healing ear oil...

An impromptu walk on a cold and clear New Year's Day left me with a slight earache, so I decided to put some mullein flowers I had in the pantry to good use.  This is one of those recipes I've had on hand for a while and not taken time to prepare.  Happily, as soon as I used it the ache went away.  This oil is also good to use for an ear infection in order to avoid antibiotics and the havoc they wreak on our digestive systems and immunity.  Of course if pain persists you should always see your natural health practitioner or physician.  I found this recipe in one of my favorite herbal recipe books and added coconut oil for it's antibacterial properties:

 This oil is available in most natural food stores, though it is easy to make if you have everything on hand...

Garlic-Mullein Ear Oil

2-3 Tbsp chopped Garlic
2-3 Tbsp Mullein flowers
Coconut oil
Extra virgin Olive Oil

1. Place garlic and mullein in a saucepan or double boiler.  Add enough coconut and olive oil (desired ratio) to cover herbs and warm for 20-30 minutes.
2. Strain through a cheesecloth lined sieve and store oil in the refrigerator in a jar.
3. When ready to use, warm the oil in a teaspoon held over a stove burner to body temperature, suction into a dropper and apply 3-4 drops into the ear.  Lie on your side for 5-10 minutes, opening and closing the jaw a few times to work the oil deep into ear canal.  Massage any remaining oil into the outside of the ear.  Do this to both sides, as ear infections can possibly spread to the opposite ear.   Apply as often as needed.

more tips for Ear Infections:

-avoid congesting foods such as dairy, wheat, sugar and all refined, processed foods
-take probiotics in supplement form or better yet drink kombucha and eat lots of fermented veggies
-do not go out in the cold air for at least a couple days, especially children
-try a hot onion pack-wrap hot sauteed onions in a cloth and apply directly to the ear, leaving on for 30 min or longer, reheating when necessary or a try hot salt pack by heating salt in a skillet and placing in a cloth, holding against ear for same duration and using other towels to protect against heat.
-make sure you have a significant amount of coconut oil in your diet to fight infection from the inside.