Earaches
Natural Remedies

Effective Natural Earache Remedies for Pain Relief

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.
Distilled Vinegar and Water
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 12/15/2021
★★★★★

When I was a young teen (10 years old) back in the 70's my parents had me on the swim team during the summer months and I remember getting a bad ear infection and ear pain. Mom took me to the Doctor and he prescribed and antibiotic ear drop. When we got to the locally owner pharmacy ran by Mr. Hines, he told mom the ear drops the Doctor prescribed were $50. He told mom to mix together white distilled vinegar and tap water 1:1 ratio into a small squeeze bottle would do the same thing as the expensive ear drops so mom did. He said to tilt my head and fill the ear canal up with this mixture and plug the ear canal with a cottonball. Do this several times a day til the ear infection cleared up and it did.


Baking Soda
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 08/27/2021
★★★★★

Baking Soda is one of the simplest home remedies for ear issues. I have used this with good results.

Sodium bicarbonate ear drops “made at home” can be safely used to soften and dissolve earwax build-up and ear infections. Sodium bicarbonate ear drops also can be used to keep your ear canal dry, which helps prevent outer ear infections. The most common form of sodium bicarbonate for home use is baking soda. A baking soda solution is safe and effective to use as ear drops.

Health Benefits of Sodium Bicarbonate:

With its natural pH neutralizing effects, baking soda serves a variety of purposes. The compound is effective for reducing pain, eliminating infection and treating inflammation.

Putting baking soda on your skin creates an alkaline pH which creates an inhospitable environment for the bacteria as staphylococci prefer a neutral or acidic pH.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/microbiology/chapter/the-effects-of-ph-on-microbial-growth/

One study found that baking soda helped kill Candida cells, which are the fungal cells responsible for yeast infections. Fungal infections of the skin and nails, such as onychomycosis, have been shown to improve when soaked in a solution of baking soda and water.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00284-014-0585-9

Baking soda is also an antiseptic that kills the infection-causing microbes. Sodium bicarbonate was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, poliovirus, vancomycin-susceptible and -resistant Enterococcus species, and methicillin-susceptible and -resistant S. aureus. Baking soda <3 logs10 of all test pathogens. Baking soda completely inactivated both antibiotic-resistant and -susceptible bacteria at both exposure times.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12017929

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10656352/

Baking soda is also an effective natural remedy for parasitic worms which can infest the digestive tract.

Preparation of Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) Ear Drops

by Dr. Swayam Prabha (India)

Ingredients:

*Sodium Bicarbonate 5mg (1 teaspoon)

*Glycerine 30ml (optional)

*Purified water 100ml

Mix Baking Soda in the warm water. Allow the baking soda to completely dissolve. Then add Glycerine and stir til completely uniformed.

Store your drops in a clean glass container. Keep the container at room temperature. Shake the container before using the drops.

Directions:

Dr. Swayam Prabha states,

Place 2 – 3 drops in the ear. Use only two to three drops at a time. Drops can be used twice a day, if necessary. However, I prefer to use the irrigate method. I place a full eye dropper full into the ear canal so that the solution can make contact with all the tissue in the canal. I plug the canal with a cotton ball. I'll leave this in place for about 1 hour. Use for 1 - 2 weeks when using ear drops to dissolve earwax or infection.


Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 12/06/2022
★★★★★

This is from my Aunt who is 86 years old. She says to put 3 - 5 drops of 3% H2O2 brown bottle into the ear canal followed by a cottonball placed over the opening. Then go lay down for a while. Let the peroxide bubble and disinfection the ear canal. This worked for her 5 kids from the 1960's and up.


Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt
Posted by Jennifer (Australia) on 03/24/2016

I would always start with ACV for anything and be patient Thank God for Earth Clinic because these remedies would be lost to so many of us who run to doctors who always prescribe drugs.


Garlic
Posted by Ouchy McNumbface (Suffolk, England) on 06/02/2008
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

DO NOT .. i repeat DO NOT, EVER put raw, undiluted garlic juice into your ear. I've had an ear infection for most of today, experiencing the normal agony [i've had maybe thirty of these damn infections over the years] and decided that i'd give the garlic juice a try. So i finely chopped seven cloves of garlic, stuck them into a large, plastic syringe [no needle!], put the end of the syringe into my ear and pushed the plunger. I hesitate to call it a plunger, I feel somewhat more inclined to call it a "detonator"; for at that moment the pain in my ear can only be described as... indescribable. I've had broken bones which hurt less than this. I've passed kidney stones which were positively comfortable compared with the insane, unimagineable combination of white-hot blowtorch to the entire right hand side of my face, and dynamite-coated road-drill intent on making a rather large impression/hole on my ear drum. I ran around the room desperately seeking some kind of cure for my newly acquired, self-inflicted facedeath, and in an insane panic managed to: 1: take four pain killers. 2: squirt cold water into my earhole and 3: place a nicotine patch over my ear. I'm not entirely sure what inspired the third choice, but in my insane stupor i think my brain somehow associated nicotine patches with stress/pain relief, so in a cloudy haze of bewildering desperation and nonsensical panic, i slapped 21mg of nicotinell over my earhole.

In a nutshell, it hurts. Don't do it. If you do do it, film it, put it on youtube.

Garlic
Posted by Cherokeenanny (Felicity, Oh) on 07/22/2013
★★★★★

Seven cloves of garlic, really?? kinda make one hard pressed for giving sympathy.. WAY excess.. Done this many times and it works..... every time.


Ear Remedy Warning
Posted by Shari (Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada) on 04/27/2008
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

A lot of the remedies listed here, mention warming solutions or onions or using hair dryers or hot water bottles. This is definitely very soothing when you are experiencing ear pain but can also be VERY DANGEROUS. As a nurse I was taught to never do this....here is the reasoning. If there is infection on the other side of your ear drum??? the heat will draw it out causing the ear drum to rupture and perforate. Scar tissue forms as the ear drum heals but a reduction in hearing will be noted. please be very careful when using any form of heat.


Sea Salt Sock for Earache
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 12/23/2021
★★★★★

Salt Sock for Earache

My GF has been suffering from ear issues for a few days now so I suggested she put 1 cup fine sea salt in a thin cotton sock and place it over her ear for a few hours. She place the salt sock over her ear for 5 hours. When she woke up this morning she said the throbbing pain in her ear was gone.

Why this works? I am assuming it's because salt acts like a desiccant and dries out the ear. During an ear infection, congestion in the ear creates more problems and a breeding ground for micro-organism's causing the ear infection. Salt is also antimicrobial.

How to make it:

* 100% thin white cotton footie sock

* cloth string or thick rubber-band to secure the end of the sock so the salt does not fall out

* 1 cup fine sea salt

Directions:

Pour the sea salt into the sock and tie a knot at the end. Heat in a clean, dry
 skillet, over medium-low heat for about 4-6 minutes. To heat the sock evenly, shake it around, and flip every 30-60 seconds. Heat until very warm, but not 
burning to the touch—you don't want to burn your patient! Test on your hand before applying to the ear. Place the warm salt sock over the ear, and the area behind your jaw bone and relax.

*Important: Only use a white sock as dyed threads may melt when heated. Do not substitute regular table salt for the sea salt. Never microwave the salt sock.

Note: If you don't have a 100% white cotton sock like I do, I just us one of my GF black footies socks which is a synthetic blend. Fill it with sea salt. Secure the end with a rubber band. Place it over my ear and then place a hot water bottle over that for the heat. It works fine.


Garlic Oil Recipe
Posted by Mama to Many (Tennessee, US) on 09/06/2014
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My son had a terrible earache. I gave him some OTC pain medicine because he had to go to work. Then I began a batch of garlic oil. When he came in later, I put a few drops of the garlic oil into each ear. He has been fine ever since. I have used this oil in the past for ear pain. Usually I use it at least once or twice a day. Used with a warm rice sock, pain will usually be resolved quite quickly. I believe if you have a ruptured ear drum, it is not recommended to use anything in the ear. In that case, the oil could be rubbed under and around the ear.

Recipe for Garlic Oil

1/2 cup freshly minced garlic cloves

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil

Mix together and let sit on the counter for ten days. Shake three times a day. After ten days, strain out the garlic with a coffee filter. Label and date and STORE IN REFRIGERATOR! This way it will last all fall and winter. I will leave it out for days at a time when treating someone with an acute condition. Perhaps adding some vitamin E oil would help it to last even longer.

I usually store it in a glass bottle with an eyedropper. I put the glass bottle into a mug of hot water for 5 minutes before using it, so the oil will be warm in the oil. That feels better than cold oil, especially for children.

I didn't have ten days to wait to treat my son. So, I strained out a little bit of the oil after a few hours. It will get stronger and stronger over the course of ten days.

I also use this oil on the chest and/or back for a cough. It will make the person being treated smell terribly of garlic, but it works. For a small child, I rub it into the bottoms of the feet. It works VERY well for a stubborn cough and I love that I can treat a child without even waking him up at night.

Lalitha Thomas, author of, "Ten Essential Herbs, " from whom I got the original recipe, will use it internally for a cough or as a natural antibiotic. (1 teaspoon per adult dose, equivalent of 1 garlic clove.) She does not use the coconut oil, but I like to use it as it also has anti-viral properties.

Where I live, cold and flu season are around the corner. It is a good time to be sure to have Garlic Oil made up ahead of time!

~Mama to Many~

Cigarette Smoke
Posted by Jordan (Newfane, New York) on 02/04/2012
★★★★★

My mother always blew cigarette smoke in my ear to ease my earaches. I absolutely loved it. It made the pain and discomfort go away immediately.


Garlic
Posted by Zark (Emerald City) on 02/15/2016

Hi John, it is very likely that the ear infection caused the tinnitus.


Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Matt (Fremont, Ca) on 02/04/2010
★★★★★

Let me start by saying that I have used this site many many times, but this is the first time I am writing in. The reason I chose to write in now is because this remedy is quite extraordinary. It works! I had my wife help, but she poured 1/4 tsp of Hydrogen Peroxide into my infected ear and it worked immediately. If you are like me, be prepared for what could be a loud POP! After the POP! my ear felt better. Thanks to all that make this site what it is! :)


Cigarette Smoke
Posted by Mom2_3 (Baltimore, Maryland) on 05/12/2009
★★★★★

I suffer from severe allergies. Once again I gave into my doctor and started a course of antibiotics and steroids. I had the most drainage I have EVER had...I developed earaches in both ears. After 5 days on the meds and still having a lot of pain, I took myself back to the Dr. to make sure I didn't have an infection. I was right, no infection but still a lot of pain! I tried pain meds and that still didnt work. So as a last resort I was reading through your cures. I already tried the peroxide, so I gave the cigarette a try. I cut the cigarette in half and lit it. I placed the filter down in my ear and laid on the floor. I set the timer for 1 minute. I repeated for the other ear. YEAH...my pain went away and has not returned!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for putting, even the weirdest, natural cures on here :)


Clove Oil
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 11/06/2024
★★★★★

My buddy Ali from Bangladesh showed me how they use clove oil for an earache in his home country.

According to him; Clove oil is a magical cure to many kinds of pains and aches. Like it helps you with a toothache, clove oil effectively relieves your earache too.

How to Use. In a base of 2 teaspoons of olive oil, mix 5 drops of clove oil. Gently warm the mixture in a microwave oven or metal spoon after a candle flame. Use your fingers gently to apply 1-2 drops of this mixture inside your ears. This remedy has the capacity to give you a quick result.

I also found this reference: Pour clove oil on a cotton ball and insert it into the entrance to your ear canal to relieve pain. From the book: Reader's Digest Home Hints and Timeless Tips, More than 3,000 Tried and Trusted Techniques p. 66.


mouthwash
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 04/28/2022
★★★★★

Day 3 of a bad earache coming on. Tried H2O2 and Garlic oil the first 2 days, but neither worked. So I did something crazy. I soaked a cottonball in Green Mint Antiseptic Mouthwash from Dollartree (Blue Mint also works) and plugged it in the bad ear. In about 30 minutes the pain was gone. For a quick fix until morning this is amazing.

Todays mouthwash was originally invented in 1879Listerine” – for sterilizing surgical wounds. Sometime in the 1970's it was marketed as a mouthwash.

Ingredients contain essential oils (e.g., eucalyptol “eucalyptus”, menthol “peppermint”, thymol “thyme”, and methyl salicylate “wintergreen” and 12% alcohol). All of which are used to fight infections.


White Vinegar
Posted by Trista (Sydney, Australia ) on 03/15/2022
★★★★★

A couple of weeks ago my daughter started holding her ear saying it hurt.

Never had this happened before.

So I took out the otoscope to have a look and sure enough she had some bubble like appearance behind the eardrum membrane.

I came to this site and decided to try white vinegar and water 1:1 dilution.

Using the syringe you get with kids panadol, I put a couple of drops in the ear and counted to 5 then drained. Did this to both my ears 1st, an hour or so prior to make sure it didn't hurt... I did find the temperature to be too cold so I used boiled water for the dilution for my daughter's ear... made sure it was lukewarm before using it.

She didn't complain of a sore ear after that. I asked if it felt better and she said yes.

Checked her ear the next day and she had less bubbles. Used the solution again that day and the next day the bubbles were gone. I did it sporadically every couple of days after to be safe.

We bought an otoscope to keep an eye on her ears as she had blockages when she was a toddler.

It does come in handy.


Wintergreen Essential Oil
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 03/21/2021
★★★★★

Wintergreen oil is known to address ear infections/pain. It contains aspirin-like compound methyl salicylate which may help reduce pain and swelling. Wintergreen essential oil is also toxic for bacteria and microbes. It is known to penetrate the skin easily and so can be effectively used to treat infection in the ear topically. As well as being an excellent natural pain reliever Wintergreen has various other benefits too, it acts as a stimulant in terms of healing bones, and is a diuretic that helps in detoxification the area.

How I Use It:

  • Massage around the affected ear using 2 drops of wintergreen oil. Repeat 2-3 times a day. Or, you can add it to a carrier oil like jojoba 1:1 ratio. It is easily absorbed. These are adult formulas.

Warning: It is said that wintergreen is not to be used on kids under 12 years old. There are other oils that are safe for them like lavender, peppermint, and rosemary. Do a patch test before using. Avoid direct contact with the eye and open wounds.


Colloidal Silver
Posted by Hoppimike (Kent, England) on 06/06/2015 25 posts
★★★★★

Putting homemade Colloidal Silver in my ear once or twice a day got rid of my ear infection I believe. I just made it sloppily at home in mineral water. Not much else to say, but chalk up a success! :)


Garlic
Posted by Sunny (Ca) on 01/24/2014
★★★★★

I use garlic for ear pain.

I cut up a garlic piece into slices 6 (I guess). I use olive oil, Im sure you can use other oils. I put oil in a spoon and some slices of garlic. I warm up the spoon. I take out of the fire, I get a small piece of cotton and absorb some oil with my cotton piece and place this warm oiled cotton piece in my ear and leave it in. I works awesome, down side it smells like garlic :S. Will be looking into more non smelly solution, like just using the olive oil instead. But this works so far...

Namaste

Earthclinic rocks!



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