Remedies for middle ear infection (otitis media)

It is a fact that prescription drugs can do more harm than good for treating middle ear infections. Fortunately, there are many natural remedies for middle ear infection that you can use to boost your immune system and relieve the painful symptoms of earache, muffled hearing, swollen glands, fatigue, and fever.

Here are some of my favorite remedies for middle ear infections that I use with my patients:

Essential oils

Heat a teaspoon of vegetable oil such as olive oil and add 3 drops of tea tree and 2 drops of lavender to it. Soak a piece of cotton in this and use it to cover the ear. You can also use a massage oil around the ears, neck, and cheeks. An effective massage oil combination is 1 drop of thyme, 3 drops of tea tree, and 2 drops of lavender.

Garlic

Garlic is great for ear infections. Some of my elderly patients swear by peeling a garlic clove, wrapping it in gauze, and placing it in the affected ear overnight. You can put some olive oil in the ear first to avoid any skin irritation. You can also drip some hot garlic oil or liquid garlic extract into your ear every 2-3 hours. These remedies for middle ear infection should not be used if the eardrum is perforated.

Improve your diet

An unbalanced diet with too much refined food causes a buildup of toxins and a breeding ground for bacteria. It is important to base your diet on fresh fruits and vegetables, quality proteins, natural oils, and small amounts of whole grains.

Homeopathic

Iron phosphate and potassium chloride are good remedies for middle ear infections that can reduce inflammation and mucus in the ears.

Herbs

Antimicrobial herbs like olive leaf, echinacea, and goldenseal are powerful remedies for middle ear infections that can help reduce bacteria and viruses in the ears.

Hot

Hot compresses, heat packs, or hot water bottles to the affected ear can ease the pain of middle ear infections.

Raise the head of the bed

Raise the head of the bed or crib to help the ear tubes drain naturally. Children rarely complain of pain in the ears during the day because they are upright and the tubes drain freely. When they go to bed at night, the tubes fill up and cause pain.

Drink much liquid

The mere action of swallowing helps the ear tubes open and drain, so drinking plenty of fluids, preferably warm or hot, will help.

Use a vaporizer or steamer

It is also helpful to use a vaporizer in the bedroom at night. This will help keep the air moist and stimulate the dilution of fluids in the ear.

N-acetyl cysteine

One of my favorite remedies for middle ear infections is N-acetylcysteine, a natural amino acid supplement that can help reduce the severity of ear infections. It has been shown to be helpful in keeping mucous fluid and therefore helps the ears drain. 200 mg twice a day is recommended as a starting point.

Fight colds

For some people who are prone to recurring ear infections after a cold, it may be worth treating the cold vigorously with immune-boosting nutrients, herbs, a vaporizer, and if necessary a decongestant, especially at night.

Vitamins and minerals

Immune-boosting nutrients like vitamin A, C, E, and zinc are essential remedies for middle ear infections important for treating and preventing ear infections.

Treat allergies

Allergies are one of the main predisposing causes of ear infections. When you or your child’s airways become clogged with mucus in reaction to an allergen, the ears are more likely to harbor an infection. Dairy products, wheat, and eggs are the most common food allergens; however, environmental allergens such as dust mites, animal hair, and pollen can also be a problem.