A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Pediatrics (May 2003;111(5):e574–e579) evaluated the effectiveness of herbal ear drops in children experiencing ear pain from acute otitis media (middle ear infection). The study included 171 children, ages 5 to 18 years.

Participants received herbal ear drops containing:

  • Allium sativum (garlic)

  • Verbascum thapsus (mullein)

  • Calendula flores (calendula)

  • Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort)

  • Lavender

  • Vitamin E in olive oil

Children used five drops, three times daily. These drops were given:

  • Alone

  • Combined with a topical anesthetic (amethocaine + phenazone in glycerin)

  • Combined with oral amoxicillin (80 mg/kg/day, up to 500 mg per dose, divided into three doses)

Study Findings

  • Children who received herbal ear drops alone experienced better outcomes than those who received the drops along with antibiotics.

  • Antibiotics alone did not significantly improve outcomes.

  • The group that received the topical anesthetic alone did not outperform the herbal ear-drop group.

Overall, the herbal formulation performed as well as—or better than—standard treatments for ear pain relief, and in some cases showed superior symptom improvement.

Educational only — not medical advice.