10 Home Remedies to Reduce an Earache

An earache, or pain in the ears is common in small children, but also occurs in adults due to various reasons. Most of the time only one ear is affected, but it may affect both the ears. A common cause of an earache is an infection and building up of fluid in the middle ear.

Here is the list of causes of an earache-

1. Infection in the outer ear and the middle ear.
2. Nasal blockage.
3. Blockage due to ear wax
4. Fluid in middle ear.
5. External body in the ear.
6. Sinusitis.
7. A sore throat.
8. Tonsillitis.
9. Rupture to the ear drum.
10. Barotrauma- a condition caused due to changes in air pressure. Most commonly experienced while traveling in an airplane.
11. Sinusitis.
12. Mastoiditis.

Other causes may include jaw grinding, Meniere’s disease and other neurological disorders. In the case ear ache is extreme or persists for a long period of time it is better to consult your doctor. To soothe and relieve a mild and simple earache below is the list of simple and effective home remedies.

Home Remedies to Reduce an Earache:

1. Garlic-

   Loaded with antibiotic and analgesic properties Garlic is the first choice to reduce an earache especially that is caused by an ear infection. Take few cloves of garlic and grind them properly. Heat grounded garlic along with 4 teaspoons of sesame oil. Cool, the preparation and filter it. Now put 2 to 3 drops of this preparation in your ear that hurts. You may also extract the juice of garlic cloves and put few drops of it in your affected ear.

   Garlic Home remedies to reduce an earache

2. Application of the heat to reduce an earache- Takes an old properly washed small pouch or a clean sock and put some rice into it. Seal the end of the pouch and Heat in short bursts till it gets warm. Now hold it and place against the ear that is aching to relieve the pain. Alternately, you can also use hot water bottles.
3. Olive Oil- Olive oil acts as a lubricant and wards of the infections. This the fastest way to reduce an earache. Take 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat it. Now cool it a little and when it is lukewarm add 2 to 3 drops of it into the aching ear to reduce ear ache.
4. Mustard Oil- Heat 1 tablespoon of mustard oil for a few seconds and let it cool for some time. When lukewarm, pour a few drops of mustard oil in the ear that hurts to reduce pain.
5. Onion-

   The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of the onion help to reduce an earache.You can use onion for this purpose in several ways.  Crush an onion, extract its juice and heat it. When lukewarm put few drops of onion juice in your aching ear 3 times in a day.

   Onion Home remedies to reduce an earache

   You may also heat a small portion of onion till its warm and tuck it into the ear that hurts. Make sure not to soften the portion of the onion.Some people cut the onion into two halves and holds it against the affected ear. Another way is to wrap an onion in a moist and warm cloth and press it against the aching ear for about 10 minutes. Repeat this process daily to reduce an earache.
6. Mullein Flower Oil –

   Mullein oil is very helpful in easing respiratory ailments.Gather Mullein flowers and set them for an hour on a plate to let the hiding bugs escape. Now put the blossoms in the bottom of a jar. Fill the jar with olive oil and let it sit for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, strain it and pour the preparation in a tightly fitting tin bottle and store in cool dry place. To get rid of an ear ache, put a few drops of this oil into the affected ear and massage gently. You may also add garlic cloves to mullein flower oil for better results.

7. Peppermint oil and peppermint juice- Put few drops of fresh peppermint juice in your aching ear. You may also dilute the peppermint oil with olive oil and then apply it externally around the aching ear to reduce an earache. Remember not to put peppermint oil in your ear or it may cause irritation.
8. Holy Basil-

   Owing to its antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties holy basil leaves are a good option to relieve an earache. Take few holy basil leaves and crush it. Extract the juice and put a few drops into your ear that hurts 2 times a day.

   Holy Basil Home remedies to reduce an earache

9. Neem-

   Crush few neem leaves and extract the juice and put few drops in your ear. Repeat this 2 times a day to reduce an earache. Neem is antibacterial and antifungal and fights infection.

10. Ginger-

    ginger is a natural painkiller. Grind some fresh ginger and Extract its juice and put few drops of it in your ear. Ginger juice is anti- inflammatory and reduces an earache.

If you are suffering from cold then steam inhalation not only relieves you from blocked nose but also reduces an earache. In case you are traveling in airplane chew something or put a cotton ball in your ear to reduce discomfort in the ears.