Garlic Mullein Ear Oil

Garlic-mullein ear oil inhibits or destroys bacteria or fungus present in the ear canal and controls inflammation, edema, and itching. It has an analgesic (pain relieving) effect, it aids in the removal of earwax, and restorative nerves and blood flow in the ear. It can be used in ear infections, congestion & inflammation (otitis media, interna & externa), and associated earache; swimmer’s ear; to loosen earwax in preparation for ear cleaning. This oil may also help in certain cases of tinnitus (“ringing in the ears”), and vertigo.

How to take: Warm the oil container in your hand and be careful to not have the oil transfer device become contaminated by touching substances before touching it to the oil. I suggest using a Q-tip in a onetime use fashion while taking care to not insert in the ear more than is necessary for the oil drops to enter the ear. For using this oil to clean the ears place 2 or 3 drops into each ear 1 or 2 times per day. Irrigation of ears may be necessary to aid in removal of earwax. Have this done by a physician, or make sure you know how to do it properly. For acute inflammation & infections place 2 or 3 drops into troubled ear 2 or 3 times per day.

How To Infuse An Oil

First, choose your oil and plants you are going to infuse. Olive oil is very effective oil in most cases. Take your plant material and put it in a jar, Ball jars work well. Cover the plant matter with oil until it is completely covered and close the jar. Depending on the strength of the oil you want, you can add additional oil, especially if you are using dried plant material because the plant will absorb much of the oil. You can then let this sit for two weeks for the good stuff from the plant to get into the oil. If you are in a hurry you can submerge your jar in water in a crock pot set on warm, the lowest setting, for 8 to 16 hours minimally. Don’t let the oil get above 120 degrees. After this time use a muslin cloth to strain the oil from the herb material and store in a closed container. When using fresh plant matter there is the possibility of the oil going bad faster. To reduce this, add about 5ml of an essential oil per cup of oil.

Garlic and Mullein Infusions

Garlic and Mullein are both best infused as fresh plant matter. Garlic can be bought at your local grocery store. You do not need to peel the garlic but you can if you desire. Cut the garlic up into ¼ inch size pieces to put them in your jar and cover with oil. Mullein flowers can be gathered from the plants where they grow. They are very common plants and though generally you do not want to harvest plants from the roadside, mullein enjoys the rocky terrain of a roadside and this is fine for topical use. It is hard to remove many of the bugs that naturally live in mullein flowers but do not worry if they are in your infusion, they will be filtered out when you strain the oil. I suggest infusing you garlic and mullein separately and then combining the oils as you need them. This works best because garlic infused oil also makes a great food oil for salads and dipping bread in as well. When you are ready to use your infusions mix a few drops of each together and use as needed.

Jillian Carnrick, founder and manager of The Dancing Herbalist, has a Masters of Science Degree in Herbal Medicine, practices as a nutritionist, and is a Certified Personal Trainer and Exercise Is Medicine Professional through the American College of Sports Medicine. Join her for live classes and The Dancing Herbalist’s home herbalist courses online for more learning opportunities.