Table of Contents
Ear Remedies
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DISCLAIMER
Our readers offer information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, ETHYL ALCOHOL, ANTIBIOTIC CREAM
[YEA] 02/18/2010: Jharry from Corpus Christi, Texas, Usa writes: "I used a combination of natural and over-the-counter meds to cure my ear infection. First, I used drops of dilute hydrogen peroxide and ethyl alcohol (vodka). They helped slow the infection but didn't solve my problem. Finally I applied an over-the-counter triple antibiotic ointment using cotton ear swabs, and it cured the infection in two days. The petroleum jelly base served as an internal ear bandage and helped the pain while the three antibiotics cured the infection."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 08/03/2009: Di from Bartlesville, Oklahoma writes: "I was plagued for several years with itchy and very clogged ears. The $100.00 bottle of medicine from the doctor only worked temporarily, then itchy, clogged ears would be back. I tried a home remedy I found on the internet and BRAVO, clean ears now going on 4 years. In a small bottle with a tip on it, mix 1 part 91% alcohol and 1 part vinegar. Apple cider or white will work. Several times a day drop a few drops into each ear. I also put some on a Q-tip and wipe the inside of my ear, just don't push Q-tip into ear. Everytime your ear gets wet especially after bath or shower or swimming do this. The 91% alcohol dries moisture, and the vinegar keeps bacteria from growing. Don't use 70% alcohol, it has too much water in it. If ears are really slushy, clean them a few times with peroxide before using the alcohol/vinegar. Peroxide will put water into the ear so don't use it too often. Once your ears have been slush/itch free continue to use the alcohol/vinegar at least once a day."
EC: 91% alcohol is isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.
08/04/2009: Janice from Coloma, Mi replies: "I have been having little bouts of dizziness and I think it's fluid in my inner ear. Do you think this would help with that?"
08/04/2009: Eva from Prinsenbeek, The Netherlands replies: "Yes, a slightly different recipe (more diluted) is widely used among divers (you can't dive with bad ears). Too much alcohol in the solution dissolves earwax, this can leave the ear canal prone to infections. Thus one-third distilled water, one-third white vinegar and one-third isopropyl alcohol could be a more effective mixture. Even if there is water in the mixture, your ear will dry out and right after application you will feel your ear canal to become warm. Some people even warm the solution between their hands before using it. I would not use a Q-tip, but apply a few droplets the solution with a medicine dropper (taking care not to let the dropper touch the ear or anything else). Tilt the head to one side add two to three droplets, then gently massage the ear in a circular motion to ensure penetration, and allow the medication to sit for some minutes before lifting the head upright. I am not sure this recipe helps when you have a very bad infection, but it DOES work when you have some irritation and/or water in your ear. After your ear feels normal again you can stop with the treatment (usually,after one to several days). It is a cheap recipe, so to keep it potent you can make a new batch of it monthly if you need to use it often."
08/04/2009: Connie from Manitowoc, Wisconsin replies: "I heard about the rubbing alcohol and vinegar treatment for ear infections. I don't remember the ratio of the mix, but that you should fill the ear with the mixture and let it sit for perhaps 20 seconds before tilting your head to let the solution run out onto a tissue. Do one ear, then the other. Do this once in the morning and once in the evening. I have tried this and it works. You may have to continue treatment for a few days. If you have a punctured ear drum this procedure could be dangerous, though."
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LEMON GRASS TEA FOR EAR INFECTIONS
[YEA] 11/20/2007: Thamas from east coast nsw, australia writes: "My son when he was 3 had recurring ear infections that once landed him in hostpital with double infections in both ears and a temperature of 40.He was on antibiotics on a regular basis and I cringed every time. Needless to say this did not cure the problem. On research I found that lemon grass has a very high vitamin A content and knowing that vitamin A is vital to fight infections I made tea for him. Well He loved the taste and he is now 12 and has NEVER had an ear ache since! so now when he is looking a bit run down or he's had too much of a good thing, I give him lemon grass tea. Fresh is best, luckily where I live it grows easily and abundantly in my garden. So It's free just like nature intended!"
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1 YEA
[YEA] 03/30/2008: Christopher writes: "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."
10/06/2009: Kirk from Penfold, Sunshine Coast , British Columbia replies: "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."
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OIL OF OREGANO, HERBAL TEA, EUCALYPTUS OIL VAPORIZER
[BETTER BUT NOT CURED] 05/16/2008: Stella from OH writes: "What is going on with EARS lately? It seems there have been a lot of posts about ear issues this month. My dog had an issue this month, my cat is starting to flick her ears and I am having a huge issue with my ears. I have pain and blockage in both of my ears all week now, it has been terrible. I tried acv/water solution, it didn't work, I tried an ear wash, it seemed to cause more pain, the pain has been too severe to attempt the h202. I had ear drops from the doctor left from my last ear infection in December which I paid $100.00 for. I did not want to use them but felt I had no choice so I used them for three days and I was in bed for three days thinking I was dying. I had razors in my ears, and a migraine that felt like razors in my head that did not let up for even a second. I was also so weak that I could barely walk. I had no choice but to sleep for three days. This was a bad reaction to the antibiotics so I STOPPED using them. Since I stopped I feel so much better. No more migraines and I my energy level is close to normal. I will go to the doctor as a last resort but I know that he will just give me antibiotics & I can't do that.
Here is what I am doing now: I got some Wild oil of oregano (P73) and I am putting it on the outer of my ears I am also taking it internally under my tongue 5 drops three times a day. I am drinking an herbal mint & chamomile tea 3 times a day, using a vaporizer with eucalyptus oil in my bedroom. The pain is going away but the blockage is not. I will continue the Oil of Oregano. I hope I am doing the best thing, I thought about an ear candle for the blockage but I have never used one before. I am open for suggestions. Please!"
06/02/2008: Stella from C, OH replies: "Update from 5/16 on Oil of Oregano for ear infections. Yes it worked Great! It took about two weeks to completely feel better. I continued taking Oil of Oregano under my tongue a lower dose of 3 drops 2x a day for 1 week then down to 2 drops only at bedtime, and rubbing 2 drops around ears. After the pain was gone I did the H202 technique (found on the blocked ears page) in both ears to clear the blockage. I had to do this twice in a week and it fizzed a very long time. I am in disbelief that these things worked because I have always had to use antibiotics for my ear infections. It feels great to not have had to use them since they were making me feel so ill.
So Yes to Oil of Oregano for infection & ache and Yes to the Hydrogen Peroxide Technique for blocked ears."
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2 YEA
[YEA] 03/15/2010: Msg from Somewhere, Europe writes: "hi, having benefitted from many of your ideas here, for which i am very grateful, i thought i'd share one that is tried and true:
having had numerous siblings and numerous children, i can recommend without reservation the olive oil-on-a-piece-of-cotton remedy for earaches. works for all ages, in my experience. by 48 hours the latest, earaches are gone. the olive oil only has to saturate a bit of the cotton (the side that goes into the ear) and the cotton should be stuffed (not deeply!!) into the ear and kept there. we put a biggish piece of cotton so it won't be able to get too deep. it can be changed as often as you want but we always just leave it there till the next shower."
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[YEA] 01/29/2009: Robert from Belvidere, Illinois writes: "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."
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4 YEA
[YEA] 05/15/2009: Jackie.81 from Park Rapids, MN writes: "Our school nurse called me and said my 6 year old was in the office with ear ache which my children get every year. I ran to the store and bought a yellow onion and cooked in the microwave then squeezed out the juice and put about three drops in it and it took the pain away and she went back to class and never complained again. Her nurse was amazed by the remedy."
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[YEA] 01/29/2009: Yeshai from Brooklyn, NY writes: "Squeeze onion juice in the ear from a onion. It will take any ear ache away super fast."
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[YEA] 03/29/2008: Dee from Brooks, Alberta Canada writes: "Since I was a child my mother would put the heart of the onion in our ear and sleep with it in, by morning your ear will be find, also works on wax build up"
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[YEA] 03/25/2007: JJ from Dortmund, Germany writes: "Chop onions and stuff them into socks. Fasten one to each ear (pulling a hat over the head and socks works well) and keep there for the duration of the pain. This is particularly effective against ear infections. If pain persists longer than a day, go to a doctor (esp. with children). But with this method I have never had the pain persist that long."
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2 YEA
1 BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
1 WARNING!
[YEA] 07/29/2008: Stella from OH writes: "I was in the begining stages of another ear ache. The pain had just started to become intense. I immediately did:
H202 method in both ears.
Applied Oil of Oregano on outer of the ears 3X a day.
1 drop Oil of Oregano in the ear 1x a day (optioanal, this burns a bit).
Did this for one week.
Ear ache all gone! Again, no antibiotics, Awesome!"
[BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS] 04/28/2009: London from Sandusky, Ohio replies: "Yes, I've tried Oregano Oil for an Ear infection and It worked, but it burned the heck out of my Ear!! Just rub the outsides of outer ear, and it will make it's way to inner ear, without causing you to go nuts with the burning."
04/29/2009: Tavora from Brooklyn, NY replies: "Hi - I find your oil of oregano for earache very interesting! I have been suffering with an inner disorder for 7 months now and have found little relief in all I've tried. Docs can't seem to pinpoint what's wrong and the only natural remedy I tried was an ear drop w/ mullein extract, grapefruit seed and plaintain leaf extracts. It offered some relief but I still deal with ear pressure/pain and fullness. Could simply rubbing the oil on the outside of the ear absorb into the inner ear? My hearing is ok but its my balance organs that are affected. I walk around with a constant boat-rocking sensation.
Thanks for the insight!! :0)"
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[YEA] 03/05/2008: Michelle from West Palm Beach, Florida writes: "I couldn't find this one so here goes. Best for kids, as it helps whatever is causing the fever, especially virus. Two drops of Oreganol Oil, on each foot rub it in and fever will break in a matter of five (5) minutes. I have four kids and have used this on ALL of them. It has absolutely always worked.
You can rub a few drops on chest for congestion or sinus trouble too. I have used two drops behind ear (rub all around area) for curing ear infections, ear pain, etc.
You can't beat it for cuts, they will never get infected! Best for little finger cuts as they are hard to keep clean! Also cures toenail fungus, especially seriously infected ones, drop several drops around nail bed, under nail, and around affected toe, with in hours, the pain is gone! Three times a day and the toe infection will be gone in a few days. My friend 6'11" male, was about to go to the ER when I told him to try this, he could barely walk! It was easy to walk in a matter of hours and completely cured in a few days! Three times a day several drops. Epsom salt soaks help to draw out infection and help pain too.
Earth Clinic is my Favorite for everything!"
[WARNING!] 03/03/2010: Tina from Bowling Green, Ohio, Usa replies: "Just want to let people with sensitive skin to know that oregano oil can burn if put on undiluted. It's best mixed with olive or coconut oil before putting on. Otherwise you'll have burned, peeling skin where you apply it."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 07/17/2008: Elaine from Edmond, Oklahoma, USA writes: "Several years ago I suffered from a chronic ear infection. I was referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist by my PCP.The ENT treated me as if I were crazy and said,"Allergies". Later that week I told a friend about this and she referred me to her ENT. He was a doctor trained in Mexico. Wonderful man. He wrote me a prescription which I later found out was for fungal infections. He told me to smear it just around the outer part of my ear canal. Not necessary to get down in there. IT WORKED. My problem was not bacterial or viral, but fungal. Now, I just use an OTC like Micatin or any cream for a vaginal infection. Yeast is fungal."
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1 QUESTION
[QUESTION] 05/30/2009: Pennygale from Yelm, Washington writes: "I'm actually writing on behalf of my son, David, age 25, he doesn't know I found this web site, of which I just found out about it just this wk. from a patient, I work in the health field. So I'm taking the initiative to write, then I'll let him know. He was diagnosed with this problem several months ago now, tried antibiotics, nasal sprays,saline washes,even med.'s such as Prilosec, for GERD/Acid Reflux thinking it maybe have caused this issue with his ear, of course all the above hasn't helped any. Bending over to help it clear for a few mintues, allergy med.'s, saw his PCP, an Allergist, ENT put tubes in his ears, his sx.'s worsened so he had them taken out, he is very against surgery for fear of it not working. He is a college student and looking @ his near future come Sept. he will no longer have health Ins. so he is desperate for lack of a better word, this has very much interfered with his well being and he has even become depressed and I feel awful for him. Even the ENT now are @ a lost on what to do to help him. What can you suggest for this young man. I appreciate your time, talents and feed back on this.
Sincerely, Pennygale:)"
EC: Hi Pennygale. Sounds like you are looking for a remedy for ears that are constantly blocked or plugged up- ? Please let us know if it's something else...
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03/26/2009: Maya from Sydney, Australia writes: "Ear Issue/Fluid Question: I have water trapped in my ear, and it's been more than a week - this has never happened to me before. There is some discomfort, but no real pain. The discomfort seems to be localised behind the ear, at the top of the jawline. Any ideas as to how to release the fluid would be most welcome. (I've done the oil,garlic route, but they haven't worked). Thanks, and would sincerely appreciate help."
03/26/2009: D. from Somewhere in, NJ replies: "H2O2 (3%):
Hi - My son suffers from this every once in a while. What we found to be the best remedy is pouring a couple of drops of H2O2 into one ear, lay on the side with the ear facing up, letting it soak for 5-10 min., then flipping over and doing the other ear. After the second ear is soaked for 5-10 min. flip over and make sure to get the stuff to drain out. We usually does this two times each day and it resolves within 1-2 days.
Good luck"
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1 WORKED TEMPORARILY
[WORKED TEMPORARILY] 05/01/2008: Chanda from Fayetteville, AR writes: "I have been suffering from a chronic earache for two weeks now, and nothing is working!! The ATB did not help. My doctor did recommend a mixture of alcohol, peroxide and regular tap water and it did alleviate the pain for a day. Mix equal parts(a capfull of each) place in ear for 5 mins and then shower to irrigate. I dont reccomend the ear pick, my doc did this last year and I ended up with a horrible infection due to the injury from it!! I'm now hoping the old faithfull sweet oil works!!!"
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1 SIDE EFFECT
[SIDE EFFECTS] 02/21/2009: Tristan from Palm Coast, Florida writes: "I've had a recurring ear infection (it's left a constant ringing sound), and have tried a number of oils, garlic, clove etc, and nothing has worked. This afternoon I put in some drops of sea salt solution - the right ear was fine, but after rinsing the left one, I couldn't walk straight. I was all off balance like I'd been drinking, and I felt quite nauseous. I'm worried now. Can anyone explain what may have happened? Thanks."
03/13/2009: Jodi from Grand Rapids, Michigan replies: "It's called vertigo, any time you put something in your ear this will happen. It is fine and won't hurt you, you just have to wait it out and LAY DOWN! You aren't supposed to get up and start walking around, when the room is spinning, you're gonna want to throw up! Hope this helps"
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2 YEA
1 WARNING!
[YEA] 05/19/2007: Carla from Syracuse, NY writes: "My ears were plugged solid due to a head cold. I happened to watch 'Oprah' that day and saw a Dr using a 'sinus wash' to clear out sinus. He used a 'nose biday (sp?)' with warm salt water. I found in my house a sippy cup with a straw attatched. Stand over the sing. Tip your head sideways and pour the warm mixture in & up that nostril...until it starts coming out the other nostril. I found it helpful to push the back of my tongue up against the back of my throat so it wouldn't come down my throat. When the mixture starts coming out of the opposite nostil, stop. Do the other side. The blow the hell out of your nose. IT WORKS! OMG I was so happy to HEAR again after a week!!"
[YEA] 03/13/2009: Nate from Kansas City , Mo. replies: "Short and simple it works Thank You! Just don't blow to hard it can make your ears hurt, but worked first time I tried it, not 100% yet but few more times will do the trick thanks again."
[WARNING!] 02/21/2010: Paul from Bloomington, In replies: "I'm all for Neti pots for sinus irrigation however be very careful not to blow too hard as this is what caused my latest earache. In fact always keep this in mind when having any sinus congestion. The pressure of holding your nose and blowing pushes up the mucus into the ear canal. Remember blow gently, don't honk your brains out."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 02/22/2010: Paul from Bloomington, In writes: "Sodium Chlorite for Earaches
I had an earache the day before yesterday and looked on Earth Clinic to see what I could do. I tried peroxide on a cue tip which seemed in the immediate to increase my pain. Then I tried a warmed moist towel which helped ease the pain down a bit.
I realized I was going to have to kill off this infection else resort to antibiotics which I wanted to avoid for various reasons. Then I remembered I had some Sodium Chlorite solution in which people use to combat virus' yeast, fungi, and bacteria. As suggested I had a while ago started with one drop in a glass of water and had built up to three drops. I started to increase my dosage more aggressively adding one drop for each glass I finished. I did this twice a day but I noticed by the next morning after increasing my dose my earache was gone. My sinus' were still stopped up but to this point my earache has not come back even though there is still mucus in the ear canal.
It is important to remember not to take the sodium chlorite alone but to squeeze in a fair amount of lemon or lime juice in with a full glass of water. I've been using a half a small lime for every glass and drink this twice a day. I'm up to seven drops and it is recommended you work your way up to 15 drops. I will continue this method until my sinus' clear and report back any changes."
02/25/2010: Paul from Bloomington, In replies: "This is an update to the previous post. As stated before the Sodium Chlorite got rid of my ear infection but not my sinus infection. After working up to over 10 drops per glass twice a day my sinus infection went away. It took some days to do this as you cannot go from zero drops to double digits overnight. If you did it might not be safe and in the least you'd experience loss bowels. Anyway for me, for this condition, Sodium Cholite is a definite yea."
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1 YEA
[YEA] 12/22/2009: Kim from Dallas, Tx, United States writes: "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."
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1 YEA
2 NAY
[NAY] 02/28/2008: Dustin Carlson from Fargo, North Dakota writes: "Sorry but the blow dryer does not work...it makes in completly worst than it normaly was so dont put false things on here that arnt gonna work"
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[NAY] 03/07/2007: Carol from Benicia, United States writes: "ok first of all i asked the doctors if u are allowed to use the blow dryer for a ear ache and the doctor said no because it gets worse. but before i asked them i did use the blow dryer and now it's worse."
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[YEA] 04/21/2006: Sam from Lancaster, Ohio writes: "I use a blow dryer whenever I have an ear ache, and it instantly helps. You don't have to buy anything for this remedy unless you do not have a blow dryer."
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2 YEA
[YEA] 02/26/2010: Holly from Greenville, Sc writes: "Urine for Earaches
I saw this page, and wondered why I didn't see this rememdy. Yes, most people I mention it to look at me like I'm crazy, and I understand that. And all I can say is that I've done this three or four times and it worked like a charm. The last time I had an ear ache, I peed in a cup and poured some in my ear, just as you would do with hydrogen peroxide. I laid on my side and let it sit for a few minutes. Within minutes, my ear ache was gone, and never returned. Like I said, I've only done this maybe four times over many years, but I would definetely do it again. I would think, of course, that if you are what you eat, and you eat terribly, then your urine may be toxic! Besides that, I may be a little crazy to do what I did, but I heard it from somewhere, and now you're hearing it from me. It was like presto fix-o!"
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