Olive Oil for Ear Infection

Ear infection is a common health problem, that affects everyone at least once in their life. Our ear is divided into three sections, outer ear, middle ear and the inner ear, and ear infections usually occur in the middle ear. The middle ear comprises the eardrum and the small space behind it which usually gets filled with mucus or sometimes gets infected by bacteria or viruses. This small space is connected to the back of the throat through a tiny channel called the Eustachian tube which when gets inflamed causes symptoms like ear pain, irritation, redness and heat in the ear. Olive oil is a fruit oil that has the taste, aroma, and all nutrient benefits of the olive fruit. Easy digestion, prevention of heart disease, cancer and diabetes control are some of the health benefits of olive oil. However, in this article we will focus more on olive oil benefits as a natural remedy for ear infections.

Using Olive Oil for Ear Infections

From centuries, olive oil has been used as a natural pain relieving remedy for ear infections or disorders. It works by soothing the walls of the outer ear and providing a layer of protection against different bacterial or viral infections.

Olive Oil for Earwax: Olive oil is skin-friendly monounsaturated oil, that can be used for earwax removal. Putting 1 - 2 drops of olive oil in the ear every morning and evening for a week or so helps moisturizing the skin of the ear. Apart from this, one can also soak a little piece of toilet paper in olive oil and microwave it to very warm. Then squeeze as many drops of this warm olive oil into the ear and complete by plugging it with the same piece of paper. This olive oil ear treatment is highly effective in removing the earwax and discomfort within 5 - 10 minutes of application.

Olive Oil for Ear Pain: Olive oil can be used for a ear ache due to an infection by mincing up one clove of garlic and heating it in a tbsp of olive oil for 5 - 7 minutes over low heat. You do not have to cook the garlic, hence the purpose of heating is to just mix the garlic oil with olive oil. Pour and strain the oil in to a small glass container. Now with the help of an ear dropper, pour a few drops of this oil in to the sore or infected ear. Let it rest for a few minutes and then place a cotton in the ear. The next morning, treat the ear with a peroxide cleanse by dropping several drops into ear canal and keep it as it is for 3 - 5 minutes, then drain out. Keep the cotton in ear during the entire day, and repeat the oil treatment at night. This olive oil ear remedy provides immediate comfort and heals the ear infections in a day or so. However, if garlic is not handy, you can also use onion juice and even cinnamon heated with olive oil at low heat for 5 - 7 minutes for treating ear infections.

Hence, the use of olive oil for ear remedy in place of antibiotics especially for ear infections in children, proves to be a natural and safe method of treatment. Though in comparison, this oil may take a little more time to stop the symptoms, it provide long term benefits with no side effects. However, in severe cases where you get no relief even after using olive oil or other natural remedies, it is recommended to consult an ENT specialist to determine the underlying cause and prescribe the necessary medications.