Earaches. Not fun, right? What if there was an easy way to soothe them, and even help prevent them? This is my earache protocol, with simple, natural things you can do at home at the first sign of ear pain, and there is an easy remedy for swimmer’s ear below too.
First, Know When to See a Doctor
Natural remedies are wonderful, but some ear problems need a doctor. Please get medical care right away if:
- A baby under 6 months has ear pain or any fever.
- There is a high fever, severe pain, or your child seems very sick.
- Fluid, pus or blood is draining from the ear (this can mean a ruptured ear drum).
- There is swelling or redness behind the ear, a stiff neck, dizziness or hearing loss.
- Symptoms are not getting better after 2 to 3 days.
You can read more about ear infections on MedlinePlus.
My Earache Protocol: 3 Natural Options
1. Garlic Oil and Lobelia
Garlic has natural antibacterial properties, and lobelia is traditionally used for pain. Put a couple drops of each in the ear canal, then gently tug on the earlobe to help it move down. Place a cotton ball (or a piece of one) in the ear and tape it down if you need to. Do this morning and night. A little goes a long way, so these tinctures will last you a long time.
There is actually some research on this. A 2003 study in Pediatrics found that herbal ear drops with garlic helped ease ear pain in children with ear infections.
2. OmniDefense Ionic Silver
OmniDefense is a nano ionic silver with essential oils and trace minerals. It acts like a natural antibacterial support. Spray some in the ear canal and cover with a cotton ball like the method above. Use it several times throughout the day. There is no smell with this one.
3. Lavender and Melaleuca Essential Oils
Unlike the other methods, you DO NOT put essential oils directly in the ear canal! Put a couple drops on a cotton ball and place the cotton ball in the outer ear. You can also dilute them in a carrier oil and rub them around the outside of the ear and down the neck. Melaleuca (tea tree) is toxic if swallowed, so keep the bottle away from little hands.
Earache Protocol Tips
- Be consistent. Consistency is the key with natural medicine. Morning and night is usually enough for earaches, unless the drops leak out, then put more in.
- Treat both ears. This keeps it from going back and forth.
- Catch it early. I teach my kids to tell me right away when their throat or ears start to hurt.
- Babies: Check with your pediatrician before using drops in a baby’s ears, and skip essential oils near infants.
- Check the ear drum. Do NOT put anything in the ear canal if the ear drum might be broken or your child has ear tubes. Signs of a broken ear drum include fluid draining or tiny traces of blood. If your family deals with ear issues often, an at-home ear scope is a good investment so you can take a look.
You might also like my Mommy Hero Video Tutorial and protocol that you can print or download, to help you care for your kids naturally in other ways.
Natural Remedy for Swimmer’s Ear
Swimmer’s ear usually happens when kids have been in the water and it gets stuck in the ear canal. It usually does not come with a fever or runny nose, unless it has turned into an infection.
Mix 1/2 tsp distilled white vinegar and 1/2 tsp rubbing alcohol in a cup. Put a couple drops in the ear and tug on the lobe to help the mixture move down the canal. Lie on your side and let it sit in the ear for up to 20 minutes, then let it drain out. The alcohol helps dry up any water, and the vinegar helps balance the ear so bacteria have a harder time growing. Do not use this if the ear drum may be broken, if there are ear tubes, or if the ear is already very painful or swollen. See a doctor for those.
Shop the Earache Protocol
This post shares my own experience and is not medical advice. Please talk with your doctor before using these remedies, especially with babies and young children. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
