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.
Onions
Posted by JJ (Dortmund, Germany) on 03/25/2007
★★★★★
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.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Linda (miramichi n.b. canada) on 05/21/2006
★★★★★
I had a severe chest infection and plugged left ear. After 2 rounds of antibiotics I got better but was left with dizziness and deafness and a ticking noise in left ear. I had lost 50% hearing. That was 2 years ago. I started using h202 in both ears about 1 year ago and noticed right away it cured the ticking and in time no more dizziness. I noticed about 2 months ago. I can hear perfectly in both ears. I am a great believer in hydrogen peroxide.Also my husband and I don't get sick much anymore. Thanks for the great site. linda c. canada
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!
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Paul (Bloomington, In) on 02/22/2010
★★★★☆
Had an ear infection due to clogged up sinus'. I got the ear infection to go away but not the mucus. I tried this cayenne cure and it somewhat worked. It did relieve a bit of the pressure and after a long nap did seem better but not completely gone.
Word to the wise, make sure you have some padding in your stomach like crackers, chips, bread as this cure burns both mouth and stomach. I had a hard time swishing the water as I was too concerned about the burning in my mouth. I did not follow this cure to the T so it might work better next time with practice.
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Sara (West Allis, Wi) on 02/08/2011
★★★★★
I tried this a year or two back when I had an inner ear infection with fluid in my ear due to a sinus infection. The doctor put me on antibiotics to clear up the infections, but I also did this cayenne pepper remedy. I felt it working on the first try, but I noticed more relief as I did it a couple more times. I would say after the 2nd or 3rd treatment, the fluid was almost completely gone and I could hear normally again. I have since bought stronger cayenne (the other stuff was old). It may not take as many treatments if you have some good quality cayenne.
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
Chamomile
Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 10/11/2024
★★★★★
If it be a child with earache, strong decoctions, such as chamomile tea, are douched or dropped in the canal.
INDICATIONS FOR PARACENTESIS OF THE MEMBRANA TYMPANI IN OTITIS MEDIA ACUTA. *BY H. V. WÜRDEMANN, M.D., MILWAUKEE, WIS.
The Laryngoscope, Volumes 2-3,1897. Ophthalmic and Aural Surgeon to the Children's Hospital; to the Milwaukee County Hospital for the Chronic Insane; Director to the Wisconsin General Hospital; Secretary of the Section on Ophthalmology and Otology of the Wisconsin State Medical Society, 1897.
Rubbing Alcohol and White Vinegar
Posted by Kiran Shrimali (A) on 10/11/2017 1 posts
★★★★★
First of all I like to thank those who have put up this solution for swimmer ear. I am using this solution and I got immediate result.
I have added 90% RUBBING ALCOHOL and 10% WHITE VINEGAR, I am using small nasal spray bottle for spraying it inside my ear canal and outer ear and all around my ear, after 1-2 min I clean my ear from inner and outer portion of my ear with cotton . Within 3 days I got the result. My ear which was deformed, it came back to its normal. I was having Ear Pimple and skin rashes all his problem got resolve.
My swimmer ear infection was extended to outer ear skin till my half face. So for this I have taken an antibiotic called "Flucloxacillin 500mg" empty stomach 2hr before food one table in a day for a week. This helped me to get my face recover for infection. I also some time use ear drops from the pharmacy when I feel itching in ear.
Once again I like to thank all those people who have share their experience for this swimmer ear infection.
Keep your ear clean and healthy and swim well.
Tea Tree Oil, Coconut Oil
Posted by Natalie (Washington Dc) on 02/12/2017
★★★★★
I've been suffering with a recurring ear infection for 2 years now, had my 4th one most recently and in the past I've had to go to urgent care to get topical antibiotic ear drops to cure it. I'm out in CA for work and my insurance does not cover doctors here, and I know the garlic oil trick has never worked in the past. I came across tea tree oil being diluted in VIRGIN coconut oil as they are both, anti bacterial, anti viral and anti fungal trying to get ride of the infection. 3 days on this treatment and I can confidently say I am cured. I will keep taking the following dosage 15 drops of tea tree oil diluted in a tablespoon of coconut oil 3Xs a day for 7 days.
I saw results the first day and I was able to sleep without any pain in my ear. I'm so glad I don't have to keep going to urgent care for this, as this is a recurring problem since I produce too much wax in my ears and therefore end up getting frequent ear infections as a result.
Vitamin E
Posted by Juliana (Edmonton, Canada) on 03/17/2015
★★★★★
I used garlic and HP for ear ache and never helped. In fact these 2 caused more pain than earache itself.
I use now, when my ear hurts, vitamin E in gel form and squeeze in my ear hole and pain stops right away. My family dr used to prescribe me antibiotics every time for earache, but I realized I start to have ear ache every time due to acidity in my body (candida). Thanks.
Pau d'Arco
Posted by Natalie (Washington, DC) on 08/21/2014
★★★★★
Caught an ear infection while I was on vacation in Mexico. Had to do something with swimming and the water I'm assuming. Well I had a flight to catch back home in a few hours the evening that I came down with the most excruciating ear pain of my life. Had originally brought several anti fungal herbs with me because I was combating a candida infection in my gut. There was no way for me to see a doctor and get prescription without missing my flight. So out of desperation I was ready to take the plunge on putting drops of the Pau d'Arco tincture I had with me, I also knew that Pau d'Arco is anti fungal and anti bacterial, a VERY potent one.
To my surprise it worked like a charm, the pain subsidized by half and was able to sleep through the night and catch my 4 am flight. I kept putting in about 10 drops every two hours until the pain completely disappeared in about 4 days. Once I got home I got on the net and read that Pau d'Arco is in fact a very strong bacteria and fungal inhibitor and the best way to actually use it when combating a ear infection is by warming up a little bit of olive oil and adding some Pau d'Arco (tincture form, they have water and alcohol) drops in the warm oil in order to separate the water and alcohol content from the herb. That way you get the Pau d'Arco drops without water and alcohol which may aggravate the infection.
I was so angry that this had happened the last evening I was on vacation but was very grateful to not have been seen by a doctor after the Pau d'Arco had worked. It was in a matter of days that I was able to gain my hearing back and no more pain. I know the harmful effects of antibiotics, I went through hell with C.diff, a resistant bug I came down after I took a course of antibiotics. I am blessed to know that we have many other options besides the pharmaceutical drugs that cause much harm.
Cigarette Smoke
Posted by Charlee (Baltimore, Md) on 08/20/2014
★★★★★
My husband told me to light a cigarette and put it in my ear because I had really bad pressure in it. I looked at him like he was crazy but I also looked up the ear candle that day and I said I'm NOT doing that so I lit a cigarette and put it in my ear and I couldn't believe, it was still smoking itself ( being fire safe)!!! Anyways I could actually feel the smoke in my ear and it popped and I did it again a few hours later and I have no pain! It does work!
Rubbing Alcohol and White Vinegar
Posted by Tommy (Fremont, Indiana) on 05/01/2012
★★★★★
Thank you I did the half and half of white vinager and alcohol it worked fine! Thank-you again
Vinegar
Posted by Obeybunny (Santa Ana, Ca, United States Of America) on 12/30/2011
★★★★★
What do you do about Ear aches, ear infections?
This is what I always do when I have an ear infection and it works every time, no matter how mild or severe the infection is.
Step 1: Take some vinegar. Dilute it to 50% vinegar and 50% warm water (just a few degrees above your normal body temperature).
Step 2:Tilt your head and poor in the vinegar water until your ear canal is full. Keep the vinegar water in there for 5 seconds and then dump it out.
Step 3: repeat step 2 at least twice.
Step 4: clean out your ears with a Q-tip (which are ear-cleaning cotton swabs on sticks)
Do these steps every day until your ear infection hasn't returned for 2 days. You can "vinegar up" your ears as often or as little as you like. If you're home all day, go ahead and wash out your ears with vinegar water on an hourly basis- you'll recover to full health in your ears faster this way.
And I do mean it cures "severe ear infections. " You may be doubled over in pain, deaf in both ears, and have been suffering with the infection for more than a month (as my mom was before she discovered this cure)- but if you follow the above instructions, you'll return to normal within a week.
Rubbing Alcohol and White Vinegar
Posted by Courtney (Los Angeles, Ca) on 12/04/2011
I have an earache and I tried the alcohol and white vinegar remedy, but so far all it has done is ease the pain very lightly and it is making my ear canal feel as if it is burning almost. The "burning" does not hurt, but I can tell it is there. Maybe I did not mix the alcohol and white vingegar correctly. Please help me I am in pain and I have class tomorrow.
Steaming Washcloth in Mug
Posted by Kirsty (Preston, Uk) on 10/08/2011
★★★★★
thank u so much! Just woke up with excrutiating earache and came online looking for something to help, did not fancy sticking ciggies or garlic in my ear an your suggestion seemed most sensible as when I was little and had earache my mum would always do me a hot water bottle to alleviate the pain. Within seconds of putting my ear over the mug I felt bubbles coming out of my ear and the pain subside. I am now happily going back to bed to finish my nights sleep before my 3 young children wake me up, I just wanted to say a huge thank you! And thank god for the internet! Lol.
Steaming Washcloth in Mug
Posted by Krissy06 (Detroit, Canada) on 11/03/2011
★★★★★
The mug thing did work with me as well :) thanks!
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Elaine (Edmond, Oklahoma, Usa) on 03/03/2011
You need to irrigate your ears with warm water and maybe a little liquid soap and peroxide after you use hydrogen peroxide in your ears. The Peroxide caused the ear wax to dislodge and swell. You can buy a ball syringe at any pharmacy. I use my water pic and it seems to wash all the "trash" out of my ears pretty well. If you wait too long this will turn into an infection and you'll have to see your doctor. Judging by the date I imagine you already have. Many years ago my doctor told me it is quite alright to irrigate your own ears. In fact he gave me a syringe to do it with.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Posted by Kevin (Canada) on 01/28/2023
I call BS on this post. Looks like robo-posting is all over the internet trying to dis-credit natural remedies.
Onions
Posted by Dr. Kate (Arnold, Md) on 04/25/2010
★★★★★
First tried this on a thick skinned 240lb man! Slice an onion and microwave 10-15 seconds. Give it the wrist test to be sure it is not too hot (like baby milk). Place a warm moist cloth on top and apply to the ear and canal (area just below ear lobe). Ear pain usually subsides in 10-15 minutes and can be repeated. Follow up with your healh care professional in the morning. Good for any age!
Urine
Posted by Holly (Greenville, Sc) on 02/26/2010
★★★★★
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!
Rubbing Alcohol and White Vinegar
Posted by Eva (Prinsenbeek, The Netherlands) on 08/04/2009
★★★★★
A slightly different earache 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.
