Earache causes range from the simple to the complex, including jogging in the wind, having an insect stuck in your ear, a cold, pressure changes during an airplane flight or an infection. Regardless of the cause, most earaches are very painful and sufferers seek immediate relief. Herbal remedies may be helpful for relieving pain, inflammation and infections in the ears; however, herbs can produce side effects, so consult with your health care practitioner before employing herbal treatments for an earache. Reheat to body temperature before using again.
Garlic Oil
Garlic can be used as an earache remedy in one of several ways. Make garlic oil by adding 2 to 4 peeled, crushed cloves of garlic to 1/2 cup olive oil and warm on the stove. Allow the oil to continue warming on the stove for about one hour. Do not simmer or boil the oil. Remove the garlic when the hour is up and use the oil at body temperature to relieve earaches. Olive oil is the traditional base for making garlic oil, but if you don't have any, you can use any cooking oil. Place a few drops in the painful ear, and then place a piece of cotton in the outer ear. Do not push the cotton into the ear canal. Allow the oil and cotton to remain in the ear for as long as possible. A variation to this recipe is to add some mullein flowers or dried mullein to the oil, allowing them to infuse with the garlic. Store the remaining oil in the refrigerator to prevent the formation of botulism spores, which have an affinity for garlic when it is stored at room temperature.
Onion Juice
Like garlic, onions possess potent healing compounds, and their juices may relieve an earache. The best way to prepare an onion for use as an earache remedy is by baking or steaming it in the oven until the outer skin becomes soft. Peel the onion over a bowl to catch any juices that escape and crush some of the cooked onion flesh in the bowl to extract the juices. You may have to add a small amount of water to release some of the onion juice. Using an eyedropper or syringe, place a few drops of the warm juice in the ear. Place a piece of cotton in the outer ear and allow it to remain there as long as possible. Check temperature of the juice on the inside of your wrist before dripping it into a sore ear. Alternately, you can cut the cooked onion in half and place it against the outside of the ear. Hold it in place for 10 to 20 minutes to relieve pain. Make sure the onion is cooled to body temperature before doing this.
Cinnamon Oil
Most people keep cinnamon in their spice cabinets, so this remedy can be an easy one to use for relieving an earache. Place 1/4 tsp. cinnamon powder into 1/2 cup of olive oil and warm on the stove for 20 minutes. Do not simmer or boil. Allow the cinnamon to remain in the oil after warming for another hour. Strain the oil through a fine cloth to remove the cinnamon, leaving the cinnamon oils infused in the olive oil. Use the finished oil at body temperature and place several drops, followed by a small wad of cotton, in the painful ear. Allow the cotton to remain in the ear for as long as possible. You can also purchase cinnamon essential oil wherever aromatherapy products are sold. Instead of using powdered cinnamon, place 5 drops of essential oil into 1/2 cup of olive oil. Warm to body temperature and use as needed.
Precautions
Never place liquids into an ear if you suspect a broken eardrum. Always cool liquids to body temperature before placing in a sore ear. If symptoms persist after 24 hours, consult your health practitioner for additional treatment.
References
- "Herbs for Health and Healing: A Drug-Free Guide to Prevention and Cure"; Kathi Keville and Peter Korn; 1998
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Everyday Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing"; James A. Duke; 2002
- "The Magic of Herbs"; David Conway; 1973
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon and Sifu Teresa Graedon; 2002
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