5 Home Remedies To Help You Get Rid Of Ear Infection

Ear infections are caused by bacteria or viruses in the middle ear. Ear infections occur more often in children than adults. Some causes and contributing factors that lead to ear infections are wax buildup, upper respiratory infections, food allergies, environmental allergies, fetal alcohol syndrome, genetics, nutritional deficiencies and internal injuries. Some common signs that someone is suffering from an ear infection are pain in the ear, tugging at the ear, difficulty sleeping, headache, poor response to sounds, high fever, fluid draining from the ear, vomiting, diarrhea and so on.

* Salt

- Heat up one cup of salt on a pan over low heat for a few minutes. You can also heat it in a microwave or double-boiler.

- Place the hot salt on a cloth and seal the open end with rubber band (or tie a knot).

- When it is bearably hot, lay down and put the cloth on the affected ear for 5 to 10 minutes.

- Repeat this remedy daily as many times as needed. The heat generated from the sock will help draw out fluid from the ear and relieve swelling and pain.

* Garlic

- Make garlic oil by cooking two garlic cloves in two tablespoons of sesame oil or mustard oil until it turns blackish. Strain the solution. When it is bearably hot, use two to four drops of this oil in the infected ear as ear drops.

- Alternatively, you can also boil two or three fresh garlic cloves in water for five minutes, then crush them and add some salt. Put the mixture in a clean cloth and place it against the affected ear.

- Consuming two to three cloves of raw garlic daily also helps speed up the healing process.

* Basil

- Crush four to five fresh holy basil leaves gently to extract the juice. Apply the basil juice on or around the infected ear. Avoid getting the juice in the ear canal.

- You can also mix a few drops of holy basil oil with an equal amount of carrier oil like coconut oil. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and gently wipe just inside the ear, around the outer edge and behind the ear. Repeat the process twice daily.

* Apple Cider Vinegar

- Mix one part apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water or alcohol. Soak a cotton ball in the solution.

- Put the cotton ball in your ear like a plug and leave it for about five minutes.

- Remove the cotton ball and lay down on your opposite side to drain the liquid from the ear. Use a hair dryer to dry your ear as much as possible.

* Olive Oil

- Warm some olive oil slightly. Put a few drops of the warm oil into the infected ear.

- The oil will cause the wax to soften. Remove the infected wax with cotton-tipped swabs. Be careful not to put the swab too far in the ear or you might damage the eardrum.