The aim of home remedies is to minimize the sensation of pain. However, the pain may resurface, as the cause of earache may still be present. Therefore, it is essential to get the root cause identified and treated.
1. Heated Cotton Pad
Applying warmth to the ear may relieve pain to some extent. It is really soothing and relieving over the earache. It also helps to overcome infections as heat brings more blood to the spot.
- Ingredients
Cotton pad - Directions / How to use
Heat the cotton pad in a microwave. Now check its temperature on the hand. It should not be too hot. Place this cotton pad over the ear that is paining and lie down with that ear facing the bed. One can keep the cloth under the ear for the whole night. If the warmth reduces, go and heat it again. This remedy can provide relief from ear pain within 10 - 15 minutes or so. - Why it works ?
Warmth improves blood circulation to the ear. It may worsen tinnitus though but the pain should reduce. It can also help the ear to "pop", which means the ear fluid has drained back into the Eustachian tube.
( Photo credit : quatar )
2. Warm water shower
This is a simple yet highly effective strategy to relieve earache. Just sit in the bathtub in warm water. It should be slightly on the hot side. Have a set of cotton balls with you. Place one in the ear that is paining. When your body is relaxed in the shower, get the shower handle and slowly spray water at the back of the ear. The idea is to warm the ear without letting water go in. So, make sure you do it very carefully, taking your own time. Do this for about 10 minutes and the ear pain should subside.
( Photo credit : turyddu )
3. Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is great for the ears [3]. It softens ear wax and also relieves pain.
- Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil - Directions / How to use
Heat olive oil till it is just slightly warm. Pour a bit on your hand and it should only feel warm, not hot. Place this oil in an empty vial. Use an ear dropper and place 4 drops into the painful ear. Lie down with that ear facing the ceiling. After 10 minutes, flip yourself and let the ear drain out. Place a pan under the ear to prevent sheets from soiling. Stretch your ear lobe downward to allow the ear to drain out properly. This warm oil insertion reduces pain and takes out some of the ear wax. - Why it works ?
Olive oil, which is extra virgin, contains a compound called oleocanthal. It is a natural pain reliever.
( Photo credit : sikachu )
4. Lavender essential oil
The oil is lavender can be used to relieve an earache. Lavender oil has soothing and relaxing properties. It can be applied directly to the skin, but that is risky as essential oils are quite potent. They may lead to contact dermatitis. So, I suggest using them with a carrier oil. And what better than to use olive oil.
- Ingredients
Lavender essential oil
Olive Oil - Directions / How to use
Take about 30 ml of warm olive oil. Now, add 6 - 8 drops of lavender essential oil to it. Mix the oils nicely. With your fingers, massage this oil all around the ears, but not inside. That means below the temples at the top, back of the ear, down towards the back of the jaw and in the front along the jawline. This oil quickly seeps into the nearby tissues and gets to the local bloodstream. - Why it works ?
This oil combination is naturally pain relieving and anti-inflammatory [4]. It reduces inflammation, which may be a major cause of pain.
( Photo credit : Wikipedia )
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
The champion of all home remedies gets its coveted spot in this condition as well. Few people use apple cider vinegar to treat an earache at home. However, it is really very effective.
- Ingredients
Apple Cider Vinegar ( organic, but filtered ) - Directions / How to use
Place apple cider vinegar in a vial. Using a dropper, pour 4 - 5 drops into the painful ear and let that ear face the ceiling while you lie down. After about 5 minutes, turn to the other side and let the ear drain out. The ACV should flow out slowly. The pain should subside in a few minutes. - Why it works ?
ACV seems to work well for some people. In many cases, even ENT doctors recommend this. It is not sure why this remedy works. It may be that Apple Cider Vinegar exerts anti-inflammatory activity when it is inside the ear.
( Photo credit : jonnyhunter )
6. Warm Milk with Turmeric
This traditional Indian remedy works to relieve any kind of pain, anywhere in the body. Turmeric is one of the strongest anti-inflammatory natural substances [5]. It should be taken in warm milk for best results.
This traditional Indian remedy works to relieve any kind of pain, anywhere in the body. Turmeric is one of the strongest anti-inflammatory natural substances [5]. It should be taken in warm milk for best results.
- Ingredients
Turmeric ( organic, ground )
Milk ( full fat )
Black pepper - Directions / How to use
Take 1 glass milk and warm it up. Add 1/2 tablespoon turmeric powder and a pinch of black pepper. Mix it with a spoon and drink this milk slowly. Let the warmth of the milk be felt in your throat and radiate to the painful ear. After drinking this milk, try to relax and get sleepy. Milk itself can induce sleep. The pain should subside enough for the person to sleep. By next morning, the pain may have reduced to a dull ache. - Why it works ?
You may be pondering over the queer nature of ingredients. But, there is a scientific explanation behind the combination of black pepper, turmeric and milk.
"Turmeric's chief anti-inflammatory compound curcumin becomes more bioavailable in presence of fat ( which we get from milk in this case ) and piperine ( which is found in black pepper). "
( Photo credit : jackson3 )
7. Blow Dryer
This is a pretty simple remedy for earaches that are mild. If you are not wanting to put anything inside the ear, then this remedy is the workaround.
Use a blow dryer and put it on the "Warm" or "Hot" setting. Let it blow hot air and direct it right towards your painful ear. Now, take the ear away from the dryer to such a distance that the air feels warm, not hot. This way your ear receives mild heat continuously. All this while, one can read a book or watch TV or work on the laptop. Within a few minutes, your earache would start to dull down and you may be able to sleep. At this time, do not resist sleep and try to get sound sleep in any posture that you prefer. Sleep is also a great healer.
8. Heated Onion
A single onion can take away your earache. Onions have been used since ancient times to cure ear problems and relieve earache. There are various methods of applying onion to the ear, but we choose the one which is least risky.
This is a pretty simple remedy for earaches that are mild. If you are not wanting to put anything inside the ear, then this remedy is the workaround.
Use a blow dryer and put it on the "Warm" or "Hot" setting. Let it blow hot air and direct it right towards your painful ear. Now, take the ear away from the dryer to such a distance that the air feels warm, not hot. This way your ear receives mild heat continuously. All this while, one can read a book or watch TV or work on the laptop. Within a few minutes, your earache would start to dull down and you may be able to sleep. At this time, do not resist sleep and try to get sound sleep in any posture that you prefer. Sleep is also a great healer.
( Photo credit : didbygraham )
8. Heated Onion
A single onion can take away your earache. Onions have been used since ancient times to cure ear problems and relieve earache. There are various methods of applying onion to the ear, but we choose the one which is least risky.
- Ingredients
An onion ( red onions are preferred )
Cotton cloth ( soft, like a towel but with enough spaces ) - Directions / How to use
Cut the onion exactly in half. Now, put it in the microwave for about 3 - 4 minutes so that it becomes hot and starts releasing fumes. Now, cover the onion with that cotton cloth and place it on your hand ( just a check ). make sure it is not too hot. Now, tilt your painful ear to the side and direct the onion fumes towards the ear. Every once in a while, place the onion over the ear and rub it all around the ear. Hold the onion for about 15 seconds at the point just behind the ear lobe. This helps the ear to pop and drain its liquid contents back into the Eustachain tube. - Why it works ?Onion is strongly antibiotic. Its fumes can kill many bacteria and fungi. It also relieves inflammation. So, whether the pain in the ear is because of an infection or some other inflammatory condition in a nerve or tissues, onions do help [6].
( Photo credit : pahudson )
9. Get a Steam Bath
When you experience earache, a steam bath may be quite helpful. Prepare a steam bath at home by stopping the ventilation in your shower. Let the steam accumulate in the bathroom. You may also use a humidifier and put it at high humidity setting in your bathroom. This creates a moist and warm environment for the ears, which is helpful in reducing pain. This works mainly for ear aches that may have been worsened by cold.
When you experience earache, a steam bath may be quite helpful. Prepare a steam bath at home by stopping the ventilation in your shower. Let the steam accumulate in the bathroom. You may also use a humidifier and put it at high humidity setting in your bathroom. This creates a moist and warm environment for the ears, which is helpful in reducing pain. This works mainly for ear aches that may have been worsened by cold.
( Photo credit : richardofengland )
10. Pepper Gargle
If you earache accompanies other symptoms like nasal congestion, cold, sore throat and other respiratory problems, then this gargle definitely helps.
If you earache accompanies other symptoms like nasal congestion, cold, sore throat and other respiratory problems, then this gargle definitely helps.
- Ingredients
Cayenne pepper powder
Water - Directions / How to use
Take 1 glass warm water. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Gargle with this water, letting it stay in your mouth for as long as you can bear. Cayenne pepper increases heat in your mouth and it can become quite pungent. In that case, keep a second glass of plain water which is just warm but without cayenne pepper. Gargle with this water to ease some of that heat. Perform these gargle for about 15 minutes. Most of the symptoms like earache, congestion, blocked nose, sore throat and irritation are relieved at once. - Why it works ?
Cayenne pepper brings blood rushing to the spot. With more blood supply and dilated blood vessels, the blood performs a lot more than what it was usually doing. Most tasks in the body are performed by blood, so this hastens the healing process.
( Photo credit : blumenbiene )
11. Home-made Garlic Oil
One of the most powerful remedies for ear infections, garlic oil is also helpful in alleviating ear pain [3]. Garlic oil is not pure oil extracted from garlic. It is olive oil infused with garlics. So, this oil is naturally great for our ears. However, we can make this oil right at home and use it for treating ear infections.
One of the most powerful remedies for ear infections, garlic oil is also helpful in alleviating ear pain [3]. Garlic oil is not pure oil extracted from garlic. It is olive oil infused with garlics. So, this oil is naturally great for our ears. However, we can make this oil right at home and use it for treating ear infections.
- Ingredients
Garlic ( minced )
Olive oil - Directions / How to use
Take about 3 tablespoon olive oil and warm it up. Place the minced garlic in this oil and cover the oil with an air tight vial. Wrap a dark cloth around the vial. Let the oil stay there for about 1 day. Next day, strain the oil. Throw away the garlic pieces. Again warm this oil, but this time much more gentle heat. Take 3-4 drops in a dropper and put it into the ear that is paining. It should provide much relief from pain in a single treatment. - Why it works ?
Garlic oil, just like garlic, is strongly anti-biotic. It kills most pathogens and helps to get rid of infection. If the pain was due to an ear infection, garlic oil provide immense relief.
( Photo credit : yimhafiz )
12. Vapor Rub
Just as heat is soothing to an earache, so is cold. But, this cooling sensation is provided by a vapor rub. Take a small amount of vapor rub and apply it all around the ear. Apply a very small amount of the left over on the rim of the ear canal, that is the opening of your ear. Do not put the vapor rub inside.
Its cooling aroma enters the ear and provides a numbing sensation. This helps as the person feels less of the pain.
Just as heat is soothing to an earache, so is cold. But, this cooling sensation is provided by a vapor rub. Take a small amount of vapor rub and apply it all around the ear. Apply a very small amount of the left over on the rim of the ear canal, that is the opening of your ear. Do not put the vapor rub inside.
Its cooling aroma enters the ear and provides a numbing sensation. This helps as the person feels less of the pain.
( Photo credit : thisisbossi )
13. Chamomile Tea ( to fall asleep )
This is a remedy which hardly fails. It does not directly alleviate ear ache, but it helps to fall asleep [7]. Chamomile is one of the best herbs to relieve stress and get sleepy. If you earache has been relentless and you are unable to sleep, this is the thing to use.
Prepare a strong herbal tea from chamomile. Drink it slowly when warm. Try to fall asleep in whichever way you can. Sleeping over the pain helps to reduce it in intensity. Next morning, you should get the ear checked to find the real cause of pain.
Prepare a strong herbal tea from chamomile. Drink it slowly when warm. Try to fall asleep in whichever way you can. Sleeping over the pain helps to reduce it in intensity. Next morning, you should get the ear checked to find the real cause of pain.
( Photo credit : quatar )
14. Salt in a cloth
This remedy is for providing extended relief from pain. If you earache returns even after trying the home remedies above, it is time to give it continuous heat. For this purpose, salt is excellent.
This remedy is for providing extended relief from pain. If you earache returns even after trying the home remedies above, it is time to give it continuous heat. For this purpose, salt is excellent.
- IngredientsSalt
Cloth - Directions / How to useTake a cup of salt. Heat it in the microwave. Now, put it inside a cloth and place this cloth inside your pillow. This heats up the pillow. Check its temperature with your hand, and when it is bearable, sleep with your painful ear on this pillow. Salt keeps the pillow warm for many hours, as it loses heat slowly. This provides great relief from earache and lots of soothing sensations.
- Why it works ?Since salt loses heat slowly, it is helpful in cases when the other remedies cannot stop the pain from coming back.
" Rice also has a similar effect as salt.So, you can use rice as well. "
( Photo credit : pagedooley )
15. Drink Ginger Tea
Prepare a cup of strong ginger tea in green tea for yourself. Drink about 2 cups of this tea and that too slowly. This helps to ease the pain from inside out. Ginger is a blood thinner and potent pain reliever. It may work similar to a pain medication in reducing the sensation of pain and providing relief.
Some people even put ginger juice in the ears, but that may be too irritating and harmful for the ears.
16. Eucalyptus Oil in Vaporizer
This may not be able to reduce the pain, per se, but it is quite comforting for someone in pain and distress. Put a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a vaporizer and let its aroma spread into the air. Breathing this air has a positive impact on the health of a person, and may provide relaxation enough to get sleep.
Eucalyptus oil is particularly helpful when earache is accompanies by migraines and sinus pressure.
17. Willow Bark Tea
Most of us are accustomed to taking pain medication when there is pain. They do work, but they have strong side effects. It is better to use something natural, like willow bark. It contains salicylic acid, which is a natural pain reliever. To ease the pain, one can make a herbal tea out of it.
Put 1 tablespoon powdered herb in about 200 ml water. Boil it once and then let it sit covered. Strain the water after 15 minutes and then drink it. This should alleviate any pain within the body.
I know this is a herbal remedy instead of a "home remedy", but it is very handy to have willow bark powder at home.
18. Massage Your Ears
This remedy is supported by numerous people as a simple and brilliant way to relieve mild congestion in the ears. This is how it is done.
Take two fingers - the index finger and the middle finger. Place index finger behind the ear lobe and middle finger in front of the ear lobe. Move the fingers up and down to move the ear. Do this for about 3 - 5 minutes. It is a gentle ear massage which helps the stagnant fluid in the ear to drain back into the Eustachian tubes. This way, it relieves pain due to congestion and pressure changes.
These remedies should help one get considerable relief from earache. However, there are certain precautions to take when using home remedies for any ear problem.
Precautions
These are some points that you should note and be wary of.
Prepare a cup of strong ginger tea in green tea for yourself. Drink about 2 cups of this tea and that too slowly. This helps to ease the pain from inside out. Ginger is a blood thinner and potent pain reliever. It may work similar to a pain medication in reducing the sensation of pain and providing relief.
Some people even put ginger juice in the ears, but that may be too irritating and harmful for the ears.
( Photo credit : vanessapoppe )
16. Eucalyptus Oil in Vaporizer
This may not be able to reduce the pain, per se, but it is quite comforting for someone in pain and distress. Put a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a vaporizer and let its aroma spread into the air. Breathing this air has a positive impact on the health of a person, and may provide relaxation enough to get sleep.
Eucalyptus oil is particularly helpful when earache is accompanies by migraines and sinus pressure.
( Photo credit : SpeedyGonsales )
17. Willow Bark Tea
Most of us are accustomed to taking pain medication when there is pain. They do work, but they have strong side effects. It is better to use something natural, like willow bark. It contains salicylic acid, which is a natural pain reliever. To ease the pain, one can make a herbal tea out of it.
Put 1 tablespoon powdered herb in about 200 ml water. Boil it once and then let it sit covered. Strain the water after 15 minutes and then drink it. This should alleviate any pain within the body.
I know this is a herbal remedy instead of a "home remedy", but it is very handy to have willow bark powder at home.
( Photo credit : hisgett )
18. Massage Your Ears
This remedy is supported by numerous people as a simple and brilliant way to relieve mild congestion in the ears. This is how it is done.
Take two fingers - the index finger and the middle finger. Place index finger behind the ear lobe and middle finger in front of the ear lobe. Move the fingers up and down to move the ear. Do this for about 3 - 5 minutes. It is a gentle ear massage which helps the stagnant fluid in the ear to drain back into the Eustachian tubes. This way, it relieves pain due to congestion and pressure changes.
( Photo credit : waiferx )
Precautions
These are some points that you should note and be wary of.
- If you have perforated ear drum, like from ear tubes in childhood, do not put anything in your ear. It is very dangerous.
- Avoid eating food that you may be allergic to. Food allergies aggravate ear infections, ear ache and may also lead to swelling. If you are allergic or intolerant to milk, do not use " Warm milk with Turmeric" remedy.
- Avoid using harmful chemicals like hydrogen peroxide in your ear. It may be dangerous.
Regarding Garlic Mullein Oil - This is a special oil formulation which is incredibly effective at treating ear infections and as such may help in relieving earache as well. It is nothing but olive oil infused with garlic and mullein flowers. Mullein is a popular herb which is used by the Native Americans for many conditions[9]. This oil may be prepared at home, but there are certain risks in using mullein oil for ear if used in wrong proportions. So, if you want to try this remedy, make sure you do so under the supervision and guidance of a trained and certified herbalist. Then it can yield positive results.
References
1. Why does air travel cause earache? A Ishiyama. NCBI.
2. The common causes of earache. NCBI.
3. Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children. Sarrell EM, Cohen HA, Kahan E.NCBI.
4. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the leaf extracts and essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia Mill.Hajhashemi V, Ghannadi A, Sharif B.
5. Natural anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief. Joseph C. Maroon, Jeffrey W. Bost, and Adara Maroon
6. Acute middle ear infections: Treatment. PubMed Health
7. Chamomile A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. NCBI.
8. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) elicits antinociceptive properties and potentiates morphine-induced analgesia in the rat radiant heat tail-flick test. Sepahvand R, Esmaeili-Mahani S, Arzi A, Rasoulian B, Abbasnejad M.
9. Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research. Turker AU, Gurel E.NCBI.
References
1. Why does air travel cause earache? A Ishiyama. NCBI.
2. The common causes of earache. NCBI.
3. Naturopathic treatment for ear pain in children. Sarrell EM, Cohen HA, Kahan E.NCBI.
4. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of the leaf extracts and essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia Mill.Hajhashemi V, Ghannadi A, Sharif B.
5. Natural anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief. Joseph C. Maroon, Jeffrey W. Bost, and Adara Maroon
6. Acute middle ear infections: Treatment. PubMed Health
7. Chamomile A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. NCBI.
8. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) elicits antinociceptive properties and potentiates morphine-induced analgesia in the rat radiant heat tail-flick test. Sepahvand R, Esmaeili-Mahani S, Arzi A, Rasoulian B, Abbasnejad M.
9. Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus L.): recent advances in research. Turker AU, Gurel E.NCBI.