Mullein and garlic infused olive oil is one of the most popular natural remedies for ear infections/earaches, and for good reason. In folk medicine, mullein is revered for its ability to ease discomfort, and garlic is well-known for its immune supporting qualities. Both are used to encourage circulation and lymphatic flow, which may be helpful when ear discomfort is due to fluid buildup. (1) (2)
According to The Herbal Apothecary:
Author and herbalist Louise Tenney claimed that mullein is an excellent pain reliever, relaxing the mind and central nervous system to calm inflamed and irritated nerves, and it can be particularly helpful for those who are having trouble sleeping.”
These therapeutic qualities are likely due to constituents such as coumarin and hesperidin, which have been the subject of research regarding analgesic properties. (3) (4)
Studies Say Mullein Garlic Oil Helps With Ear Discomfort
In How Ancient Remedies Are Changing Modern Medicine, National Geographic author Peter Gwin describes traditional remedies as a “trove” for researchers to look through as they search for modern therapies. Although not mentioned in that article specifically, there does seem to be some research on mullein and garlic oil which supports its use for earaches.
In this study, researchers found that ear drops containing mullein (Verbascum olympicum), garlic (Allium sativum), calendula flower (Calendula officinalis) and St. John’s Wort flower (Hypericum perforatum) in a base of olive oil were “as effective as Anaesthetic ear drops . . . for the management of AOM-associated ear pain.”
In another study published in the well-respected journal Pediatrics, researchers used the same blend of ingredients listed above (garlic, mullein, calendula and St. John’s wort in olive oil) plus lavender flowers and vitamin E. The study divided 171 children into four groups which received various combinations of interventions.
- Just herbal ear drops
- Herbal ear drops plus antibiotics
- Anesthetic ear drops plus antibiotics
- Herbal ear drops plus anesthetic ear drops
The study concluded that “Each group had a statistically significant improvement in ear pain over the course of the 3 days. Patients who were given ear drops alone had a better response than patients who were given ear drops together with amoxicillin. Results were better in the NHED group than in the controls. Nevertheless, the findings indicated that the pain was mostly (80%) self-limited and could be explained simply by the time elapsed. ” (emphasis mine)
What else is mullein helpful for?
Before we dive any further, I want to mention that although this article has been reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD, it is not personal medical advice and none of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA. As always, please talk with your healthcare provider about any herbal remedy, supplement, or dietary changes.
That said, I like to keep mullein leaves and flowers on hand for several things, like:
- Respiratory Support Tea – According to The Complete Gardeners Guide, “a tea made from leaves, flowers or both (one teaspoon to one cup boiling water) is said to alleviate hoarseness and bronchial catarrh.”
- Deep Sleep/Relaxation Tea – “A brew created from the flowers alone is reputed to allay pain and induce sleep.” (The Complete Gardeners Guide)
- Skin Care – Mullein leaves and flowers are often added to calendula salve to soothe minor burns (including sunburns), cuts, and other irritations.
I don’t have mullein, can I just use garlic?
Yes! Many people have found a simple garlic oil infusion to be helpful for earaches. You can also add things in if you have them on hand – calendula or St. John’s wort would be good options.
Is there anything else I need to know?
If the eardrum is perforated, nothing should be put in the ears. This Dr. Mom pocket otoscope – which is available on Amazon – was designed by an ER physician to help moms know what is going on when their little ones have an earache. It comes with a link to high resolution photos of normal and abnormal eardrums. The doctor also includes instructions on how to properly use the otoscope for best viewing results.
Can I buy garlic and mullein oil?
Yes, Herb Pharm makes one that’s infused with garlic and mullein, plus soothing calendula and St. John’s Wort. You can find it here.
How To Make Mullein & Garlic Oil for Earaches
Equipment
- Slow cooker or double boiler (If you don’t have a double boiler you can use a stainless steel bowl set inside a pot of boiling water)
- Glass dropper bottle
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp fresh garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp mullein flowers
- olive oil (enough to cover the garlic and mullein)
Instructions
Method 1 (Fast)
- Place mullein flowers and garlic in a clean, dry glass jar. Next, pour in the olive oil – add enough so that the mixture is covered.
- Cover the jar with cheesecloth or a paper towel secured by a rubber band.
- Place a kitchen towel in the bottom of your slow cooker and place your jar inside. Add enough water to cover about half the jar (making sure not to let the water touch the cheesecloth) and set to the lowest setting for 2-3 hours.
- Strain out the oil using cheesecloth and pour the oil in a clean, glass jar. Store in the fridge or the freezer (to preserve freshness) until needed.
Method 2 (Faster)
- In Herbal Recipes For Vibrant Health, Rosemary Gladstar suggests a quicker method than the one above: Place mullein and garlic in a double boiler and cover with olive oil. Allow to infuse over low heat for 20-30 minutes, then strain out the garlic/mullein. Store in the fridge or the freezer (to preserve freshness) until needed.
Notes
How To Use Mullein And Garlic Oil
Place your glass dropper bottle in warm/hot water until it reaches body temperature, then place “3 or 4 drops into the ear. Massage the outer ear and around the base of the ear after applying the oil. Administer the warm herbal oil every 30 minutes or as often as needed. Any excess oil will drain out on its own within a few minutes.” (5)
Frequently Asked Questions
I asked a clinical aromatherapist about adding lavender essential oil to this blend and she strongly advised against it. Personally, this blend has worked beautifully for my family as-is, and there are safer comfort measures that can be paired with it.
A warm salt sock can be a great addition to herbal ear drops. I first read about salt socks in a book by pediatrician Lillian Beard, M.D. – I admit I was skeptical, but it really did help my little one relax and get some much needed sleep.
According to Dr. Beard, “I have recommended this to parents over the years, and many have reported that it works. My theory is that the heated salt retains the soothing warmth that eases the child’s discomfort. Perhaps the salt also draws out fluid from the painful ear. In doing so, it might decrease middle ear pressure.”
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This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Scott Soerries, MD, Family Physician and Medical Director of SteadyMD. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Sources
1. Anim-Nayme, N et. al. (2004) Garlic Supplementation Increases Peripheral Blood Flow: A role for interleukin 6?
2. Horne, Steven (2009) Decongesting The Lymphatics
3. Bolakatti, GS et. al. (2008) Synthesis and Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of a Novel Series of Coumarin Mannich Bases
4. Gupta, Richa and Jagit, Kaur (2015) Evaluation of Analgesic, Antipyretic and Anti-Inflammatory Activity on Cordia dichotoma G. Forst. Leaf
5. Gladstar, Rosemary (2008) Rosemary Gladstars Herbal Recipes For Vibrant Health
How long will this stay fresh when placed in the freezer?
Thanks your a wonder !!
Does the heating and straining of the garlic remove the botulism risk from garlic in oil? I always use breastmilk in the ears if I have it, but have made mini-batches of garlic oil when needed. However, I don’t make more than a few tsps worth, since I didn’t feel safe about keeping it longer.
This stuff is a life saver!
Can mullien leaf be substituted for mullien flower?
My daughter had an ear infection so bad that her ear drum busted and was leaking blood. I took her to the Dr. and they said it was ok to put garlic oil in her ear. Every two hours I did it and for like a week. I brought her back to the Dr. two weeks later and the ear was all healed up. I love garlic oil for an ear infection.
Will this treatment work for tennitis?
I thought you had to use dried herb to avoid mold?
That’s a great question. I almost always used dried herbs in my oil infusions for that very reason, but all of the recipes for mullein and garlic oil that I’ve seen from respected herbalists use fresh garlic. My guess is that it’s because some herbs need to be used fresh in order to best take advantage of their therapeutic properties, and garlic is not a friend of mold or microbes in general. 🙂
May I ask, can the mullein flower also be fresh? That’s how I’ve been using it.
A number of years ago I had a persistent ear infection which would not succumb to antibiotics. I had prescription after prescription, all to no effect. Well, not quite no effect – I had a reaction to a penicillin based antibiotic and was extremely ill. I went to a homeopath who prescribed something (I can’t now remember what it was), and I recovered. However I was left with a penicillin allergy and my persistent ear infection! My homeopath suggested mullein and garlic oil – brilliant! It sorted out the ear infection in a few days! I can’t recommend this enough! 🙂
Wow this sounds great, do you have any recipes for itchy ears. The Rx that my doctor can prescribe is over $100 for a very small bottle. My ears itch terribly, I also have tinnitus and wear hearing aids. The hearing aids have nothing to do with the itching, they itched long before I had them. Thanks for help.
Hi Bridget. I know how you feel! I have eczema in both ears, it may be worth checking this with your doctor. I was prescribed a steroid cream some years ago for an eczema flare up on my arm, it stung so badly it was worse than the eczema! So my go to now is a 50/50 mix of extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil, warmed enough to melt the coconut oil and thoroughly mixed. I add a few drops of lavender oil (check correct ratio) and put into a small lidded pot. I use this twice a day, or more often if my ears start to itch. It’s very soothing. I live in the UK and this mix stays fairly solid most of the time (melting quite quickly on contact with your skin), but depending on your ambient temperature and your own preferences you could use more or less olive oil to coconut oil to reach the consistency you like. I hope this helps! Heather may well have a better option though 🙂
Thank you so much for this! I’m wondering if you keep in fridge after every time you warm it? Will that effect it at all going from warm to cold? Thanks again!
Garlic in oil seems like a botulism hazard?
What is the shelf life on this and also should you use fresh or dried mullein flowers? I made this but it was mostly fresh flowers and now I’m concerned if this should be refrigerated or is shelf stable.
What is it used for when adding calendula oil and st. john’s wort?