Ear Ache Holistic Cure Using Onion Skin

Earaches often plague swimmers, surfers and other water enthusiasts. There's an easy and inexpensive, yet effective remedy for aching ears right in your kitchen. It's onions! Onions can help alleviate the symptoms associated with an outer ear infection, which is commonly known as swimmer's ear. The scientific name of an outer ear infection is otitis externa. The onion remedy discussed here is not intended for inner and middle ear infections, which are more serious and generally require a visit to a physician who may prescribe antibiotics.

Why onions work

Onions can soothe aching ears because of their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. According to organicauthority.com, outer ear infections occur when the eustachian tube becomes inflamed. This inflammation causes the eustachian tube to close, and then pressure and pain occur in the ear. The onion's anti-inflammatory powers help shrink the swelling. An outer ear infection is typically caused by bacteria, and the onion juice fights the bacterial growth.

Baked onion method

There are several methods for using the onion for an earache. One method starts with baking a whole onion, including its skin. Bake at 350 degrees until the onion skin is soft. This will take approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the onion. Once the onion skin is soft, cut a section of the onion open and squeeze some of the onion juice out, or crush a section of the onion with a mortar and pestle to extract the juice. A garlic press also works to squeeze out the onion juice. You may add some warm water to the onion juice for more liquid. Use a medicine dropper to place 4 to 5 drops of the onion juice in the affected ear.

Other onion methods

Another method involves cutting a baked onion in half, allowing it to cool and then placing it directly against the infected ear for 10 to 20 minutes. Mothernature.com recommends another variation by making an onion poultice. To make the poultice, you simmer a half cup of chopped onions in a fourth cup of water. You then place the onion pieces into a cheesecloth or old sock and hold the poultice against the ear for 5 to 10 minutes.

You can also use a raw onion. Extract the juice from a raw onion; mix with a few drops of olive oil, then insert the mixture with a medicine dropper in the offending ear. Children may prefer using a baked onion over a raw onion because the juice from a raw onion tends to sting inside the ear.