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Traditional Mullein Flower Ear Oil: What to Know

Traditional Mullein Flower Ear Oil: What to Know - Alpine Apothecary

Recipe illustration; appearance may vary.

Mullein flowers have a long history of being infused into olive oil and described as ear oil. This page explains the traditional preparation, but homemade infused oil should not be placed inside the ear without advice from a qualified health professional.

Traditional preparation

  1. Combine the dried flowers and olive oil in a clean, completely dry heatproof jar.
  2. Warm in a gentle water bath for 2 hours, keeping the oil below 60°C and preventing water from entering the jar.
  3. Cool and filter very carefully through a paper coffee filter into a clean, dry amber bottle.
  4. Label with the preparation date and store in a cool, dark place.

Important ear safety

Do not put homemade oil into an ear that is painful, infected, discharging, bleeding, fitted with grommets, recently operated on, or known or suspected to have a perforated eardrum.

Do not use this as a substitute for medical assessment. Ear pain, discharge, hearing changes, fever or dizziness require advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Homemade herbal oil is not sterile. Unless a qualified health professional has specifically confirmed that it is appropriate, use this preparation only externally around intact skin of the outer ear, never inside the ear canal.

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