A popular remedy used in folk medicine makes use of garlic for treating ear pain. Garlic is a natural antibacterial, and it is useful for treating an ear infection or swimmer's ear, says Gayle Alleman, author of "The Healing Power of Garlic, Vinegar, & Olive Oil." As with all forms of medicinal remedies including prescription medications, there are limitations for their use. Before you try one of these remedies, talk to your doctor to see if they are appropriate for you.
Topical Application
You can use garlic capsules for topical applications. Garlic oil applied to a cotton ball, then placed just inside the ear, is a popular method used in folk medicine. Use caution when using garlic oil as it may burn the skin. Do not apply garlic oil directly into the ear canal when using this remedy. The cotton ball should sit just inside the ear, like a set of headphones or earplugs. Do not insert the cotton ball into the ear canal.
Alternatively, you can rub a saturated cotton ball with garlic oil on the skin around the ear. You may rub the cotton ball over the crevices of the outer ear and behind the ear. Use this method as an add-on for the cotton ball placed into the ear, using a clean cotton ball for each application and each method.
Oral Supplement
Garlic supplements are available in capsule and tablet form. This helps you get rid of the infection that is causing you ear pain. Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements," recommends taking a 500mg tablet twice a day for up to seven days. If you are feeling pain after one week, make a visit with your doctor or audiologist.
Expert Advice
When you have ear pain, you want quick relief. If you want to use garlic oil remedies alone to get rid of the ear pain, you may have to wait a while for garlic to work its healing powers. This is not ideal for many people. To soothe pain, pressure and inflammation in the ear, Linda Kingsbury, holistic nutritionist and director of Earth Wisdom Holistic Services in Keene, New Hampshire recommends adding 2 drops of mullein flower oil to the garlic-laced cotton ball and placing it in the ear for up to four hours. Avoid inserting the cotton ball into the ear canal to avoid pushing it against the eardrum.
Limitations
You can use garlic remedies for pain associated with earwax buildup, but garlic oil is not an appropriate treatment for all ear conditions. Earwax buildup may cause an ear perforation. If you have an ear perforation due to earwax buildup, do not use a garlic remedy. ENT Associates, a clinic based in Corpus Christi, Texas says that ear perforations do not heal on their own and require medical attention. Additionally, if you have recurrent ear infections, discharge or frequent bouts with ear pain, make an appointment with your doctor.
References
- "The Healing Power of Garlic, Vinegar, & Olive Oil"; Gayle Povis Alleman; 2006
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements"; Phyllis Balch; 2010
- "Alternative Cures"; Bill Gottlieb; 2000
- ENT Associates: Porforated Eardrum
