Earache is an inflammatory condition of the middle ear, producing pain, redness, and swelling. Caught early, earaches are a minor problem relieved with some homecare. Essential oils are a useful and effective treatment for relief of minor earaches and infection.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for earaches are:
• Clove
• Helichrysum
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Tea tree
Safety First
Ears are especially sensitive, so always dilute your oils well, and be gentle—do not poke or put any objects inside the ear canal. If the remedies aren’t helping and the infection seems to be getting worse, see a healthcare professional.
At the first sign of earache, try these simple aromatherapy application methods.
• Ear treatment. Soak a cotton ball in a combination of antiseptic and pain-relieving essential oils and olive oil, and place it just inside your ear. Lie down on your opposite side for five minutes so it doesn’t slip out.
• Warm compress. Add a few drops of essential oil to a warm compress and apply it to your ear and the areas surrounding it, including your neck and jawline. (Ears are sensitive to heat, so the compress should be warm, not hot.)
• Pain-relieving massage. Combine pain-relieving essential oils with your favorite carrier oil and massage onto the areas surrounding the ear where pain is radiating.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Massage the area. When ear pain radiates, massage the tense areas.
• Use heat. Carefully apply a warming pad to the outer ear and surrounding area to relieve pain.
• Eat garlic. Consuming a clove of garlic each day may help stave off infection.
These essential-oil recipes may help you find relief from the pain and discomfort of an earache.
When the pain of your infection starts to radiate to the back of your ear and neck, the analgesic effects of this recipe should help.
1 teaspoon carrier oil
2 drops clove oil
2 drops helichrysum oil
Combine the oils in a small glass bowl. Use your fingers to massage the blend behind your ear, and onto your neck, jawline, and anywhere pain is radiating.
Lavender is a widely accepted treatment for earache, helping with both pain and inflammation. Tea tree’s antiseptic properties create a healing synergy with lavender.
3 drops lavender oil
3 drops tea-tree oil
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 small dark-glass dropper bottle
Add all of the oils to the bottle and shake to blend. Add 3 drops of the mixture to a clean cotton ball and place it just inside the opening of the ear (do not push it into the canal). Repeat up to three times a day, as needed.