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.
Cigarette Smoke
Posted by Siamesecat (Fort Dodge, Iowa) on 02/13/2011
★★★★★
It always bothered me that this remedy worked when I was a child, crying at night... Just in horrible pain with an ear ache. After several hours, my mother told me that cigarette smoke would alleviate the pain. I first said no, but after another hour of severe pain, I said yes to her method of treatment. She blew cigarette smoke into my ear and the pain went away! Almost immediately... And never came back! Never has! It seemed gross to me then and now.... Like 50 years later... But, it worked! I just wanted to see if anyone else ever experienced this. Sounds like they have.
I am a sociologist now, but I still recall my mother's form of treatment for that intense earache and how miraculously and quickly it worked! So, I guess we can deduct that there is some chemical in cigarette smoke that cures ear aches. And greatly and swiftly... And permanently!
Garlic
Posted by Pam E. (Southern California) on 11/29/2021 148 posts
From what I've read, straight garlic is not recommended. Allowing crushed or sliced Garlic to infuse some oil, such as Coconut or Olive, then using just a few drops of that oil is recommended. Some people have a very strong negative reaction to straight garlic, actually getting burned by it! Some.
Garlic
Posted by Lizzy (Fargo, Nd) on 11/02/2010
★★★★★
I use this method for my ears as well. I usually wrap the garlic clove in gauze so it doesn't burn my skin. It really clears up my infections and I am in my 30's! I use to have to take antibiotics when I got ear infections, now I use garlic! (I have had tubes 3 times in my life, I have had my eardrum rupture... So I truly mean this works! )
Steaming Washcloth in Mug
Posted by Kim (Dallas, Tx, United States) on 12/22/2009
★★★★★
I am not big on putting liquids in my ears (I've tried H2O2 with mixed results). However, I've found a simple way to unclog achey, stuffy ears...I STEAM THEM. Find a mug or cup that can withstand hot water and make sure that the mouth of the cup/mug fits around your ear without letting much air escape. Next, fold a small piece of paper towel until it can fit at the bottom of the cup/mug. Then pour steaming hot water into the cup/mug (just enough to cover and saturate the paper towel). Quickly pour the excess water out of the cup/mug and tilt your head to the side and place your ear in the cup. IF THE STEAM IS TOO HOT LIFT YOUR HEAD FROM THE CUP/MUG UNTIL IT FEELS COMFORTABLE, then lower your head back to the cup/mug. Stay that way for about a minute. You will instantly feel "popping" as the steam breaks up the gunk in your ear. Repeat with other ear by adding more hot water into the cup and pouring off excess. Repeat process throughout the day. After awhile you will be able to either irrigate our gentle scoop out yucky, waxy gunk that was causing the problem in the first place. I like to put a few drops of EUCALYPTUS oil in the cup, but experiment with Oregano oil, garlic, ACV, Tea tree oil to see what works best!
God Bless.
Garlic
Posted by Jeremiah (San Diego, California) on 06/21/2009
★★★★★
EAR INFECTION, PREPARATION SUGGESTION
I had a really bad ear infection in January of 2009 in which the infection caused my right ear to have hearing loss, as well as a constant sense of being clogged with something and/or feeling clogged from high altitudes (pressure change). I took a clove of garlic, peeled it, then scraped a part of it to release the juice and allicin, then CAREFULLY (I CANNOT emphasize that enough) the scraped part into my ear canal and let it stay there for at least 2 hours, possibly 3. When I took the clove out, the infection was gone.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST, I SAY MUST!, EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION IN DOING THIS!!!!!!!!
Garlic
Posted by Erin (Tampa, Fl) on 03/12/2010
★★★★★
Thank you for this remedy. Instead of a scored garlic clove, I used garlic ointment on a tissue. I obeyed your warning to be careful, as it seems most of the bad reactions reported on this site came from instances where the garlic was placed farther into the ear canal than the opening. I just placed my garlicy tissue in the opening of the ear canal. It took about an hour, but the pain subsided, and shortly after that, the pressure began to subside as well. I'm going to leave the tissue in for the recommended 3 hours and see what happens. Thanks again for this!
Hand on Ear Method
Posted by Gean (Salina, KS) on 03/13/2009
★★★★★
At the very first sign of ear pain, put your hand over your ear for a few minutes, warming your ear. If your hair is long enough, pull some hair over your ear and cover with warm hand. Keep it there until pain goes away. If you have access to a hat or head band, cover ears to keep warm. If very bad you can cup both hands and make a "tunnel" from your mouth to your ear, blowing warm air. The key is not to wait at all, but do it at the first sign of pain. You can do this wherever you happen to be, and can save you lots of trouble. I've told my kids to do this, and no one in the family has had ear pain for many, many years. If time has gone by and you've had the ear pain for hours, then you may need a heated salt bag or some of the other treatments, although it wouldn't hurt to try the above. But, remember for the next time that a stitch in time saves nine.
Cigarette Smoke
Posted by Diana (London, UK) on 03/02/2009
★★★★★
I have very sensitive ears and everytime I'm exposed to wind blowing or just a simple air drought, especially after a shower, when my ears are still wet, I get ear ache almost instantly. Sometimes my tonsils ache and my neck becomes stiff. I suffered with this for years until a friend from Transylvania (no connection with you know who...) put a cigarette in my ear. It was unbelievable. I almost felt I had bubbles of air inside there and they were coming out one by one (that's the popping sound) and I can hear a whistle like the wind blowing through a crack in the wall. I tried to find an anatomical reason for this, but until now I couldn't. It definitely works, though and I gladly recommend it to anybody who suffers with this. It doesn't work on an ear infection, though. You will need antibiotics, I guess.
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Justis (St. Louis, MO) on 02/03/2009
★★★★★
I had such severe sinus pressure i thought my ears were going to explode and I couldn't hear at all...I made a cayenne tea and shot it up into my nose and my sinuses repeatedly. Talk about pain...sinuses drained by the time i went to bed couple hours later and pressure all gone next day.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Sea Salt
Posted by Dandy5 (London, Canada) on 05/04/2009
★★★★★
As I write this, I am suffering with the flu, and on top of that managed to plug my ears with wax. Having administered several drops of olive oil over the course of last night and today, and then syringing, I was getting nowhere, and feeling very depressed. I have a dr's appointment tomorrow, but couldn't stand the pain, so I went on the internet researched ideas, decided to try the sea salt and water, as I had softened the ear wax already with the olive oil. Tried a couple of times nothing, was about to give up, and voila, out came the wax, and a huge relief of pressure. Thanks for the info.
Cigarette or Newspaper
Posted by Rudy (Hollister, Ca) on 04/03/2007
★★★★★
Remedy - Ear Ache: One time my sister in law had this bad ear ache I told her I could cure her with a cigarette,Of couse she thought I was making this up so she said no thanks. After crying for an hour she said yes I will try it. So I took 1/2 a cigarette with the filter on it, lit the other side and placed it in her ear while she laid down,she said she heard popping and air gush out of her ear. After 1 min I removed it and she was just astonished that her ear felt better. She is a beleiver now
Olive Oil
Posted by Carol (Liverpool, England) on 08/02/2017
★★★★★
I just think warm Olive oil is the best remedy, just a few drops,
i suffer badly with earache and this is my only cure.
Garlic
Posted by Art (California ) on 03/07/2017 2325 posts
In reply to Steph C. (Missouri),
Your method also eliminates the chance of being burned by the potential for direct contact with the garlic clove which on its own is quite strong and capable of burning your ear.
Art
Onions
Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 04/28/2013
★★★★★
If you have an earache put an onion in the oven and bake it, let cool down to a little warm and then put it on the ear to draw out infection.... I have not had an infection in many years....
Use Q tip with hydrogen peroxide in ear and then put half a pea size of oil in each ear as often as needed ... no more pressure and almost zero noise.
Onions
Posted by Jennifer (St Paul, Mn) on 09/14/2012
★★★★★
The last time I had an earache was 2004. I sliced a large white onion in half and placed it over my ear. In twenty minutes I could feel/hear liquid gurgle in my ear and in 25 minutes the pain went away. As soon as my kids start complaining of an earache we apply an onion.
Rubbing Alcohol and White Vinegar
Posted by Mandy (Arkansas) on 10/27/2016
★★★★★
I have had a very bad sinus infection for a month now. I have had 3 rounds of antibiotics and it doesn't really help. I developed ear pain and ear pressure. Hurt so bad I would have tried anything. so I found this post tried and wow!!! Ear pain is almost gone and soon as I dropped the mixture in I heard a loud pop inside my ear. Thank You!
Garlic
Posted by John (Cumberland, Md) on 02/08/2011
★☆☆☆☆WARNING!
Garlic has given me tinnitus for five weeks now. Really worried. Do not, Do not put garlic in your ear
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Beverly (Tucson) on 09/19/2015
She's not lying. A nurse told me to make sure to not put anything (she was referring to water--but it's still the same principle) cold in your ear because it could make you pass out and/or vomit. Always make sure that whatever you put in is warm.
Urine
Posted by Teresa (Nacogdoches, USA) on 06/20/2008
★★★★★
Although it may sound gross to some, here is a remedy that's been used by my family for generations.It has worked on me, my siblings and my children. It is now known that your own urine has natural antibiotic properties unique to the individual who contributes the sample. However, your child must be old enough to urinate into a cup (with your help of course). Catch the urine in mid stream in a cup. Take 1 teaspoon and pour into the ear canal followed by a cotton ball then lay the child down for a nap. You will never spend another dime on antibiotics for ear infections if this remedy is used.
Garlic
Posted by Candi (Spring Hill, Florida) on 09/17/2009
I do not understand why you all are making your own garlic juice or oil. Go to the health food store and BUY a bottle of garlic oil made specifically for ear infections. Then you won't be putting pieces of garlic in your ears. I mean seriously Ouchie, do you not think that small pieces of the garlic went through that syringe tip and into your ear? Talk about OUCHIE! No wonder it hurt so badly. BUY GARLIC OIL AT A HEALTH FOOD STORE AND STOP MAKING YOUR OWN, PEOPLE. It is CHEAP. Won't break the bank OR make you go deaf.
Garlic
Posted by Ashley (Celle, Germany) on 12/21/2011
★★★★★
I have never read a recommendation to put garlic juice into your ear. Onion juice is usually recommended, or a chunk of garlic wrapped in tissue.
Garlic is highly potent and should be used accordingly. I currently have a chunk of raw garlic in each ear wrapped in toilet paper to help clear up ear pain from a cold/flu that's been coming on slowly. I also just ate two cloves of raw garlic, crushed and doused in olive oil to protect the stomach.
I put the crushed and oiled garlic onto a spoon and take about half to all of it at once, depending on how big the clove(s) is/are, then I swallow the crushed clove with a swig of water like a pill. This helps me to best avoid the strong taste of garlic.
Olive Oil
Posted by Kia (Columbia, South Carolina) on 11/25/2007
★★★★★
Sweet Oil: I'm 26 years old and I lived with my grandmother a majority of my life. For as long as I can remember, anytime I would get ear aches, she would put sweet oil in my ear. Sweet oil can be found at any grocery store. All you have to do is get the sweet oil, pour the sweet oil in a tablespoon, and heat it up. I usually put a lighter under the spoon to get it warm, (not too hot). Next, get a cotton ball and soak up the sweet oil. Put the cotton ball(s) in your ear(s), and the next day you will be cured. This remedy has never failed me or anyone else in my family. Its guaranteed to work.
Garlic
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 11/21/2012
Hi Cooky, Actually, you don't even need to go buy the drops. You can save yourself money by making your own garlic ear oil. I would do this whenever my kids got an earache through all the years of raising them. It always worked like a charm.
I would take a bit of olive oil and gently heat it and then put a clove of garlic in it and let it steep. After it would cool down, I'd remove the garlic clove, gently warm it and drop it in their ears then put a cotton ball in. Very simple and very effective. Never had to take my kids to the doctor for earaches, that's how effective it was. Hope this helps, Lisa
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Robin (Warriors Mark, Pennsylvania) on 11/17/2007
★★★★★
well, i tried the above cayanne pepper remedy, and aside from leaving my throat feel like i just threw up, my ears feel a bit better! i go to boarding school, and the weekend before exams i ended up with an ear infection--so i went to the nurses, and they put me on a "Z Pack," a form of antibiotics. well THOSE didn't work, and now I can barely hear and am developing a sinus infection--way to go modern medicine! not. anyway, I had an herb garden this summer and produced a healthy amount of holy basil, yarrow, chamomile, lemon balm and feverfew. I took a small shot of yarrow tincture, and just to add to the effect, I did the cayanne pepper thing. we'll see how I feel tomorrow morning, but I definitely think it helped. Again, the only downside is that it leaves you feeling like you puked...my guess is, it's all that capsacin! thanks for the remedy!
Olive Oil
Posted by Michelle (Lamora, Mexico)
★★★★★
When I would get earaches as a child my mom would warm a spoon over the fire or even with a match/cigarette lighter, for a few seconds then dump either olive oil or onion juice on the spoon then dump it in both my ears and put cotton balls in them. Then she'd let me lay on a hot water bottle this usually helps. But once when I was younger I tried to do that for my sister and I heated the spoon too hot and burnt her so you have to watch for that
