5 Natural Remedies for Ear Infections
1. Colloidal Silver
I normally choose colloidal silver for ear infections because it is odorless and effective.
Colloidal Silver boosts the immune system and kills the infection. I took one of my kids for a regular check-up as a baby and found out she had a double ear infection – which I did not know because she wasn’t in pain, nor miserable, she just had a runny nose. I used the method with silver (as described below under instructions for use), and brought her back to the doctor in 2 weeks just to hear from him that the infection was gone – and it was!
Many times kids can have ear infections and not have much pain, if any at all. I watch for the symptoms of fussiness plus pulling or playing with one of their ears. This shows the ear is causing discomfort, but not necessarily pain. With the ear infection I just treated, I recognized the continuous cough, runny nose, fussiness and saw her pull on one of her ears when I laid her down to sleep. If I suspect an ear infection, I put silver in both ears, and not just the one that appears to be the infected one. The other ear could be infected also, but not as bothersome, and drainage could go to the other ear during the sickness to cause an infection in that ear.
It is very important to always treat both ears!!
Buy colloidal silver here.
2. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is so good for so many things, and one thing is ear infections! You can use white vinegar mixed with equal parts of rubbing alcohol, but I always buy raw apple cider vinegar because the health benefits are far superior to other kinds of vinegar. Buy raw apple cider vinegar here.
3. Fresh Onion and Garlic
This remedy is great for cases where ear pain accompanies the infection. One of my girls was up crying constantly with ear pain, and I administered a few drops of silver and also cut an onion and garlic in half. I alternately placed the cut side of the onion and garlic against the ear and held it there. It took the pain away, and she was fine by morning. I’ve only used this once because the few times my kids have had an ear infection were without pain. They mostly feel only discomfort. Onions will also pull infection out!
4. Garlic Oil
To use for ear infections, warm garlic oil to a comfortable temperature. You want to use warm garlic oil, but be sure it isn’t too hot! For instructions on how to make garlic oil, click here.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
I have many memories of peroxide bubbling on my cuts and scrapes during my childhood years. This was the go-to medicine my parents chose whenever we were hurt. I had no idea the antibacterial properties in peroxide could kill ear infections too!
Instructions for Use
To use these remedies for ear infections, you can follow these same basic instructions for whichever remedy you choose.
- Place 1-2 drops of the liquid of choice in each ear 3-5 times throughout the day.
- Be sure the patient lies on his/her side for 5-10 minutes so the medicine doesn’t just run out before it has time to work.
- When the child is better, place drops in the ears 1-2 times a day for a total of 10 days to make sure the infection is gone. I always continue a treatment for about 10 days, and not just stop when there is improvement. The infection can come back or not being completely gone.
These are very easy, inexpensive home remedies that will have your sweetie (or yourself) free of infection and pain in no time!
What is your favorite remedy for ear infections?
*This post was originally published October 26, 2010
You need to do a most important edit to this post and the garlic oil post. use warm garlic,”
Shouls say garlic OIl.
For people unable to realize the error, it says to put garlic cloves in the ear which is clearly not what should happen.
I see what you mean. I will edit it so readers know I mean the oil in that instance. A garlic clove is great to place in the ear {unnicked}, with a warm rick sock on the ear for ear aches and infections. The small center piece of an onion can be used in the same way. But you are correct, I did mean garlic oil in that parenthesis. Thanks for pointing it out!
Jill, thanks so much for this post! All 3 of my kids have had terrible coughs/runny noses for a few days, and now all have developed ear infections. I have one of those lights like doctors have to look in their ears, and it looks like 2 of the kids have ruptured ear drums! I am giving silver by mouth (3x a day for 2 days so far), but was unsure if it was safe to put drops in their ears. Also, how long should I expect it to take for them to start feeling better? One out of the 3 has a fever around 100.3° for 2 days. Thank you!
I like to give my children epsom salt baths when they are running a fever or have colds, flus, etc. If my children are not feeling better, I give them an immune booster and/or natural antibiotic every hour for 2 or 3 days until I see an improvement. 3 times a day is not sufficient for us if they are really sick or are not significantly improving within a few days. I have never dealt with ruptured ear drums, so I would see a doctor if you are concerned about that. You can put silver in ears, open sores, eyes, in the nose, etc. so I consider it safe. Hope all are well soon!
Thank you for the quick reply! I will try giving the silver every hour and see if that helps, if not we will head to the Dr on Monday. I was trying my hardest to avoid that though because we were there a few weeks ago for an unrelated matter, and I think they may have picked up their colds there. I found your blog a few months ago, and appreciate your knowledge. I got my first bottle of silver biotics then, and have successfully used it treat & prevent sinus infections, a tummy bug, and the flu. This is our first chance to use it for a ear infection.
Silver works excellent for ear infections! I have not needed a doctor trip for ear infections since using it, but of course go to the doctor if needed. 🙂
I’ll have to save these ideas! My baby has a runny nose, so I’m wondering if she might have an ear infection too. Is there any age limit with these remedies?
I actually had an ear-ache a couple weeks ago. Nothing seemed to work (I usually use hydrogen peroxide when my ears hurt). Finally, I used a cotton swab with ACV diluted in water in the ear canal, olive oil with tea tree and lavender essential oils mixed together, put it on my ear (it was an outer infection) with a cotton ball over it, and let it stay that way. I did it for a few days, a few times a day, and it worked! =) The oil also seems to help the psoriasis in my ears. I got the oil and ACV ideas from Rachel Weaver’s book “Be Your Own Doctor”.
Rachel’s book is one of my very favorites! I also love her other books as well. I don’t know of an age limit with any of these remedies. I would dilute the vinegar for babies though if a person chooses to use that. Thanks for the comment!
imteresting ideas but so sorely (excuse the oun) lacking in specific methods – do you drink or apply apple cider vinegae directly to ear – and if so how much and exactly how? and how often? and for how long. More confused than when I started.
Hello! I actually answer all of these questions in the post under “Instructions for Use” towards the bottom of the post. I hope you are better very soon!
Hey Jill!
I had been using onion warmed in the oven for less than a minute and it always works. Thanks for sharing Jill.