Ear Ache

An ear ache is a common medical problem. An ear ache can be dull, sharp or burning, occurring in one or both ears.

Ear aches have many possible causes. In children, the most common cause is an infection that involves the middle ear, a medical condition called otitis media. Children are more vulnerable to develop middle ear infections because their Eustachian tubes are shorter and more horizontal, resulting in poorer Eustachian tube function and buildup of negative pressure.

The Eustachian tube is a narrow tube that connects the middle ear to the nasal passages. To keep the pressure in the ears equalized, this tube allows fluids to drain out of the middle ear.

During colds or allergies, the Eustachian tube is blocked by the congestion in its linings, allowing the fluid to buildup within the normally air-filled middle ear. Accumulation of fluids can cause hearing loss, an ear ache and ear infections.

Ear aches are also caused by excess earwax, perforated eardrum and other medical conditions that involve the head and neck.

Natural Cures for an Ear Ache:

Ear aches can occur abruptly, most especially during nighttime. Thus, it is often difficult to find a medicinal remedy for an ear ache at the spur of the moment.

However, there is a vast array of home remedies and natural cures to get rid of an ear ache.

Heat:

Most home remedies for earaches consist of gentle heat applications. Warm, moist heat compresses around the ear for 15 to 20 minutes are an effective home remedy to alleviate ear aches.

Garlic:

Garlic, a natural antibiotic, is one of the most useful home remedies for ear ache.

The sliced garlic is wrapped in cotton and immersed into rubbing alcohol. Squeeze the absorbed alcohol into your ears to ease the ear ache.

You may also crush a few cloves of garlic, and put them in a pan.

Cover the garlic with olive oil, and heat the mixture to body temperature.

Before putting a drops of garlic oil into your affected ear, make sure that it’s not too hot.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

A good ear ache home remedy is to put a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide into your aching ear, allowing it to bubble for 10 minutes.

Drain the solution into a tissue. This remedy is a useful way to loosen impacted earwax.

Onion:

To retain as much of the juice as possible, steam the onion with the skin on.

Once it becomes soft, cut the onion and extract its juice with a garlic press.

Place a few drops of warm onion juice into the ear.

St. John's Wort:

St. John’s wort essential oil is a good natural cure for an ear ache.

Warm a small amount of its essential oil, and put several drops into the aching ear.

Afterward, apply a hot compress over the ear for 15 minutes.

It is suggested to combine St. John’s wort with garlic and mullein essential oils for a more effective ear ache remedy.