15 Home Remedies for Ear Pain

Earaches can be caused by lots of different things like the common cold, changes in the weather, or even swimming. Usually, pain in the ear is a sign of infection. Did you know that most ear infections go away on their own? The CDC states that antibiotics are not recommended to treat ear infections. The pain in the ear can be intense. Thankfully you don’t have to wait it out in pain because we compiled 15 home remedies for ear pain to help soothe your ears.

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Use our home remedies for ear pain and you will feel better in no time!

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1. Warm Compress

One of the oldest ear pain home remedies is to use a warm compress to alleviate the pain. The moisture will help loosen any build-up in the ear canal and the heat will provide relief from the pain.

Instructions

• Dip a washcloth in hot water.
• Wring out the washcloth.
• Apply the washcloth to the ear.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide 

If your earache is caused from swimming in a pool or if you feel like there is a lot of moisture build up in your ear, a great ear pain home remedy is to use 3% hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide acts as a drying agent and helps unblock any wax remaining in the ear.

Instructions

• Tilt your head so your ear is facing the ceiling.
• Fill peroxide in an eye dropper, syringe, or cotton ball.
• Apply 5-10 drops of peroxide in the ear.
• Keep your head tilted toward the ceiling for at least 10 minutes. You will hear a popping and bubbling sound as the peroxide sits in your ear.
• After 10 minutes, drain your ear of the peroxide over the sink or in the shower.
• Rinse your ear out with warm water.
• Pat dry with a dry cloth.

3. Onion

Dating as far back as the mid-1800’s people have been using onions which make it one of the best home remedies for ear pain. When heated the onion almost immediately takes away the pain. Onions are known for fighting bacteria and germs.

Instructions

• Cut large red onion in half.
• Place onion in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
• Remove onion from oven and wrap it in a towel.
• Cup the onion over the pained ear.
• Repeat with the other half of the onion.
• Alternate halves as necessary to relieve the pain.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is one of the classic home remedies for ear pain because the vinegar acts as a viral and bacterial antiseptic fighting machine! Perfect for the boost you need to get through your ear ache.

Instructions

• Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part water.
• Soak a cotton ball in the solution.
• Plug the cotton ball in your ear and let it sit for 5 minutes.
• Remove the cotton ball and let the liquid drain from your ear.

5. Holy Basil Leaves

Basil is a wonderful healing agent. It has been used by herbalists for years thanks to it’s antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

Instructions

• Take 4-5 holy basil leaves and crush them until juice is extracted.
• Mix the leaf juice with equal parts olive oil or coconut oil.
• Soak a cotton ball in the mixture.
• Place the cotton ball in your ear for 5 minutes.
• Remove the cotton ball and wipe your ear dry.
• Do this twice daily until your pain is gone.

6. Olive Oil

Olive oil is a great way to help remove any blockages in the ear canal that may be caused by build up, water, or ear wax. The massage and warmth will help ease the pain with this ear pain home remedy.

Instructions

• Warm 2 oz olive oil in your microwave for 30 seconds. The oil should be warm, not hot.
• Using an ear dropper, drop 4 drops of olive oil in your ear.
• Plug the ear with a cotton ball.
• Massage the outer part of the ear and the area just behind your ear with two fingers in a circular motion.
• Remove the cotton ball and drain the ear.
• Wipe the ear clean with a dry cloth or cotton ball.

7. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is one of the best home remedies for ear pain that adults can use. The lemon balm acts as an antiseptic and helps fight viral infections that could be the source of the ear pain.

Instructions

• With an ear dropper, place 2-5 drops of lemon balm inside the ear.
• Let the lemon balm soak in the ear.
• Wipe the remaining lemon balm off the outside of your ear with a cotton ball.
• Repeat twice daily until you are feeling better.

8. Garlic

Garlic helps fight bacterial infections which make it one of the best home remedies for ear pain. It is even said that garlic works better than antibiotics in some instances.

Instructions

• Crush 2-3 cloves of garlic.
• Place the crushed garlic cloves in a small cloth.
• Insert the cloth into your ear for 30-35 minutes.
• Remove the cloth from the ear.
• Repeat as often as needed to alleviate the pain.

9. Salt

Salt is one of the easiest home remedies for ear pain. It is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties which will help reduce the pain in your ears. If your ears are infected, the salt could even ease some of the infection! Salt is also known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties that can help with a variety of ailments. You can also use salt as a home remedy to get rid of gingivitis.

Instructions

• Pour one cup of salt into a microwave safe container.
• Microwave salt for 1 minute and stir to evenly distribute heat.
• If the salt needs to be warmer, keep reheating until you reach a comfortable warm temperature.
• Pour the salt into a long sock and tie the sock off at the end.
• Apply for 10-15 minutes as needed until the pain is gone.

10. Coconut Oil

One of the simplest home remedies for ear pain is to use coconut oil. Coconut oil has multiple uses for many different ailments. It is no surprise that coconut oil has been deemed an effective remedy for fungal and viral infections.

Instructions

• Melt the coconut oil down to a liquid form.
• Tilt your head so that your ear is facing the ceiling. It is best to lay down.
• With an ear dropper place 3-5 drops of coconut oil.
• Lay on your side with the affected ear facing the ceiling for 5 minutes.
• Slowly sit up and wipe the ear clean with a cotton ball.

11. Vick’s VapoRub

Vick’s VapoRub is traditional in many communities around the globe for alleviating pain in the muscles, ears, or even feet! While Vick’s VapoRub won’t help remove any infections in your ear, it makes a great ear pain home remedy.

Instructions

• Soak a cotton ball in Vick’s VapoRub.
• Place the cotton ball in your ear for several hours.
• Repeat as needed for pain.

12. Humidifier

If you have a humidifier at home, it is a great way to alleviate the pressure in your ears that could be causing ear pain. If you don’t have a humidifier, there is an innovative way to sort of make your own with a pot, stove, and some water. The steam from the humidifier is one of the timeless home remedies for ear pain.

Instructions

• Pour 5-6 cups of water into a large pot.
• Place the pot on the stove set to high.
• Boil the water.
• Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat.
• Remove the pot and place it on a folded towel on the counter to prevent counter burns.
• Drape another towel over your head and the pot like a hood, try not to let the steam from the pot escape.
• Breathe deeply in this position until you are ready to either reheat or dump the water out.
• Repeat as necessary until you are feeling better.

13. Honey

Honey has been proven to fight bacteria and provide healing for infections. What was once considered to be an old wives tale is now being used frequently to provide protection against bacteria and viruses, in addition to alleviating pain.

Instructions

• Use an ear dropper and place 3-4 drops of honey into your ear.
• Lie down with your affected ear facing the ceiling for 5-10 minutes.
• Slowly sit up and wipe the ear clean with a cotton ball.

14. Warm Water Bottle

If you don’t have anything around except for a water bottle this next remedy will be perfect for you. The warm water bottle works in the same manner as the warm compress but with less mess. In a pinch, this will help relieve the pain until you can at least get home to use some of our other home remedies for ear pain.

Instructions

• Fill a water bottle with warm water.
• Place on the ear to alleviate pain.

15. White Vinegar and Rubbing Alcohol

Sometimes the pain in your ear can be caused by a buildup of wax or water. A great home remedy for ear pain is to flush the ear out with some white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. Keep some towels on hand to help contain the mess.

Instructions

• Mix equal parts vinegar and alcohol into a bowl.
• Place a towel around your neck.
• With an ear dropper, flush the mixture into your ear.
• Flush 2-3 times.
• Tilt your head to the side to drain the remaining liquid.
• Pat dry.

There are plenty of home remedies for ear pain that can help you out while your ears heal. Your symptoms should go away in about 2-3 days on their own, but if your pain continues or you have liquid coming out of your ears that is strange in color or smell please go to a doctor for a professional diagnosis. Which home remedy worked the best for you? Leave us a note in the comments below with your experience!