Garlic is an incredible herb when it comes to natural remedies. Known for its antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, it’s great for helping the body fend off various infections. We always have fresh, organic garlic at home, especially because my husband has an Italian background and loves dishes loaded with garlic—plus, it’s essential for my favorite garlic soup. Whenever someone in the family falls ill, I’m thankful for garlic’s natural infection-fighting abilities.
With a history of use dating back thousands of years, garlic was even utilized in Ancient Greece and Rome. It was a key component in the famous vinegar of the four thieves, which supposedly protected four thieves during the bubonic plague.
There are nearly 5,000 studies highlighting garlic’s healing power, addressing issues from high blood pressure to hair loss. Although there are several garlic supplements, I’ve discovered that raw, fresh, organic garlic is the most effective. I often mix it into tinctures and my fire cider recipe.
The quickest and most efficient method I use involves mincing garlic and drinking it with water. While not the tastiest approach, it works wonders. I finely chop a clove of garlic, mix it in a small glass of water, and swallow the pieces without chewing.
However, my kids aren’t fond of this due to the strong taste and find it hard to swallow garlic bits. For their frequent ear infections, I’ve relied on a traditional garlic oil remedy for many years to quickly address the problem.
Traditional Garlic Olive Oil has been a trusted ear infection remedy for ages, providing quick relief with lasting results. Many children still receive antibiotics unnecessarily for ear infections, despite the fact that the American Academy of Pediatrics hasn’t recommended it as a general practice since 2004 because many ear infections are viral and antibiotics don’t work on them.
Research indicates that most kids recover from ear infections naturally within 24 to 72 hours without antibiotics. Still, when your little one is in pain, days can feel endless. Remedies like garlic ear oil, used by past generations, can offer comfort and speed up recovery.
The magic behind it lies in the combo of garlic’s strength and olive oil’s soothing properties, which contain polyphenols that help reduce inflammation. Together, they ease ear infection pain and quicken healing.
It’s crucial to ensure the eardrum isn’t ruptured before using this or any ear remedy. I keep a Dr. Mom Otoscope handy to check my child’s eardrum. If the eardrum is ruptured, a doctor’s visit is necessary, though usually time and care are the best treatment.
Thankfully, ear infections aren’t common in our family, but when they do occur, I quickly prepare this remedy.
If you don’t have olive oil or prefer not to use it, you can slice a garlic clove and place it between layers of gauze. Position this gauze outside the ear for about 30 minutes to help combat the infection. Although less effective than using garlic oil internally, this method is safer if you’re unsure about the eardrum’s condition. Applying a warm rice pack over the gauze can enhance the effect.
While homemade warmed garlic olive oil works best, there are also ready-to-use, shelf-stable versions available for convenience.
Have you ever tried a natural remedy for ear infections?
