There is currently something going around that is causing a lot of ear congestion and earaches. It’s not always a head cold either. 

One of my favorite herbs for moving fluid in the ear is Ground Ivy which you can learn all about here. But when the ear hurts and you are starting to get an earache a roasted onion is my go-to!

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Cut onion in ½ (between the ends and leave on the skin)
• Cover one-half in Parchment paper or foil
• Put flat side down on a pan
• Roast in the oven until the juices start to flow (about 20 min depending on the size of the onion)
• Remove from the oven and let it cool (still wrapped) till you can touch it on the inside of your wrist and it isn’t too hot. 
• Remove from the wrap and then wrap in a thin linen cloth and place over the ear that hurts.  You can lay down on your good ear while applying the onion to your other ear.

I find this provides immediate relief for my ears.  Onions have a drawing property so can draw out the infection and move fluid in the ears. You can also apply onions to the bottoms of your feet and put socks on and it will draw out colds in the head and lungs also. 

Garlic Oil has long been a remedy for putting in the ears. It is easy to make by chopping some fresh garlic up and sauteing in some olive oil, letting it cool, and then putting a drop in the ear. I find most people have onions over fresh garlic, so I usually just recommend the onions. I have not tried this because I have a weird thing about putting liquids in my ears!

Another popular remedy is Garlic-Mullein ear drops. You can typically buy this at any health food shop or online or learn to make here. I generally don’t use or make this either because it is a lot of work to pick the little mullein flowers and make an oil out of it.  Oils also go rancid and you wouldn’t want to put a rancid oil in your ear. If people prefer this I recommend lightly saturating a cotton swab with the oil and placing the cotton on the inner/outside portion of the ear (not in the ear canal but the Concha). These herbs have a drawing action on infections. The oil can also be rubbed down along the ear canals. In younger children, I’d also rub on the face from ear to sinuses to keep fluid moving in there. You can do the same with Ground Ivy Oil.

Cautions: 

• When working with babies or small children an Onion or Garlic can be to “hot” for their delicate skin.  If they show signs of discomfort gently wash off the juice/oil with warm soapy water.
• Caution if putting liquids in your ear. If your eardrum is ruptured you do not want to put anything in your ear, because it can get into your middle ear causing more complications.  

MAKING TEAS INTO POPSICLES!

You can turn any herbal tea into a popsicle. This is hand when your kids won’t drink tea.  It can help them develop a taste for teas. You can always lower the sugar content each time. 

On a hot day in July, you can use any of the teas suggested in the Beat The Heat Post Here and turn them into popsicles for a more refreshing treat!

Instructions for Popsicles from a dried tea: 

• 80-100 grams of dried herbal tea 
• 2 cups of water 
• ¼ – ½ cup honey or maple syrup 
• ¼ tsp salt 
• 1 cup coconut milk or 1 cup of yogurt 
• For icy popsicles use juice with only a tablespoon of honey/syrup 
• ½ cup fresh berry of choice 
• Ice pop molds 

• TO MAKE: Simmer herbs and fresh or frozen berries in water for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool until you can stick a finger in it or till it is less than 120 degrees.  Add your honey or syrup and salt and stir till dissolved. Add the coconut milk and stir will allow to cool.  You can add more fresh berries at this point and add the cooled mixture to the ice pop molds or paper cups.  Freeze for 6 hours or overnight.  Yields about 10 ice pops 

TIPS: 

Greener herbs like infusions might taste better with fewer sweeteners 

Coconut milk and yogurt make creamier popsicles.  Lighter kinds of milk or just juice makes for icy popsicles 

Play around with recipes and have fun 

Blended watermelon in place of berries 

Lemonade instead of juice

One of my frequently used herbs we’ll be discussing is Mullein

• You can use the Whole Plant of Mullein
• The flowers are used by many in Garlic/Mullein Oil for Ear infections
• The leaves are a favorite for tonifying the lungs for those with asthma and it was a favorite remedy of many during Covid and recovery.
• The root has become a newer talked-about remedy for those with back pain.

How to use Mullein for tonifying the lungs.

• If you have stuck mucus Mullein works a bit as a moistening irritant that makes you cough to move dried-up stuck mucus that won’t release.
• You can use this as an old-fashioned herbal tent steam. It gets in the lungs really well to help you loosen and expel stuck mucus.
• You can make a standard tea with it and drink it daily.
  • 1 tsp in 8oz Hot water. Steep for 30 min and drink daily
• I typically add just a small part (about 10% to my clients’ infusions) if they struggle with asthma. It often works so well they don’t need to use their inhalers anymore. (Never tell anyone to use in place of an inhaler, or to get rid of)

During Covid over 50 people used Mullein Tincture with a small part of Pleurisy, and they all loved it. Some continue to use this blend because they like how great it makes their lungs feel. Its 3 parts Mullein to 1 part Pleurisy.

The last day to register is July 31st. It’s a small intimate group. Live On-line is also available or view at your own convenience while being part of a community that is learning together.