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.