5 Home Remedies for Ear Infection (& How to Prepare)

Home remedies for ear infection include Ginkgo biloba tea and ginger tea, which possess anti-inflammatory and antiemetic properties that help relieve symptoms like dizziness, loss of balance, and nausea, symptoms that are particularly common with inner ear infections like labyrinthitis.

Labyrinthitis is inflammation of the labyrinth in the inner ear that is responsible for hearing and balance and can be caused by normal aging or other factors like fatigue, stress, or alcohol abuse. Attacks of labyrinthitis can arise throughout the day, making it difficult to perform activities of daily living.

These home remedies should only be used as complementary therapies for symptom relief and should not be used in the place of treatments prescribed by your doctor or other healthcare provider.

1. Ginkgo biloba tea

Ginkgo biloba tea can be used to combat dizziness or loss of balance associated with an ear infection by improving blood flow in the ear. It can also help resolve ringing in the ears.

This tea can be consumed daily but is recommended primarily during periods of high stress or frequent attacks of labyrinthitis.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp dried Ginkgo biloba leaves;
• 1 cup water.

Directions

Bring the water to a boil and add the Ginkgo biloba leaves. Let boil for 1 minute then remove from heat. Let steep for 5 minutes before drinking. Drink 3 to 4 cups a day.

Ginkgo biloba tea should not be consumed by children under 12 years of age, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or people with active bleeding or at increased risk for hemorrhage.

2. Ginger tea

Ginger tea contains gingerol, chogaol, and zingerone, substances with anti-inflammatory and antiemetic properties that help relieve inflammation of the ear and relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting associated with ear infections.

Ingredients

• 1 cm fresh ginger root, sliced or grated;
• 1 L (32 oz) of water.

Directions

Add the ginger and water to a pot and bring to a boil. Let boil for 5 to 10 minutes then remove from the heat. Strain the tea and consume in 3 to 4 doses over the course of a day.

Another option is to substitute 1 tsp of ground ginger for the ginger root.

Ginger tea should be avoided in people with active gastric bleeding (from an ulcer, for example) and people taking anticoagulants. This is because ginger has anticoagulant properties that can cause or increase the risk of bleeding and hemorrhage.

During pregnancy, the amount of ginger consumed should be limited to 1 g per day for a maximum of 4 days.

3. Rosemary tea

Rosemary tea, prepared with the medicinal plant Rosmarinus officinalis, is rich in substances like rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, and essential oils with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties that help alleviate dizziness caused by an ear infection.

Ingredients

• 1 tsp fresh rosemary leaves;
• 250 mL (8 oz) boiling water.

Directions

Add the rosemary leaves to the boiling water, cover, and let steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain and allow to cool slightly before drinking. Drink 3 to 4 times a day.

Rosemary tea should not be given to children under 5 years of age and should not be consumed by people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Rosemary tea should also be avoided by people with liver disease, as it may cause a worsening of symptoms.

In addition, rosemary tea can interact with certain medications, such as anticoagulants, diuretics, and medications used to treat diabetes and regulate blood pressure. Before drinking rosemary tea, it is important to talk to your doctor or primary care provider about any medications you are taking.

4. Lavender tea

Lavender tea contains substances with calming and relaxing properties that help reduce anxiety that can make dizziness worse.

This tea can reduce stress and improve sleep quality, which are contributing factors to the development of labyrinthitis.

Ingredients

• ½ tsp lavender flowers;
• 1 cup (8 oz) boiling water.

Directions

Add the lavender flowers to the boiling water and remove from the heat. Let steep for 10 minutes then strain. Drink 1 cup per day before bed.

Lavender tea should not be consumed by pregnant people or people with stomach ulcers and is contraindicated in people with an allergy to lavender essential oils.

5. Garlic and olive oil compress

A compress made with garlic and olive oil can help reduce inflammation in the ear and combat symptoms of an ear infection, such as ringing in the ears, dizziness, and loss of balance. These benefits are due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the allicin found in garlic.

Olive oil also helps lubricate the ear and relieve discomfort from inflammation.

Ingredients

• 1 garlic clove, crushed;
• 1 drizzle of olive oil.

Directions

Heat the garlic and olive oil until it is warm. Soak a piece of cotton in the infused oil and squeeze to remove the excess. Place the cotton over the ear to cover the ear canal. Leave in place for about 20 minutes. Repeat this process three times a day.