Is your child complaining of a throbbing pain and discomfort in their ear? Looking for unconventional, holistic solutions to find quick relief? Here are my tried and true remedies for an ear infection.
First Method: Warm Olive Oil
The oldest remedy I know of, which my mom and mother-in-law have used, is simply warming up some olive oil, applying it to a cotton ball, and placing it right into the ear. To do this:
- Add boiling water to a cup.
- Balance a tablespoon on top of it.
- Add olive oil and allow it to heat from the steam for a few minutes.
- Dip a cotton ball into it.
- Place that in your child’s ear, with the oiled side facing the inside of the ear.
- Keep it on overnight or for a few hours. Apply as needed.
Do not shove it in the hole of the ear, just gently place it there. You can have the child wear a lightweight hat to hold the cotton ball in place so it won’t fall out. The warmth of the olive oil is very soothing and should calm your child.
Second Method: Garlic Oil Drops
Garlic oil drops can also be an effective way to quickly soothe an ear infection. Garlic has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help combat the infection and reduce pain. By carefully applying a few drops of garlic oil into the affected ear, you may experience relief from discomfort and see improvements in your symptoms. You can either purchase the drops, or make the garlic oil at home.
- Add 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 garlic clove, thickly sliced to a pan.
- Heat until you can smell the garlic, about 5 minutes.
- Cool the oil until it is barely warm to the touch. You do not want to burn your child; make sure the oil is not hot when applied.
- Remove the garlic from the oil, you do not want to get pieces of garlic in the ear.
- Either drop in a few drops of the garlic oil in your child’s ear or apply to a cotton ball.
- Keep it on overnight or for a few hours.
Third Method: Hydrogen Peroxide
For this last method, all you need is hydrogen peroxide and a paper towel.
- Drip the hydrogen peroxide into the affected ear until it fills to the top.
- Leave it in the ear for about 10 minutes. You will see it bubble and foam up. The peroxide will also warm up in the ear as it sits, soothing it.
I recommend doing the hydrogen peroxide method first, then choosing one of the oil methods to follow. I have found that doing it in this order has provided the most relief for my children, as well as myself, when I randomly was “blessed” with an ear infection in my late 20’s!
My sister-in-law used the hydrogen peroxide method as a last result when her daughter’s ear was oozing and persisting for a few days. She let me know it was the only thing that worked for her in that moment. When my sister-in-law applied the peroxide, she said she saw some bits of white coming up out of her toddler’s ear as the peroxide bubbled up. She found this solution to work in clearing out her toddler’s ear when nothing else was working.
By exploring unconventional methods like warm olive oil, garlic oil drops, and hydrogen peroxide, you can quickly find relief from the discomfort of an ear infection without the need for costly treatments. These natural remedies offer a unique solution that is both effective and easy to implement. So why not give them a try and experience fast relief for yourself? Remember, sometimes the most unconventional methods are the ones that work best.