How to Treat Ear Infections Naturally

We’ve had relatively little experience with ear infections in our house (compared to many of our friends). Our second child started getting them when she was around six-months-old and was always given a prescription for antibiotics.

By that time, I had been researching natural remedies a little bit and knew that antibiotics were often prescribed, but in most cases, were not necessary.

Thankfully, I came upon the resource, The Handbook of Vintage Remedies, and tried the methods she recommended to treat an ear infection. The infection went away within a day, much to my relief.

Since then, we’ve had a few ear aches that we’ve quickly been able to alleviate with natural remedies. 

I attribute our lack of ear infections to proactive measures. We eat a real food diet in our home and take measures to boost our immune systems with:

• Nourishing foods
• Low-sugar diet
• Fermented cod liver oil (find FCLO here)
• Garlic (used plentifully in cooking)
• Plenty of rest
• Ouressential oil routine

A strong immune system is the best defense against ear infections and can be done simply (even if you’re on a budget). However, if you need a treatment yesterday, here are some natural ear infection remedies for you:

Garlic oil

This infused oil is very helpful in treating ear infections (the people I’ve recommended it to swear by it).

Have your kiddo lie on their back. Apply a few drops warmed oil (make very certain that it is not hot!) in the ear canal and plug with a cotton swab.

With your fingers, stroke the face with slight pressure from the ears down the jaw bone to promote drainage.

Ingredients needed:

• 10 oz. carrier oil of your choice that’s liquid at room temperature (I use olive oil)
• 1⁄2 ounce crushed garlic cloves
• 1⁄2 ounce calendula petals

Directions:

Heat your oven to 200 degrees. Place garlic and calendula in an oven-safe dish and cover them with oil. Place them in the oven and turn it off.

Leave it in the oven for 8 hours. Strain the plant material from the oil and store the oil in a labeled jar. Keep the oil in the refrigerator to prevent rancidity or add 10 drops vitamin e oil.

Melaleuca (Tea Tree) Essential Oil

My oldest son had a very bad ear ache a few months ago. He kept tugging at his ear and crying because it hurt so badly. Thankfully, it was close to bed time so I had him lie down in bed so I could massage his face to promote drainage.

Because I had no garlic oil on hand (it had been a long time since we’d had an ear infection), I used another remedy that I had recently read about.

Behind the painful ear, I applied a drop of melaleuca essential oil. (When using this oil on smaller children, dilute a drop in 1 tbsp coconut oil. Also, make sure they do not ingest this oil.) I put some lavender essential oil on his forehead to help him sleep and said goodnight.

He was still whimpering when I left the room.  The next morning, however, he was SO happy because he had no pain whatsoever. And it didn’t come back.

I love seeing natural remedies at work.