How to Use Essential Oils for Ear Infection?

If you've ever experienced an ear infection, you know how painful it can be. Parents may also have serious concerns about ear infections in their children as they can be difficult to treat, making your child extremely uncomfortable and irritated. Essential oils are becoming increasingly popular as a natural remedy for ear infections. But are there any effective essential oils to treat ear infections? Can they pose a threat? What should you know about utilizing essential oils for ear infections? Read this article to learn about essential oils use in ear infections. 

How do essential oils work to treat ear infections?

Plants provide the source of essential oils. Consider them highly concentrated versions of the plant they are derived from. Steamed plants or plant parts allow the oil and water in the plant to be separated. The type of plant and the method of oil harvesting determine the chemical composition of the essential oil.

1. Some essential oils are effective at warding against bacterial and viral infections because they have antimicrobial or antibacterial characteristics.
2. The way viruses function is by occupying your body's cells. The virus then creates additional virus cells using your cells. By inhibiting the virus from reproducing, certain essential oils can aid in halting that process.
3. Other varieties of essential oils function as antibiotics, assisting in the elimination of hazardous bacterial strains. Various oils kill bacteria in various ways. Some, for instance, can obstruct the biological functions that provide the bacteria energy. The bacteria depart your body after starving to death as a result.

Research backing Benefits of essential oils - 

Both tea tree and basil oils contain therapeutic qualities that could be helpful in the treatment of ear infections. According to a source on tea tree oil's qualities, terpinen-4-ol is a significant component of tea tree oil. When this chemical compound comes into touch with germs, it destroys them.  Using Tea tree oil for ear infection is even more effective than some antibacterial cleaning products. Researchers tested the effects of basil oil in the ear canals of rats who had acute ear infections in a 2005 animal study. This therapy cured 6 to 75% of rats infected with pneumococci and 56 to 81 of rats infected with Haemophilus influenzae.

How do essential oils treat ear infections?

Before using an essential oil, it is generally advisable to dilute it with carrier oil. This will lower the oil's potency and stop your skin from burning or irritating. Jojoba, coconut, and extra virgin olive oils are typical carrier oils. For every drop of essential oil, 1-teaspoon of carrier oil should be used. Before applying it to the ear canal, you should perform a tiny skin patch test to determine how your skin will respond to the essential oil. Spread your diluted essential oil on a patch of skin the size of a quarter. In general, a good location to start is on your inner arm. It is safe to use the oil after the next 24 hours if you don't notice any irritation or inflammation. There are several methods you can treat an ear infection with essential oil.

• One approach involves soaking a cotton ball in the diluted essential oil, then placing the cotton ball in your ear very lightly. As a result, the oils can flow slowly into the ear canal. Avoid pushing the cotton ball into your ear. The fibers may become trapped, which could exacerbate the infection.
• Another approach is to mix 1-2 drops of essential oil with 2-4 drops of carrier oil, like warmed olive oil, to create a blend. Ensure that the combination is comfortable to touch. Pour the oil directly into your ear canal using a clean dropper. The clean ear should face your shoulder, and the infected ear should face the sky. Keep your head tilted diagonally. Resuming your regular position after a minute will allow the oil to drain naturally. With a clean cloth, remove the oil.
• You can also massage your ears with diluted oil. This might lessen pain and inflammation. This method may only help if the middle ear is the source of your ear infection.

Risks associated with essential oils - 

Although Essential oils for ear infections are considered safe and effective, in some cases, the undiluted essential oil can irritate the skin when applied topically. Before placing the combination in or around your ear, test your diluted essential oil on a small skin patch.

• If your eardrum has ruptured, you shouldn't take this cure. 
• Any earache you may have if this has happened will often go away. Your eardrum may still be intact if you're still experiencing earache. Consult your doctor if you're uncertain.
• Use 1-2 drops of essential oil at a time to avoid clogging your ear canal. It's advisable to perform one treatment, observe your ear for a few hours, and repeat it if required. When utilizing essential oils, mothers-to-be, nursing mothers, and expectant mothers should use caution.

Things to bear in mind while using Essential oils for ear infection - 

• You should speak with your doctor if you intend to use essential oils to treat your ear infection. 
• They can guide you through the procedure and give you knowledge that could help you avoid an adverse response or plugged eardrum. 
• They can also assist you in figuring out whether your eardrum has ruptured.
• Because essential oils aren't regulated, you must do your homework. Only buy things from manufacturers you can trust.

Final takeaway - 

Usually, ear infections go away on their own. You can utilize essential oils to alleviate symptoms or hasten recovery naturally. Essential oils are generally safe for most people when properly diluted, although some supporters contend they may not be as effective in treating ear infections. Before applying any Essential oils for an ear infection, you should test it on a small skin patch. You should test it. The person should talk to a doctor about other treatment choices if the ear infection does not go away after two weeks or if an essential oil causes a harmful reaction.