Viruses and bacteria in the middle ear can lead to ear infections. They are more common in children than in adults.
Some of the most common causes of ear infections include:
- Buildup of wax
- Infections of the upper respiratory tract
- Environmental allergies
- Food allergies
- Genetics
- Fetal alcohol syndrome
- Internal injuries
- Lack of essential nutrients
Some of the most common symptoms of ear infections are:
- Ear pain
- Ear tugging
- Headaches
- Sleeping difficulties
- High fever
- Poor response to sounds
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Fluid draining from the ears
There are three parts of the ear: the inner, the middle, and the outer part. All parts of the ear have specific functions. The outer part of the ear, which resembles a leaf, takes traveling sound waves. The outer part of the ear contains pinna, a section that captures the sound wave and transports it to the ear canal. The sound wave travels through the ear canal to the middle part of the ear. The middle ear contains a hammer, stir up, anvil, semicircular, and middle canal. The sound wave from the middle canal goes to the inner part of the ear. The inner part contains nerves, Eustachian tube, and cochlea. The sound waves from the canal go the nerves, and in this way the brain produces sound.
All three parts can be infected. One of the most serious infections is the infection of the inner ear. It is of utter importance to address ear infections on time because they can lead to serious chronic recurrence and deafness.
10 natural remedies for ear infections
There are many natural treatments that can relieve ear pain and treat ear infections. Some of them include:
1. Salt
Salt is one of the most beneficial remedies for treating ear infections.
Here is what you need to do:
- In a pan heat a cup of salt for a couple of minutes. Place the salt on a cloth and tie a knot. Keep the cloth on the affected ear 5 – 10 minutes
- Alternatively, you can use a cup of rice in the same way.
2. Garlic
Due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, garlic can treat ear infections. You can use garlic as a natural remedy for ear infections in several ways.
Here is what you need to do:
- In 2 tablespoons of mustard oil or sesame oil cook 2 cloves of garlic to prepare garlic oil. When garlic turns blackish, strain it and add 2 – 4 drops of the oil in the infected ear.
- In water boil 2 – 3 cloves of garlic. Then, crush them and add salt. Put the mixture into a cloth and apply the cloth to the infected ear.
- You can consume 2 – 3 cloves of garlic per day to enhance recovery.
3. Basil
You can use holy basil to relieve ear pain and treat ear infections.
Here is what you need to do:
- Crush 4 – 5 basil leaves and apply the juice to the infected ear. Make sure the juice does not enter into the ear canal.
- Mix a couple of drops of basil oil with a carrier oil. Soak a cotton ball in the oil and apply it around the ear. Do this twice a day.
4. Apple cedar vinegar
Apple cedar vinegar is a perfect solution for treating ear fungus.
Here is what you need to do:
- Mix equal parts of water or alcohol with apple cedar vinegar. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and place it in the ear. Let it stay for 5 minutes. When you remove the cotton ball from your ear, lay down on the opposite side to dry the ear.
5. Olive oil
The buildup of wax in the ear is one of the main causes of ear infections. Olive oil can help you prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in the infected ear.
Here is what you need to do:
- Warm olive oil and put a few drops of it into the infected ear. Warm oil will soften the wax and you will be able to remove it with cotton-tipped swabs.
- Instead of olive oil, you can also use mustard oil.
6. Warm bottle of water
Heating the infected ear will help you relieve ear pain and prevent ear infection.
Here is what you need to do:
- Place a heating pad or warm bottle of water against the infected ear.
- A warm compress is a good alternative, too. Soak a cloth in lukewarm water and apply it to the infected ear.
7. Onion
Thanks to its potent medicinal properties, onion is one of the most beneficial natural remedies for treating ear infections.
Here is what you need to do:
- Chop 1 onion and heat it in a microwave for a minute. After it cools, strain the juice. Apply 2 – 3 drops of onion juice to the infected ear. Let it stay for a few minutes and turn your head so that the ear dries.
- Bake an onion for 30 minutes, cut it into two halves and put one half in a cloth. Keep the cloth on the infected ear for 5 minutes.
8. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties, which help relieve ear pain.
Here is what you need to do:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 drops of tea tree oil, 1 teaspoon of apple cedar vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of colloidal silver. With a dropper fill the infected ear with the mixture and let it stay for 5 minutes. Then, lay your head on the other side so that the mixture can dry completely. Repeat it 2 – 3 times per day.
9. Mango juice
Mango leaf juice is an effective remedy for treating ear infections.
Here is what you need to do:
- Grind or crush 2 – 3 leaves of mango and extract the juice. Warm the juice. With a dropper, apply 2 – 3 drops of the juice to the infected ear. Let it stay for a few minutes. Repeat this remedy 2 – 3 times a day.
10. Breast milk
Breast milk possesses natural antibodies that enhance the recovery of ear infections. It treats swelling and earache within a few days.
Here is what you need to do:
- Apply a couple of drops of breast milk to the infected ear with a dropper. Repeat it every 2 – 3 hours.
- Breast milk can be used to treat minor cuts and burns, and eye infections.
