Activated Charcoal
★★★★★
I came here and used the Zaditor and it did very much give me *some* relief. I also found youtube videos on exercises to clear the eustachian tube and that helped as well. But then it came back. I felt so sad.
It seems to be related to my digestion, I seem to have pain at the same time as gas and bloating.
Because of that I decided to take activated charcoal. Then I read online activated charcoal could help ear infections. So I mixed activated charcoal and olive oil and put it in my ear with a Q tip.
Instant relief. Wow. Mouth swelling immediately went down. I am so happy and grateful! I hope this helps someone else.
(Northern California)
10/25/2024
★★★★★
This is amazing! I've had severely plugged ears (Eustation Tubes), off-and-on for months now! I tried it all; or so I thought! This charcoal/olive oil concoction worked almost immediately! I mixed several capsules (4-5) of activated charcoal (messy getting the capsules open) into a dropper-type bottle. I used a small funnel, and then added approximately 3 teaspoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Shook the bottle well, and then turned my head sideways and squirted a few drops into my ear. Be careful not to put too much in, as the oil is charcoal black and runny. Have a wipe of some kind, nearby. I then placed a piece of cotton ball in my ear, after the oil started to roll into my ear and then lifted my head slowly up. Within a few minutes, I felt relief, and after about 10 minutes, I could actually hear clearly through the cotton! I cannot thank you enough, Rosemary!
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Mix about 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with 2 cups of water. Place in metal pot and heat this mixture for few minutes. Turn off the heat and remove from heat source, drape a towel over your head and then inhale the steam. Inhale the steam for 3 – 5 minutes. Close your eyes and mouth while inhaling the vapors. Repeat the process regularly for best results.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
(Co. Dublin)
10/26/2020
Did you not try the elder flower, one dessert spoonful a day. It is great to build up immunity. If you feel not right some day, take 2 spoons that day.. People here are finding it great help.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
I had itchy Eustachian tubes (connection from the ears to the throat) from seasonal allergies. If left untreated I get a very bad cold. I put some drops of ACV into my ears until I felt it pass all the way through to my throat (I could taste it). The itching stopped immediately and I never developed a cold. You can also put some on a Q-tip and it works just as well. Michele-NYC.
(Wallingford, Ct, USA)
02/19/2009
Regarding the comment/question on the ACV passing through a person's ear to their throat: It IS possible for that to happen, without a ruptured ear drum! It happens ALL the time to me in the shower, or when I've used rubbing alcohol in my ears. Our ear canals, nose/sinuses, and throat are ALL connected! Ever see some crazy stunt on tv or just some kid when you were in school, pulling spaghetti thru odd places and milk up their nose and out of their eyes?!? Yes, even your tear ducts are connected. This is why you wash your hands and keep them away from your face! lol. No, I'm no doctor but I read- a lot. and I also have gotten sick - a lot.
(Australia)
03/24/2016
I agree 100%
Cayenne Pepper
★★★★★
Take 2,8oz glasses, fill one with cool to cold water the other with no more warm to hot water you can swallow in one gulp, in the hot water, put 1/8 to 1/4 level teaspoon of "cayenne powdered red pepper", mix very well, then pick up both glasses, down the hot water and red pepper in one gulp "quickly". as soon as you've done that, put the cold water into your mouth and rinse vigorously and swallow, repeat the rinse with cold water until your mouth is warm to hot, quit rinsing, fill your lungs with all the air they can hold, and hold your breath for as long as you can, then let the air "slowly out your "nose" repeat the breathing exercise 4 to 5 times, by the fifth time your pain will be gone!!
(Kentucky)
09/30/2024
★★★★★
Sage and Cayenne for Gargle for Sore Throat - Very strong sage tea, ½ pt.; strained honey, common salt, and strong vinegar of each, 2 tablespoons; cayenne, the pulverized, one rounding teaspoon; steeping the cayenne with the sage, strain, mix and bottle for use, gargling from 4 to a dozen times daily, according to the severity of the case.
This is one of the best gargles in use. By persevering some three months I cured a case of two years' standing where the mouths of the Eustachian tubes constantly discharged matter at their openings through the tonsils into the patient's mouth, he having previously been quite deaf, the whole throat being also diseased. I used the preparation for "Deafness" also, as mentioned under that head.
Book - Dr. Chase's New Receipt Book and Medical Advisor or Information for Everbody by A.W. Chase M.D. page 89,1920
(PNW)
10/01/2024
Hi Rob,
I just wanted to let you know that your posts are so very helpful and extremely interesting. I also love to research old medical journals.
Keep them coming!
Thank you very much, your health knowledge is very appreciated (and of course Art's! ).
Sherri
Colloidal Silver, Sea Salt
★★★★★
Spray 3 shots into each nostril 3 times a day. There are some guides on YouTube too.
That has done wonders for my EustachianTube Dysfunctions..
(TX)
09/22/2023
Onion Poultice
★★★★★
Here are two methods I use.
Onion poultice over the ear:
- To help reduce the discomfort caused by the ear infection, evenly dice up an onion into small pieces about ¼ inch and place it in a thin cloth or strong paper towel. Fold the paper towel like a burrito and use the flat edge of your knife to press down on the onion poultice so the juices soak up into the towel. Place this onion cloth over your ear and hold it in place with a hair band or ace bandage. Leave the cloth on for several hours until the pain disappears.
Onion juice in the ear:
- Extract 1 teaspoon of onion from a grated onions on to a strong paper towel then gather the ends of the paper towel carefully and squeeze the juice out of the grated onion into a small bowl. Then using an eyedropper put 2 or 3 drops (for a child) or 10 drops (for a adult) of the onion juice into affected ear followed by placing a cottonball into the ear 2 or 3 times a day.
Turmeric
★★★★★
I devised my own recipe based on common use. Here it is... 1 teaspoon turmeric, ground black pepper, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, half mug milk, half mug warm water. Stir well until coconut oil has melted and drink once a day until healed.
I hope other readers find my cure helpful. Good luck. Never give up hope.
Earache cure.... I have had annoying ear complaints for years. Tried swimmers ear remedy, no relief, Betadine, giving temporary relief. I refuse to use antibiotics or waste money on an ENT specalist. One day, I thought about how I got rid of a boil using my recipe above, by cleansing from within. I drank my 'boil recipe' to cleanse from within, and treated externally by dropping ACV into my ear, allowing to stay for a few minutes. After 2 days I reached for something and I felt/heard a kind of flutter in my ear. Feeling encouraged, I Continued the turmeric drink, . I felt incredible warmth after consumption and the next day I noticed the most exciting thing. After driving up a steep hill, I heard a crackling sound in my ear, as my eustachian tube equalized. I cannot remember when I last heard this crackle. Burping or sneezing brought pain, even yawning. Now I feel like a kid with a new toy, and love to swallow and hear that crackle again. No more pain either.
Zaditor Eye Drops
★★★★★
Can You Put Eye Drops in Your Ear For Ear Infection? For the most part, YES, but not vice-versa.
A friend of mine from Mexico “Javier” says, Yes! His father was the local herbal doctor in his village during his childhood. He learned from him. He says this method can be used in the eyes, ears and nose also.
For some patients, ear drops may burn when placed in the ear. Given eye drops uses a much "gentler" solution, such people find that eye drops don't burn in the ear nearly as much compared to ear drops.
Also, it may be cheaper for people if the EYE drop medication is prescribed rather than the EAR drop medication. Often, it is not unusual for a brand name ear drop medication to be available in generic eye drop form.
Prescription ear drops cost: Price variation in the most commonly prescribed ear drops in Southern California as of 2017. Data were collected from 108 pharmacies. The mean prices are noted for each of the individual drugs:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28120334/
Cortisporin (brand) 10 mL, $82.70;
Neomycin, polymyxin B sulfates, and hydrocortisone (Cortisporin-generic) 10 mL, $34.70;
Ofloxacin (generic) 10 mL, $99.95;
Sulfacetamide (generic) 15 mL, $40.18;
Ciprodex (brand) 7.5 mL, $194.44
Cipro HC (brand) 10 mL, $233.32
Vosol (brand) 15 mL, $120.75
Acetic acid (Vosol-generic) 10 mL, $116.55
VosolHC (brand) 10 mL, $204.14
Acetic acid/aluminum acetate (Domeboro-generic) 60 mL, $22.99
Tobradex (brand) 5 mL, $166.47
Oh, and don't forget the ENT Doctor visit. ENT New Patient Office Visit ranges from $136 to $409.
NOW... EAR drop medications should NOT be used in the EYE because preservatives used in eye drop preparations are much gentler than those used in ear drops due to the eyeball being much more sensitive compared to the ear. As such, it may burn if ear drops are used in the eye... but not vice-versa.
For any EAR drop preparation, there is an equivalent EYE drop preparation which can be used safely in the ear.
• Floxin (Ear) equivalent to Ocuflox (Eye)
• Ciprodex (Ear) equivalent to Ciloxan (Eye) without the steroid dexamethasone
• Cipro HC (Ear) equivalent to Ciloxan (Eye) without the steroid hydrocortisone
• Cortisporin (neomycin-polymyxin-hydrocortisone) is available in both eye and ear preparations. Maxitrol (eye) contains decadron instead of hydrocortisone.
• Tobradex (Eye) can be used in the ear and is imprecisely similar to Cortisporin (Eye/Ear).
• Dexamethasone 0.1%, Fluocinonide 0.05%, as well as Prednisolone 1% (Eye) can all be used in the ear and is imprecisely similar to Dermotic
• Vasocidin (Eye) which contains sulfacetamide and prednisolone has no ear equivalent
Javier says to use Zaditor Eye drops as Ear drops. Cost $13.00 for 5ml at Wal-mart.
Zaditor Drug class: Ophthalmic antihistamines and decongestants. Since the middle and inner ear are filled with fluid (mucus) that is a breeding ground causing the infection. An antihistamine decongestant would be the perfect medicine for that condition.
Zaditor (for use in the eyes) is used to treat itching of the eyes caused by allergy to dust, pollen, animals, or other allergens. Zaditor may also be used for purposes not listed in it's medication guide. Meaning “as ear drops” if nothing else is available.
(Zaditor) Contains active ingredient Ketotifen is an antihistamine that reduces the effects of natural chemical histamine in the body. Histamine can produce symptoms of sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and runny nose.
Example: If your nose was affected -- say by pollen -- histamines causes thin walled membranes, to make more mucus. You can get a runny or stuffy nose. And you'll sneeze. The mucus can also bother your throat and make you cough. A histamine intolerance looks like a lot like seasonal allergies — if you eat histamine-rich food or drinks, you may experience hives, itchy or flushed skin, red eyes, facial swelling, runny nose and congestion, headaches, or asthma attacks. The release of histamines can cause inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the nasal cavities and ears. This inflammation can result in a blockage in the ears that prevents fluid or mucus from draining away, setting the stage for infection and leading to ear pain from the pressure building up inside the ears. This is known as fluid behind the eardrum, ear congestion, blocked eustachian tube, which will lead to “fullness feeling” in the ear, ear infection, earaches, see where I'm going with this…?
(Zaditor) Inactive Ingredients:
Benzalkonium chloride - is a quaternary ammonium antiseptic and disinfectant with actions and uses similar to those of other cationic surfactants. It is also used as an antimicrobial preservative for pharmaceutical products.
Glycero - is a naturally occurring chemical. This medication is used to relieve pain, congestion, and swelling caused by middle ear inflammation (acute otitis media). This medication is also used to help remove earwax.
Hydrochloric acid - medication is used to treat outer ear infections (e.g., swimmer's ear).
Water -
Sodium hydroxide (also known as caustic soda or lye) – used here is a disinfectant.
How many Zaditor eye drops to use in the ears:
Child over 3 years old = 1 drop in ear canal. Pump the Tragal Cartilage. Plug ear with cotton ball. Repeat 3x/daily til issue resolved.
Adult = 2-3 drops in ear canal. Pump the Tragal Cartilage. Plug ear with cotton ball. Repeat 3x/daily til issue resolved.
Video – How to Pump the Tragal Cartilage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm66HB8Be-Y
Does it hurt when you put Zaditor eye drops in your ear? NO! I have done this myself. Feels like putting water drops in the ear.
(USA)
05/20/2022
★★★★★
Rob,
My sincere thanks to you for posting this remedy and also sincere thanks to your friend Javier. The Zaditor works! Cleared my ear infection together with 3x a day Probiotic 34 strains CFU 100 billion 1 capsule, 3 Oregano oil capsules and 3 Olive Leaf capsules. Had already spent over $600 for doctor visit and antibiotics for this and was still stuck with ear infection! Does your friend Javier have more remedies he can offer for other ailments?
(Sydney, Australia)
10/15/2022
★★★★★
In Australia, it's called Zaditen and it costs $20.00 you can purchase it at a discount Chemist. I have had problems with my ears since 2020 went to ENT's told me I need to get a gromit in my left ear here we are today 2022 Hospital calls me finally it was my turn after 2 years ha for my gromit to be fitted in my left ear scheduled for 31st October firstly I don't have a blocked eustachian tubes in my left ear any more Glory be to God, it just popped one day after I came out of the sauna .... I use a cpap machine and I have had sinus problems and my ears keep blocking In the last two years I have tried ACV Hydrogen peroxide and every mixture and concoction you can find on earth clinic.
3 weeks ago my right ear blocked after I had a cold but I thank God for Rob and Zavier I started using Zaditen 2 drops 3 times a day and today I can hear the clicks clearly as I type on my phone and I know its getting better and better I also use collloidal silver as a nasal spray I purchased this from the health food store by ALLAN SUTTON. To all my fellow Aussies on here, and I am soo elated that this remedy works it doesn't happen over night but it sure takes the pressure off and I am hoping as I use these eyedrops in my ears and eyes cause we are in spring season in my neck of the woods that this ear shall pop as well no antibiotics no ENT's no gromits just great advice on earth clinic so appreciative. Thank you.
A comparable product to Zaditen here in the US that has the same active ingredient, ketotifen 0.025%, would be Zaditor. Here is a link to a product :
Art
(Nj)
05/07/2023
★★★★★
Many, many thanks to Rob (from Kentucky). After losing hearing on my left year, I used the generic brand of Zaditor Eye Drops by CVS, after reading Rob's post. My hearing is back to my surprise. I had poked with q-tips to loose my hearing. Can't thank enough to Rob!
(London)
07/28/2023
Middle ear fluid elimination naturally
I read a wonderful post and reviews here by Rob on Zadiator Eye drops for middle ear fluid . I've just got home from a 2nd visit for my dear Mum to The ENT DR she has currently lost 50% in her right ear and they are wanting to put her under to get a biopsy!! Which seems utterly ridiculous as she has no other symptoms other than a pulse in the ear . Now I've managed to get her BP lowered the pulse has improved. They also want to put grommets in to remove the fluid or give her a hearing aid but I feel we can sort this naturally. Being in the UK I can't find this brand of eye drops.? Does anyone please know an equivalent with similar ingredients sold in the uk or how best I can get it shipped? I was going to do an onion poultice and then came across this information which seems definitely worth doing. Very happy to find this website and welcome any help. Thank you
(Kentucky)
07/28/2023
@ Backley: Look for Zaditen 0.25 mg/ml, eye drops, solution in the UK. It's Composition is as follows: Ketotifen Benzalkonium chloride Glycerol (E422) Sodium hydroxide (E524) Water for injections Same ingredients as Zadiator here in the USA. Source: https://www.thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk/products/zaditen Hope it helps....
(Oak island)
07/28/2023
(United States)
08/06/2023
★★★★★
It works!!! Thank you to the original poster!!! I get clogged ears once in a while and it usually plagues me for about a week or even longer—but today is day 3 of using CVS store brand Zaditor and my ear is unclogged!!!
May Father bless you all for your help!
(Virginia)
11/15/2023
★★★★★
10 years ago, one side of my mouth swelled shut after the flu. Excruciating pain. I went to the ER, and the antibiotics they gave me made me ever so sick. My mouth didn't get better from it. Thought it must be impacted wisdom teeth.
It eventually went down. Had some issues through the years but never as bad. I found earthclinic back then and was from then on afraid of doctors.
Well, I recently was having the mouth pain, and it wouldn't go away for a month. I got the flu and it became unbearable. I thought maybe I had a salivary stone? Because my tongue and lymph and throat and ear all hurt.
I went to a doctor. It was a ruptured ear drum!
They prescribed prednisone and allergy meds. I was so desperate I took them. It didn't get better.
I came here, found Zaditor, put it in my ear and HALLELUJAH.
I can feel it leaking into the back of my throat and it's the only thing that can reach the pain there!
Thank you Earthclinic!
(Canada)
05/18/2024
Dear Rob,
I know this is an old thread, but I'm looking to cure my ear problem, which feels like 'glue ear' or as I call it 'Velcro ear' because as I open it manually I hear the velcro noise! Haven't been to a GP for years and now don't trust any of them to cure me. I've tried many things, first I thought it was wax, now I think it's either ETD or trapped fluid in inner ear from all the stuff I've put in there over the last year or so. Driving me insane, seems to get better with drainage exercises then worse after I sleep on it! I have tinnitus too. So I looked all over the internet, and as I'm in Canada I'm thinking this Ketotifen is prescription only? I have searched the names of eye drops that contain Ketotifen and they're all in the USA. Cannot find in any Canadian drugstore the ones listed. It's like living in an outdoor prison these days, this country has banned stuff that is beneficial, but promotes free illicit drugs that are NOT beneficial!? I tried Amazon but not available on the Canadian one either... so frustrating. Any suggestions? I hope you're still active on here. Thanks in advance. My full ear is driving me mad, if I pull it open I can hear, so I know it's not my hearing that's gone. :(
(Kentucky)
05/19/2024
@ Aveybaby
I can't believe that Zaditor Eye Drops are made in Canada but not sold in Canada. So I logged onto walmart.ca to see whats is available OTC and WOW! You guy really have nothing. Socialized medicine is back firing. I'm also hearing the same from friends in the Philippines. All there medicine is coming from China and it's either much weakier or does not work anymore.
I have a friend from here in Kentucky that now lives in Canada. She tells me horror stories about your healthcare system.
Here are your choices:
If anyone you know is flying or visiting the USA, have them pick one up for you and bring it back.
Or the old fashion way:
The heating pad at night, Garlic oil ear drops, Tiger Balm ‘Ultra Strength' around the outside of the ear, Inhaling steam through the sinuses...etc.….
Good luck...
(Canada)
05/20/2024
Hi Rob,
Thanks for the quick reply, I thought I'd get an email to tell me I had a reply but didn't? Anyway, yes we're in a sad state for OTC meds, I did check Walmart and a lot of others, and found zero. I came here in 1972 from UK, things were not so bad then, it's gone downhill steadily and Liberal gov doesn't do anything but spend our tax dollars on other countries... but I digress! Can't understand anyone moving here these days, as it's become foreign to me from the beautiful country it used to be. I can't believe this stuff is made in Canada!? Go figure! I have no faith in regular medicine, and yours in the USA isn't much better these days, but you have a lot more choice. The corruption from pharma being in bed with the GP's has made it so they will prevent Canadians from getting OTC meds because IMO they want to force us to go see the GP, ka-ching ka-ching for them if you get my drift? They're also trying to ban a lot of natural meds here too, I hope we can stop them! I hope there's no censoring on this site or you won't see that part? I believe I might have to try either Naturopathic doctor or Acupuncture next? I have tried Oil of Oregano rubbed around the ear, temporary relief. I did put olive oil mixed with Tea Tree oil drops in ear but it made it more gummy! So not going that route. So bit afraid of garlic oil or any kind of oil in the ear, but I might try the Tiger Balm Ultra strength.. can you get it from health food stores or Amazon? mind you our Amazon and yours are not the same, but I'll look online for it. Heating pad helped when I had some ear ache a few months ago, but I don't have pain now. I heard dairy can make it worse have you heard that? Other things I've tried are: Hydrogen Peroxide which used to help but now I think has left fluid in there once fizz has gone. Lugol's rubbed around ear, and once or twice tried it on a Q tip just gently into ear but no result. I've tried ACV which I swear by for lots of things, put on a Q tip gently into ear but nothing. I have inhaled steam with Oil of Oregano and Tea Tree and it does clear sinuses, but doesn't do anything for my blocked ear. The only other thing I can do is see my eye doctor and see if she can prescribe eye drops for me but not sure whether to tell her the truth as to real purpose, or fake itchy eyes. I hope I can get it by prescription this way? I was married to an American and did a lot of travel between the 2 borders, but we're divorced now and I have no desire to travel, and am pretty alone these days so no friends going there. So that's the story. I'm worried that if left it will eventually lead to hearing loss, but not sure. There was another thing I saw that blows air with some force up your nostril and is supposed to open the eustachian tube, but that too is only available in Canada through prescription!! You see they want to force us to see a specialist which takes months, and I wouldn't trust them anyway. Medicine has become like a bunch of drug dealers, they are paid to keep us sick. I'm doctoring myself these days. Thank you for any other help from you or others who may see this post. ♥
(New Orleans)
04/05/2025
Going to give it a whirl. I been doing things to help it drain out but nothing has come of them. I got a bronchial infection months ago but the ears are still filled with fluid. And the antibiotics that were prescribed gave me a C diff infection. Go figure. Thanks for Zaditor advice it's definitely worth a try.
(Melbourne, Australia)
04/28/2025
★★★★★
I had a blocked and constantly popping tube, sounded like water in my ear. Tried nose sprays, cold & flu tabs, Neti pot, drinking ACV, massage, acupressure points, peroxide in ears. Happy to report the eye drops worked for me after 1 day. I was still using the Neti pot with salt, and did a ACV steam with the towel over my head, but the eye drops I think were the final blow. I'm sure they'll block again at some point so have also ordered colloidal silver nose spray and will keep the Zatiden (I'm in Aus) handy.
(Kentucky)
04/29/2025
★★★★★
ZADITOR EYE DROPS GENERIC EQUIVALENT: UPDATE 2025
I found GENERIC VERSIONS for Zaditor Eye drops sold in the USA at the following:
AnchorEquate Eye Itch Relief, Antihistamine eye drops, 0.34 fl oz sold at Wal-mart. Price $9.18 as of 2025.
Ingredients: Ketotifen 0.025%, Purified Water, Glycerin, Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzalkonium Chloride 0.01%.
Walgreens Eye Itch Relief Drops, 0.17 oz sold at Walgreens. Price $12.00 as of 2025.
Ingredients: Ketotifen 0.025%, Purified Water, Glycerin, Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzalkonium Chloride 0.01%.
CVS Health Eye Itch Relief Antihistamine Eye Drops, 0.17 oz sold at CVS. Price $14.00 as of 2025.
Ingredients: Ketotifen 0.025%, Purified Water, Glycerin, Hydrochloric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzalkonium Chloride 0.01%
