Essential oils are some of the best things you can use for an ear infection. While you shouldn’t treat them as a medication, what they can do is relieve your symptoms as you recover from the ailment. In fact, many essential oils are known for their abilities to reduce inflammation and some essential oils even have antimicrobial properties that can assist your body’s immune system when fighting infections.
That said, there are tons of options to choose from, so it may be hard to find the right fit. The good news is that we’re here to help. Read on to discover the best essential oils for ear infections and how you can use them below.
Can Essential Oils Help With Ear Infections?
Yes, essential oils can help with ear infections. You’ll find that some oils can reduce inflammation and swelling, which can relieve some symptoms of your ear infection. Other essential oils may also improve your immune system’s ability to fight infection, which can speed up recovery.
That said, it’s important to note that research is limited on essential oils and their ability to help with ear infections. For this reason, you should always consult with a doctor before using them to treat any health conditions, and you may want to dilute them if you’re using pure essential oils.
The 4 Best Essential Oils for Ear Infection
There are a handful of essential oils you can use to assist with an ear infection. However, some options work better than others. To help you find the right essential oils without having to go through any trials and errors, we’ll take you through our top four essential oils for ear infections below.
1. Tea Tree Essential Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the best essential oils for ear infections because it has some antimicrobial properties. These properties can assist your body’s natural ability to fight infections, like an ear infection. That said, this oil can be potent and must be combined with a carrier oil before placing it around your ear.
2. Basil Essential Oil
Basil essential oil is another great choice when it comes to dealing with ear infections thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. This means that by applying basil oil topically you can reduce some of the swelling and pressure in and around your ear. Basil oil also has some antibacterial properties that can assist your body’s natural ability to fight bacterial infections, like an ear infection.
3. Thyme Oil
More research needs to be done on this essential oil, but some data shows that thyme oil may have some antiseptic properties. This can help keep your ear clean and healthy which can prevent ear infections and assist with treating them. Thyme oil can also assist with inflammation and swelling, so it offers numerous ways to help with ear infections.
4. Garlic Oil
Garlic is good for just about anything. It’s been used for hundreds of years to help with infections, digestive problems, and even heart health. What’s more, recent studies from 2009 have found that some garlic derivatives like allicin and s-allyl cysteine have antimicrobial properties and can assist with ear infections. Garlic is specifically good for the middle of your ear and the ear canal
How to Use Essential Oils for Ear Infections
There are a few ways to use essential oils for ear infections. Your options include dropping the oil in your ear, using a cotton ball to soak the area around your ear, and applying the oil topically around your ear. While these are all viable options, make sure you consult with a doctor before you use them. Also, we always recommend using a patch test before committing to an essential oil.
A patch test is a simple test you can do by placing some diluted essential oil around a small patch of skin to test for an allergic reaction; this is better than realizing it when it’s in your ear. Once you know the oil will work for you, dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil and you can apply it topically.
If you plan on dropping the oil directly in your ear, dilute the oil and only use one or two drops. Topical treatments are more forgiving but always consult with a doctor before putting anything in your ears.
Get the Best Essential Oil for Ear Infection Today!
To ensure that the essential oil you use is one of the safest options for your ear, always work with reputable providers like Wholesale Botanics. You want to ensure that the essential oils you’re using are safe for topical use and even for use within your ear, so always check for minimal preservatives and natural sourcing methods. Then, always test the oil with a patch test and consult with your doctor for more assistance in treating an ear infection.