No one likes having an earache. They cause pain, interfere with your daily routine and can indicate the presence of a more serous disease. Earache pain is usually intense and may even cause the strongest grown man to break down and cry. There are certain home treatments made with simple herbal ingredients that you can have on hand if anyone in your house is prone to developing earaches. Herbs may cause side effects, so check with your health practitioner before using them.
Hot Lavender Compress
Applying a hot compress to a sore ear may relieve the pain and allow the patient to get some rest. Make a hot compress easily with a clean, cotton sock half filled with salt. If you have some lavender flowers or dried lavender leaf, place a small handful in with the salt and shake to mix. To relieve the earache, tie the end of the sock in a knot or with a rubber band and heat in the microwave oven to body temperature. Test the temperature on the inside of your wrist. Place the compress on the sore ear and hold it there until it cools. The salt and lavender in the sock absorb toxins and help an infection disappear, speeding recovery. Reheat as needed. If you do not have a microwave, you can warm the salt and lavender in a skillet and then pour into the sock. Discard the salt and lavender after use.
Garlic Oil
Garlic has antibiotic and antiseptic properties, making it an excellent herbal treatment for an earache. Peel, crush and soak three to four cloves of fresh garlic in a cup of olive or other vegetable oil on low heat on the stove for about one hour. Do not allow the oil to boil or even simmer. Once the infusion is finished, remove the garlic and pour the oil into a bottle, preferably with a dropper. To use the oil, place a few drops of warm oil in the painful ear and follow with a cotton ball to keep the liquid from running out of the ear. Check the temperature on the inside of your wrist first. Have the patient lie with the sore ear pointing up toward the ceiling for at least 20 minutes. Repeat the treatment as necessary over the next 24 hours to reduce pain and relieve the infection. If no improvement occurs in 24 hours or the earache worsens, seek medical help. If you see marked improvement after using garlic oil, you can continue to use it until the infection is gone. As the oil cools in the ear, add a few drops more. You cannot use too much. Do not place liquids in an ear if you suspect a broken eardrum.
Mullein Oil
Another herbal home remedy you can make at home for an earache is mullein oil. Make it as you would garlic oil, except place 1 tsp. mullein dried flowers or leaf into 1/2 cup of olive or vegetable oil and warm on the stove for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the mullein to remain in the oil for about one hour, then strain through a fine cloth to remove the herbs. Place a few drops of warmed mullein oil in the painful ear and follow with a cotton ball. Check the temperature first on your wrist. Have the patient lie with the painful ear pointing toward the ceiling for 20 minutes. Repeat the treatment when the oil cools. If after 24 hours there is no improvement, seek medical attention. If the earache has improved, continue on with the treatment until it is completely cured. Mullein seeds contain a substance called rotenone, which is potentially toxic. Make sure to remove any seeds from the dried flowers before using them. To avoid them completely, use only the dried mullein leaves without the flowers.
Precautions
Always store leftover oils in the refrigerator, especially garlic oil, to prevent the formation of botulism spores. Reheat the oil before using. Check the temperature before using the oil on the inside of your wrist. It should be at body temperature so it will not burn the patient. Never place liquids into an ear if you suspect a broken eardrum. Contact your practitioner if symptoms persist after 24 hours or sooner if symptoms worsen.
References
- "The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies"; Joe Graedon MS and Sifu Teresa Graedon; 2002
- "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your Everyday Reference to the Best Herbs for Healing"; James Duke; 2002
- "Herbs for Health and Healing"; Kathi Keville and Peter Korn; 1998
- American Academy of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery: Earaches
- MayoClinic.com: Earache
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