Herbal Drops for Ear Infections

There are alternatives to antibiotics for ear infections (otitis media), and you will want to treat the pain. The pain results from pressure being put on the eardrum from fluid and inflammation in the middle ear. It typically lasts 24 hours with or without treatment.

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests using a warm compress against an older child’s ear to relieve pain. You can use a hot water bottle or a sock that has been filled with grain or flaxseed and warmed in the microwave.

Chewing gum relieves some pressure in the ear, but make sure the child is old enough not to swallow the gum. Gum sweetened with xylitol has shown some success in reducing the risk of ear infections.

Herbs that can be used for ear infections include mullein and garlic. Mullein is a demulcent that can relieve congestion and inflammation. Compounds in mullein also have antibacterial, antiseptic, and pain-relieving properties. Garlic, too, has both antibacterial and antiviral properties. There are commercial ear drops available that contain these herbs. A few drops of warm oil in the ear can provide great relief for a child feeling the pain of an ear infection.

When putting drops in a child’s ear, make sure the oil is warmed; set the container in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. Test the oil on your writs as you would a baby’s bottle. With the child lying on his or her side, put one to three drops of oil in the ear canal using a clean medicine dropper. Be careful to not get the dropper itself into the ear canal. Also try massaging gently behind the ear. Use ear drops up to three times a day, but do not use drops if the eardrum is perforated.

If ear infections are recurrent, consider boosting the child’s immune system. You can accomplish this with Echinacea extracts as well as with Vitamin C.

To Make Your Own Infused Oil
To make your own infused mullein oil, add a large handful of crushed herb, to a cup of carrier oil. The carrier oil can be almond, apricot, grapeseed, olive, walnut, sesame or corn. Each has its own scent and properties. Do not put more herb than can be completely covered; it can become moldy if the oil does not cover it completely. Let this mixture steep at room temperature for one to two weeks in a warm spot, shaking daily. A quicker way to make an infusion is to heat the oil slightly and add the herbs, allowing them to steep for several hours in the hot oil. With either method, strain the herbs from the oil and bottle the liquid. An infused oil can be used directly. By adding a teaspoon of Vitamin E, you extend the life of the oil.

Adapted from The Antibiotic Alternative, by Cindy L.A. Jones, Ph.D. (Healing Arts Press, 2000).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Ta V.

3:48AM PST on Feb 26, 2010

Yes definately worth using seeing a naturapath for the mullein drops it stopped me having to get gromets for my 14 mth old. Also cutting back dairy & gluten helped.

send a green star

Past Member .

5:12AM PDT on Jun 15, 2009

thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner

Pamela B.

3:06PM PST on Jan 1, 2009

A simpler formula that works very well is warm olive oil alone. Our pediatrician recommended this; his Italian mother used this remedy with her 8 children, the doctor with his own, and I with mine.

Drop warm olive oil into the ear canal (I soaked a cotton ball and squeezed it in.) Massage behind the ear or tug on the top of the ear to help it work its way inside, and have the child lie on their side for several minutes, letting it work its' magic. Place a piece of cotton into the ear before they rise, and leave the cotton in; it blocks cold air from entering the ear, and soaks up the olive oil as it runs out. Voila!

jeanine g.

10:41AM PST on Dec 31, 2008

Wally's Ear Oil found in health foood stores works for me. Great Stuff! eased the pain instantly, no more ear infections, swimmers ear ( moist ear canal) or sinus infections.
After clearing your nasal passages, swab Wally's ear oil in your nose as you inhale deeply a few good times. This will fill your lungs and sinus areas with the vapors. This ear, nose, throat combination has stopped my ear and sinus infections. Be CONSISTANT!!!everyday after your shower, make this your health ritual, IT WORKS! Best of health to you and your families in the new year 2009.
Peace

Cindy M.

12:22PM PST on Dec 10, 2008

Also, I hear aloe vera and calendula work good in dogs ears for yeast infections. Don't use this combo on kitties though, or other animals, unless you know. It's always good to research stuff from more than one source, too, because there may be something somebodies not aware of that could be dangerous.

12:20PM PST on Dec 10, 2008

If there's water, or something that thrives in warm moist areas--like yeast--it's better to use a base of alcohol than of oil. Esp., w/a yeast infection in the ears (like dogs get) because it can be very dangerous. Also, you can use both the drops and the hot compress, but it's very important to use them on both ears. Otherwise it'll just go to the other side. W/heat compresses (which can also be made w/salt heated in an iron skillet w/olive oil, or sauted onions then put in a cloth) you'll want to keep that on for 30 mins per ear. Be sure it's not too hot, and, of course, you can reheat it if necessary. Mullein grows like a weed, if you know what it is, it's a great thing to dry and then store in glass jars out of the light and heat. But otherwise it's hard to find in the winter, even dried. It's easier to find it during this time as a tincture, which can also be made by using alcohol instead of oil in the above recipe. Tinctures can be made with water if alcohol's a problem (use something less offensive like vodka, NOT rubbing alcohol because it has things added to it so you can't drink it), but I don't believe they last as long. Alcoholic tinctures last around 15 yrs. You'll also want to keep them all out of the light and heat. Herbs lose potency, especially if you don't care for them properly. Become aware of how they look and smell to get a feel for if they're still effective enough. They won't hurt you, but won't work as good.

Val B.

11:42AM PDT on Jun 5, 2008

My son would get chronic ear infections. So I found out about this combo oil, and no more infections! I use it as soon as he complains about his ear bothering him, and we have not had an ear infection since. It only takes a few minutes to work its miracle, and no more ear trouble. It's a fabulous preventive herbal.

Jacketbacker M.

1:24PM PDT on Jun 4, 2008

This does work on dogs too. Also, my dog had a chronic ear yeast infection. The doc gave us drops with the same stuff you would put on yeast infections you might have. So I have made my own with some of Clotrimazole, mixed with olive oil. I didn't think to try garlic oil, but I will next time! Thanks for the great idea.

Sandy S.

2:52PM PDT on May 30, 2008

Can this be adapted to treat dogs' ear infections? My dog gets at least one ear infection a year. I'd love to be able to treat it at home.

9:17AM PDT on May 30, 2008

Thanks a bunch. Can't wait to try. Husband has chronic infections and nothing was working.