Aromatherapy is a complementary health therapy that you can use for health problems such as earache. You can use essential oils such as lavender, Roman chamomile and tea tree to soothe earache pain. However, an earache that persists may indicate a more serious problem than a simple infection that accompanies a cold. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for further advice.
Types of Earache
According to Patricia Davis in “Aromatherapy: An A-Z,” earaches occur because of several reasons. Earache is sometimes due to a secondary infection, such as a cold or sinusitis, but sometimes the problem is more serious, such as a perforated ear drum. You can use aromatherapy for simple ear infections but if you have earache that does not improve, or is accompanied by fever or acute pain, consult a medical practitioner straight away.
Essential Oils to Use
Valerie Ann Worwood, in “The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy,” recommends an aromatherapy blend of lavender, Roman chamomile and tea tree essential oil for earache. Davis also recommends a blend of lavender and Roman chamomile essential oils. Shirley Price, in “Aromatherapy Workbook,” recommends cajeput essential oil for ear inflammation. In all instances, you need to dilute the blend.
How to Use
Hot compresses and massage oils are the most appropriate way in which to use aromatherapy for earaches. If you are using a hot compress, add approximately 16 drops of lavender oil and 20 drops of Roman chamomile oil to four ounces of hot water; soak a small cotton cloth, wash cloth or cotton ball in the water. Hold the compress to the ear for about 15 minutes to soothe the pain. Repeat up to three times a day. If you are using a cotton ball, squeeze the cotton ball after soaking and do not insert it, or anything else, into the ear, otherwise you may damage your eardrum.
Worwood recommends adding 3 drops of chamomile oil, 1 drop of lavender, and 1 drop of tea tree oil to a teaspoon of vegetable oil, such as olive oil. Use the blend to massage around the area of the ear. Apply twice a day. If the earache does not improve, consult a medical practitioner.
Cautions
It is important that you establish that you don't have a perforated ear drum or a more serious ear infection if your earache does not improve within a couple of days. You might suffer more serious problems, such as deafness, if you neglect a persistent earache. Julia Lawless, in “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils,” does not indicate any major contra-indicators for any of the essential oils mentioned in this article but you should be aware that some prescribed medications may interact with essential oils used in aromatherapy. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for advice on using aromatherapy for earaches.
References
- “Aromatherapy: An A-Z”; Patricia Davis; 1999
- “The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy”; Valerie Ann Worwood; 1991
- “Aromatherapy Workbook”; Shirley Price; 2000
- “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils”; Julia Lawless; 1995
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