The ear is composed of three parts namely the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. An infection occurs when germs enter the ear. Ear infections occur mostly in infants and small children as compared to adults. When the ear is infected it accumulates pus or fluid. It is the middle ear that is commonly affected by ear infection. Infection of the middle ear is called otitis media. Another type of ear infection is the infection of the outer ear or what is commonly known as swimmer’s ear. This type of ear infection commonly affects adults. An ear infection is not contagious and is usually not serious enough to require hospitalization. However, it can be very painful in some cases and can affect the hearing of a person. The common symptoms of an ear infection are fever, pain or itching of the ear, hearing problem, nausea or vomiting and the accumulation of fluid in the ear.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet

Home Remedies For Ear Infection

Basil Leaves As A Natural Remedy For Ear Infection

Properties: Basil is also known as Ocimum Tenuiflorum or Tulsi. Its leaves are a popular ingredient in pasta dishes and soups particularly in Italian cuisine. It is also an herb with many medicinal, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It is aids in digestion and has been known to be a mood-enhancer herb. It also has antispasmodic properties which help relieve headaches, colic and vertigo. It is also an effective herb for cleansing the kidneys. Basil contains estragole, borneol, eugenol, Vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Using Basil Leaves as a Treatment For Ear Infection:

Crush a few basil leaves to extract the juice. Strain the juice using a fine strainer or a clean piece of cheesecloth. Pour two drops of basil juice onto the infected ear. The ear infection should go away in about a week with continued treatment using the juice of basil leaves.

Cloudberry as a Natural Remedy for Ear Infection

Properties: One of the not so popular but very effective home remedies for ear infection is the cloudberry, which is also known as Rubus Chamaemorus. It is a herbaceous plant that grows naturally in the northern parts of Canada. The cloudberry fruit is rich in ellagic acid and Vitamin C. Ellagic acid has anti-mutagen, antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. It is believed to be very helpful in preventing certain types of cancers. The cloudberry also has antimicrobial properties. It has the same effect on ear infection as that of antibiotics.

Using Cloudberry as a Treatment for Ear Infection:

Dry some cloudberry leaves and grind them to into a fine powder. Use one teaspoon of the powdered cloudberry leaves to make a tea by adding the powder into a cup of boiling water. Consume the cloudberry tea twice a day for about four days to cure ear infection.

Neem As A Natural Remedy For Ear Infection

Properties: Neem or Azadirachta Indica is a tree that is commonly found in tropical countries such as India, Pakistan and Burma. Almost all the parts of the neem tree have their own uses as home remedies for various diseases and health problems. Neem is also a popular pesticide and insect repellant. The neem tree has medicinal, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, hypoglycaemic, anti-malarial, diuretic and spermicidal properties. it is also used as a blood purifier by detoxifying the body thus maintaining the good health of all the organs. Neem also effectively lowers blood cholesterol and maintains a healthy heart. The leaves of the neem tree contain an alkaloid called neemin which has antibacterial properties which makes it one of the most effective natural remedies for ear infection.

Using Neem as a Treatment for Ear Infection:

Crush the leaves of the neem tree to extract the juice. Apply two or three drops into the ear affected by the ear infection. This should give immediate relief to the pain caused by the ear infection. The infection should completely clear up in about a week of this treatment.

Garlic As A Home Remedy For Ear Infection

Properties: Garlic is another one of those culinary ingredients that has numerous medicinal properties. Garlic has been used in home remedies for different types of diseases from the common cold to other more serious health conditions, as it is rich in antioxidants that get rid of toxins in the body and keeps it generally healthy and protects it from certain diseases. Garlic contains allicin and diallyl sulphides. Studies have revealed that garlic can help lower blood cholesterol, lower blood sugar and it is also an effective antibacterial. With its antibacterial properties, it can effectively cure an ear infection.

Using Garlic as a Treatment for Ear Infection:

Add three to four cloves of garlic to a small amount of boiling water. Allow the garlic cloves to soften in the boiling water. After they have softened, take them out and mash them with a pinch of salt. Wrap the mashed garlic in a piece of cloth and use it as a poultice. Place the mashed garlic poultice over the ear suffering from ear infection. The garlic may also be crushed to extract the juice. After that, place a few drops of the garlic juice directly onto the infected ear to get rid of the infection and the pain.

Apple Cider Vinegar As A Natural Remedy For Ear Infection

Properties: Apple cider vinegar is made from fermented apple cider. It is rich in dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. It is also a great source of antioxidants. Apple cider vinegar contains almost no fat at all and very little sodium. It also contains five percent acetic acid and lesser amounts of lactic acid, malic acid and several types of amino acids. Apple cider vinegar contains pectin which is a soluble fiber that can absorb fat, cholesterol, toxins and water. Pectin also helps lower blood pressure which makes it good for the heart. It is also contains antibacterial properties that makes it among effective natural remedies for different types of infections.

Using Apple Cider Vinegar as a Cure for Ear Infection:

Dip the tip of a cotton swab in a small amount of apple cider vinegar. Use the cotton swab to clean the infected ear.

White Walnut As A Home Remedy For Ear Infection

Properties: White walnut is scientifically known as Juglans Cinerea. It is also known as butternut. This tree is deciduous that can grow as tall as 20 meters high. They grow at a slow rate and are considered to be short-lived for a tree. The bark of the white walnut has strong antimicrobial properties that cure various types of infections. It has an efficacy that is comparable to those of antibiotics. It has the advantage of being a home remedy for ear infection with no side effects as compared to antibiotics.

Using White Walnut as a Cure for Ear Infection:

Boil 250 ml of water and add 50 grams of white walnut bark. Allow it to boil for 30 minutes and then strain. Drink a glass or about 50ml of the liquid three times a day. Continue drinking the liquid for one week to cure for the ear infection.

Marigold As A Home Remedy For Ear Infection

Properties: Marigold is also known by its botanical name of Calendula Officinalis. It is a common garden plant that has golden-orange flowers and light green leaves. The leaves and the flowers of the marigold are the parts of the plant that are used for medicinal purposes. The marigold contains resin, essential oils, sterol, flavonoids, mucilage, carotenoids and saponins making it one of the best natural remedies for ear infection. It is both an antiseptic and an antibacterial. It is also very effective in promoting the healing of wounds. It can treat warts, burns, and skin infections such as impetigo. It also heals other types of infections aside from skin infections.

Using Marigold as a Cure for Ear Infection:

Crush about five to eight leaves of the marigold to make a paste. Add the paste to 250 ml of boiling water. Boil the mixture for 15 minutes and strain. Drink 15 ml of the strained liquid two times a day for one week.

Other Home Remedies For Ear Infection

Apply a warm compress to the infected ear by using a small towel that has been warmed on the stove for a few minutes. Place the warm towel over the infected ear for a few minutes. This is one of the simple natural remedies for ear infection.

Warm a tablespoon directly on the stove flame and then place a small amount of olive oil on the hot spoon. This should warm the olive oil. Place two to three drops of the warm olive oil onto the infected ear. Make sure the olive oil is not too hot before application.

Pour a few drops of lobelia oil into the affection ear.

Apply several drops of hydrogen peroxide to the ear.

Wash the ears with colloidal silver, a type of natural antibiotic.

Diet For Ear Infection

Eat plenty of fruits rich in Vitamin C such as oranges, mangoes and other citrus fruits as diet for ear infection. Vitamin C helps the body’s immune system to fight infection.

Eat foods that are rich in zinc because they help cure ear infection.

Refrain from eating fried and processed foods.

Increase intake of calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese and other dairy products as diet for ear infection.