Frugal Fridays: Homemade Ear Infection Relief (Garlic Oil)

It really does work.

I have a bad right ear that is very prone to getting infected. Usually I am able to just ride it out, however sometimes I have to doctor it up. In fact, that was the case today and the inspiration for this post.

I used to make a garlic poultice and put that on my neck behind my ear (do up a fresh one 3-4 times a day till the earache is gone). This was the only thing I knew and while it worked well enough I did not care to go around smelling like garlic for days! Also, it took several cloves of garlic a day. Then my mom told me about hydrogen peroxide. She said whenever her or her siblings would get an ear infection their mom would simply dump some peroxide into their ears and that would clear it right up. Well ... I REALLY do not like putting anything in my ear, especially my right one, but when I was very desperate I would resort to this instead of smelling like garlic. Yes, this worked too, but it was quite uncomfortable and sometimes it would get caught in there somewhere and cause me to hear double for a day or two or three (not fun).

And then I discovered garlic oil. It's very simple and actually soothing instead of harsh and, in general, is not stinky.

I've looked at several sites and blogs and they all have a little different variation of the recipe, so apparently this is not a set-in-stone-super-special-exact-formula! All start with one clove of garlic. Some crush it, some chop it in small pieces, some in larger pieces. The point is to expose the juices. [I chop it or crush it] This goes into a glass dish. All of them cover it with olive oil. Some use just enough to cover the garlic, some double and some even a little bit more. [I use a little more than what is needed to cover it - and of course the size of dish will cause you to use more or less too.] Some start with gently heated oil (warm, not hot). Some use cold oil. Some soak it for 15 minutes, some over night. [I soak over night and use cold oil] ALL strain it. DO NOT get the bits in your ear!! Only use the OIL. Some put only a few drops into the ear; some use 1/4t. [I put in enough to feel it.] Some gently warm the oil and some put it in cold. [I warm it by placing the dropper bottle of oil into a bowl filled with hot water] Some leave it sit in the ear for a few minutes while some suggest a half hour. [I lay my head on the table or just lay down for about 5 minutes.] It stays in best if your head remains tilted. When done, place a little cotton in your ear and continue on with your day; it will drain out into the cotton. Repeat 3 or more times a day till the infection or ache is gone. (I like to do it a day past just in case.)

I have heard of this being used on babies and smaller children too but have not tried it on mine because I heard about this a few years ago (mine are far past the baby or toddler stage!). Also, I have read in one place that it's not good to use this if you have a ruptured ear drum.

So, as you can see, there are many variations!! This is a very cheap and effective way to handle an ear infection. Many people go to the doctor and get an antibiotic, however most ear infections are just a virus and will go away on their own. Of course, I am not a doctor and I am sure this method is not approved by the FDA, so use at your own risk! That is my disclaimer.