Home Remedies to Get Rid of Ear Congestion

The block or improper functioning in the ear’s eustachian tube called Ear congestion.  The Eustachian tube is a tiny tube or canal which locate between the middle ear and nose. The Eustachian tube helps to balance the pressure inside the middle ear.

When your eustachian tube becomes blocked, you will feel pressure and fullness inside your ear. You might also feel ear pain and muffled hearing. These ear congestion symptoms also occur by infection in your ear canal or middle ear which affect your eardrum known as tympanic membrane.

Other conditions of sinus problems such as allergies, common colds and infection also cause ear congestion. Often altitude change and air travel also leads to Eustachian tube impairment and result in ear congestion.

Causes of Ear Congestion

• Ear congestion can occur when you get common cold which is a viral infection that causes to block your eustachian tube. The ear tube generally manages the air pressure in the middle ear.
• Ear Infection is another cause of ear congestion. Having middle ear pus causes muffled hearing which often occurs during an ear infection.
• Having fluid in the middle ear can be another reason for ear congestion. After having an ear infection, it takes a long time to clear the fluid till than you will feel a popping or crackling sound inside the ear.
• Blowing nose hardly can cause a force into your ear tube.
• Another cause of ear congestion can also occur due to allergic rhinitis which is an allergic hay fever occurred by pollens reaction. It can cause nasal congestion accompanied by sneezing and clear drainage. This condition may also block by secreting back in your ear.
• Traveling in an airplane can increase the sudden air pressure inside the ear and pull in the eardrum. More air in airplane or mountain driving ears get heavy pressure and cause ear congestion.

Home Remedies for Ear Congestion

Ear congestion may induce discomforting pain. You can prevent it by wonderful home remedies.

Garlic Oil

Garlic is a well-known home remedy for various health issues. Its uses are approved from Ayurveda from the ancient period. It works efficiently to cure ear blockage by its anti-viral and anti-bacterial features. It helps to kill the germs and bacteria in the internal ear and prevent pain.

Additionally, garlic includes antiseptic properties which help to minimize the infection risk.

Garlic also reduces inflammation and reduce the throbbing and swelling in the ear. Apart from these wonderful benefits, garlic helps to boosts the immune system by its nutrients including vitamin C, vitamin B, potassium, fiber, and calcium and prevent the symptoms of common cold and flu. Ear congestion can create annoying ear pain. Prevent it with the help of garlic oil.

You will require to use a drop of garlic oil with the help of a cotton ball. You can also use a peeled garlic clove and gently keep it in the front part of your ear.

Once you begin to feel the garlic heat sensation in your ear, you will find a reduction in your discomfort. Keep the garlic clove for 30 to 35 minutes or overnight also but make sure garlic is bigger and should not go inside.

Another way to use garlic for ear congestion:

• Add 3-4 garlic cloves with one teaspoon mustard oil and heat it.
• Let it cool down and strain it.
• Put some drops of garlic oil in the ear to remove the congestion.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is the healthiest home remedy for various health problems including ear blockage.

This amazing secret oil is the secret of several Mediterranean recipes which are famous all over the world. Olive oil is the fat extracted from olives fruits by crushing it.

You will need to make sure to get the right olive oil. There are different types of olive oils.

Olive oil contains several nutrients which are good for heart health, skin, hair and veins. Massaging on blood clots will help to cure it fast.

Shilpa Arora ND from Macrobiotic nutritionist and health-practitioner said that olives contain heart-protective polyphenols that help to reduce cholesterol. Its anti-inflammatory qualities and mono-saturated fatty acids help to promote metabolism and support weight loss. The content of omega-3 fatty acids in olives helps to improve good cholesterol. It also balances hormone and support digestion.

Olive oil is the best home remedy for treating ear congestion.

Here is how to use olive oil.

Take one teaspoon olive oil and heat it. Let it cool down leave one or two drops in the ear to loosen the congestion.

Olive oil helps to dilute the ear wax and melts the cerumen impaction in the ear pipe. Using olive helps to breakdown the hard ear wax and move to the outer part of the ear which helps to clean the ear.

Lavender Oil

Lavender also knew as Lavandula Angustifolia one of common essential oil. It benefits many qualities and also it helps to remove the fluid from the middle ear.

Lavender oil is among the wonderful essential oils for preventing ear congestion and ear pain. It provides powerful pain relief effects. Lavender helps to stop the pain neurotransmitters.

However, Lavender oil is best for preventing throbbing sensations inside your ear. It contains calming and relaxing properties. It helps you physically and mentally.

Even after having pain, lavender oil promote sleep while recovering from fluid or otitis in your ears.

Cautions:

The individuals with asthma need to take doctor’s advice before using Lavender. They should take it in a limited amount as lavender may have a reaction with your body.

Choose your lavender essential oil with botanical name and don’t get confused with spike lavender.

Hot Water Steam

Treat ear congestion with hot water steam. Taking hot water steam is a natural home remedy to get rid of congestion in your ear. When steam enters in your ear, it helps to melt the mucus and reduce the thickness of ear wax. It provides instant relief to congested ears.

Whether you take direct steam or shower, it helps to melt the mucus and drain the fluid through your nose. For instant relief, add boiling water in a large bowl and cover your head with a cloth or towel. Keep some distance from the bowl and lean over. Take a breath in the steam and repeat these three times a day.

Caution:

If you have a sinus problem or you had sinus surgery, then avoid taking steam or take your doctor advice. Some people sinus condition become worse with steam, so it is important to care while having a sinus problem.

Vinegar and alcohol

Apart from normal people, swimmers are very familiar with ear congestion and ear problems. Regular swimming is healthy, and there are some chances that some people will experience the ear problem.

Another home remedy for ear congestion is vinegar and alcohol mix solution. Make this solution at home in the following way.

Take an equal portion of rubbing alcohol and vinegar.

This water combined alcohol and vinegar helps to evaporate the fluid from ear and vinegar kills the bacteria and prevent its growth. This home remedy is helpful for frequent ear infection problems.

A repeated ear infection may keep your ears all time congested and get a feeling of discomfort. You can blow-dry it with a vinegar-alcohol solution and remove the moisture out. Use this solution every day after a shower.

Taking care of ear congestion helps to prevent otitis externa which is an inflammation in the ear.

Drink fluids

Drinking fluids can help to get relief from ear congestion. When you swallow, your Eustachian tube opens up and drain out the extra fluid which can cause ear congestion. To swallow, you will require to drink a large number of fluids such as water or juice plus you can chew gum with it.

Drinking fluid is a simple way to enable normal swallowing. The extra fluid will help to drain out the fluid from the ear and also boost your immune system to cure the ear congestion effectively.

Warm Water

Use warm water as a home remedy for ear congestion. You need a few drops of warm water in your ear and stay in turned position so the water should not come out. After a few minutes take your normal position and take the water out. Doing this home remedy help to treat congested ears.

Warm Compress

Giving warm compress to the ear can also help to eliminate the congestion. There is one method, use syringe of warm water and gently pour it in your congested ear and keep your head tilted. Wait in this pose for 10-5 minutes and take your normal position. The fluid will get clear, and the wax will come out.

Another way is to dip a clean cloth in warm water and squeeze it to remove excess water. Give warm compression with this cloth.

Another option is, you can use a hot water bottle by covering it with a towel.

Put the hot water cloth or bottle upon the ear for 6-7 minutes and then gently rub your ear with palm.

Gargling

Consider gargling as a home remedy for the congested ear. Gargling is the best way to fight with bacteria, colds, teeth problem, throat, and sinus infection. Doing gargle with warm water can be more effective than cold water.

• Combine one teaspoon salt and warm water in a glass.
• Do gargling for a half minute with the solution of water and salt.
• Spit the solution out and avoid swallowing it.
• Do this remedy two times a day.
• Best time to do gargling is while brushing your teeth.

Watch your sleeping position

Sleeping in a good position also helps to clear the ear congestion by draining fluids from your ears. Use an extra pillow to help your head while sleeping on your back or try to sleep in a vertical position. This position will allow your ear canals to drain the fluid properly and prevent congestion.

Alternately, you can try to sleep on a side by side position to get the relief.

While laying down for one hour with will help to reduce the congested ear pressure.

In some conditions, it can be very discomforting, take your doctor help to reduce the risk of inner ear damage.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is one of the home remedies for preventing ear congestions. If you have ear congestion from cold, then use tea tree oil. Inhaling tea tree oil helps to prevent ear infection quickly and make you feel relief from congestion.

Combine tea tree oil with steam to inhale and get relief from congestion and blocked ears. It also helps to reduce chest and throat infection and clear mucus.

Inhaling tea tree oil helps to melt mucus from nasal passages which will help to relieve ear congestion.

Wriggling Your Jaw

Wriggling your jaw also helps to relieve ear congestion. It can be done anywhere and anytime without any outside tool. Wriggle your jaw forth and back and do also side to side in a constant rhythmic way.

Do this motion until you sense a pop in the ears and repeat if need more.

Yawning

Yawning helps to relieve the congested ears. When you yawn the ear pressure able to manage and open the clog naturally in the ears.

Warm Soup

Drinking warm soup is another home remedy to relieve the congested ears. The warmness of soup helps soften the mucus and clear the ears.

Hot Spicy Food

Spices are hot in nature. Consuming hot and spicy food like pepper and chilies helps to cure the congested ears.

Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano oil is one of the home remedies for treating ear problems. It contains antiviral and antiseptic qualities which act powerfully to clear the ear congestion.

Oregano helps to promote immunity and work effectively to prevent infections. Many hospitals use oregano essential oil spray contain rubbing alcohol to prevent germs around sick rooms. Oregano oil helps prevent swelling, pain, inflammation, and redness in the ear infection. It works well for many respiratory infections.

How to use oregano oil for ear congestion?

Add some oregano oil drops in steaming water and inhale. The oregano steam remedy helps to soften the mucus and drain the phlegm to relieve the ear pressure. You can also dilute the warm water and oregano oil with olive oil. Add this mixture a few drops in your ears. You can continue using this remedy as much as required to treat the infection.

According to research, Oregano essential oil helps to fight the viral and bacterial infections in the ear.

Caution

Avoid using undiluted oregano essential oil on your skin or oral consumption. Dilute the oregano oil coconut oil or olive oil before using it for treating ear.

Using undiluted oregano oil may cause an allergic reaction such as stinging, pain or burning.

For a baby’s ear infection, use only one drop oregano oil for one teaspoon olive or coconut oil.

Chamomile Essential Oil

Use chamomile essential oil as a home remedy for ear congestion.  It helps to soothe ear infection and provides better sleep in children. Chamomile contains relaxing, analgesic, soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities to treat the viral and bacterial infections and provide relief.

How to use it:

You can use chamomile essential oil directly 1 or 2 drops in the congested ear. Repeat the process as required 2 to 3 times a day. You can inhale the steam with boiling water to clear the congested ears. It helps to melt the mucus and congestion and stop headaches.

According to research, Chamomile essential oil contains preventive and curative properties which heal eye and ear infections.

Caution

While using chamomile essential oil for babies, try to do a patch test to avoid an allergic reaction.

Basil Essential Oil

Basil essential oil is a powerful antimicrobial oil that can reduce multiple bacterial and viral infections. It contains a high amount of linalool that makes it a great analgesic.

How to use:

Use diluted oil for treating congested ears. It helps to relieve the pain in ears. You can also inhale the steam vapors which decrease the congestion and sinus pressure.

Lemon Essential Oil

The lemon essential oil is an amazing oil for treating cough, cold, pain, and sinuses. Lemon oil contains antiviral and antibacterial properties which work effectively to cure the seasonal respiratory problems and infections.

Alternatively, massage the lemon essential oil behind your ear or soak cotton and put in the ear. You will be able to reduce the inflammation and swelling.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Use Eucalyptus essential oil as a home remedy for ear congestion, sinus infection, sore throat, cold and cough. You can massage with eucalyptus oil behind your ears to relieve the pressure and ease the congestion.

Another way to use eucalyptus oil is to add a few drops of oil in the ear, and the oil has to be diluted with a carrier oil which helps to relieve ear pain and wax build-up.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Regularly clean your ears and dry them after bathing with a soft cloth.
• Keep your head upright as much as possible including sleeping.
• Drink enough fluids during the night which helps to keep mucus thin while
• Stay in normal temperature and avoid too cold or too hot environment.

Don’ts

• Don’t use sharp objects in the ears like fingernails or sticks. Use only Q-tips carefully.
• Don’t make needlessly fast movements. Avoid shaking head and standing quickly.
• Stop drinking caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and salty foods.
• Avoid getting exposed to extreme temperatures.

Care your ear congestion with above-listed home remedies. If the condition doesn’t seem to heal, then take your doctor helps and take good treatment to avoid condition becoming worst.