Elephant's Head (Pedicularis spp.) has been used in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in some Indigenous North American practices, for a range of ailments, including earaches. The use of Elephant's Head for ear infections or earaches is primarily based on ethnobotanical records and oral histories rather than modern scientific research. Traditional applications often involved preparing a poultice or infusion from the plant and applying it externally around the ear, or less commonly, using it as an ear drop. The rationale for its use is tied to the plant's perceived anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, though these effects have not been confirmed through rigorous clinical studies.

There is a lack of published pharmacological or clinical data evaluating the efficacy or safety of Elephant's Head for ear infections or earaches. No controlled trials or laboratory studies have specifically investigated its antimicrobial, analgesic, or anti-inflammatory potential in the context of otic (ear) conditions. As such, its use for earache remains rooted in tradition, with a low level of evidence supporting efficacy. Caution is warranted, as the safety profile for topical or internal use of Elephant's Head in the ear has not been established.