Most of us have been there… the dreaded night our child wakes up with an ear ache… crying, feverish, in pain, etc. It makes for a long night, or day! So, when a friend asked me one day if I knew of any natural remedies for ear infections/aches I was at a loss… I didn’t know. Since then I have done some in-depth research to find the answer to that very important question.

I think this will come in handy to a lot of you mothers and fathers out there who want natural, safe options instead of using harsh antibiotics and pain killers.

So here is what I’ve found, in all it’s wonderfulness… some great alternative solutions to the dreaded ear ache/infection!

(This info comes from an article by Cindy L. Jones, “Healing Ear Infections: Why antibiotics are not the best treatment,” Mothering Issue 104, January/February 2001, courtesy of my midwife Sena Johnson.)

Healing Ear Infections Naturally

For pain relief use a warm compress on the ear. A hot water bottle or a sock filled with rice (warm in microwave for a few minutes) works well.

Herbs for Ear Pain:

Mullein (verbascum thapsus): This herb can relieve congestion and inflammation. It is also antibacterial, antiseptic, and has great pain relieving properties. You can buy ear drops containing mullein, or make it yourself. (Personally, I think it seems a bit easier to just buy this at a heath food store…. but here’s the directions anyway:)

Directions for making it yourself: Cover a handful of dried mullein flowers with a carrier oil like olive, almond, or coconut oil. Let the oils set for two weeks, shaking it daily. strain, place a few drops in ear canal. If you are pressed for time, speed the process by Heating olive or almond oil with the mullein flowers on low for 30 min. Strain, cool to body temperature, ( it should be warm, not hot.) Place a few drops in the ear canal Up to 3x/ day until better.

Garlic (Allium sativum): This has both antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is often used in combination with mullein in ear drops. You can buy the oil at any health food store, or make it yourself. Directions are similar to the mullein. Just crush a garlic clove and cook it on low with the oil. Strain, cool, and place a few drops in the ear canal.

St. Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum): This herb is also antibacterial, antiviral and has soothing qualities. You can purchase the oil at a health food store and place a few drops in the ear canal.

Lavender Essential Oil: Antiseptic and soothing. Dilute lavender oil in coconut oil, almond, or olive oil. Warm gently. Use a few drops in the ear canal. You can also rub this diluted oil behind the ear. It will sooth nerves and also help the toddler sleep.

Peppermint Tea: Drinking peppermint tea can sooth the child. It also has antiseptic and decongestant qualities that can help relieve the pain of the ear inflammation. You can also mix peppermint tea with some chamomile tea, which can help with the inflammation as well. It also has slight sedative properties to help the child sleep.

Things to help recurrent ear infections:

If your child has a lot of ear infections, you might consider boosting the child’s immune system to help. Echinacea, vitamin C, vitamin D, oregano essential oil, and a few other great immune boosters you can find in this post, and in this post can benefit!

I hope this helps all you mothers, fathers, or future mothers and fathers out there. I sure am happy I know some other options now! Hope you are too… happy healthy bodies to you all!

Question: Does anyone have any other natural remedies they have used to help ear infections? Essential oil blends? Herbs, etc? Please share if you do! Go ahead and comment below…