Earaches and ear infections are miserable, and the quicker they can be soothed, the better. While antibiotics are the typical course of action, they are not the only option.
For those of us looking to avoid antibiotics, mullein oil is a time tested remedy for ear infections.
The mullein plant is a tall, upright stalk that grows wild in many parts of the US. It can be wild-harvested, but it is also available for purchase at health food stores and from online suppliers such as Mountain Rose Herbs. While the leaves and flowers are often used to quiet coughs and relieve congestion, it is the oil made from mullein flowers that works so well for ear infections.
Mullein oil is usually created by infusing olive oil with several sprigs of dried mullein. To do this, drop a handful of dried mullein into a mason jar, and fill the jar with olive oil. Leave only about 1/2″ of head space, and make sure that the mullein remains covered with olive oil the entire time.
Shake the mason jar once daily, and leave it in an undisturbed location, preferably in a cool, dry place.
After a few weeks of infusion (I prefer 4-6 weeks, but some other herbalists I have talked with prefer 2-4 weeks), the mullein oil is ready to be warmed and dropped into sore ears.
To use mullein oil, lie on your side and drop 2-4 drops in the affected ear. The amount used is dependent upon the size of the ear. For children or individuals with small ears, use less oil. Leave the mullein oil in the ear for 5-10 minutes, then carefully tip the oil out onto a clean, dry cloth or cotton ball. Repeat for the other ear if necessary. Continue this 2-3 times daily until the earache subsides.
So, why does mullein oil work so well for ear infections? It is an antibacterial, astringent oil that kills bacteria and germs, soothing away pain and discomfort as it works.
Some people also choose to add a few cloves of garlic to the olive oil at the beginning of the infusion as garlic also has powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial action. Personally, I prefer to eat quite a bit of garlic when I am under the weather and tend to get my immune system boost through adding garlic to practically every meal.
I have recommended homemade or store bought mullein oil to a few clients in the past; they have reported stellar results. I have also used this a few times for my own swimmer’s ear or ear infections, and it is a soothing way to get my ears on the road to wellness again. It has worked for me every time.
After having had numerous ear infections as a child, and taking antibiotics practically nonstop back then, I was thrilled to find this holistic approach to ear health, and am happy to pass it along to anyone else who may be seeking relief.
So the next time you or a loved one starts to feel that familiar pain prickling in the ear, try some mullein oil. If you aren’t keen on making your own, it can be found online or in local health food stores.
***** Disclaimer *****
I am an herbalist, not a medical doctor, and this article is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. This article is for information purposes only.
