Patrinia (Patrinia scabiosaefolia or Patrinia villosa) is a traditional medicinal herb used in East Asian medicine, particularly in China and Japan. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Patrinia is believed to "clear heat," "eliminate toxins," and "reduce swelling," making it a candidate for use in various infections or inflammatory conditions. There are historical records and herbal texts suggesting its use for conditions related to inflammation and infection, including abscesses, sores, and sometimes earaches or ear infections (otitis media). However, these uses are rooted in empirical tradition rather than modern biomedical research.

Scientific studies on Patrinia have primarily focused on its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in general, not specifically on ear infections or earaches. There are some in vitro and animal studies indicating that extracts of Patrinia species can inhibit certain bacteria and reduce inflammation, but there is no robust clinical evidence or human trials directly supporting its efficacy for treating ear infections or earaches. Thus, its use for these conditions is justified by traditional practice rather than scientific validation.

In summary, Patrinia's use in ear infections or earaches is traditional, with minimal direct scientific evidence, and the overall evidence rating for its efficacy in this context is low.