15 Essential Oils for Earache That Heal Smoothly

Earaches can be extremely debilitating, especially when the pain and pressure starts to interrupt your daily routine. You can get back on track by utilizing essential oils for earache pain relief. The 15 essential oils we list below are all-natural, safe alternatives to pharmaceutical or over-the-counter treatments.

However, these are not all inclusive cures. For severe ear infections and conditions, you need to consult a health care professional.

15 Essential Oils for Earache That Make Hearing Smooth Again

1. Oregano Oil

The antioxidant and antiseptic properties of oregano make it one of the most effective essential oils for earache. The terpenes, pinene and terinene are responsible for antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic functions which help to relieve earache.

What to do:

Add 3 to 4 drops of oregano oil to 1 tsp of coconut, almond or olive oil.
Apply this oil to the outside of the ear, but do not put it into the actual ear canal.

2. Garlic Oil

High concentrations of allicin, which helps to soothe pain and reduce inflammation due to its antioxidant behavior, makes garlic oil another of the essential oils for earache relief. It is also antibacterial, which can help to fight off the actual cause of the ear infection.

What to do:

You can mix several drops of garlic oil in 1 tsp of olive oil and apply it to both the inner and outer ear.
Do not use undiluted in the inner ear and don’t place it in the inner ear if the eardrum has ruptured.

3. Mustard Oil

Also among the essential oils for earache is mustard oil. You cannot overlook the antibacterial properties of mustard oil. You also have to keep in mind that its antioxidant compounds are also effective at reducing inflammation and bringing relief to the pain.

What to do:

Add 4 to 5 drops of mustard oil to 1 Tbsp of tepid water.
Gently pour the water and oil into each ear canal, in turn, and allow it to sit for 30 to 60 seconds.
Do not use this remedy if the eardrum has ruptured.

4. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is another popular item on the list of essential oils for earache. This oil has soothing properties for pain relief, but it is also highly effective at rapidly getting rid of inflammation. You can even use peppermint oil on children as long as it is diluted with a carrier oil.

What to do:

Mix 4 to 5 drops of peppermint oil in jojoba, olive, coconut or almond oil.
Apply gently around the outside of the ear, but not in the actual ear canal.
Allow the oil to absorb completely before wiping dry.

5. Lavender Oil

Also among the most effective essential oils for earache is lavender oil. This is one of the most widely accepted natural remedies by medical professionals when it comes to earache relief. Lavender has anti-inflammatory properties which help to relieve the pain causing pressure of an ear infection.

What to do:

Mix 3 drops of lavender oil in 1 tsp of coconut oil and rub gently around the outer to middle ear.
Do not massage this oil too deep into your ear as it might exacerbate the inflammation.

6. Basil Oil

Anti-inflammatory and antiviral compounds found in basil oil make it another top choice among essential oils for earache. This is another remedy which works for both adults and children in diluted form and is quite effective at bringing relief.

What to do:

Add 5 to 6 drops of basil oil to 1 tsp of a carrier oil.
Dip a cotton ball into the oil and apply the oil around the outer ear.

7. Olive Oil

Though technically a carrier oil rather than an essential oil, olive oil can work all on its own. It is effective at breaking up earwax sometimes associated with an earache and also has anti-inflammatory properties, thus making it a viable member among our essential oils for earache.

What to do:

Slightly warm ¼ tsp of olive oil and pour it into the ear canal.
Allow the oil to sit for 5 to 7 minutes before allowing it to drain out.

8. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is also an excellent choice when it comes to essential oils for earache. Fluid buildup from ear infections is part of the cause of earaches and tea tree oil works as an astringent to help dry up those fluids. In addition, tea tree oil has strong antiviral and antibacterial properties to help treat the infection itself.

What to do:

Add 3 drops to 1 tsp of tepid olive oil.
Using a dropper, place 6 to 8 drops of the mixture into the ear canal and allow it to sit for 5 to 7 minutes before draining.

9. Thyme Oil

Also among the oils on the essential oils for earache list is thyme oil. The anti-inflammatory compound thymol is the active ingredient found in thyme oil. In addition, thyme has analgesic properties to help soothe the pain and make it easier to deal with the discomfort.

What to do:

Mix 3 to 4 drops of thyme oil in 1 tsp of carrier oil and gently apply it to the outside of the ear with a cotton ball.
This oil is not to be used in the ear canal.

10. Outer Ear Therapy

When it comes to the use of essential oils for earache, many can be used in the inner ear, but most are best used when applied to the outer ear only. Those remedies used for the outer ear only tend to be reserved for less severe earaches caused from milk infections or colds.

What to do:

Mix 5 to 6 drops of a single essential oil or a combination of two or three in 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil or sweet almond oil.
Utilizing a dampened cotton ball, gently apply the 3 to 4 drops of the mixture all around the external opening of the ear.
You can repeat this 3 to 4 times per day.

11. Inner Ear Therapy

When it comes to using essential oils for earache on the inner ear, the most important factor to be aware of is whether or not the eardrum has been ruptured or perforated in any way. You should not use any oils in the inner ear if this is the case. If the eardrum is okay, then you can use inner ear treatments.

What to do:

Slightly warm your carrier oil (sweet almond and olive oil are the most common).
Add 2 to 3 drops of essential oil like lavender or chamomile to 1 tsp of carrier oil.
Absorb the oil mixture into a cotton ball and gently insert the cotton ball into the ear opening.
Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before removing.
You can repeat this a couple times per day.

12. Cod Liver Oil

One of the common causes of earache is a deficiency of vitamin A. Vitamin A helps to clear and clean out the ear. Vitamin A is highly concentrated in cod liver oil, making it a prized remedy among essential oils for earache.

What to do:

Slightly warm ¼ tsp of cod liver oil and pour it into the ear canal.
Allow the oil to sit for 5 to 7 minutes before allowing it to drain out.
Do not use this remedy if the eardrum is ruptured.

13. Onion Oil

Onions produce a high quality antibacterial and antiviral agent, which can both help to relieve the inflammation and the cause of the infection making the ear ache. Though onion oil can be found among the essential oils for earache, its goodness can be applied in a different way than most essential oils.

What to do:

Cut a yellow onion in half and place it face down on a cookie sheet in the oven.
Heat at 350 degrees until you can smell the aroma of the onion cooking.
Allow it to cool enough so it won’t burn your ears, but is still warm.
Place the onions over the ears like earmuffs and place a wrap around them to hold them in place.
Leave them in place for 10 to 15 minutes or when the onions have cooled.
Repeat as necessary.

14. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus is also prized among the best essential oils for earache. Soothing the inflammation found in the Eustachian tube and preventing the buildup of fluid is one of the functions of eucalyptus oil. It also tends to have an effect on associated respiratory and sinus infections which are sometimes present as well.

What to do:

Rub eucalyptus oil undiluted on the neck and underneath the outside of the ear behind the lower jaw bone.
Inhaling this oil mixed in steam, humidifier or from a room diffuser is also effective.

15. Rosemary Oil

Certainly not the least of the essential oils for earache on our list is rosemary oil. This is actually one of the most versatile essential oils when it comes to treating earaches and ear infections. It is powerful against bacterial infections which are causing the pain as well as helping sooth associated sinus infections.

What to do:

Rosemary oil can also be rubbed, undiluted, directly on the skin of the throat and under the outside of the ears.
Utilize rosemary oil in a similar fashion as thyme oil on the outer ear.
You can also use it as one of the essential oils for inner ear therapy discussed above.

To the Music

Using essential oils for earache is a simple therapeutic approach that can have a significant impact on reducing the pain and helping to eliminate the cause of the earache. Naturally derived essential oils used in a variety of different ways have few adverse side effects associated with them and are items you should have readily available for a number of other remedies.

Make use of one or more of our remedies the next time you or someone in your family is suffering from an earache. Be sure to tell us about success stories in treating earaches with essential oils below.

Images: depositphotos.com & pixabay.com.