It is woefully irritating and tough to deal with ear infections and earaches.
Fortunately, you have numerous choices in treating ear pain and infection.
Prescription medicines, OTC antibiotics, homeopathic treatments, and home remedies are common treatments for inflammation in the ear.
For fear of the side effects of prescription medicines, many people are now opting to use essential oils to treat an ear infections.
Do essential oils for ear pain work? Are there any risks to using essential oils for ear infections? Which oils work the best?
Here are all the important facts you need to know about the application of essential oils for infections and pain in the ear.
Earaches And Ear Infections
The reasons for earaches are many.
Different infections affect the pathway running from the outer ear to the middle ear. Inflammation behind the eardrums is the most common reason for pain in the ear.
Other prominent causes of ear pain are:
- Excess earwax buildup
- Foreign bodies in the ear.
- Insects bite.
- Teeth grinding at night.
- Soaps and shampoos lodged in the ear.
Severe and recurring pain originates from infections in the ear, such as tonsillitis, sinus infections, thyroid problems, or strep throat.
Some people get ear pain from allergies, hearing loud noises, injuries, boiling water, infected hair follicles in the ear, dental abscesses, facial nerve pain, or eczema.
The incidence of pain is higher among children than adults.
The best home remedies for ear pain and infections are essential oils and sweet oils.
Benefits Of Using Essential For Ear Pain And Infections
Essential oils are a highly concentrated version of the natural oils in plants.
EOs have helped improve people’s lives for thousands of years, providing numerous benefits.
Essential oils are derived from plants. They are used in natural remedies, aromatherapy, making medicines, cosmetics production, dietary purposes, and spiritual and religious ceremonies.
The analgesic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties of essential oils make them worthy of use in pain management.
Essential oils have antimicrobial or antibacterial properties that can reduce the symptoms of ear infections.
The soothing effect of the essential oils is excellent for immediate pain relief.
Most essential oils contain antimicrobial properties that help fight bacterial and viral infections.
EOs with antimicrobial properties can help with aching ears caused by infections in the ear.
The uses of essential oils are many and their therapeutic results are very promising. However, there is a need for extensive research to unearth and ratify the efficacy, utility, and safety of using EOs in humans.
Best Essential Oils For Earache And Infection
Some sweet oils and essential oils can help treat affected ears.
There are many useful oils for fast relief from pain and infection.
The best essential oils for an ear infection are:
- Tea tree oil
- Basil oil
- Garlic oil
- Lavender oil
- Peppermint oil
- Thyme oil
- Oregano oil
Effective cooking oils and sweet oils for ear pain are:
- Olive oil
- Mustard oil
- Coconut oil
Now let us learn a little more about these oils in detail:
1. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is excellent for getting rid of ear pain caused by infections in the ear canal or behind the eardrums.
According to a 2006 study, TTO oil contains terpinen-4-ol, a natural chemical substance that eliminates bacteria and viruses.
Any bacterial infections in the canal can be best treated with tea tree oil.
Tea tree oil also contains astringent properties that are useful for drying up the excess fluid buildup in the ear.
How to use:
- Dilute 3 drops of TTO in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and gently warm up the mixture for proper blending.
- With the help of an eyedropper, drip 5 drops of this oil blend into the pathway.
- After 15 minutes, you can wipe off the oil from the canal using ear-cleaning cotton buds.
- Repeat the treatment twice daily until the issue in the ear is settled.
2. Basil 0il
Basil oil is one of the best-known natural remedies for ear infections and pain.
A rat study conducted in 2005 found that basil oil is beneficial for healing ear infections and reducing pain.
In this study, Basil oil treatment healed about 56 to 81 percent of rats with Haemophilus influenza infection. The success rate of healing rats infected with pneumococcal infection varied between 15 and 75 percent by using this oil.
This oil is rich in antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. All these medicinal properties are excellent for soothing pain and healing infections in the ear.
How to use:
- Moderately soak a cotton ball in basil oil;
- Place the oil-soaked cotton ball in the infected area of the canal;
- Remove the cotton ball from the ear only after a minimum of 30 minutes;
- Repeat the treatment twice a day.
3. Garlic oil
Allicin, found in garlic oil, can help reduce pain and swelling in the ear.
One of the studies published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology found that essential garlic oil contains antifungal and antimicrobial qualities. This makes garlic oil effective for dealing with a microbial infection in the ear.
How to use:
- Add 5 drops of garlic oil to one teaspoon of olive oil,
- Apply the oil mixture to the inside and outside of the ear.
- Apply the oil mixture twice a day,
- Make sure this oil does not reach the eardrum.
4. Lavender oil
The anti-inflammatory and analgesic action of lavender essential oil may help reduce pain.
This oil is also useful in treating ear infections.
People suffering from severe earaches can get soothing by using aromatherapy with lavender oil.
How to use:
- Rub a few drops of lavender oil on the outer portion of the ear;
- Inhale the aroma of lavender oil;
- Do not apply excessive oil to the inner part of the ear, especially around the eardrum.
5. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is a highly effective essential oil used as a natural painkiller and muscle relaxant.
This soothing oil is known for rapidly eliminating inflammation and pain. It is best used for reducing muscle pain, back pain, and headaches.
This oil also works well for treating pain in the ears arising from inflammation.
How to Use:
- Dilute 5 drops of peppermint oil in 1 tablespoon of coconut oil/jojoba oil;
- Gently rub the oil on the outer portion of the infected ear.
- Let the oil absorb for 30 minutes, then rinse it off.
- Repeat the treatment twice a day.
6. Thyme oil
Thyme oil contains an active ingredient known as thymol, a potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic agent.
Thyme oil can produce a soothing effect on the aching ear.
How to use:
- Take 4 drops of thyme oil and dilute in 1 tablespoon of olive or coconut oil;
- Apply the oil mixture on the back of the ear;
- Do not apply this oil to the ear or the infected area.
7. Oregano oil
Research shows oregano oil is a potent anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. The carvacrol content is responsible for its analgesic activity.
This oil also has anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants, which help clear up blockages and infections in the ear. It produces soothing effects that relieve pain and irritation.
This essential oil is packed with active ingredients and antioxidants that can quickly clear up any infections or blockages in the ear and relieve pain simultaneously.
How to Use:
- Dilute the 4 drops of oregano oil in almond or olive oil;
- Apply the oil blend on the outer side of the ear;
- Do not spill the oil into the canal;
- Apply the oil twice a day.
Other Oils For Ear Aches
Besides the essential oils, some cooking oils and sweet oils also have the efficacy to relieve pain in the ear.
1. Mustard oil
Mustard oil contains powerful antibacterial properties.
This oil works best for earaches caused by infections in the canal.
This oil’s antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe inflamed tissues.
How to Use:
- Mix 5 drops of mustard oil in 1 ounce of warm water;
- Gently rinse the ear canal with this diluted mixture;
- After a minute, pour out the liquid from the ear by tilting the head sideways;
- Repeat the treatment three times a day.
2. Olive oil
Olive oil is a great way to treat earaches caused by too much earwax or something stuck in the ear.
Dripping a few drops of olive oil in the ear canal helps to loosen the earwax and remove the wax with cotton earbuds.
Olive oil can also treat mild bacterial infections in the ear.
How to use:
- Use a dropper to drop 5 drops of extra virgin olive oil into the ear pathway and hold it there for 10 minutes;
- Then remove the ear wax from the ear with cotton buds;
- Apply a thin layer of olive oil to treat mild infections in the ear.
3. Coconut oil
Coconut oil can effectively heal mild infections in the ear.
This oil has traditionally been a healing agent for treating dry skin, diarrhea, diabetes, cancer, and psoriasis. It is also an antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral agent for dermal infections.
According to a study published in the November 2008 edition of “Dermatitis,” coconut oil is an effective remedy for eliminating fungal and viral infections. It works best for treating mild infections in the ear.
Using coconut oil with garlic is more effective in quickly healing bacterial infections.
How to Use:
- Heat 1/8 cup of coconut oil with 2 cloves of garlic in a small saucepan for 5 minutes.
- After cooling down the oil, strain it with cheesecloth into a bowl and transfer it to an eyedropper.
- Use the blended coconut oil twice a day for seven days.
- You should consult a doctor if the infection does not subside after a week.
Ways To Use Essential Oils For Ear Infection
Essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants.
It contains strong chemical properties capable of causing burns and irritation on the skin. For this reason, the essential oils must be diluted in suitable carrier oils before being applied to the skin.
Approximately 1 drop of essential oil requires about 1 teaspoon of carrier oil.
If you are using the EO for the first time, do a small skin patch test to assess how your skin will react to the oil. It is safe to use the oil if you do not experience skin irritation within 24 hours.
To treat earaches with essential oils, you can follow different treatment methods.
Soak a cotton ball with diluted essential oils and place it in the ear canal. This method is best for loosening the earwax or clearing the ear canal of foreign bodies.
However, be careful that strands of cotton fibers are not deposited deep inside the ear after the cotton ball is removed. Trapped cotton fibers in the ear canal can make ear infections even worse.
Another method of treating the ear infection is directly dropping a few drops of diluted EO into the ear canal with the help of an eyedropper.
Lastly, you can rub the diluted essential oil over the ear’s outer portion. This is the safest method of ear treatment with EOs.
Most of the time, applying EOs directly over the infected area can aggravate the infection.
Risks And Warnings
Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin, as this may cause skin irritation and burns.
EOs should not be used deep inside the ear, especially on the eardrums.
Do not use more than three drops of essential oils in the ear per treatment session. Give a minimum of 5 hours gap between two treatment sessions.
Children have delicate and tender skin, so essential oil treatments on children should be done with great caution.
EOs are best for treating ear infections and pains. A doctor should treat ear pain and infections of a severe and recurring nature.
Essential oils have the potential for allergic reactions and skin irritation, particularly in people with sensitive skin.
The Final Thought
Getting rid of earaches by using essential oils for ear infections has worked.
The antimicrobial properties found in essential oils are great for getting rid of bacterial and viral infections that might be causing pain. Their analgesic properties can produce a calming and soothing effect that relieves pain and irritation.
Applying diluted essential oils to the outer and inner portions of the ear can bring about instant pain relief in most cases.
However, earaches caused by internal health issues like tonsillitis, thyroid issues, injuries, fractured eardrums, or other severe diseases affecting the body cannot be relieved by essential oil treatments.
Recommended reading list: