Natural Cures for Ear Pain

Most ear pain stems from problems in the inner ear, and it can keep you up at night, making you frustrated and restless. Common causes of ear pain include colds, injuries or infection. Swimmer's ear is also a common cause of ear pain and is a result of bacteria entering your ear canal and causing an infection. When you need an immediate solution for ear pain, natural cures can be a simple and convenient way to give you relief. If your ear becomes swollen and red or fluid begins to drain from your ear, see a doctor immediately.

Heat

• Applying a heating pad or warm washcloth next to your ear or taking a hot shower can relieve ear pain. Heat and steam soften and break up the wax in your ear, making the wax easier to remove and alleviating discomfort.

Eustachian Tube

• Yawning contracts the muscles that open your eustachian tube. According to the National Institutes of Health, the eustachian tube connects your throat and middle ear, and when it becomes blocked it can cause ear pain. Sleeping with your head propped up can open the eustachian tube and keep it drained.

Drops

• The Ear Care Center writes that mineral oil drops can soothe and moisturizes a painful ear. Putting a tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with a few tablespoons of warm water into your ear clears the area of excessive wax and is extremely effective in curing infections.

Diet

• Vitamin C is considered an effective natural cure for ear pain, because it boosts your immune system and reduces inflammation, according to organicfacts.net. Increasing zinc in your diet combats infections in your ear, while upping your calcium intake suppresses the pain. Avoid processed foods and hydrogenated oils.

Garlic

• Cut a small piece of garlic from a bulb and wrap it in a piece of tissue. Don't place it too deeply inside your ear, but set the tissue just inside the ear. Putting garlic in your ear helps relieve the pain and remove the infection.