Top 6 Essential Oils for Ear Infections

Best Essential Oils for Ear Infections and Earache!

Knowing the best essential oils for ear infections can help you combat the pain and other nasty symptoms that come with an ear infection.

If you’ve ever been awakened by pain deep in your ear, then you’ll appreciate having an effective remedy on hand to help relieve that pain.

There is so much pain involved with an ear infection that you want everything you can use on hand. This is where essential oils come in handy!

Because you are going to use the topical method of essential oil application for treating your ear infection, I recommend reading my post on how to dilute essential oils for safety.

Causes of an Ear Infection

Ear infections can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. They occur when any of the eustachian tubes becomes blocked or swollen, thereby causing fluid to pool in the middle ear.

Some of the factors that cause eustachian tube blockage include:

• Changes in air pressure
• Sinus infection
• Mucus
• Allergies
• Colds
• Smoking
• Swollen or infected adenoids

Symptoms of Ear Infections

• Feeling of pressure in the ear
• Pain in the ear
• Pus-like drainage
• Hearing loss

Top 6 Essential Oils for Ear Infections

#1. Tea Tree

One of the most popular essential oils is tea tree EO. This is a great oil that is often used for antiseptic properties. Since it is known to kill bacteria, it is often used when you believe it may be a bacterial infection.

When using tea tree oil for an ear infection, I recommend combining it with other essential oils for better results. And never use any essential oil topically without first diluting it with a carrier oil.

You can then soak a cotton ball in the mixture, wring out the excess oil and place the cotton ball in the affected ear. Be careful not to put it inside, just place it in the opening leading into your ear. This is a simple and popular method for fighting ear infections.

#2. Thyme Linalool

Thyme is a potent essential oil to use when you want to clear infections because of its antimicrobial and healing properties. It soothes discomforting coughs, clears sinus congestion, relieves allergies and reduces swelling.

In fact, it is one of my go-to EOs for respiratory support.

Not to be used by nursing mothers.

If you are looking for more antibacterial essential oils, check out my list of the Top 10 Antibacterial Essential Oils.

#3. Basil 

Basil EO is a natural stress reliever. This carries into helping with pain and discomfort. Using it on the outside and around your ear can help relieve some of the tension, pain, and stress.

This can help tremendously with the discomfort that comes with an ear infection.

Since basil essential oil is also known to be excellent for a cough and sinusitis, it makes sense to include for an ear infection. These ailments tend to go together, and thus you can treat together with the essential oil.

Not recommended for young children. Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.

#4. Oregano

Oregano EO may make you smell like an Italian restaurant, but it is an amazing antioxidant. As a natural anti-fungal and antiseptic, it is a great addition to treating symptoms of an ear infection.

When you think of essential oils for ear infection, you automatically will grab oregano oil from the pantry. Just a few drops in a carrier oil can help a lot with many causes of ear infections.

Oregano is also on my list of essential oils for coughs. Since an ear infection often happens alongside a cough, it makes sense that you may need to use for both symptoms.

Note: Do not use Oregano EO for young children. Also, do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding.

#5. Clove

Anesthetic and analgesic properties are a huge proponent of clove EO. In fact, it may be the most commonly referred to essential oils for ear infections. As a natural analgesic, you’ll find pain relief readily with this oil.

Be careful when using clove essential oil because it is very hot and just a drop can be very powerful.

Avoid using in children. Not recommended during first trimester pregnancy. Consult with your physician before using if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Also, avoid using if you have impaired liver function, or have a clotting disorder.

Here are 10 Clove Essential Oils Benefits and Uses that you may also appreciate.

#6. Lavender

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils because of its versatility and wide array of uses. It helps clear infections, supports the respiratory system, calms inflammation, relieves pain and soothes skin irritation.

Lavender is one of the essential oils you will always find in my natural medicine cabinet any time any day. Apart from its therapeutic benefits, it also smells great – one of the reasons, I like it even more.

How to Use Essential Oils for Ear Infections

The best way to use essential oils for an ear infection is topical application (massage and cotton ball methods). I shared above, my link to safety tips regarding diluting essential oils.

To start, you want to make sure you are diluting your essential oils so there are no skin irritations. Also, you’ll want to make sure you do a test patch on the skin to make sure you don’t have any reaction.

Just in case there is an allergy or irritation, you don’t want to use that oil at all.

Essential Oil Recipe for Ear Infection

• 2 drops tea tree
• 2 drops thyme linalool
• 2 drops lavender

Directions

Blend the essential oils together in a bottle, dilute 3-5 drops of the blend in 1 teaspoon (5 ml) carrier oil. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture, wring out excess oil and place the cotton ball in the affected ear.

Note: For children between 5 and 10 years of age use 1 to 3 drops of the blend mixed in 1 teaspoon carrier oil.

Be careful not to put it inside, just place it in the opening leading into your you ear.

Then massage the mixture on our ear lobe, behind your ear, neck and across your cheek.

Essential Oil Blend Recipe for Earache

• 3 drops lavender
• 1 drop tea tree
• 1 drop geranium
• 15 ml (1 tablespoon) carrier oil

Directions

Blend the essential oils and carrier oil together, soak a cotton ball in the blend, wring out excess oil and place the cotton ball to your outer ear. (Not inside your ear canal!). Also, use the blend to massage your ear area, neck and across your cheek.

Conclusion

Yes, you can use essential oils for ear infections to get relief and manage an often painful ailment. However, they are not a replacement for professional medical care. So be sure to seek medical help if your ear infection fails to clear up in time or becomes recurrent.

If you are new to essential oils, you’ll want to check out my posts on 7 Must-Have Essential Oils and Essential Oils Accessories and Supplies. This will get you well on your way toward learning how to utilize essential oils in your daily life.

Read more about using essential oils safely here:

• 8 Essential Oil Dangers and Risks
• How to Dilute Essential Oils for Topical Use
• Essential Oils that are Safe for Kids
• Essential Oils to Use During Pregnancy

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not intend to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. It is always recommended that you seek the advise of your private medical doctor.