The throbbing pain from the ear infection can be very disabling and get in your way even during the most basic every-day activities.  It starts in the middle ear where the blockage appears, fluids accumulate and bacteria or viruses thrive, leading to this uncomfortable situation. Antibiotics sometimes don’t work especially when it comes to viral infections. Home remedies are a great alternative and olive oil is just one of the super foods you can use for ear infections.

The first question – is it safe?

Olive oil is touted for its antibacterial qualities. This folk remedy has long been used for different types of infections with great success and generally doesn’t have any side-effects you should fear. You should be cautious though, especially if you’re self-medicating. You’re strongly suggested to ask for a specialist’s advice or at least do a little test before you hurry to alleviate the situation with this miraculous remedy.

The ways you can use it:

Warming the oil up

This is, by all means, the simplest way to make use of olive oil for the sake of mitigating an ear infection pain. Warm it up to the point that it is lukewarm, take an ear-dropper and place a few drops into the ear. Afterward, put a cotton ball on the opening of the ear to keep the oil inside. Repeat this a few times a day for several days and you’ll feel the situation going for the better soon enough. Remember- the oil must not be too hot because it could hurt the eardrums.

Boost up the olive oil!

Tea tree oil is used very often in concoction with the olive oil for even better results in an ear infection. Mix these 2 with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and colloidal silver water and put it in the ear with an ear-dropper for a few days.  After letting this combo do its job in the ear for 5 minutes you’ll have to drain it using a towel on the ear in order not to make a big mess.

Cinamon and the olive oil

Cinamon originates primarily from South America and is known as a spice that enriches many different dishes. We usually imagine something like an apple pie when it is mentioned, but people generally forget how healthy it is. It has great anti-inflammatory elements which could greatly help the olive oil to work properly in the infected ear. You just have to warm these 2 up a bit, strain it and put 3 drops in the ear.

The freshness of peppermint

This cross between water mint and spear mint has a wide use in food, cosmetics, and even medicine. It has a very fresh scent which is why it also became synonymous to ‘’no bad breath’’.  Five drops of olive oil and a drop of the peppermint oil mixed together will help you to overcome the infection and will additionally clear your ear from any earwax blockages.

Mullein

This is a flower whose each part can be used for the treatment of medicinal issues. It is known to cure asthma, inflammation, infections, hemorrhoids, viruses, burns, bruises etc.  Make some mullein tea and put a drop of olive oil in it and you’ll get a remedy that has been used for ear infections both in children and adults alike for years.

Lavender

This one is the most child-friendly. Mix a few drops of lavender oil with the olive oil. When you’re treating a baby, take a cotton ball, soak it in the solution and rub it on the outside of the ear.  Adults are allowed to get a few drops directly in the ear.

Olive oil and garlic

The mixture of these two has been used for centuries as both of them are known to be very potent against bacterial and viral infections especially garlic. It is known for its antimicrobial properties that have been proven to be successful against anything ranging from high blood pressure to hair loss by more than 4.000 studies.

Unnecessary antibiotics

Ear infections are usually triggered by viruses in which case antibiotics don’t work. Unfortunately, many doctors persist on prescribing these and many kids end up being on these useless chemical treatments. There are some indications though, that doctors are turning to the folk medicines in these cases and recommend the mixture of garlic and olive oil as a natural antibiotic that gives immediate and more permanent results.

How to use garlic and olive oil together?

The first method: warm olive oil

This one provides immediate relief. Heat up the oil and then put the finely chopped garlic into the pan. You should let it simmer for 20 minutes until the garlic infuses the oil with all its beneficial ingredients. Then, strain this and use it at a room temperature for the best results

The second method

If you don’t feel like warming the oil up, you can just add the garlic to the oil and leave it like that for 3 hours until the garlic releases its vitamins. However, mind you that prepared like this, the solution won’t be as effective.

An important notice!

When you’re using the solution made of garlic and olive oil you have to confirm that the eardrum is not ruptured. The safest way to determine this is to try to detect the pain. If the ear is painful, the eardrum is intact, however, when the pain is gone and the infection is still there you are urged to see a doctor.

What else to do when you have an ear infection?

First things first, avoid swimming when you have an ear infection because it can possibly make it worse. If you have to get into the water (which even includes showering), put a few drops of the oil into the ear as a precaution. Use the olive oil which is certified by doctors because it is usually sterilized and therefore much safer. Finally, you’ll have to refrain from having dairy products because it could increase the pain and swelling.