Nature's remedies for Ear Infection

Ear infection also known as acute otitis media is a kind of health condition caused by bacteria or virus that affects the middle ear. The infection occurs more commonly in children as compared to adults. Some of the main causes of ear infection are buildup of wax, upper respiratory infections, food allergies, environmental allergies, fetal alcohol syndrome, genetics, nutritional deficiencies and internal injuries. The common symptoms of an ear infection are pain in the ear, tugging at the ear, difficulty in sleeping, headache, poor response to sounds, high fever, drainage of fluid, vomiting, diarrhea and so on.

A human ear can detect sounds that are in the range of frequency between 16 Hertz to 16384 Hertz. The ear is divided into three parts: outer, middle and inner (see diagram) and each part have specific functions that help in the process of hearing.
You can see in the diagram that the outer ear which shape like a leave captures the traveling sound waves. In the outer part of our ear, there is a section called as pinna and through this section the sound waves enter into the ear canal. Through the ear canal the sound waves reach the eardrum which is located in the middle part. In addition, the middle section of the ear also has other important ear organs like hammer, anvil, stir up, semicircular, and middle canal. Through the canal, sound waves travel to the inner section of our ear. In the inner part of the ear, there are important ear parts like cochlea, Eustachian tube, and nerves. Sound waves from the canal are sent to the nerves so that the brain can process the sound.  After that we are able to recognize the sound and understand it.
Ear infection can happen in any of the three parts. Infection in the inner ear is the most serious type of ear infection. Treatment is important to treat ear infection or else it can lead to other complications, including damage or rupturing of the ear drum. Also untreated ear infection can become chronic and can even lead to deafness! It is important to consult a doctor but at the same time you can try some natural treatments also. There are many time-honored simple and easy home remedies for ear infection that can help to get rid of the pain and other symptoms of ear infection.

Here are top 10 home remedies for Ear Infection.

1. Warm Water Bottle

   As soon as you suffer from an ear infection, apply some heat on the affected ear. This will help to get quick relief from the pain and will also prevent from getting microorganism infestation. Take a warm water bottle or warm bag of salt and press it against the ear. You can also use a heating pad. Another option is to get a dry and warm wash cloth and dip it into lukewarm water, remove the excess water and then place the washcloth against the infected ear. You must not apply heat on the ear for a very longer time period. Do it for five minutes, take some rest and then repeat the process again.

2. Tea Tree Oil

   Tea tree oil is also very effective in dealing with ear infection. The mild anti-bacterial properties present in tea tree oil can give instant relief from earache. For treating ear infection mix together three drops of tea tree oil with two tablespoons of olive oil, a teaspoon of colloidal silver and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Warm the mixture slightly and then lie down on your side with your head on a towel. Now with the help of a dropper fill your ear with this mixture and after five minutes lie down on your other side and allow the mixture to drain out of your ear completely. Follow this remedy two to three times in a day for two days.

3. Garlic

   Garlic has antimicrobial properties and natural pain-relieving qualities and so it is highly effective in the treatment of ear infection. Get some fresh garlic juice and with the help of an ear dropper put them in the infected ear two to three times of day. You can also use garlic oil instead of fresh garlic juice. Another option is to boil two or three fresh garlic cloves in water for five minutes, take them out and crush them and add some salt. Put the mixture in a piece of clean cloth and place it against the affected area. This will give you relief from earache. You must also consume two to three cloves of raw garlic daily to speed up the healing process.

4. Mango Leaf Juice

   Mango leaf extract can also be used to treat ear infection in a quick and effective manner. Take two to three soft and tender mango leaves and then crush or grind them to take out the juice. Slightly warm this juice and then with the help of an ear dropper put three to four drops of this juice into the infected ear. Within a few minutes you will get relief from the pain. Follow this remedy two to three times a day to completely get relief from ear infection.

5. Salt

   Take one cup of salt and heat it in a microwave for about three to five minutes. Make sure the salt is hot. Now put the hot salt inside a thick sock. Close the opening of the sock with the rubber band. Now lie down and put the sock under the affected ear for five to ten minutes. The heat generated from the sock will help to draw out the fluid from the ear and give you relief from the swelling and pain. Instead of salt, you can also use one cup of rice. Repeat this remedy as many times as needed daily to get relief from earache.

6. Onion

   Onion is a very common ingredient used in kitchen. Now you can use onion to treat ear infection. Take one small sized onion and chop it and put it in the microwave for one to two minutes. Allow it to cool and then take out the onion juice. Now with the help an ear dropper put two to three drops of onion juice in the infected ear and after sometime drain out the juice. Another option is to bake an onion for half an hour, cut it into half and put it in a thick cotton cloth. Now place the cloth on top of the infected ear for five minutes. Repeat it again after ten minutes.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

   To get rid of the fungus which causes the ear infection, you can always rely on apple cider vinegar. Take one part of apple cider vinegar and mix it with equal amount of water or alcohol. Soak a cotton ball in this solution. Now, plug your ear with the cotton ball for about five minutes. After that lie down on opposite side to drain out the ear and with the help a hair dryer make your ear dry as much as possible. In case apple cider vinegar is not available, then you can use white vinegar also. If the cause of ear infection is affected Eustachian tubes, then gargling with apple cider vinegar can also help a lot.

8. Basil

   You can also use holy basil to treat minor earache and ear infection. Take four to five fresh holy basil leaves and crush them gently to extract the juice. Now apply the basil juice on or around the infected ear. It is advisable not to put the oil in the ear canal. This remedy will relieve ear pain and reduce infection. Another option is mix a few drops of holy basil oil with equal amount of carrier oil like coconut oil. Soak a cotton ball in this mixture and gently wipe just inside the ear, around the outer edge and behind the ear. Repeat the process twice daily.

9. Olive Oil

   One of the main causes of an ear infection is that the wax present in the ear catches some fungal or bacterial undesired growth leading to blockage in the Eustachian tubes. Well, you can easily clear the obstruction in the Eustachian tubes with the help of olive oil. Take olive oil and slightly warm it. Now put a few drops of this warm olive oil into the infected ear. This will allow the wax to soften and you can easy remove the infected wax with the help of an ear bud. Instead of olive oil you can also use mustard oil for curing ear infection.

10. Breast Milk

    Breast milk has natural antibodies that can help to speed up the healing process of any kind of ear infection. So, when suffering from ear infection, breast milk can also be used. With the help of a dropper put a few drops of breast milk into the affected ear. Repeat the process every few hours as necessary. This will alleviate swelling and discomfort and give you relief from ear infection. You can get rid of ear infection within one or two days. This remedy works for both children and adults. Also breast milk can be used to treat eye infection, regular cuts and minor burns.