If an earache is not severe, or if a person is waiting for medical treatment to take effect, they may wish to try home remedies to relieve pain.
Here are a series of nine effective home remedies for people experiencing ear pain:
1. Garlic: Eating a clove of garlic a day may help prevent ear infections. Garlic has long been used in folk medicine to relieve pain. Some research suggests it has antimicrobial properties that can fight infection.
People should not use it as a substitute for antibiotics a doctor has recommended. Instead, consider adding garlic to an antibiotic regimen to speed up relief.
To prevent ear infections, try eating a clove of garlic each day.
Garlic ear drops may also reduce pain and prevent an infection from getting worse. Cook two or three cloves in two tablespoons of mustard or sesame seed oil until brown, then strain the mix. Then, apply a drop or two to each ear.
2. Onions: Like garlic, onions can help fight infection and reduce pain. Also like garlic, onions are not a substitute for medical attention.
Heat an onion in the microwave for a minute or two. Then, strain the liquid and apply several drops to the ear. A person may want to lie down for 10 minutes, and then allow the liquid to flow out of the ear. Repeat this as needed.
3. Breast milk: Breast milk has antimicrobial properties. Some research suggests that a mother’s breast milk changes based on the microbes to which a baby is exposed.
This means that breast milk is most effective in babies. However, some sources suggest that breast milk may even help adults. Infants and children should continue nursing to get the most benefits from breast milk.
In nursing babies, as well as in children and adults, topical application of breast milk may also help. Even if it doesn’t, breast milk is unlikely to cause any serious side effects.
People can try dropping a few drops of breast milk in each ear, and repeat the application every few hours as needed.
