Have earache? Eat raw garlic, pour oil in your ears or water through your nostrils home remedies
One at a time, the ears are filled with drops of herbal or mineral oil and massaged gently; this lubricates the ear canal’s delicate filaments, removes impurities and helps the patient hear more clearly. A cotton ball or tissue is used to remove any excess oil.
Akshay Chauhan, an Ayurvedic practitioner in Noida, in India’s Uttar Pradesh state, recommends using tea tree oil.
This essential oil has powerful antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, he says, which makes it one of the most effective home remedies for ear pain.
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Ginger is also viewed as a pain-relieving herb – just add two drops of ginger juice or ginger oil to each ear. A simpler remedy is to chew raw garlic slices.Ear oiling is an effective way to combat the in-flight pressure changes that cause air travellers discomfort and which, once they land, can lead to blocked ears, insomnia, stress and fatigue, as well as ringing in the ear (tinnitus).Western science has endorsed the benefits of ear oiling. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends administering olive oil to cure mild to moderate ear pain in children. For this, warm a teaspoon of olive oil and allow it to cool. Pour one to two drops of the oil into the affected ear.
To clear the sinus passages of blockages which may affect the ear canal, yoga instructors recommend inhaling steam with a few drops of eucalyptus oil, or doing jal neti – the practice of pouring water from a small pot through the nostrils.According to Ayurveda, ear afflictions in the winter are seasonal disorders which occur when there is an increase in the vata dosha, one of the body’s three life energies; the other doshas are pitta and kapha.
“Vata consists of air and space and, due to seasonal imbalance, triggers stomach bloating, joint aches, skin dehydration as well as ear disorders,” says Chauhan.
Balanced doshas create equilibrium leading to good health, he adds. Ayurveda guidelines also recommend dietary and lifestyle changes for vata-dominant people who are more vulnerable to ear problems.
“Boiling gooseberries to make a decoction [an extract of the fruit’s essence] and then gargling with it can also provide natural protection from ear pain and infections,” he suggests.People lacking good fats in their diet are more prone to ear ailments, Chauhan says, and those who consume mostly fried foods deprive their body of good hydration. Karna purana ensures sufficient nourishment of the ears, reducing the chance of infection.
Drinking two teaspoons of sesame oil or almond oil first thing in the morning is good for ear health and prevents dehydration. Adding carrots, brown sugar, sesame seeds, dried fruit, licorice and gooseberries to your diet can also keep ears healthy, Chauhan says.
Ayurvedic expert Dimple Jangda shared a tip with her more than 400,000 followers on Instagram: crush a few holy basil leaves, strain their juice and add one to two drops in the ear to relieve pain. Holy basil is packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and immunity boosting properties, which help relieve ear pain and infection.Western doctors recommend inhaling steam to unblock congested ear canals and relieve discomfort. Hot and cold compresses are similarly powerful, non-medicinal remedies for ear pain for both children and adults, says Dr Gitanjali Kochar, a general doctor at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals in Sarita Vihar, New Delhi.
She recommends placing either a cold or hot compress over the affected ear for around 10 minutes. If using a hot compress, ensure that it isn’t so hot that it burns the skin.
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