Ear infections generally happen following a respiratory illness, such as a cold or influenza, typically manifesting as ear pain, a feeling of ear pressure or fluid drainage. Given the fact that the majority of ear infections resolve spontaneously without any kind of medical intervention – 80% within three days – any treatment should be aimed at easing symptoms as opposed to curing the condition. In the majority of cases antibiotics are not necessary and this is where natural ways to treat symptoms of ear infections take centre stage.
The following home remedies are readily available, inexpensive and effective ways to relieve the discomfort of ear infections.
Natural ways to treat ear infections – beating the discomfort
The relief of applying heat
The primary symptom of an ear infection is pain – relief may be obtained from the application of heat as a compress. This can be carried out in a number of effective ways, including:
• Holding a warm hot water bottle to the affected ear
• Applying a heating pad to the ear
• Dipping a cloth in water, wringing out and applying to the ear
At the risk of stating the obvious, whichever of the above compresses you may choose – make sure it isn’t too hot before applying!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Yet again we return to our old friend apple cider vinegar – truly a superstar within nature’s pharmacy!
This wonderful natural product boasts This wonderful natural product boasts antibacterial and antifungal properties that are particularly useful against ear infection with associated pain. Apple cider vinegar, being mildly acidic, alters the pH of the ear canal thereby creating a hostile environment for microbes.
To use, dilute the vinegar in sterile water and apply directly to the ear canal.
Cranio-sacral osteopathy
If you think that visiting a cranio-sacral osteopath when you have an earache is counter-intuitive – consider this. Practitioners of this particularly skilled area of osteopathy are skilled in minute adjustments of any misaligned cranial bones that may be predisposing to the ear infection in the first place.
Such adjustments may relieve the pain of earache and accelerate healing and being rid of the infection.
Neck exercises
Neck exercises are particularly useful in treating any pain symptoms caused by pressure within the ear.
Try the following:
• Sit up straight in a chair with both feet placed on the ground
• Rotate your head and neck slowly to your right side until your head is in line with your right shoulder – hold then relax
• Repeat the previous step on your left side – hold then relax
• Repeat the above 2 steps following raising your shoulders high
• Following each of these – hold then relax
• Do all of the above 5 times
Cloves
Cloves enjoy both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can be used to relieve earache and fight ear infections.
To use, heat several cloves in sesame oil, allow to cool then strain the oil to remove the cloves. Add drops of this to the canal of the affected ear 3-4 times daily. Repeat this for 3 days.
Ginger
Ginger, in addition to many other therapeutic and health-giving properties, has been shown in research to be a natural anti-inflammatory. This particular property is useful in relieving the pain related to ear infection.
To use, warm olive oil with minced ginger, strain and apply around the ear canal (not within it). Alternatively apply ginger juice in the same manner.
Olive oil
A versatile element of the natural pharmacy, olive oil has been shown by research to have potent natural antibacterial properties – for this reason it can be useful in dealing with the symptoms of ear infection.
To use, put a few drops of warmed (ideally at body temperature) olive oil into the ear canal.
Garlic
Garlic boasts both potent analgesic and antibacterial properties and is consequently well equipped as a natural remedy for ear infections.
To use, add minced garlic to warmed olive oil, allow to steep for 15 minutes, strain and apply directly to the ear canal.
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