7 Natural Remedies For Earwax

Earwax, or cerumen, is a natural lubricant secreted by the glands in the ear canal to form a protective barrier against microorganisms and external substances. It consists of secretion of fat and dead skin cells and has a gel-like texture. It is not a waste product, but is actually responsible for keeping viruses, bacteria and fungi away.

Problems arise when earwax builds up in large quantities, blocking the ear canal and then causing annoying symptoms such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears), impaired hearing and itching.

Most worryingly, not everyone knows the best way to remove earwax and therefore often the wrong tools are used to do this. As a result, one develops serious infections and other problems that affect the health of the ears.

Therefore, it is good to know some alternative remedies to remove earwax without complications. Below we list seven natural remedies that can make this task easier.

1. Mustard Oil To Remove Earwax

Mustard oil is a natural product that helps remove excess earwax. Its antimicrobial properties provide a barrier against germs and also reduce the risk of infections.

How should you use it?

• Heat a few drops of oil in a bain-marie and put it in your ear when it’s warm.
• Leave it on for a few minutes and then turn your head in all directions to remove all the mess.
• Repeat this process on both sides and finally wipe the outside of your ear with a cotton pad.

2. Apple cider vinegar

Rinsing your ears with a little apple cider vinegar also reduces the amount of earwax and also restores the natural pH value in the ear.

Applying this product will reduce the presence of microorganisms, limit inflammation and also help prevent the development of infections.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (10 ml)
• ½ cup water (125 ml)

How to use it

• Dilute a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in half a cup of water and then pour this mixture into a pipette to apply the product.
• Drop 5 drops into each ear and let it sit there for several minutes.
• Then repeat this at least once a week.

3. Paraffin Oil

This oil will reduce the production of earwax and also soften the already accumulated earwax.

How should you use it?

• Warm the paraffin oil slightly and then place three to four drops in the ear with a pipette.
• Tilt your head for a few minutes before draining the oil.

4. Almond Oil

Almond oil has many beneficial uses, including cleaning your ears.

How do you use it?

• Put a little almond oil in a pipette, put three or four drops in your affected ear and then hold your head in a horizontal position for 10 minutes.
• After these ten minutes, drain the moisture from your ear and wipe the outside of your ear with a soft cloth.

5. Baking Soda

The unique properties of baking soda can help you clean your ears, soften earwax and protect you from microorganisms.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon baking soda (5 grams)
• ½ cup water (125 ml)

How should you use it?

• Add a tablespoon of baking soda to half a cup of warm water, shake well and apply a few drops in your ear.
• Let it sit there for a few minutes and remove the excess with a dry, soft cloth.

6. Garlic

Garlic’s antibiotic properties make  cleaning your ear canal easier and inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.

How do you use it?

• Cut a few cloves of garlic into pieces and then heat them in a frying pan with a little olive oil.
• Wait for it to cool, remove the garlic pieces from the oil and apply the oil to your ear with a cotton pad.

• Leave it on for a few minutes and then rinse your ear with warm water.
• Clean your ear with a soft cloth and repeat the procedure on the other ear.

7. Coconut Oil

In addition to its antibacterial properties, the fatty acids in coconut oil make it one of the best alternatives to clean and protect your ears.

How do you use it?

• Warm a few drops of coconut oil and drop it into your ear using a pipette.
• Wait about five minutes, let the excess oil drain and wipe the outside of your ear with a soft cloth.

• Repeat this every month.

As you have seen, there are several options for removing excess wax without damaging the ear canal. Not sure if you should get started yourself? Then make an appointment with an ENT specialist. Often he or she will carefully work out the earwax using an ear funnel and forceps, hook, loop or plunger.

Do not use cotton swabs and other aids that could damage your hearing in the worst case scenario.