7 Herbal Remedies For Ear Infections With Causes And Symptoms

Bacterial and viral infections are common, especially during the winter months. While children are more susceptible to falling prey to these infections, they may affect adults too. An ear infection occurs when a bacterial or viral infection affects the middle ear (the sections of your ear just behind the eardrum) Ear infections can be painful because of inflammation and fluid build up in the middle ear.

These infections may affect different regions of the body, but the ear is among the highly susceptible regions. The causes of ear infection differ based on where exactly the infection has occurred. Infections within the inner ear are much more dangerous, and require professional medical attention.

The common causes of ear infections are buildup of wax in the ear, upper respiratory infections, nutritional deficiencies, genetic defects, food allergies, environmental allergies and internal injuries. Fortunately there are many effective herbal remedies for ear infections.

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The signs and symptoms of ear infection are many and differ from person to person. However, there are certain common signs and symptoms that may point out to the occurrence of a ear infection. They are: pain in the ear, headache, tugging sensation in the ear, fluid draining from the ear, high fever, nausea, vomiting, sleeping problems, poor response to sounds.

While taking antibiotic medications may be your first thought at dealing with a ear infection. However it may not exactly be ideal. Due to overuse of antibiotic medications over the years, the bacteria have developed a resistance, which may need you to take a heavier dose of the same antibiotic.

Thankfully, we are blessed with many effective herbal remedies for ear infections that you can use right from your kitchen, to calm down a ear infection naturally. How to treat ear infection naturally? Today, Boldsky will be pleased to share with you some natural, safe and effective herbal remedies for ear infections.

Garlic

Garlic is highly antimicrobial in nature and possesses natural pain-relieving properties, which make it among the best natural remedies to curb an ear infection. Boil 3-4 cloves of fresh garlic in some water for 5-7 minutes. Crush the cloves, and add some salt. Now put this mixture in a clean cloth and place it on the ear that's affected. You can also prepare garlic oil. Cook 2 large cloves of garlic in 1-2 tablespoons of sesame oil until it begins to turn black. While the garlic oil is still bearably warm, add 2-3 drops of this oil into the affected ear.

Tea Tree Oil

This is one of the best herbal remedies for ear infections. Tea tree oil has amazing antibacterial properties that make it an excellent herbal remedy for ear infections. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a tbsp of olive oil and warm it slightly. Now, using a dropper fill your ear with this oil. Let it remain for a minute or so, and then drain it off by laying on the other side.

Basil

It has numerous healing properties. Basil extracts can be used to cure minor ear infections and relieve ear pain associated with it. Extract the juice from 4-5 basil leaves by crushing them, and apply this juice directly around the infected ear. Make it a point to avoid letting this juice get into the ear canal.
You can also prepare basil oil by crushing a few leaves and mixing it with a carrier oil like coconut oil and warming it gently. Now soak a cotton ball into this basil oil mixture and wipe it around the outside and the reachable inside of the ear, preferably twice a day.

Onion

How to treat ear infection naturally? Onion works as a wonderful herbal remedy to treat ear infections. Chop an onion, microwave it for a couple of minutes. Add a few drops of the liquid so obtained after microwaving to the infected ear. This is one of the best home remedies for ear aches and infection.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar works as a great natural treatment for ear infections caused by fungi. Mix together equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water or alcohol. Soak a cotton ball into this mixture. Leave it plugged on your ear for 5-7 minutes. Remove the cotton ball and lie on the opposite side, so as to remove all the liquid from the ear that may have entered the ear.

Olive Oil

One of the main causes of an ear infection is wax in the ear catching some fungal or bacterial growth leading to a blockage in the ear tubes. You can easily clear the obstruction with the help of olive oil.
Warm some olive oil slightly. Put a few drops of the warm oil into the infected ear. The oil will cause the wax to soften. Remove the infected wax with cotton-tipped swabs. Be careful not to put the swab too far in the ear or you might damage the eardrum.

Mango Leaf Juice

This is one of the best home remedies for ear infection. Mango leaf extract is a quick and effective treatment. Crush or grind two to three soft mango leaves to extract the juice. Slightly warm the juice. Using a dropper, put three to four drops of the juice into the infected ear. Within a few minutes, you will feel relief from the pain.