Your little one is irritable, crying, and pawing at their ears. Maybe they’re even running a fever or aren’t eating well.
These are all telltale signs of an ear infection.
What can you do about it?
What Can Cause An Ear Infection
Until a child is 3 or 4 years old, the ear canals are not fully formed and do not drain well. When a child gets congested it can be from a pathogen they were exposed to, and/or from eating mucus forming foods (such as dairy, beans, rice, breads, etc). The ear canals can get clogged with excess mucus, which may not be draining properly. Bacteria love to bury themselves in mucus, and they can begin to grow – and thus, an infection can occur. When dealing with an ear infection or if one is prone to ear, sinus, or respiratory infections, avoiding mucus-forming foods (particularly dairy and eggs) makes a big difference.
Some youth and adults get ear infections as well due to old strep and other bacterias in the lymph around the ear and the ear channels (such as the canal, eustachian tube, and inner ear). Upper respiratory conditions can also cause disturbances in and around the ear.
To help prevent ear infections, making sure the lymphatic system is flowing well can be of great help. Not only does this help keep the drainage pathways open (or what I call “chimneys” or “-ations”: respiration, perspiration, urination, and defecation), but a clean lymph also helps the immune system function properly. (See more on how to keep your lymphatic system flowing here.) If an infection is brewing, the body can make and deploy T-lymphocytes in the lymphatic system to help kill off the bacteria.
Supporting the immune system is also an important step in helping prevent ear infections. See some of my best tips for strengthening your immune system here, or check out my thorough online course UNDEFEATED: Your Passport To A Powerful Immune System.
I would also recommend being on a good probiotic daily. Here are a few suggestions of ones I have vetted and like:
- SEED is a great one in capsules
- MaryRuth’s Organics is liquid for adults & children (if one has trouble with capsules)
Ear Infection Remedies
Disclaimer: The following information is what has worked for me personally and/or for clients in my practice. If you choose to use the following information, you do so understanding that this is not medical advice. If you think you or your child has an ear infection, I encourage you to work with a trusted health practitioner, especially if you are planning to use the below remedies. Often the recommendation is to complete a course of antibiotics. I strongly recommend you do thorough research on antibiotics, weigh the benefits and risks, and make a decision with a health professional you trust.
DRAIN THE LYMPH BY THE EARS.
There are lymph nodes and lymph pathways near the ears. These are often clogged when an ear infection occurs, so it is important to help clear them so the infection can drain out and be properly killed off. To drain the lymph by the ears, use a warm compress. Then hold the pads of the fingers behind the ears and gently pull down towards the collarbone to drain the lymphatic system. Pull very slowly to pull the congestion and drain the lymph. Doing this same technique along the jawline to open up more lymph pathways is also very helpful. Sometimes bacteria in the teeth and in the lymph around the teeth and jaw can cause congestion in the ears. See the below video for the technique:
Calendula oil helps with the lymphatic system, so using calendula oil with this massage can help drain the lymph. I have also recommended to clients to drink calendula tea and then use the tea bag as a warm compress on the area. If the infection is painful, St. John’s Wort oil* can be very helpful to massage on the jaw line, around the ear, and down the neck to relieve pain. Adding in some essential oils that help with pain such as black pepper, labdanum, or eucalyptus can help as well.
Make sure to stay very hydrated to help flush out the lymphatic system. Cucumber juice is wonderful for doing this. You can juice cucumbers or blend them in a blender and strain out the cucumber fibers with a mesh strainer.
*You can use my code amberbodilyhealth for a discount at checkout if you wish.
USE GARLIC MULLEIN OIL.
A great remedy to treat an ear infection and relieve pain is Mullein Garlic oil. You can buy it ready-made in health food stores or make your own: 2-3 Tbsp chopped garlic, 2-3 Tbsp mullein flowers or powder, extra virgin organic olive oil or St. John’s Wort oil*. Place the garlic and mullein flowers in a double boiler or small saucepan. Add just enough oil to cover the herbs. Warm for 20-30 minutes over very low heat. Strain well; through a fine wire mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth. Store in a tightly covered glass jar in the refrigerator. To use, warm the oil in a teaspoon held over a candle or stovetop burner. Warm only to body temperature (close to room temperature). Suction oil into a dropper and put 3 or 4 drops into the ear. Massage the outer ear and around the base of the ear after applying the oil. I administer the warm herbal oil every 30 minutes or as often as needed. Any excess oil will drain out on its own within a few minutes. I have also saturated a small piece of an organic cotton ball with the oil and placed it at the opening of the ear canal. Let it sit for 30 min to an hour and change it out with a new one. I have also let the cotton ball sit overnight if needed. In a pinch when I needed something quick, I have also done this with St. John’s Wort oil and a drop of lavender* or niauli* essential oil.
*You can use my code amberbodilyhealth for a discount at checkout if you wish.
USE SOVEREIGN SILVER.
If mullein garlic oil is unavailable near you, another option is Sovereign Silver. This is part of my Natural Medicine Cabinet (more on this later) and always good to have on hand. Lay the uninfected ear on a table or pillow. Take the dropper of Sovereign Silver and drop a few drops into the infected ear and wait a few minutes before sitting up. I repeat this every hour if the infection is worsening quickly, otherwise every other hour is sufficient.
SUPPORT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.
This is a crucial time to support the immune system. I would highly recommend taking these supplements – especially zinc and Vitamin C. Let the body rest as much as needed, stay very hydrated, and if possible still make sure to get fresh air and sunshine. If you’re feeling up to it, gentle movement is great. Eat foods that are easy on the digestive system (fruits, potatoes, fresh pressed juices, steamed vegetables, etc) if possible, so that the digestive system doesn’t take up a lot of energy. I would encourage you to continue supporting the immune system with more focus for a few weeks after the infection dissolves to support the body’s rebalancing of its systems after the disturbance.
My All-Natural Medicine Cabinet
There are certain things that I always keep on hand that pack a powerful punch against multiple ailments. Sovereign silver is definitely one of them – and I usually have all three forms of it (the liquid, the spray, and the gel). Having certain items on hand has made a world of difference in some circumstances – and in a few situations, has prevented a trip to the emergency room for us. Having three very active boys, every family member has become well-versed in how to naturally treat cuts, wounds, sprains, etc. We have even treated a broken bone at home with success. It is my hope that you and your family stay safe and healthy – but it never hurts to prepare for the cuts, scrapes, and other common ailments that can befall your loved ones.
This is why I put together a master guide of my best natural remedies for over 50 common ailments, which include:
- Bee stings
- Burns
- Chickenpox
- Fever
- Lice
- Pink eye
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- UTI
- And so many more.
This guide is a robust quick-reference resource made for you so that you can easily find what you need to help your family thrive. All of it has been used by either me and/or my clients with great success.
I have often received messages in my inbox asking about what to do for many of these things, and wished that I had a guide to send people to so that they could get the answers they need as quickly as possible.
It is launching soon: The All-Natural Medicine Cabinet: Your Guide To Powerful Remedies For Common Ailments – and you can be the first to know about it! Make sure you are subscribed to my email list here.
I hope that these ear infection remedies help you or a loved one when in need. These remedies, plus a few more for an ear infection, are included in The All-Natural Medicine Cabinet Guide.
Cheers to more tools to empower YOUR health!
Ignite the Healer within,
Amber Bodily
P.S. This came to mind – our bodies are the most valuable real estate we own. Having the tools and resources on hand to perform maintenance or repairs is very helpful! I hope you found this helpful!
