Need an earache home remedy in a pinch? Some of the most effective household ingredients for easy earache relief are onions. Utopia will show you how to make an onion compress and how to use other home remedies.
Home Remedies for Earaches: Onions
The onion has been used as a household remedy for generations – especially for earache relief. One reason for this is the sulphur compound alliin contained within. When you chop an onion, enzymes combine with sulfur-rich amino acids to create syn-propanethial-S-oxide. This chemical stimulates the eyes’ lachrymal glands to release tears. However, onion extract doesn’t only make you cry, but also inhibits the growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
In addition, onion extract helps to loosen mucus and relieves inflammation. These properties make the onion an indispensable household remedy – and not just for earaches.
Earache Relief with an Onion Compress
A warm onion compress is one of the best household remedies for earaches. While there is no conclusive proof that onions cure ear infections, they do possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Plus, the warmth of the onion compress is also calming will help to relieve pain.
For this earache home remedy, you’ll need:
- an old sock (without holes) or a cotton cloth
- one large onion – or two small onions
- a headband, neckerchief or cap
- a stove pot and lid
- a heat-resistant bowl or dish
Here’s how to make an onion compress:
- Roughly dice the onion.
- Wrap the diced onion in the cloth or place it in an old sock.
- First, place the sock or cloth into the dish and then place the dish into the larger pot filled with water.
- Heat the water with the lid closed in order to gradually warm the onion compress. Make sure that as little water as possible gets into the dish containing the onion.
- Once the onion has been heated to around 100°F (or slightly above body temperature), squeeze it carefully. Tip: Hold it against your forearm to check the temperature. If it is comfortable there, it’s ready to use.
- Now place it on the ear in need of pain relief.
- Fasten it in place with the headband, cloth or cap.
- Apply this earache home remedy for around 20 minutes. The smell will take some getting used to, but you’ll feel the warmth and the anti-inflammatory effect of the onion immediately.
- You can repeat this process up to several times a day.
If the onion bag is too much trouble, you can also simply squeeze an onion and soak a pad with the juice. Place this on your ear for around 20 minutes.
Other Helpful Home Remedies for Ear Infections are:
- Warmth: For mild earaches, warmth has a pain-relieving effect. The best choice for optimal earache relief is a cherry pit pillow. Simply warm and place on your inflamed ear for around 20 minutes.
- Potato wrap: Boiled potatoes store heat and help relieve pain. Simply boil two to three peeled potatoes, mash them, wrap them in a cotton cloth and place the compress on your ear.
- Parsley bags: Parsley is another good household remedy for earaches due to its role as a disinfectant. To make your own parsley earache remedy, simply chop a bunch of parsley finely and lightly grind in order to release the plant sap and its active ingredients. Wrap the chopped parsley in a warm, damp cotton cloth and place it on your ear for around half an hour.
- Mustard flour: Mustard flour is an age-old household earache remedy which helps especially well with colds. Thanks to its strong germicidal effect, it also helps with earaches. Mix fresh mustard flour with a little lukewarm water. Spread the paste onto a cotton cloth, fold it up and place it on the affected ear for 15 minutes. If your skin becomes irritated, remove it immediately!
Please note: Earaches are no joking matter! Prolonged middle ear infections can permanently reduce hearing. These home remedies for earaches are intended to provide relief at the first signs of illness. However, if the pain does not subside within a reasonable timeframe, please do not hesitate to consult your doctor.
Earaches are much more common for babies and toddlers. This is due to the fact that their eustachian tubes are much shorter and narrower than those of adults.
This article was translated from German to English. You can view the original here: Hausmittel gegen Ohrenschmerzen: die Zwiebel hilft
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