Ear infections are most commonly a result of bacteria and viruses in the middle ear. These infections happen to children more often.
The symptoms, in this case, include headaches, poor response to sounds, fluid drainage from the ear, high fever, earache, sleeping issues, diarrhea, tugging at the ear, vomiting, etc.
The ear has three parts, inner, outer, and middle part, and each of these has its own vital role in the hearing process. The outer resembles a leaf and its function is to capture the travelling sound waves.
The pinna is am ear part which helps the sound waves to enter the ear channel and reach the eardrum, which is located in the middle ear. The middle ear also contains other vital ear parts, including the anvil, stir up, hammer, semicircular, and middle canal.
From there, the sound wave goes to the inner ear, which includes nerves, cochlea, and Eustachian tube. When it reaches the nerves, the brain gets the signal and it begins to recognize and process the sound.
All ear parts are susceptible to infections, but the inner part is especially prone to them. You can prevent issues like a ruptured or damaged ear drum by proper treatment, but if chronic infections are left untreated, they can cause hear loss.
However, you can make use of the following effective homemade remedies which treat earaches and ear infections:
Olive Oil
Olive oil effectively unblocks the Eustachian tubes from the accumulated earwax. You should drop a bit o warm olive oil in the ear, and as soon as it becomes soft, you should tilt the head and remove the oil. You can use mustard oil instead and do the same procedure.
Breast Milk
Breast milk contains natural antibodies and it is very helpful in the case of ear infections. It can soothe the infection in 2-3 days, relieves the pain and reduces the swellings. Just put a few drops in the painful ear with a dropper and repeat on every two hours. It can be used for both, children and adults, and also in the case of eye infections, minor cuts, and burns.
Onion
Onion is another excellent natural treatment in these cases. Chop the onion, and heat it in the microwave for a few minutes. Then, as soon as it cools down, prepare onion juice, and apply a few drops of it in the ear. Wait for a few minutes, and then position the head in order to help the juice come out of the ear.
You can also bake it for 30 minutes, then cut it in halves, and place one half on a thick cotton cloth. Keep it in the ear for 5 minutes, make a pause of 10 minutes, and repeat again.
Garlic
All you need to do is to boil a few garlic cloves for 5 minutes, crush them, and add salt. Then, apply this mixture on a cotton cloth and keep it on the painful ear. Also, you can cook 2 garlic cloves in sesame or mustard oil until they become brownish. Then, leave the garlic oil to cool down and apply 4 drops in the infected ear. You should also eat a few garlic cloves daily to speed up the healing process.
Salt
Add some salt in a pan and heat it for a few minutes. Then, put the warm salt in a cloth and use it to tightly close the ear. Keep the warm cloth on the ear for 5-10 minutes.
The heat will help the liquid come out of the ear, and relieve the swelling and pain. Repeat this several times daily. You can also substitute salt with rice.
Apple Cider Vinegar
In the case of an ear infection caused by a fungus, apple cider vinegar is the best natural remedy you can try. Mix vinegar with water or rubbing alcohol in equal proportions and soak a cotton ball in the solution.
Then, keep the cloth on the infected ear for 5 minutes, and remove the cotton ball. Lay down on the ear to help the solution come out of the ear, or dry the ear with a hair dryer.
Tea Tree Oil
The mild antibacterial properties of the tea tree oil help in the case of earaches. Mix 3 drops of this oil with 1 tablespoon of colloidal silver, two tablespoons of olive oil, and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar.
Then, warm this mixture a bit and apply it in the ear. After 5 minutes, lay down to allow the mixture come out of the ear. Repeat this a few times daily for 2 days.
Basil
Basil effectively treats infections and relieves pain. Prepare basil juice from 5 basil leaves and apply it around the ear to relieve the pain.
Also, you can mix several drops of holy basil oil with some carrier oil, like coconut oil, and soak a cotton ball in the mixture. Then, wipe the inner part of the ear, around the outer edge and behind the ear with it. Repeat this twice daily.
Mango Leaf Juice
The mango leaf extract effectively treats and prevents ear infections. Just crush and grind 2-3 mango leaves, and warm their juice. Then, apply 3-4 drops in the ear with a dropper. This will soothe the pain in a couple of minutes. Repeat this procedure a few times daily to completely treat the infection.
Warm Water Bottle
You can use a warm compress or a warm water bottle or cloth against the ear. The heat will soothe the pain, and stop the growth of micro-organisms.
To prepare the compress, soak a cloth in warm water, and then squeeze the excess water. Next, place the cloth on the affected ear and keep it for 5 minutes and remove it. Repeat this several times daily.
All these natural remedies serve to soothe and treat minor ear infections. Yet if they fail to deliver positive effects, you should consult your doctor to find a proper treatment.