“My ear hurts, Mommy!” It’s one of the most frequent complaints that sends parents hurrying to the doctor. In fact, nearly 80% of kids will have at least one middle ear infection by the time they’re 3 years old.
The American Academy of Pediatrics now advises a cautious approach for most ear infections—suggesting that doctors wait and observe before prescribing antibiotics. This approach gives parents an opportunity to try homeopathy and other natural remedies. Here’s how you can quickly and naturally relieve an earache.
Quick Relief A good option is mullein and garlic oil, which you can pick up at your local health store. Warm the oil to body temperature and place 1 to 4 drops in the affected ear 2 to 3 times daily, or as needed. (Avoid using it if there’s discharge from the ear or if the eardrum is perforated.) You might also consider using the most suitable homeopathic remedy, taken orally:
- Pulsatilla: Great for children who get clingy, needy, and whiny when they’re sick but are sweet and affectionate when they’re feeling well. If you look inside the ear with an otoscope, you might see thick yellow pus behind the eardrum.
- Chamomilla: This is for kids whose pain makes them irritable and demanding—they’ll ask for something and then immediately reject it, cry uncontrollably, and act out. Earaches might also occur during teething, and you might notice one red cheek or both ears turning red.
- Belladonna: Use this for sudden, intense ear pain that comes with bright red cheeks. The child might also have a high fever, a flushed face, dilated pupils, and could even be speaking deliriously.
Ongoing Care Kali mur 6X, a cell salt, can help absorb fluid from the middle ear. Another effective approach is to gently tug on the ear to encourage drainage. This can be done both during an infection and as a preventive measure. Hold the ear itself (not the lobe) and apply gentle outward and downward pressure. It’s safe for babies as long as you’re very gentle—try it yourself, it actually feels soothing. For kids prone to ear infections, making this a part of their daily routine can be helpful.