for ear pain and Olive Oil for ear pain.

2. How long does ear pain last?

Ear infections that occur in the outer or slightly inside the ear go away in a week or two. However, the chronic ear infections that affect the deeper areas can last for more than a month.

3. How should I sleep with ear pain?

Sleeping in a sitting position or sleeping by putting the head on the stacked pillows is helpful. It helps in reducing pressure on the ear and promotes the draining of fluid in the ears.

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