I used to get ear infections all the time as a kid – Piercingly painful ear infections that impacted every aspect of my daily life.
I suffered with this discomfort for years, until I finally had my tonsils removed, which seemed to stop the cycle.
Until the other day.
My right ear was throbbing
And the lymph nodes on the right side of my neck felt tender.
I decided to try an experiment.
I topically applied lymph oil generously on the right side of the neck, then lay down with my left ear on the pillow for a few minutes to allow the right side to drain.
By the time I stood up, the pain was gone.
What Is an Ear Infection?
An ear infection is an infection in or around your ear.
Most often, ear infections occur in the middle ear, the empty, air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny vibrating “hearing bones” which transmit sound vibrations to the inner ear.
Ear Infection Symptoms
- Ear pain
- Clogged or hard to pop open
- Feeling of fluid drainage from ear
- Trouble hearing
- Throbbing or pulsing in the ears
- Itchiness in the ear
- Pain radiating around ear or down the neck
- Excess wax
- Vertigo
- Dizziness
- Redness near ear or other signs of inflammation
How Lymphatic Drainage Alleviates Ear Pain
The experience of ear pain could be the result of pressure build up from fluid that cannot drain from the ear canal. You see, fluid from the middle ear drains into the throat and down the neck via narrow tubes that run from the middle ear to the area in back of the throat known as eustachian tubes.
Viruses, bacteria, a cold, flu, infection or allergies can cause inflammation, congestion and swelling which blocks the Eustachian tube, contributing to a buildup of fluid, mucus and pressure that you then experience as ear pain. Stagnant fluid and mucus can also become infected, further inflaming the middle and inner ear and impacting the nerves connecting the inner ear to the brain.
Swelling can then block your ear canal, preventing fluid from draining properly, resulting in pain and impacting immune health.
Helping to drain lymphatic fluid near the ear can alleviate the inflammation, pressure and pain from the fluid buildup inside of your ear.
Essential Oils for Ear Infections
Essential oils offer anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and antiparasitic properties that may help to alleviate microbes that can cause infection, inflammation, and pain in the ear.
While I DO NOT recommend inserting essential oils inside the ear canal, I have found that essential oils can be topically applied on the skin behind the ear and on the neck to help support drainage, reduce inflammation and naturally calm ear pain.
In fact, some research has found that tea tree oil, garlic oil, basil oil may work against the bacteria that cause ear infections. When my kids were young, I used to use a solution of pressed garlic and olive oil in their ears to calm ear pain. It seemed to work and research backs this up, identifying two specific garlic derivatives – allicin and s-allyl cysteine (SAC) – that show promise against microorganisms that cause infections in the middle ear and ear canal.
Topically applied essential oils can help support healthy ear drainage, and with it the organs both above your collar — including your ears, nose, throat, mouth, jaw, gums, tonsils, and mastoid bone – and all downstream organs.
READ THIS NEXT: Essential Oils for the Ears, Nose and Throat
Suggested Essential Oils to Reduce Ear Infection Pain
Lymph™
Your lymph nodes form clusters behind the ear and in the neck to drain fluid from the ear. The nodes in the neck and behind the ear sit close to the skin, making them easily accessible to topically applied essential oil remedies.
Congestion or inflammation any part of the neck – including the veins, lymphatic tissue or vagus nerve – can compromise ear drainage. Your lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump and lymphatic fluid can accumulate and stagnate.
To enhance lymphatic flow and drainage, generously apply 2- 3 drops of Lymph™ on the skin behind the ear and around the sides of the neck to improve ear drainage and relieve congestion. Lymph™ blend is designed for liberal usage. You can also apply Parasympathetic® on the vagus nerve and Circulation on the neck to support vagus nerve and vascular health.
READ THIS NEXT: 3 Ways to Detoxify and Cleanse Your Lymphatic System
Nerve Repair™
When my kids were little, I would apply Nerve Repair™ on the skin behind their ears for ear aches and ear pain during airplane flights. Nerve Repair™ was formulated to relieve pain, fight infection, stimulates circulation, ease inflammation and swelling. Nerve Repair™ contains a blend of Basil, Peppermint, Helichrysum and Marjoram essential oils.
Research has demonstrated that Basil Oil possesses medicinal properties that may be useful in treating ear infections. Basil oil is high in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties, including compounds of methyl eugenol and methyl chavicol, which are important for fighting infections, including ear infections.
To ease ear pain, topically apply 2 -3 drops behind the ear and down the neck.
Featured Oils:
References:
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/inner-ear-anatomy-5094399
- https://draxe.com/health/seasonal-allergy-symptoms/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32128511/
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/garlic-for-ear-infection-5185446
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15871121/
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/antioxidants-for-skin-health-4587778
