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Essential oils for ear infection are the most beneficial and popular remedies for many people out there. Ear infections are strenuous and extremely painful, making it a concern for many people with the infection.
No doubt, the ear is one of the most sensitive or easily affected parts of your body, and before using essential oils for ear infection, many questions might pop up in your mind.
Before using essential oils for ear infections1, be aware of their working efficiency so that you don’t fall into the trap of side effects. This article will help you get a brief knowledge about essential oils for ear infections.
1. The Basics of Essential Oils for Ear Infection
Workers extract essential oils by a process in which they steam the plant itself or its stem.
After the first step, the workers separate the oils through a whole set of processes that include steam distillation and extraction vessels.
The harvesting of oils and the source plant determine the uses of essential oils2 and generally are the super-concentrated form of their source plant.
The main function of essential oils used in healing therapies is their antibacterial and antiviral properties.
Not all essential oils will work in the same manner, but few will do the job of preventing or killing the growth of bacteria, causing infection, or putting the virus to death as they could use your cells to multiply their numbers.
2. Essential Oils for Ear Infection
2.1 Tea Tree Oil
The Tea Tree essential oil is known for its antibacterial properties due to the presence of Terpinen-4-ol. Terpinen-4-ol 3is a superb antibacterial agent to prevent the growth and presence of bacteria that spread infections in various parts of your body.
Scientists did a study in 2006 to prove the working mechanism of Tea Tree oil to prevent microbes and reduce inflammation.
No doubt, Tea Tree oil is a great antimicrobial remedy 4for your ear infection, but further research is required for better confirmation.
2.2 Oregano Oil
According to some studies, oregano oil (Lippia graveolens) will also help people with ear infections and is one of the most reliable essential oils for ear infections due to its antiviral features. All these capabilities of Oregano oil are because of an agent named Carvacrol.5
Besides, Oregano oil is also a stellar oil for treating inflammation or bloating that may result from an ear infection (generally occurring in the middle ear), also called Otitis media.
Oregano oils can fight bacteria and heal wounds, yet many are still finding evidence for a clear statement for ear infections.
2.3 Basil oil
A remarkable medicine for bacterial infection, Basil oil is traditionally used for skin diseases, but it can also do wonders for ear infections as it is a fantastic antibacterial agent. Few reports are suggesting the benefits of Basil oil for ear infections.
These studies were carried out on rats and hence can show almost identical results in humans. You could also use basil oil for aromatherapy to boost your mood out of ear pain.
2.4 Garlic Oil
A few drops of garlic essential oil would provide relief to earache, and you can use it in its pure form for ear infections.
Garlic oil is one of the most talked-about oils when it comes to essential oil for earache. The antibacterial properties of garlic would be effective and strong to eradicate the bacteria that tend to cause infections. You can try making garlic oil or buy it from any store.
Just note that you should not use garlic oil for a ruptured eardrum. There is also no proof of the suitability of garlic oil for everyone, and some folks may have side effects as well.
2.5 Lavender Oil
The lavender essential oil will be another good choice if you look for essential oils for ear infections.
The major cause of ear infections is unhealthy microbes in your cells which essential oils can easily overcome with antibacterial and antiseptic properties.
People with ear infections could safely use lavender essential oil. Lavender essential oil would be highly effective in killing the growth of viruses, fungi, and bacteria.
2.6 Olive Oil
Ear infections could be cured by another staple part of the Mediterranean diet, known as Olive oil, which is one of the most powerful natural remedies for ear pain relief.
Sometimes, taking out the ear wax would also work for treating ear infections. Few researchers came up with the benefits of Olive oil to clearing out ear wax, which would also work for treating ear infections.
The antibacterial properties of olive oil will help reduce the number of bacteria causing ear infections by preventing their growth. Olive oil is one of the top-ranking home remedies for various infections caused by microbes.
2.7 Coconut Oil
Coconut oil would play the role of solvent while preparing natural ear drops for ear infections. It will be a fine carrier oil to serve your ear infection after mixing it with essential oils.
Coconut oils contain polyphenols (a micronutrient) that will fill your body with a good amount of antioxidants. Coconut oil is an overall outstanding oil for preventing and treating ear infections6 due to its microbes’ fighting potential.
3. Essential Oils For Ear Infection: Conclusion
An ear infection could be a consequence of various reasons. Essential oils for an ear infection are completely safe if you intend to do home remedies.
Note that the treatment for ear infections depends on the cause of the infections. Hence, sometimes essential oils may not work, and consulting a doctor would be a better option.
Essential oils are not predictable, they don’t react easily, but you would see side effects in some cases. To avoid any side effects, it’s always better to consult an expert for proper guidance. Go ahead and explore these amazing essential oils for ear infections.
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- Neves, Rita CSM, et al. “In vitro and in vivo efficacy of tea tree essential oil for bacterial and yeast ear infections in dogs.” Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 38 (2018): 1597-1607. ↩︎
- Tongnuanchan, Phakawat, and Soottawat Benjakul. “Essential oils: extraction, bioactivities, and their uses for food preservation.” Journal of food science 79.7 (2014): R1231-R1249. ↩︎
- Wu, Chieh-Shan, et al. “Terpinen-4-ol induces apoptosis in human nonsmall cell lung cancer in vitro and in vivo.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2012 (2012). ↩︎
- De Souza, G. Coelho, et al. “Ethnopharmacological studies of antimicrobial remedies in the south of Brazil.” Journal of ethnopharmacology 90.1 (2004): 135-143. ↩︎
- Sharifi‐Rad, Mehdi, et al. “Carvacrol and human health: A comprehensive review.” Phytotherapy Research 32.9 (2018): 1675-1687. ↩︎
- Hannley, Maureen T., James C. Denneny III, and Susan Sedory Holzer. “Use of ototopical antibiotics in treating 3 common ear diseases.” Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery 122.6 (2000): 934-940. ↩︎
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