Ear infections are quite common especially during the cold season of winters. It is mostly caused due to bacteria, viruses or fungi getting trapped in the inner, middle or outer ear. Ear infections are mostly seen in kids, but it is also seen in adults. Certain factors can increase your risk of ear pain such as cold, flu, allergies and even smoking. But the good thing is ear infections go away on its own and might require the use of medications only in certain cases. This is the reason why most people opt for home remedies for ear pain. But do they really work? Well, here is what you need to know.
Home Remedies For Ear Pain
There are not many research studies that support the use of home remedies for ear pain. However, certain remedies have been used for a long time. So if you are planning to use these remedies, it is always a good idea to consult with your doctor. Some of the common home remedies for ear pain include:
Salt
Salt is probably the most readily available home remedy.
Heat up one cup of salt on a pan over low heat for a few minutes. You can also heat it in a microwave or double-boiler.
Place the hot salt on a cloth and seal the open end with rubber band (or tie a knot).
When it is bearably hot, lay down and put the cloth on the affected ear for 5 to 10 minutes.
Repeat this remedy daily as many times as needed. The heat generated from the sock will help draw out fluid from the ear and relieve swelling and pain.
Salt is probably the most readily available home remedy.
Heat up one cup of salt on a pan over low heat for a few minutes. You can also heat it in a microwave or double-boiler.
Place the hot salt on a cloth and seal the open end with rubber band (or tie a knot).
When it is bearably hot, lay down and put the cloth on the affected ear for 5 to 10 minutes.
Repeat this remedy daily as many times as needed. The heat generated from the sock will help draw out fluid from the ear and relieve swelling and pain.
Garlic
Garlic is one of the most popular earache home remedies. This spice has anti-inflammatory properties which not only lowers inflammation in and around the ear canal but also relieves congestion, thereby alleviating ear pain.
How to use it: You can either eat two-three raw garlic cloves to get rid of an earache naturally or use it in the crushed form. For this, warm three cloves of garlic and mash it with a pinch of salt. Wrap the mixture in a cloth and place it on the ear that pains. You can even use garlic oil, which is available online, for an earache.
Holy basil
The leaves of holy basil (tulsi) are considered to be an effective ear pain remedy in Ayurvedic medicine. The juice of the leaves is packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, which not only helps relieve ear pain but can also improve symptoms of ear infection.
How to use it: Crush few tulsi leaves in a mortar and pestle. Strain the juice before using it. Add one to two drops in the ear to relieve the pain. However, if it fails to show any improvement even after two to three days, do not hesitate to consult a doctor to get it treated immediately.
Breast MilkGarlic is one of the most popular earache home remedies. This spice has anti-inflammatory properties which not only lowers inflammation in and around the ear canal but also relieves congestion, thereby alleviating ear pain.
How to use it: You can either eat two-three raw garlic cloves to get rid of an earache naturally or use it in the crushed form. For this, warm three cloves of garlic and mash it with a pinch of salt. Wrap the mixture in a cloth and place it on the ear that pains. You can even use garlic oil, which is available online, for an earache.
Holy basil
The leaves of holy basil (tulsi) are considered to be an effective ear pain remedy in Ayurvedic medicine. The juice of the leaves is packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, which not only helps relieve ear pain but can also improve symptoms of ear infection.
How to use it: Crush few tulsi leaves in a mortar and pestle. Strain the juice before using it. Add one to two drops in the ear to relieve the pain. However, if it fails to show any improvement even after two to three days, do not hesitate to consult a doctor to get it treated immediately.
Breast milk has natural antibodies that can help speed up the healing process of any kind of ear infection. It will alleviate swelling and discomfort and can get rid of an ear infection within one or two days. This remedy works for both children and adults.
Using a dropper, put a few drops of breast milk into the affected ear.
Repeat the process every few hours as needed.
Breast milk also can be used to treat eye infections, minor cuts and minor burns.
Cloves
Cloves can also be used ear pain remedies. It has analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-inflammatory (reduce inflammation) properties which help in soothing ear pain and treating an ear infection.
How to use it: Clove oil is widely used as an effective home remedy for ear pain. To prepare clove oil, saute a clove in a teaspoon of sesame (til) oil. Bring it to a boil and let it cool down. Filter the oil and put one to two drops of the warm oil in the affected ear. Do this three to four times daily for three days for effective relief.
Olive oil
Although there is limited research evidence on the use of olive oil to ease ear pain, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends olive oil as an effective home remedy for mild to moderate ear pain. However, it is always advised to discuss the use of olive oil in your ear to soothe an earache with your doctor first, especially if you are planning to use it for kids.
How to use it: Warm a teaspoon of olive oil and allow it to cool. Pour one to two drops of the oil in the affected ear. Ensure to check the temperature of the oil before use as using hot oil can burn the eardrum.
Cloves can also be used ear pain remedies. It has analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-inflammatory (reduce inflammation) properties which help in soothing ear pain and treating an ear infection.
How to use it: Clove oil is widely used as an effective home remedy for ear pain. To prepare clove oil, saute a clove in a teaspoon of sesame (til) oil. Bring it to a boil and let it cool down. Filter the oil and put one to two drops of the warm oil in the affected ear. Do this three to four times daily for three days for effective relief.
Olive oil
Although there is limited research evidence on the use of olive oil to ease ear pain, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends olive oil as an effective home remedy for mild to moderate ear pain. However, it is always advised to discuss the use of olive oil in your ear to soothe an earache with your doctor first, especially if you are planning to use it for kids.
How to use it: Warm a teaspoon of olive oil and allow it to cool. Pour one to two drops of the oil in the affected ear. Ensure to check the temperature of the oil before use as using hot oil can burn the eardrum.
Mango Leaf Juice
Mango leaf extract is a quick and effective treatment
Crush or grind two to three soft mango leaves to extract the juice. Slightly warm the juice.
Using a dropper, put three to four drops of the juice into the infected ear. Within a few minutes, you will feel relief from the pain.
Follow this remedy two to three times a day for full relief from ear infection
Mango leaf extract is a quick and effective treatment
Crush or grind two to three soft mango leaves to extract the juice. Slightly warm the juice.
Using a dropper, put three to four drops of the juice into the infected ear. Within a few minutes, you will feel relief from the pain.
Follow this remedy two to three times a day for full relief from ear infection
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil which is widely used as a natural remedy to get rid of the pain. The oil has powerful antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it one of the effective home remedies for ear pain. The oil is used to reduce pain and discomfort in the ear.
How to use it: The oil is available online and in stores offline. All you have to do is mix a drop or two of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of any base oil such as olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil before use. Mix the oil properly and pour one to two drops in the ear to soothe ear pain.
Tea tree oil is an essential oil which is widely used as a natural remedy to get rid of the pain. The oil has powerful antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it one of the effective home remedies for ear pain. The oil is used to reduce pain and discomfort in the ear.
How to use it: The oil is available online and in stores offline. All you have to do is mix a drop or two of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of any base oil such as olive oil, sesame oil or coconut oil before use. Mix the oil properly and pour one to two drops in the ear to soothe ear pain.
Apple Cider Vinegar
To get rid of the fungus that may be causing the ear infection, apple cider vinegar is a good option.
Mix one part apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water or alcohol. Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
Put the cotton ball in your ear like a plug and leave it for about five minutes.
Remove the cotton ball and lay down on your opposite side to drain the liquid from the ear. Use a hair dryer to dry your ear as much as possible.
If apple cider vinegar is not available, you can use white vinegar. If the cause of the ear infection is in the Eustachian tubes, try gargling with apple cider vinegar.
To get rid of the fungus that may be causing the ear infection, apple cider vinegar is a good option.
Mix one part apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water or alcohol. Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
Put the cotton ball in your ear like a plug and leave it for about five minutes.
Remove the cotton ball and lay down on your opposite side to drain the liquid from the ear. Use a hair dryer to dry your ear as much as possible.
If apple cider vinegar is not available, you can use white vinegar. If the cause of the ear infection is in the Eustachian tubes, try gargling with apple cider vinegar.
Ginger
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger make it an effective and simple home remedy for ear pain. It not only reduces inflammation in the ear but also helps you to fight ear infections and provide relief from discomfort and pain in and around the ears.
How to use it: You can use ginger either in the form of ginger juice or ginger oil to relieve earache. Take a raw, fresh ginger piece and extract its juice in a mortar and pestle. Strain the liquid and use it on the skin near the ear for effective action. To use it in the form of ginger oil, add ginger in a teaspoon of oil and warm it. Use the oil around the ear canal to relieve earache.
The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger make it an effective and simple home remedy for ear pain. It not only reduces inflammation in the ear but also helps you to fight ear infections and provide relief from discomfort and pain in and around the ears.
How to use it: You can use ginger either in the form of ginger juice or ginger oil to relieve earache. Take a raw, fresh ginger piece and extract its juice in a mortar and pestle. Strain the liquid and use it on the skin near the ear for effective action. To use it in the form of ginger oil, add ginger in a teaspoon of oil and warm it. Use the oil around the ear canal to relieve earache.
Onion
Onion is a very common ingredient used in cooking. It has medicinal uses too, including for the treatment of an ear infection.
Chop one small onion, put it in a bowl and microwave it for one to two minutes. Allow it to cool and then strain out the onion juice. Put two to three drops of the juice in the infected ear, leave it for sometime and then turn your head to let it drain out of your ear.
You can also bake an onion for half an hour, cut it into halves and put one half in a thick cotton cloth. Place the cloth on the infected ear for five minutes. Wait for 10 minutes and then repeat the process.
Onion is a very common ingredient used in cooking. It has medicinal uses too, including for the treatment of an ear infection.
Chop one small onion, put it in a bowl and microwave it for one to two minutes. Allow it to cool and then strain out the onion juice. Put two to three drops of the juice in the infected ear, leave it for sometime and then turn your head to let it drain out of your ear.
You can also bake an onion for half an hour, cut it into halves and put one half in a thick cotton cloth. Place the cloth on the infected ear for five minutes. Wait for 10 minutes and then repeat the process.
Hot and cold compresses
Hot and cold compresses work as an effective remedy to get rid of pain including ear pain. Moreover, it is considered a safe option for both kids and adults suffering from an earache. A hot or cold compress helps in improving blood circulation and ease the pain.
How to use it: You can place the ice pack or hot bag over the affected ear for around 10 minutes to relieve ear pain. Most people prefer hot compress as it exerts a soothing effect. But do keep in mind to check the compress before use as using a hot one might injure the skin.
Hot and cold compresses work as an effective remedy to get rid of pain including ear pain. Moreover, it is considered a safe option for both kids and adults suffering from an earache. A hot or cold compress helps in improving blood circulation and ease the pain.
How to use it: You can place the ice pack or hot bag over the affected ear for around 10 minutes to relieve ear pain. Most people prefer hot compress as it exerts a soothing effect. But do keep in mind to check the compress before use as using a hot one might injure the skin.
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