Ear Infections
Natural Remedies

  1. Home
  2. Ailments

Natural Remedies for Ear Infections: 10Effective Home Treatments

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Sort by Default New Loved
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Vickie (Brentwood, California) on 03/21/2007
 ★★★★★

I use peroxide for ear aches and ear infections. First use the peroxide in ear or ears. After bubbling stops then you warm up pure olive oil put in ear or ears followed by a cotton ball. Usually ear aches subside immediately. Ear infections may take two or 3 times.

Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Dr. Nick (Palm Harbor Fl) on 08/11/2020
 ★★★★★

TLDR: get a cayenne pepper TINCTURE for Ear Infections

I read all the posts about cayenne, I tried taking a tsp full of it, didn't notice any difference. I, however, remembered that I had a cayenne pepper Herb Pharm tincture (I have a giant cabinet full of supplements). I took about 1 ML or a dropper full, and 10 minutes later my ear started popping and feeling better. I also applied some hydrogen peroxide, natural ear ache oil, which was also helpful. But I noticed the biggest difference from the cayenne.

Oregano Oil
Posted by Joyce (South Carolina) on 05/23/2018 5 posts
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have used oregano oil orally many times for inner ear infections.

I just put a tsp of olive oil in a cup and a few drops of PURE oregano oil, mix with 1/2 cup of water and swallow. Has to be mixed well, because it can be VERY hot in your mouth. I have taken many more drops than this when I had internal infections of different kinds. It has always been successful in killing the infection. The negative to it is it can be hard on your stomach especially if you have a tender stomach and I do not know the long term results on ones kidney..

All I know is I have used all the natural methods of getting rid of internal infections, and the two best that I have ever found is Oregano oil, and I would put Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) as number two on my list. Often I will use 10-15 drops of GSE in water first every few hours to see if it will stop the infection first..if that does not work, then I go for the more potent oregano. I also have a trick where I put the drops of oregano on bread and then roll it up in pill like fashion and swallow.

BTW- many oregano products know that the public can be very stupid, so they have it already mixed with olive oil. I prefer to mix my own so I know how much I am actually getting. You can buy oregano already capsulized too.

Alcohol and White Vinegar
Posted by Jackie (Ca) on 11/30/2016 11 posts
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I think this recipe is fairly well-known/common, but I thought I would share it here because I use it every time I get an ear infection (which is not that often), and it has cured me of all of them since I discovered it. One time several years ago I got a strange blister-like cyst in my ear canal, and this recipe cured that and brought almost immediate relief to the pain as well. The recipe is very simple: just combine equal parts of vinegar (I use regular white/yellow vinegar, but probably any kind would do), and Rubbing alcohol (70-90%), and put a drop in each ear and let it run down into the ear canal. When I had the strange cyst thing, I got a Q-tip soaked in the alcohol/vinegar mixture and then pressed it gently against the bump in my ear canal. Like I said, it felt better almost instantly, after having bothered me for weeks. That's when I first tried this recipe. Since then I have cured several other ear infections (including one my boyfriend had, who also said his ear felt better immediately). Both ingredients in the mix kill germs and the alcohol also has a drying effect, which I think is important if you have fluid build-up in the ear from the infection or swimming, etc.

Coconut Oil
Posted by Stuart (Puerto Princesa, Palawan Philippines) on 06/25/2011
 ★★★★★

Hi I live in Philippines, and love to go swimming only unfortunately I am prone to ear infections, which seem to happen nearly every time I go swimming, these infections are difficult to heal, I used to have to use anti-biotic ear drops, plus internal anti-biotics to clear them up and it would take 7 to 10 days.

One day after reading about the anti-bacterial properties of virgin coconut oil I decided to put vco drops in my ear several times a day, it cleared in 3 days, so now before I go swimming a few drops of vco will stop me getting an ear infection.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Laura (London) on 12/31/2016
 ★★★★★

I was in a lot of pain with a sore ear. Painkillers weren't working. I decided to try Apple Cider Vinegar and the pain is no more. I put 1 dropper full in my ear and sat with my head tilted for a few minutes. Very happy.

Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Niki (Eugene, Or) on 10/28/2011
 ★★★★☆

I tried this remedy (1/4 teaspoon cayenne to 6oz water) and did exactly as it says. My sinuses did drain a little, but my ear continued to hurt and stay clogged for some time. It did drain about 2-3 hours after I went to bed. I have no doubt that it was helpful, but I cannot say I experienced any immediate relief.

I did not have fresh organic cayenne measured by strength; it was Morton's brand and fairly new, but I suspect it wasn't as potent or fresh as could be had.

Olive Oil and Tea Tree Oil
Posted by Claudia (Santa Clarita) on 05/03/2018
 ★★★★★

Mix one or two table spoons of olive oil with a few drops of tea tree oil, approximately 6 to 10 drops. Use a Q-tip or cotton ball to insert oil inside of ear. leave the oil inside overnight or as long as you can. This mixture cured my ear infection very quickly.

Olive Oil
Posted by Tori (Flushing, MI) on 02/09/2007
 ★★★★★

I have been suffering from an ear infection for almost 2 months now. Just when I think it clears up it was right back the next day. I have tried everything. From warm damp towels to HP. A friend told me about Sweet Oil. Warm it to the touch and put a couple of drops into the infected ear. I left it in for about 2-3 minutes. I repeated this about 3 times.The pain was gone almost instantly. Now this is not a cure but it did relieve me of pain and discomfort until I could get antibiotics. Also HP helped but only for a short time. It was only a temporary fix until the proper antibiotics were taken. Sweet oil can be found at special health food stores and more than likely at your grocery store. Also, this has nothing to do with ear infections but does anyone have health cures for migraines?

Olive Oil
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 12/05/2011
 ★★★★★

We always stopped earaches within 48 hours (sometimes much less) by stuffing a piece of cotton with olive oil in the ear and just leaving it there. Change once a day or so, if needed.

Garlic
Posted by Larry (Los Angeles, CA) on 09/14/2024
 ★★★★★

Couldn't sleep with a swollen, throbbing, painful ear infection around side of my head and jawbone. Maybe from a dirty earbud. Dipped a q-tip in some minced garlic with drop of dmso and gently swabbed all around inside swollen ear. Next morning relief 90% better. Swabbed garlic again that night and next day 100% relief. Thank you Earthclinic!!

Turpentine
Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 09/18/2020

Rob, just olive oil on some cotton works within 48 hours for our family.

Turpentine
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 05/17/2025
 ★★★★★

TURPENTINE – Ear Medicines.

Source: The New Standard Formulary - Comprising in Part I All Preparations Official Or Included in the Pharmacopeias, By A. Emil Hiss, Albert Ethelbert Ebert · 1911

Medicines for the ear are of two kinds, one for earache, which may be called Earache Drops, Earache Remedies, or Earache Oils, the other being intended for the improvement of the hearing, the latter kind being known as Ear Oils or Acoustic Oils. Of course no medicine will actually improve the hearing when impaired, unless it be due to a waxy concretion present, which may be softened and dissolved.

III Acoustic Oils.

Oil of Turpentine

1 fl. dr.

Oil of Sweet Almonds

6 fl. dr.

1 to 6 Ratio.

One to 2 drops on cotton in the ear.

Deafness generally arises from deficient secretion of wax in the ear. The following remedy is in some cases useful:— Oil of turpentine, half a dram ; olive oil, two drams ; mix, and insert a couple of drops in the ear at bed-time. Oldtime Remedies from the UK

Onion
Posted by Stevie Lynn (Lala Land, Ca, USA) on 04/08/2013
 ★★★★★

If you have anything from simple swimmers ear to a painful advanced ear infection, slice an onion in half and wrap one half in a clean piece of flannel or linnen. Put it in the top section of a steamer pot and steam until hot and moist. Remove from the steamer and allow it to cool just until you can stand to hold it next to your ear. Hold it over the ear and tilt your head to the side that you are treating so that steam can enter your ear. Repeat as often as you need to, this usually works within a day. If no steamer pot is available, I have used a bowl of water in the microvave and chopsicks to hold the onion over the water.

Olive Oil
Posted by Robert (Belvidere, Illinois) on 01/29/2009
 ★★★★★

I had a very bad ear infection one day and all the Medicine that I bought never helped a Friend then told me about an old remedy handed down from her family that worked Right away. Just put a small amount of Virgin Olive Oil into your Ear.

Dietary Changes
Posted by Christopher (USA) on 03/30/2008
 ★★★★★

An allergic reaction to milk doesnt have to be the runs! For me it was swelling of the throat and hours later a double ear infection.

I did feel there was a connection but did realize it till i read a french book on allergies. Ear infections can be caused by milk... same for swollen tonsils.. I have no tonsils anymore.. i wish i had been old enough to stop them from cutting them out...

Anyhow we had free cheese at work.. didnt seem to affect me then one day i wanted milk...

i dont usually cause well like cheese... it contains mucus and is mucus forming... (at the time in camp, i had to eat cheese for protein cause some of the cooks thought pasta was food)

i drank 5 tiny cups like almost those bathroom cups of milk.. then that the evening my eardrums popped. i havent touched milk since. unless to test.where as a cup of chocolate milk made my throat glands on the sides sore...

The only other thing to make my throat swell like that is mcdonalds beef burgers and orange juice.

Iodine, Boric Acid
Posted by Dana (USA) on 11/12/2021
 ★★★★★

Povidine Ointment and Boric Acid for Water in Ear: Infection

A cotton bud dipped in Povidone Ointment and then lightly dipped in Boric Acid powder. Gently place cotton bud just a very small way into the ear and then remove the cotton bud from ear. Gently massage back of ear. 2 or 3 applications a day. The Povidone ointment/Iodine clears infection and the Boric acid powder dries water.

Dietary Changes
Posted by Kirk (Penfold, Sunshine Coast , British Columbia) on 10/06/2009

You are absolutely right regarding milk and ear infections, alot of people are intolerant to dairy products with out knowing it, this is especially true for people with inherited smaller eustashian tubes. Even a slight amount of mucus that gathers in the tubes can result in ear aches and infections.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 09/13/2025

Acetic acid (Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar) is a topical antiseptic that creates an acidic environment in the ear canal to stop the growth of bacteria and fungus causing the infection.

You can consider making apple cider vinegar (acetic acid 5%) diluted with water 1:1 ratio ear drops/solution will make a 2 ½ solution. This is a mild vinegar solution that stops the overgrowth of bacteria/fungi and helps with itchy ears. Irrigate this solution in the ear morning and evening for 7 to 10 days. Your ear should improve 48 – 72 hours after starting treatment. Most people get better within 7 – 10 days.

STUDIES.

Vinegar in Chronic Otitis externa and Myringitis (inflammation of the eardrum)
June 2010 Indian Journal of Otology Source: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286298164_Vinegar_in_chronic_otitis_externa_and_myringitis

Role of Vinegar in medicine is known from ancient time, specifically for dressing of wounds. A prospective study of vinegar (4% acetic acid with 1:1 ratio of normal saline and vinegar 4% with 1:1 ratio of 95% isopropyl alcohol was conducted to conclude its role in chronic otitis externa and myringitis. Vinegar with saline was effective in 45.52% otitis externa, 54.47% in otomycosis and 81.03% in myringitis while vinegar with alcohol was 90.62% effective in swimmer's ear.

Role of 1.5% Acetic Acid (Apple Cider Vinegar) Irrigation and Medical Management in Chronic

Persistent Suppurative Otitis Media.

Department of otorhinolaryngology, Santhiram Medical College and General Hospital, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh,

India

ABSTRACT

Background: Chronic ear discharge in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) persisting for more than two weeks has become difficult to treat for ENT specialists due to resistance to the available antibiotics and patient's affordability for its cost. Also, biofilms have been responsible for the disease and cause tympanic membrane perforation and deafness. The use of 1.5% acetic acid irrigation acts as an antiseptic, and altering the middle ear's pH to treat otorrhea in CSOM needs to be studied. Aim of the study to assess results of 1.5% acetic acid irrigation and topical and systemic antibiotic in CSOM and to consider the most appropriate medical management.

Methods: A total of 100 patients of CSOM was divided equally into two groups. Group 1 patients were treated with 1.5% acetic acid irrigation every other day, and group 2 was treated with topical and systemic antibiotics three drops' times daily. Follow up of both groups every week up to symptomatic relief.

Results: Otorrhoea resolution in the group treated with acetic acid was 88%, and healing of perforation was noted in 28 %, while the failure rate of 12%.

Conclusions: Medical management of persistent CSOM with tubotympanic type by frequent aural cleaning, 1.5% acetic acid irrigation can be the more desirable choice than the topical and oral antibiotics. It is safe without any side effects and economical. Alteration of ear canal PH is one of the main factors for healing, in addition to mechanical disruption of biofilm and removal of deep-seated debris.

A Comparative Study of Acetic Acid vs Ciprofloxacin Topical Ear Drops in Achieving Dry Ear in Tubotympanic CSOM Patients.

Source: https://jptcp.com/index.php/jptcp/article/view/7850

Abstract
Aim: To study the effect of topical instillation of ACETIC ACID V/S CIPROFLOXACIN EAR DROPS in medical management of tubotympanic CSOM.

Materials and Methods: 100 patients including Male and Female above 15 years attending ENT OPD, at Index Medical College and having perforation in pars tensa (tubotympanic CSOM) will be evaluated. These patients underwent ENT examination. Oto-endoscopic examination was done. Further, patient were advised to undergo X-ray bilateral mastoid and pure tone audiometry.

Results: The results of the present study showed that dry ear was significantly achieved in patients using acetic acid (92% patients) than ciprofloxacin (66% patients) ear drops.

Conclusion: Medical management of tubotympanic type of CSOM is better achieved using 2% acetic acid ear drops rather than 0.3% ciprofloxacin ear drops.

Dietary Changes
Posted by Marlene (South africa) on 07/24/2025

Ho christopher strane abput macdonalds my daughter also have severe allergy from macdonalds. Do you know what specifically causes your reaction?


Previous Page 1 2
Advertisement

Please note that we use cookies necessary for the functioning of our website, cookies that optimize the performance. To learn more about our cookies, how we use them and their benefits, please read our Privacy Policy