Ear congestion is the clogging of the ear canal with mucus resulting in annoying pain in the ear and head region. Ear congestion is a common problem which effects from adults to toddlers. Every one of us have faced ear congestion in sometime of our life.Ear congestion is actually a symptom of some underlying ailment such as cold, allergies, bacterial infection or weakened immune system.
In the process of fighting cold and other allergies the immune system produces mucus; this excess mucus secretion builds up in the ear and the head, leading to ear congestion.If not treated on time it can lead to infection. The most common symptoms are dizziness, ear pain, headache, ringing in the ears, temporary hearing loss, nausea, fever. Certain home remedies can give relief from ear congestion in the initial stages but if the congestion continues after a week then better consult a doctor as it may lead to infection.
Home Remedies For Ear Congestion
Steam Inhalation With Lavender Oil
Take a bowl of hot water; put two to three drops of lavender oil to the same. Lean over the bowl with face covered so that the steam does not escape out and you get maximum benefits. Breathing in the steam will break the mucus which you can cough up. The antioxidant properties of lavender boost the immune system thus making heal faster. Anti histamine properties blocks the action of the histamine. Histamine is a natural chemical produced by the immune (disease-fighting) system of the body.
When it is released, it increases blood flow to the affected area. Liquid leaks out of the blood vessels, making the mucous membranes lining the nose and throat to swell, and stimulating nearby glands to produce mucus. Analgesic properties gives relief from pain .Antiseptic properties prevents infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents. Overall lavender oil has got all the necessary properties for treating ear congestion.
Compresses
Warm water compress will give you relief from pain and at the same time the heat generated will draw out the liquid from the ear. Soak a towel in the warm water then remove the excess water and then keep it against the ear or under the jaw for fifteen to twenty minutes. You can also use hot water bottle instead of towel. Heat a cup of salt and wrap the same in a piece of cloth and then keep it against the ear, the heat generated will loosen the mucus thus beneficial for ear congestion.
Warm Olive Oil
Soak cotton ball in warm olive oil and keep it in the ear for fifteen to twenty minutes. Doing this will soften the wax if ear congestion is just due to wax formation. Analgesic properties gives relief from pain .Antibacterial properties inhibits the growth of bacteria thus preventing infection. Thus Olive oil proves beneficial in ear congestion.
Garlic, Onion and Ginger
Consuming two to three raw garlic daily improves ear congestion. The other method involves boiling the garlic, crush the same and add some salt. Wrap it in a piece of cloth and keep it in the affected ear. You can also put two to three drops of warm garlic oil in the ears. Any of the methods if applied will give you relief from ear congestion. The antioxidant properties of garlic boost the immune system thus making heal faster.
Anti histamine properties blocks the action of the histamine. Analgesic properties give relief from pain. Antiseptic properties prevent infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents. It also proves beneficial for cold and flu. Asthma patients should not use garlic as it will worsen the symptoms of asthma. You can add onion, ginger and garlic in food intake. Both Onion and ginger has all the above mentioned properties required for relieving ear congestion.
Holy Basil
You can use holy basil juice as drops; this proves beneficial for ear congestion. You can also intake holy basil tea. The antioxidant properties of holy basil boost the immune system making heal faster. Anti inflammatory properties alleviates inflammation. Anti histamine properties blocks the action of the histamine. Sedative properties will give relief from trauma, anxiety etc. It is a good expectorant in case you are suffering from cold and ear congestion is the result of the same.
Analgesic properties give relief from pain. Antiseptic properties prevent infection by inhibiting the growth of infectious agents. However, holy basil also is reported to have an ant fertility effect and intake should be avoided if a woman is trying to get pregnant.
Also Read
Beneficial Home Remedies For Ear Congestion
Best Herbal Remedies For Ear Congestion
Natural Cures For Ear Congestion
Chamomile Tea
Prepare a herbal tea of Chamomile have it. The anti inflammatory properties will alleviate inflammation. The antioxidant properties of holy basil boost the immune system making heal faster. Anti inflammatory properties alleviates inflammation. Sedative properties will give relief from trauma, anxiety etc. Analgesic properties give relief from pain. Anti Allergic properties gives relief from allergies. Overall chamomile tea is beneficial for ear congestion.
Things To Do And Things To Avoid
Clean the location with a cotton swab , do not rub the swab hardly as you are dealing with delicate part of your body and might end up causing injury to the ear drum. Rub through the sideways otherwise you might end up putting the ear wax further into the ear canal instead of cleaning it.
Keep on swallowing water or sucking sugar candy or chewing gum. Do not blow your nose too hard if the ears are blocked due to sinus problem. Take hot water baths as the heat generated will help to loosen mucus. These simple activities will unclog the ears.
Avoid Trigger Foods
If the ear congestion is due to allergies try and find out the foods that you are allergic to and avoid it for two to twelve months. The most common allergic foods are wheat, dairy products, corn, soy, yeast, eggs etc. If you are histamine intolerant then avoid food that are high in histamine or release histamine such as avocados, cheeses, apricots, dates, figs alcohol, bananas, chocolate, eggs, fish, milk, papayas, shellfish and tomatoes etc .
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
