Learn how to make your own ear drops to soothe an earache at home.
Mullein is all the rage in homesteading circles lately.
And it’s no wonder, as it’s considered a wonder-weed of sorts. You can find it in fields and roadsides.
My friends who have better luck then me in locating it, will sometimes offer it for barter.
(Find a friend who’s excited about dried mullein. You won’t regret it.)
And the health benefits of garlic have been even more widely recognized, for centuries.
When you combine this smelly vegetable (garlic) and this overlooked wild herb (mullein), you have the makings of a powerful natural remedy.
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Why does Mullein garlic make the perfect ear oil?
I remember when my last child was a toddler and I was starting a deep dive into natural remedies.
I learned how to make infused olive oil and use it to soothe my daughter’s earache. One drop was all it took, and she slept all night for the first time that week.
The mistake I made was mentioning this home remedy offhand to the pediatrician at a well check visit.
The older gentleman gave me a good scolding and said that was something his grandma used to do.
But, I “needed to bring my child to his office right away if she ever has an earache again”. (There was no harm done, no symptoms, and the problem was completely resolved at this time.)
I would argue that Grandma possessed some practical wisdom that’s been nearly lost in just a few decades.
Today, I use pain relief techniques made from herbs and essential oils commonly. (And, mostly skip the well-child visits.)
With that said– do your homework and decide if any natural remedy is right for you. I would add the disclaimer that you need to confirm that you do NOT have a ruptured ear drum before putting anything in your ear (or your child’s.)
Information in this post is not intended to be taken as medical advice.
Powerhouse combination: Mullein and garlic
Garlic is known for its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties.
Mullein, interestingly, boasts many of the same benefits.
You may also know that mullein can help open airways and the leaves are often used in a tea for colds and congestion associated with allergies.
It’s good for so many ailments, you’ll want to forage some and keep it on-hand year around.
Or, buy some seeds from Baker Creek and plant them in your garden. They will flower the second year.
How to Make Mullein Garlic Ear Oil Recipe
Making this mullein garlic ear oil recipe is not complicated at ALL, it just takes some time when using the cold infusion method.
Like a lot of the herbal recipes on this site — good things come to those who wait.
You will simply cut garlic cloves (I use the garlic from our garden) and add some dried mullein flowers AND/OR the dried leaves to olive oil.
Let the olive oil infuse the garlic and mullein by soaking the mixture for about 6 weeks. It gets stronger, the longer it sits. (Alternatively– see the “notes” section of the recipe card for a quicker method.)
Strain, and pour the olive oil into a small bottle with a medicine dropper.
I’m learning to make remedies like these ahead of time- long before I need them.
Then they’re ready to go when the time comes, and I have a natural product with ingredients I don’t have to question.
See recipe card below for printable instructions.
Mullein Garlic Ear Oil Recipe
Mullein and garlic are a powerhouse combination with antibacterial and antibiotic properties. Make this well ahead of time to have when you need it!
Ingredients
- 6 large cloves of garlic
- 5 Tablespoons dried mullein leaves and/or flowers
- 1 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Cut up garlic cloves into small pieces.
- Add garlic and mullein flowers to an 8-oz glass jar, along with the olive oil. Make sure mixture is covered in the oil.
- Let sit for about 6 weeks. *See Notes for alternative method.
- Strain oil and add to a small dropper bottle.
- Makes approximately 4 ounces.
Notes
*The key with ear drops is to use a VERY small amount. One drop is usually plenty. After drop is in ear for about 10 minutes, lay down and let the excess oil drain out into a paper towel or cotton ball.
**FOR QUICK HEAT INFUSION METHOD: Instead of letting herbs sit in cold oil for several weeks, you can do one of the following if you prefer, letting the herbs heat in oil for 30 mins for up to a few hours:
- Heat the oil and herbs over a double broiler, keeping the temperature from 90-110 degrees F. Do not go over 110 to preserve the quality of the herbs. Do not boil! Don't allow any water to get into the mixture.
- Add the oil and herbs to a small slow cooker on low or "keep warm" setting, checking the temperature frequently to stay under 110 degrees F.
- Add the oil and herbs to a glass mason jar; shake and add ring and lid. Put in dehydrator at about 105 degrees F for a few hours. Careful when removing jar! Use potholders.
*You can also blend the herbs in a blender or coffee grinder before heating, to increase surface area and allow a quicker infusion process.
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