Ear Ache Herbal Remedies
Ear ache is a very common complaint, especially in children. Luckily, they are also easy to cure in most cases. There are three types of earaches. Inner ear infections are not painful, but they do affect your balance. Middle ear infections are behind the eardrum. They are very painful, and if the infection grows enough, it may rupture the eardrum. Outer ear infections are the most common and the easiest to cure.
Symptoms
Symptoms of an ear ache include pain in the ear, high temperature, headache and sometimes a feeling like all sounds are muffled. Earache may accompany a cold, sore throat or the flu. You may experience dizziness if your inner ear is affected.
Causes
Ear aches are commonly caused by bacteria or viruses spread via the Eustachian tubes. It can be caused by getting water trapped in the outer ear, getting chilled while you are wet and by wind hitting the ears. Repeated ear infections may be caused by a weakened immune system. The immune system can be weakened by overuse of antibiotics, stress, lack of sleep, poor diet, food allergies, additives and preservatives, environmental toxins, toxins formed from digesting protein and overloading the immune system.
Cautions
Seek medical attention if your earache lasts for longer than a week or continues to hurt for more than three days after taking antibiotics. If you have sudden or severe pain in the ear without a cold or sore throat or if your ear hurts when you chew, see your doctor immediately.
Herbal Treatments
Internal Applications
- Echinacea – this herb can be taken as an infusion or a tincture to boost the immune system and fight off infection. Take Echinacea three times a day.
- Goldenseal – take a tincture or capsules to fight off infections in the body. Follow the directions on the label.
- Rosehips - take as infusion to boost the immune system.
- Ephedra – this herb can help drain fluid from the middle ear that can often be the cause of middle ear infections. This herb must be taken very carefully, however. Stick to the dose that is recommended on the label.
- Peppermint – drink a soothing peppermint tea for earache. Mint is antiseptic, and peppermint has the most menthol of all the varieties.
- Gotu kola – this herb can help reduce the likelihood of developing ear infections and can improve the hearing. Take two 500 mg capsules in the morning and two at night.
- Mullein - acts as an anti-inflammatory. Take as an infusion. To make infusion, infuse 3 grams of dried her in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes, strain and drink 2-3 cups a day.
- Eyebright - take as liquid extract or infusion. To make infusion, infuse 3 grams of dried her in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes, strain and drink 2-3 cups a day.
External Applications
- Garlic – apply garlic oil into the outer ear to cure outer ear infections. Calendula and St John's wort can be added to garlic oil to make it even more effective. Alternatively, boil 3 or 4 cloves of garlic. Mash them up and add just a pinch of salt. Wrap this mash into a poultice made of wool fabric. Place on the aching ear for relief. Garlic can also be taken internally to help a middle ear infection.
- Mullein – apply cold infused mullein oil as ear drops to treat earaches and infections. This remedy may also be found mixed with garlic oil.
- Holy basil – grind some leaves and extract the juice. Apply two drops inside the ear to reduce pain.
Aromatherapy
- Tea tree – add a few drops of tea tree essential oil into some vegetable or olive oil and make ear drops. Do not use ear drops if there is any possibility that the eardrum has been perforated.
- Eucalyptus oil - add 2 - 3 drops of eucalyptus oil to bowl boiled water, cover head with a towel and place head in bowl - breathe deeply for 10 minutes. Tea-tree oil can also be used for ear ache.