A traditional ear infection remedy is to put a half on onion over your child's ear, or to put a few drops of onion juice into the ear.  This makes a lot of sense when you consider the  properties of onions.  They contain the same strong  antibiotic/ antiviral, and anti-fungal ingredient found in garlic, called allicin.  But onions also contain a larger dose of a natural anti-inflammatory than garlic, which explains why they are preferred over garlic for ear and chest/congestion complaints.  

There seem to be two different forms of ear infections.  One is the result of fluid behind the ear drum, and the other is an inflammation of the ear canal, often called "swimmers ear".  Onion juice is a good traditional ear infection remedy for both kinds, in our experience.  I've heard of numerous ways to extract onion juice, from grating and squeezing, to using a garlic press.  It's not an easy task to extract juice, because onions usually aren't really all that 'juicy', and you don't want pulp go down into the ear. 

Here is my solution...the easy ear infection remedy that I just used tonight, when my daughter was complaining of ear pain. 

Onion Juice Ear Infection Remedy:

First, I checked her ear, and made sure that the eardrum was intact...the ear canal looked red and swollen. 

So, I cut the root end off of an onion.  Then I held the onion on its side.  Using the tip of a spoon, I scraped up the newly cut end until I had several drops of onion juice in the spoon. 
She tipped her head, and I dripped the juice right into her ear.  She kept her head tipped so the juice would stay in, and covered it with a cotton ball.  In just a few minutes, her pain was gone, and she was able to turn over and go right to sleep.

***Update***  If you're going to treat one ear, go ahead and treat both.  That would have saved us both some sleep.  I did repeat the remedy the next morning as well, but we have not had to repeat again.

We have used similar remedies before, with great results, but this was even easier (and less stinky) than holding a cut onion over the offending ear.  Onion juice is a very safe remedy, and can be repeated as needed. 

Treating ear pain at home can be nerve wracking, because it's hard to see what is going on in there.  Last year, I finally broke down and bought an otoscope, which is the little light thingy that Doctors use to look in ears.  It has been a very worthwhile investment in my first aid kit.  I have used it for ear checks, as well as to inspect sore throats, and other dark and dangerous places where a kid might hide a bean or pea.  This is the one I purchased:

Please note: never put anything into the ear if you suspect that the ear drum has burst, and/or if you see blood coming out of the ear.  Please use your own best judgment when using home remedies, and consult your doctor as you deem necessary.  I am just a house-frau, not a doctor. :)

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