Can Essential Oils Relieve an Ear Infection

Many people are turning to essential oils as a way to help clear up an ear infection naturally, but this treatment is not approved by the FDA. Here’s what you need to know about using essential oils for ear infections.
If you’ve ever had an ear infection as an adult, you know just how painful they can be. Ear infections can also be a big concern for parents. Not only can they cause your child to be very uncomfortable, but they can also be hard to treat.
But do essential oils for ear infections work? Can they be dangerous? Continue reading to learn more.
How can essential oils be used to relieve ear infections?
Essential oils are derived from plants. Think of them as super concentrated forms of the plant they’re taken from.
Some essential oils have antimicrobial or antibacterial properties, which are useful for fighting off viral and bacterial infections.
Viruses work by taking over the cells in your body. The virus then uses your own cells to make more virus cells. Certain essential oils can help stop that process by preventing the virus from replicating.
Other types of essential oils work like an antibiotic, helping to kill off harmful strains of bacteria. Different oils work to kill the bacteria in different ways. For example, some can interfere with the cellular processes that give the bacteria energy. This causes the bacteria to starve to death and leave your system.
How essential oils may be used for an ear infection
The FDA does not approve essential oil treatments for an ear infection, and current studies have only been conducted on animals.
You should always dilute your essential oil with a carrier oil before use. This will lessen the potent nature of the oil and prevent burning or irritation on your skin. Common carrier oils include jojoba, coconut, and extra virgin olive oils. You should use 1 teaspoon of carrier oil for every 1 drop of essential oil.
Before using essential oil in the ear canal, you should do a small skin patch test to assess how your skin will react to the substance. Dilute your essential oil, and spread the mixture on a quarter-sized area of skin.
Your inner arm is generally a good place to try this. If you don’t experience any irritation or inflammation over the next 24 hours, it should be safe to use the essential oil.
You can use an essential oil to treat an ear infection in a few different ways.
In one method, soak a cotton ball in the diluted essential oil, and then place the cotton ball lightly in your ear. This will allow the oils to seep slowly into the ear canal. Be careful not to force the cotton ball into your ear. This can cause the fibers to get trapped and may worsen the infection.
In another method, dilute 1-2 drops of essential oil in 2-4 drops of a carrier oil, such as warmed olive oil. Make sure the mixture isn’t too hot to the touch.
Use a clean dropper to release the oil directly into your ear canal. Keep your head tilted diagonally with the uninfected ear approaching your shoulder and infected ear facing the sky. After a minute, resume your normal stance and allow the oil to drip out naturally. Wipe the oil away with a clean cloth.
You can also rub the diluted oil around your ear. This may help reduce inflammation and pain. If your ear infection is affecting the middle ear, this approach likely won’t bring relief.