8 Ways To Treat Ear Infections Naturally
Earache Treatment at Home
I know what you're thinking. How can you treat an ear infection naturally? And will it actually work?
What if your child didn't need antibiotics every time their ear was red and inflamed?
What if changing their diet would result in fewer ear infections?
👉Think about this for a moment. Your child could be prescribed antibiotics six times in a season due to ear pain.
Here's the thing. Ear pain or Otitis media (i.e. middle ear infection), is the number-one childhood health problem in America.¹
And, overuse of antibiotics can lead to disruption in gut health, increase their risk of allergies, eczema, and asthma.
Ear Infection Causes
The Four leading causes suggested by Dr. Michael Schmidt of "Healing Childhood Ear Infections":
#1 Allergy and Environmental sensitivity
**Cow’s milk, wheat, egg white, peanut and soy being the top allergens. Sugar, chocolate, corn, and yeast follow.
Environmental sensitivities include Cigarette smoke, house dust, pollen, mold, volatile organic compounds, fungi, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, animal dander, and bacterial infection.
# 2 Mechanical obstruction
#3 Nutrient Insufficiency
Ear Infection Early Symptoms
One of the first changes you may notice with a middle ear problem is a change in behavior or sleep habits.
A child may pull or tug at the ear or poke their finger inside.
They may want to be held or just lay still.
Older children may tell you it feels blocked, plugged, buzzing, or ringing sounds in their ears.
5 Ear Infection Symptoms For Children
tugging on the ear
crying/screaming
wanting to be held
one cheek red
warm to touch
The truth is, you may have to change your child's diet if they are always getting ear infections. The first thing I would do is try goat's milk formula or take dairy out of your diet if you're breastfeeding or out of your child's diet.It's hard, I know. But, it is worth it.
8 Ear Infection Remedies
#1 Encourage your child to drink caffeine-free tea
Botanicals can reduce inflammation and "pull out" excessive mucous.
Make a cup of tea with Lemon Balm, Catnip, Elderflower, and maybe ginger. Add honey or apple juice to sweeten.
#2 Apply Lavender Essential Oil topically for pain
Apply DILUTED Lavender essential oil under the ear and at the cheeks. Dilute one drop of Essential oil in 1tsp. Of carrier oil like olive oil or almond oil. {Just 1 drop, no more!}
Caution: Only use this with children over 1 year of age.
#3 Place Garlic Mullein oil inside of the ear
Mullein is an analgesic, receiving the pain associated with earaches. Only use this if there is no perforation or leaking from the ear to reduce inflammation.
Heat the oil up a bit with a spoon and match to soothe their inflamed ear. Caution: Make sure it's not too hot!
#4 Add herbs to their bath
Add chamomile, lavender or thyme infusion to their bath.
To make an infusion; Place 2tbs. of herb, or 4tbs. of fresh herb in a pint jar. Fill with boiling water and put on the lid. Let it sit for 1/2 hour to 8 hours. Strain and add to a warm tub.
Alternatively, you can use Essential oils BUT be very careful.
Use only 1 drop of E.O. DILUTED in milk before adding to the tub. Use only with children 3+ months. (Caution you always have to dilute essential oils. I like to dilute them in milk, so the E.O. does not aggravate the child)
**Children with low numbers of intestinal Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are more likely to succumb to ear infections than children who harbor optimum levels of these microbes in their intestinal tracts.
Try Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Infant Formula or Children's chewable.
#6 Keep the diet lite
Encourage soups and greens. Remove all dairy, sugar, juice, and all kinds of milk from the diet
#7 Homeopathy for ear pain
Homeopathy is based on the unusual and peculiar symptoms of the child.
Take notes, write down what you see, and then contact your local homeopath for the perfect remedy.
If you choose to try it on your own; know that your child's symptoms may get worse at first, BUT THEN they should improve by the second or third dose.
The first thing to change with homeopathy is their mental state. Instead of being carried, your child may want to go play. Instead of screaming, they may calm down and drink and eat. Each person is unique.
Teething children may do well with Chamomilla 30 c or Pulsatilla 30c.
If it is the Left Ear, the remedy may be Kali-b, Lach., Sul.
The Right Ear may be Belladonna 30c.{Book a health consultation for the best results}
#8 Herbal Medicine for Ear Pain
For pain relief try tinctures of Willow bark, Feverfew, and St. Johns Wort.
Willow Minor Pain Response (Herb Pharm)
Jamaica Dogwood tree bark (Piscidia erythrina)
St. John's Wort flower & bud (Hypericum perforatum)
Meadowsweet leaf & flower (Filipendula ulmaria)
Willow bark (Salix lucida)
Conclusion:
It is possible to reduce the amount of antibiotic use for ear infections with diet, homeopathy, and botanicals. Often, taking out dairy may be the only change your child needs.
Herbs and homeopathy can provide great support when your child is in pain.
Have questions? Make sure you ask them in the area below and I’ll be sure to get back to you.
xo Tara
References:
¹ Schmidt, Dr. Michael A., Healing Childhood Ear Infections. Prevention, Home Care, and Alternative Treatment
