Earache: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

An earache, medically known as otalgia, is a painful sensation in the ear that can be caused by various factors such as infection, allergies, cold, sinusitis, or even a middle ear infection.

If left untreated, earache can lead to serious health complications like hearing loss, damage to the eardrum, or even meningitis. To alleviate earache, herbal remedies like garlic oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil can be applied topically to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria.

However, it's crucial to take precautions when using medicinal herbs, such as diluting essential oils and consulting a healthcare professional before administering remedies to children or pregnant women.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of earache, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of earache?

The main causes of earache are often attributed to middle ear infections, also known as otitis media, which can be caused by bacterial or viral pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis.

Eustachian tube dysfunction, which is responsible for regulating air pressure in the ear, can also lead to earaches due to its inability to drain mucus and equalize air pressure. Other causes include earwax buildup, which can cause a blockage that leads to pain, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which can radiate pain to the ear. Trauma to the ear, such as a blow to the head or a loud noise, can also cause earaches, as can conditions like sinusitis, which can cause referred pain to the ear.

Additionally, earaches can be caused by dental problems, such as abscesses or impacted teeth, which can refer pain to the ear.

• Ear Infection: An ear infection, specifically otitis media, occurs when bacteria or viruses infect the middle ear, causing pain, inflammation, and discomfort due to the buildup of fluid and pressure in the ear.
• Cold or Flu: A cold or flu can cause earache due to the Eustachian tube becoming blocked, leading to the buildup of pressure and fluid in the middle ear, which can cause pain and discomfort.
• Sinusitis: Sinusitis, an inflammation or infection of the sinuses, can cause earache due to the shared drainage pathways between the sinuses and the ears, which can lead to pressure and pain in the ears.
• TMJ Disorder: A temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which affects the joint that connects the jawbone to the skull, can cause earache due to the referred pain from the jaw to the ear, often caused by teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
• Dental Abscess: A dental abscess, a bacterial infection of the tooth or gum, can cause earache due to the referred pain from the infected tooth or gum to the ear, often caused by the shared nerve pathways.
• Swimmer's Ear: Swimmer's ear, also known as otitis externa, occurs when bacteria infect the outer ear canal, causing pain, inflammation, and discomfort due to the buildup of bacteria and debris in the ear canal.
• Earwax Buildup: An excessive buildup of earwax in the ear canal can cause earache due to the pressure and discomfort caused by the buildup of wax, often accompanied by a feeling of fullness or blockage in the ear.
• Allergies: Allergies, such as hay fever or sinus allergies, can cause earache due to the inflammation and congestion caused by the allergic reaction, which can lead to pressure and pain in the ears.
• Migraine: A migraine can cause earache due to the referred pain from the brain to the ear, often caused by the dilation of blood vessels and the release of pain-causing chemicals in the brain.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for earache?

The main medicinal herbs used for earache are Echinacea purpurea, Calendula officinalis, Eucalyptus globulus, Aloe vera, Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Melaleuca alternifolia, Hypericum perforatum, Aloe barbadensis, Lavandula angustifolia.

Echinacea purpurea contains alkylamides and glycoproteins that exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, while Calendula officinalis has triterpenoids and flavonoids that soothe and protect the ear canal. Eucalyptus globulus oil is known for its analgesic and decongestant properties, reducing ear pain and inflammation. Aloe vera and Aloe barbadensis exhibit anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities, while Zingiber officinale contains gingerols and shogaols that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Lavandula angustifolia and Melaleuca alternifolia have antimicrobial properties, and Hypericum perforatum contains hyperforin that may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with earaches.

• Echinacea purpurea: Echinacea purpurea helps with earache by exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce inflammation and swelling associated with ear infections.
• Calendula officinalis: Calendula officinalis helps with earache by its antiseptic properties, which can help prevent infections and promote healing in the ear.
• Eucalyptus globulus: Eucalyptus globulus helps with earache by its expectorant properties, which can help relieve congestion and reduce pressure in the ear.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera helps with earache by its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which can help reduce pain and inflammation in the ear.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale helps with earache by its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can help reduce pain and inflammation in the ear.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba does not have any direct properties that help with earache, but it can help improve blood circulation, which may indirectly aid in healing and reducing inflammation in the ear.
• Melaleuca alternifolia: Melaleuca alternifolia helps with earache by its antimicrobial properties, which can help prevent infections and promote healing in the ear.
• Hypericum perforatum: Hypericum perforatum helps with earache by its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which can help reduce pain and inflammation in the ear.
• Aloe barbadensis: Aloe barbadensis helps with earache by its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which can help reduce pain and inflammation in the ear.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia helps with earache by its calming and soothing properties, which can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, thereby alleviating earache symptoms.

What are the main herbal preparations used for earache?

The main herbal preparations used for earache are Decoction, Tincture, Salve, Capsules, Cream, Poultice, Ointment, Suppository, Essential Oil, Gel.

Decoction of herbs like ginger, garlic, and mullein can be used as ear drops to reduce inflammation and relieve pain due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Tincture of herbs like calendula and chamomile can be used to soothe and calm the ear canal, reducing pain and inflammation. Salve or ointment made from herbs like tea tree oil and eucalyptus can be applied topically to the affected ear to reduce pain and inflammation, while also providing antimicrobial protection.

Capsules or suppositories of herbs like St. John's Wort and mullein can be used to deliver the active compounds directly to the ear, providing anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

• Decoction: A decoction of Echinacea purpurea, a well-known herbal remedy, helps with earache by potentially reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the ear due to its antimicrobial and ant-inflammatory properties.
• Tincture: A tincture of Calendula officinalis, a plant commonly used in herbal medicine, helps with earache by potentially reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the ear due to its antimicrobial and ant-inflammatory properties when applied topically.
• Salve: A salve of Plantago major, a plant used in traditional herbal medicine, helps with earache by providing a physical barrier to protect the ear and potentially reduce inflammation when applied topically.
• Capsules: Capsules containing the herb Hydrastis canadensis, used in traditional herbal medicine, help with earache by potentially reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the ear due to its antimicrobial and ant-inflammatory properties when taken orally.
• Cream: A cream of Aloe vera, a plant commonly used in herbal medicine, helps with earache by potentially reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the ear due to its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties when applied topically.
• Poultice: A poultice of Chamomilla recutita, a plant used in traditional herbal medicine, helps with earache by potentially reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the ear due to its ant-inflammatory and soothing properties when applied directly to the affected area.
• Ointment: An ointment of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant used in traditional herbal medicine, helps with earache by potentially reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the ear due to its antimicrobial and ant-inflammatory properties when applied topically.
• Suppository: Suppositories containing the herb Galium aparine, used in traditional herbal medicine, help with earache by potentially reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the ear due to its antimicrobial and ant-inflammatory properties when inserted into the ear canal.
• Essential Oil: Essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia, a plant commonly used in herbal medicine, helps with earache by potentially reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the ear due to its soothing and ant-inflammatory properties when applied topically.
• Gel: A gel of Eucalyptus globulus, a plant used in traditional herbal medicine, helps with earache by potentially reducing inflammation and promoting healing of the ear due to its antimicrobial and ant-inflammatory properties when applied topically.