Effective Natural Earache Remedies for Pain Relief

Mullein Tincture

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 11/26/2023
★★★★★

I've been having a nagging ear-ache for a few days now. My GF used my “Otoscope” to look into my ear but saw nothing… normal.

I had to go to a family function and my ear was killing me but did not want to put oily balms or garlic smelling oils in my ear being around family members asking…. “what's that smell…?”

So, after showering, I walked to my herbal preparation area in my kitchen thinking… OK what can I use that won't smell? I grabbed my mullein tincture, tilted my head and applied 25 drops into the canal and plugged it with a cottonball.

I then proceeded to finish getting dressed. 5 minutes later, I noticed the pain was gone so I just left the cottonball in my ear. Got into my car and drove to my family gathering. 1 hour later pain still gone.

Now, why did I choose Mullein Tincture?

Mainly because I did not have any mullein flower oil and it takes 2 weeks to make it. So on to plan B.

It is believed that Europeans discovered the medicinal potential of common mullein in the island of Thapsos, in Greece, hence its botanical name, Verbascum thapsus. Ancient physicians, such as Galen, Hippocrates, Plinius, and Dioscorides wrote about the herbs's various medicinal uses.

The entire plant is active herbally. So pervasive was the use of Mullein in early America, one of the Missouri pioneers named Helderman, was heard to offer this valuable advice to his young grandson: "Young sprout, you see that plant (Mullein) over there? That'll heal about anything."

Mullein leaves and flowers are classified in traditional herbal literature as expectorants (promotes the discharge of mucus) and demulcents (soothes irritated mucous membranes). Historically, mullein has been used by herbalists as a remedy for the respiratory tract, particularly in cases of irritating coughs with bronchial congestion. Some herbal texts extend the therapeutic use to pneumonia and asthma. Due to its mucilage content, mullein has also been used topically by herbalists as a soothing emollient for inflammatory skin conditions. Today, people have discovered it works very well for COVID lungs.

So, if you are suffering from an ear-ache and you have mullein tincture, stick it in your ear!

Aloe Vera

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 05/22/2022
★★★★★

My girlfriend had an earache from breathing all the pollen in the air this spring. She describes it as a constant throbbing pain deep inside her ear. Just by chance I have been reading a book called “Curandero Hispanic Ethno-Psychotherapy & Curanderismo: Treating Hispanic … By Antonio Noé Zavaleta Ph.D” translation: Treating Hispanic Mental Health.

In the back of the book, Dr. Antonio talks about Mexican home remedies used for various health problems. One was using aloe vera leaf for earache. They heat the gel from the leaf and place it gently on the outer ear for an hour or so. This remedy usually solves the problem in cases where the infection is not the cause of the problem. Aloe vera helps to correct abnormalities in the ear. The same properties that help it reduce swelling, inflammation and pain when you have a skin burn are also effective when used in the ear. When applied, it can help to restore pH balance and deflate swelling tissue, reducing itchiness and pain.

The best part is that it's all natural and safe for any age. So, using my GF as a guinea pig... here is how I extract aloe for her ear-ache.

Cut enough peeled aloe leaf to place into a garlic press. About ½ by ½ gel cube will do. Gentle squeeze the press so the gel is forced through the little holes on the press to release the liquid inside the gel cell membranes. Next, use a medicine eye dropper to drop 3 - 5 drops into the children's ear or 15 – 20 for adult.

More if you desire, it does not hurt. This is most easily done when your lying on your side or head tilted to the side. After applying, put a cotton ball in the ear for a few minutes or hour to keep the aloe from draining out. Keep in mind that putting cold liquids into the ear is quite uncomfortable and could lead to dizziness. If you keep your aloe vera leaf in the refrigerator, you may want to heat it slightly in the microwave before use. The aloe should be room temperature, not hot.

Aloe vera left at room temperature can be applied comfortably. Results: She woke up with no pain. Yah! All hail the Sabila Catus!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 12/06/2022

Hi Rob,

I have done this for years (I am sure I first saw it here at Earth Clinic! ) and my kids love this. My adult daughter asked me to do this for her when she was stopped by the other day; she's been under the weather.

It disinfects and dissolves/softens ear wax!

~Mama to Many~

Salt Solution or Warm Water

Posted by Milroc (Ny) on 10/21/2017
★★★★★

I couldn't believe it. My son sometimes had some earache because of congestion-cold. My son had his first earache in december 31 of 2014. I went to the pediatrician, they gave me amoxillicin, which it still on my fridge, I never used it. We used salt water, a safer solution according to my hubby, you put some salt with water in a dropper, 2 drops that you leave for 10 seconds. It worked fine, I don't remember all the details sorry, I know that I was surprised by the results.The child slept well. With years, and after another episode of earache, I started to read on this site about warm olive oil, and asking myself if it wasn't the warmth that act. So, I heated the dropper, so it was warm salt water (I didn't use olive oil). This one was quick. The pain was gone after 10-15 seconds.

I read on this site somewhere (or on another site), that earache can be because of pressure, and you need to hear a noise. So when I put the warm-salt water on my son ear, I'm asking him, if he hear 'tac-tac' and he hears this noise. I can't explain the organ or whatever process, maybe his ear opens. I have no idea.

This week, he has some ear infection, 3 times, he is a little congested too. He came from school with a an earache. I started to give him the first time, warm-salt water, it works quickly fine. But what is suprising, is once I forgot to put the salt. I heat the water, and use the dropper. As usual, he hear 'tac-tac...tac' on his ear, after less than one minute he is fine. If your child doesn't feel better, add 2 more drops. Don't forget to remove the excess of water with some paper, by tilting the head of the child. I'm so pissed off by the medical community. Warm water, and that works, you can add water to kill germs too. Try it, it's quick, take maximum 1 minute. And give your child a role to tell you if he hears a noise, he will be happy to help. I think that earache due to wax build-up won't be better with this method, it's only my guess. My son has an earache when he has a cold-congestion.

This site after my bible site is my favorite site on all the internet since 2011.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Sunny (Ca) on 02/04/2014
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I did multiple things but I believe what cured me was the oregano oil soft gels. So, I have tried the garlic oil in cotton and it has worked perfectly in the past. Not this time, my pain/ cloggedness kept persisting( I think I had a very strong infection). I had been having it for like 6 days very slight, but not gone! And the plugged/ congested feeling. So I tried olive oil in ear, garlic oil in ear, Apple Cider Vinegar with alcohol drops. Apple Cider Vinegar alone drops , garlic water in nasal irrigation ( slice garlic let sit in drinking water for 1 min )in the neti pot, and lastly half hydrogen peroxide half warm water in ear wash with syringe ouch!!! The last one made me have so much pain, that I was reconsidering visiting my doctor. Even though I know that all they were going to do is give me antibiotics and like steroid drops for ear.

What has worked in CURING my infections before was oil of oregano soft gels. So I figured it would help with my ear pain/ I think it was an ear infection. So I bought it yup its expensive but it does the job! It cost me $40 dollars! For 60 softgels. It is the "Oreganol wild oregano" by North American Herb and Spice ( highly rated on Amazon, check it out) you can get it in like health food stores, or like Whole Foods Market, or online. But since I wanted this gone I went to my health food store. You can also try the regular one, if you cant afford the super strength is stronger( just take more). So when I got it I took 3, then 3 for luch and 2 for dinner.

I know that there is lose oil by them( in a little jar) but I do not like this, I only like the softgels!! That is my advice. I feel since its ingested it get more in you body/ blood stream/ tissues.

I also made myself a tomato tea from this site look for it on this site it has a name like Jeans tomato tea or something like that. But mine has some other ingredients. I add to it sea salt, oregano and garlic, onion. Put as much lemon and chili as you can handle( I use cayenne pepper( this drink will help you to drain the ear fluid, amongst other things it will do) So yea the next day I felt so much better! My ear felt good! , but I will continue to keep taking softgels for some like 3 more days, as I want to kill what ever, it is dead! But I feel very good!

My recommendations would be to attach what ever it is in many ways, garlic water nose rinse, via neti pot, these softgels for inner battle, eat good and add oils in ear.

I think I had an inner ear infection! Yup its a hard place to get to as is very inside, but thru can get to it thru digestive means, and also thru throat/ nose means.

Other advice: if you can afford to go to a chiropractor I would advice to go. The do ear work too.

Why it should work

It should work because oregano oil is antiviral, antibacterial, anti fungal .. I think its also anti inflammatory etc. so what ever it is you have it will kill it.

It will be ingested, and can get to hard to reach areas such as the inner ear part. I think its called the middle ear??

I wanted to share my story as a way to thank my lord for allowing me to finding the solution to heal my body, without harming it further with useless antibiotics. And because I was in a desperate place where I was not getting a full healing( ear pain/ cloggedness sucks).

I would say for fast results attack it all ways, by ear, by ingestion, by massage out side of ear, to get it good and fast. Also eat healthy.

I know its long, but I needed to show that I had a sever inner infection and I needed to do much prior to getting full healing. So... DONT GIVE UP!! WHEN THEY TELL YOU ITS NOT CURABLE, TELL THEM , YES IT IS!! I JUST HAVEN'T FOUND THE WAY YET ;)

What I learned for the future....

Any time I have any type of infection I will reach without a second thought to my Oreganol Oil of Oregano Softgels. Im ready for you FLU :p lol

Comment if you ever use this method and it works for you.

Namaste my loves :)

Garlic

Posted by Pam E. (Southern California) on 11/29/2021 178 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 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!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by emt_scheid911 (Detroit, MI) on 05/15/2009
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Hello,

I came to the website in search of something to help with my ear pain which I associated with having impacted wax with a q-tip yesterday. I read about the peroxide and used it and was immediatly regretful! I became so dizzy that I passed out immediatly and when I woke up I didn't stop vomiting for the next 2 hours. It took the whole day for the dizziness to go away. And after all that-nothing changed in my ear whatsoever. I went to the doctor and he said to make sure you MIX the peroxide 50/50 with warm water, and to make sure the peroxide is WARM. If you put it in your ear cold-you will get the side effects that I did. So-I'm not saying it doesn't work because clearly for some it does. Just make sure you WARM THE PEROXIDE and make sure you DILUTE it, and make sure it really is ear wax because I ended up having an infection and a ruptured ear drum!

Take care guys!

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.

Ear Pick

Posted by Leah (Friendswood, Tx) on 08/31/2009
★★★★★

I found that when I would use a q-tip, I had to twist it or the wax would get pushed into the ear canal to where it felt like I was deaf. Yay for the curette.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Daniel (Spokane, WA) on 09/21/2006
★★★★★

First, thank you for the great website--I've been searching for this type of confirmation for several days now. My story is that I use earplugs when I sleep, as I awake easily. About a week ago, I had taken a shower right before bed and dried ears with a towel (no q-tip). The earplug didn't seem to go in as usual (perhaps the wrong angle). The day after, about mid-day, I noticed that my ear was hurting. Two days later I was in a full-blown ear infection. I stopped working a few months ago to do some studies, as such, no money to go to the doctor. I prayed and the Lord said to read a book about hydrogen peroxide that was sitting on my shelf and decided that it wouldn't hurt. So, I put one cap of H2O2 into my ear and let it sit for about 5 minutes. I couldn't hear anything happening, at first. Then the bubbling started. Rather cool. I kept doing this every two to three hours. By the end of the night, the pain (so strong that I really couldn't touch the ear without feeling like I was going to throw up) was 90% gone. After two treatments the following day, there is no longer ANY pain whatsoever. Praise the Lord! Now, I must say that I don't know for certain if my immune system had typed the virus/bacteria by this point, as I had been sick for a few days by the time I started... Regardless, the pain appeared to decrease with each treatment--I thought I was imagining it until the 4th treatment--I then KNEW that there was a difference. By the way, I should mention that I also dried my ear out with q-tips, and then used a warm blow dryer for about 10 minutes after each treatment. Perhaps I had come down with swimmer's ear from using the earplugs on wet ears--drying is important. Anyway, thank God for hydrogen peroxide and a cured ear infection. I am now using 3% in a humidifier, breathing it in for multiple 5 minute sessions throughout the day, and have seen a big difference in my energy levels--very cool. I might add that I have to inhale with my eyes closed...else the stuff irritates my eyes. Pretty cool stuff!

Aloe Vera

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 01/23/2024
★★★★★

A Mexican woman showed me a simple way to extract the aloe juice for placing into your ear.

Cut off about 3 inches of the aloe leaf. Then cut the sides to remove the spikes. Then cut thru the middle to open up the leaf and expose the gel inside.

Use a fork to mash the gel cells to release to aloe juice. Next, use a knife to cut lose all the mashed gel.

Now, place all the mash gel and juice into a clean small 1/2 pint jar. This will be messy. Next, add pure clean water or distilled water (if using in the eyes) to the jar. Stir mixture and now your aloe juice is complete and ready to be placed in the ear canal.

This method is a whole lot easier to get the juice into the eye dropper.

Aloe Vera

Posted by Jane S. (USA) on 11/30/2020
★★★★★

EAR ECZEMA - (ailment): working for me right now: ALOE VERA

I get the 99% stuff & put it on a q-tip and it's pretty miraculous.

I'd been suffering for months with it, ever since I used coconut oil in my ears for itchy ears with a qtip, becauseI had an earache.

BTW, NEVER put coconut oil IN YOUR EARS bc the way that CO is can cause problems like ear blockage, like in my ears.

OLIVE OIL is fine & will clear up your earache. Never Coconut Oil.

Anyway, back to this, so after going to the dr to clear up the ear blockage, I had ear eczema, and have had it for months. Right now just felt inside my ear, I think I still have ear eczema, will get back to you & hopefully this will completely clear it up in a few days - the aloe vera.

Aloe Vera

Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 12/01/2020 563 posts

Coconut oil can't block your ears as it liquifies long before it reaches the temperature of the body and I would say the profound effect you experienced was actually evidence of the work it was almost certainly doing. You can't expect to experience no symptoms when an effective remedy is applied. The more effective it is, the more evidence there will be that something is happening.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Abhi (Tamil Nadu) on 10/25/2017
0 out of 5 stars

i am getting pain in my ear (bottom part) after using hydrogen peroxide. it is really pains baddly. please suggest anything.

Coconut Oil

Posted by Jay (Toronto, Canada) on 01/25/2014
★★★★★

If you want a solution to ear infections without the garlic odor use organic extra virgin coconut oil. It is antifungal, antibiotic, antiviral and antibacterial like garlic. It also dissolves any hard wax build-up without the need for any other material. It is solid at room temperature but melts at 24 degrees C or 75 degrees F(DO NOT heat it). You can put a small fingernail sized piece just inside of your ear and if you are lying on your side within a few minutes the piece will melt and flow into your ear canal without any help . Leave in ear for at least 15 minutes(or as long as you wish) and then drain and wipe ear. Ideally do this with both ears. Doing this for each ear regularly will cure any minor infection and prevent a reoccurrence of any wax build-up problem.

Cigarette Smoke

Posted by Cnitzken (Louisville, Ky) on 05/02/2012
★★★★★

Cig smoke in ear works. I have been dying in pain for 6 days with antibiotic drops with steroids. Went to class I teach and students told me of this. I let them do it - I am a smoker - and ALAS. Pain gone. Thank God

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! )

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!!!!!!!!

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.

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.

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.

Campho Phenique

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 10/01/2026
★★★★★

CAMPHO-PHENIQUE for EARACHE and PAIN –

I finally had a chance to try this remedy. I had developed ear pain in my left ear for the last few days. So I dipped a Q-tip into a bottle of Campho-Phenique, pulled my earlobe outward and swirled the C-P around the inside of my ear canal. I did both ears and went to bed. When I woke up the pain had reduced by 50%. Swabbed my ear's again twice that day and today I really haven't noticed pain at all.

So yes, I will say this lost remedy does work and quite well. Thank you Joseph Lister for you experiments in medicine back in 1867-1884 and for writing it down so someone (like me) could read about it centuries later.