15 Home Remedies for Eustachian Tube Blockage

stressed woman covering ears

Ringing, pain, and pressure in your ears are enough to interrupt your on-the-go lifestyle, and getting rid of those horrible sensations is something that just can’t wait. These symptoms are quite typical for someone who suffers from a Eustachian tube blockage. It is a troublesome problem. For the reason that it is very distracting and painful.

Fortunately, you don’t have to stay out of the race for long once you know how to clear Eustachian tube blockage naturally by making use of items you probably already have in your home. With our 15 natural remedies, you can get back to normal quickly. Just read the suggestions below.

15 Home Remedies for Blocked Eustachian Tubes that Really Work

The following home remedies are all methods people have used throughout the years to help with eustachian tube blockage. Many people swear by some of the items on this list as being the best possible cure, but we will leave it up to you to decide which one is the best for your needs. You can just pick the easier option. Everybody is different. Thus, find out what works for you. However, I assure you that this will work. It has been proven and tested over the years.

Do keep in mind that these are not the only options you have. Of course, you should always see a doctor before trying any of the remedies on this list just to rule out a more serious health condition, which can sometimes be the case with this symptom. You want to ensure there is nothing else going on except a little blockage.

1. Yawn to Clear Blocked Eustachian Tubes

One of the simplest ways to open a Eustachian tube blockage is to yawn. The simple act of yawning helps to decrease air pressure in the middle ear and helps to activate the muscles which open up them up.

What to do:

  • Slightly open your mouth and take a deep breath through your mouth, which will force a yawn.
  • You should feel and hear a small pop, if not, repeat the yawn several more times.
  • After several attempts, the tube blockage should open.

2. Gargling: Natural Remedy for Eustachian Tube Blockage

Because Eustachian tube blockage is often related to nasal congestion, gargling with salt water is another way to naturally open up the tubes as well as relieve any nasal congestion which might be complicating the problem.

What to do:

  • Dissolve 1 tsp of salt in a glass of warm water.
  • Gargle the solution for 20 to 30 seconds before spitting it out.
  • Do this repeatedly until you achieve relief.

3. Chewing Gum: Easy Remedy for Eustachian Tube Blockage

Another way to naturally clear Eustachian tube blockage is a trick that most people use when flying; chewing gum. Chewing gum, as well as swallowing, works in a similar manner as yawning by relieving excess pressure and activating the muscles that open up the tubes.

What to do:

  • Unwrap and place a piece of sugarless gum or gum with Xylitol in your mouth.
  • Continue chewing the gum and swallowing the juice until you achieve relief.

4. Valsalva Maneuver

Common among swimmers, the Valsalva maneuver is another natural remedy to help clear the eustachian tube blockage. Because swimmers often encounter problems associated with water in the ears, sinus cavities, and eustachian tube complications, most have developed a means of helping relieve clogging and pressure.

What to do:

  • Pinching your nostrils together, open your mouth to take in a deep breath.
  • Keep your mouth closed and your nostrils pinched while you attempt to blow the air out through your nose.
  • If effective, you will hear a popping sound and the tubes will be open again.

5. Toynbee Maneuver

Similar to the Valsalva maneuver, the Toynbee maneuver helps to manipulate air pressure and clear the eustachian tube blockage. The difference between the maneuvers is that Toynbee manipulates the pressure adjustment through swallowing.

What to do:

  • Pinch your nostrils shut and take a sip of water.
  • Without releasing your nostrils, swallow the water.
  • Repeat this process until the tubes open up.

6. Otovent Maneuver

Though this one will probably seem a little silly, the Otovent maneuver is another way of equalizing air pressure and opening up eustachian tube blockage naturally. This maneuver is almost identical to the Valsalva maneuver but utilizes a balloon as a helpful tool.

What to do:

  • You can purchase an Otovent balloon kit for this maneuver if this is a common problem.
  • If you don’t have an Otovent balloon kit, you can use any sort of short nozzle which fits your nostril comfortably and attach any balloon to it.
  • Holding the nostril you are not using closed, attempt to inflate the balloon to the size of your fist by blowing through your nose.
  • Repeat the process until you hear the pop of free air in the eustachian tube

7. Warm Compress: Home Remedy for Eustachian Tube Blockage

Eustachian tube blockage is often caused by congestion and inflammation. You can often clear the pressure and congestion or relieve the pain using a warm compress to reduce inflammation and help naturally open the closed tubes.

What to do:

  • Soak a washcloth in as hot of water as you can stand.
  • Wring out the excess water and fold the cloth.
  • Press the washcloth over and below the affected ear for about 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cloth has cooled.
  • Repeat the process until the pressure is relieved.

8. Steam to Clear a Eustachian Tube Blockage

Another natural remedy for relieving eustachian tube blockage comes from inhaling steam. Steam helps to thin any sinus mucus which might be adding to the congestion and blockage of your sinus cavity and relieve the pressure on the tubes.

What to do:

  • Boil water in a large pot and then remove it from the heat.
  • Add a few drops of eucalyptus, peppermint, or tea tree oil, if you like.
  • Position your head over the pot with a towel over your head to help direct the steam into your nostrils.
  • Breathe in and out normally for 5 to 10 minutes or until the congestion is relieved.
oilve oil and olives

9. Olive Oil: Eustachian Tube Blockage Treatment

Because congestion can build up in and around the middle ear and exacerbate eustachian tube blockage olive oil can help to bring some relief to the pressure and pain in your ears.

What to do:

  • Slightly heat up pure olive oil.
  • Using a dropper put a few of the warm drops in the affected ear.
  • Allow the oil to settle for about 10 minutes and then let it drain out.
  • You can also place a warm compress over the affected ear to enhance the remedy.

10. Warm Water

Similar to warm olive oil, warm water can also help bring some relief to the pain and pressure of eustachian tube blockage naturally. Flushing your ear with warm water acts to help reduce swelling around the middle ear where the tube connects to it.

What to do:

  • Put warm water in a small syringe.
  • Turn your head with the affected ear upward with a towel under your head.
  • Place the tip of the syringe into the opening of the ear and squeeze in its contents until the canal is full.
  • Allow the water to sit for several minutes before turning your head and allowing it to drain out.
  • Repeat this until you achieve relief.

11. Saline Nasal Spray

Another natural remedy to help clear Eustachian tube blockage is a simple, saline nasal spray. The nasal spray can help to open up any inflammation in the rear of the nasal cavity which is pushing the tube closed.

What to do:

  • Place the bottle of saline nasal spray in your nostril.
  • Aim the tip toward the back of the throat rather than straight up.
  • Breathe in sharply as you spray the solution into your nostril.
  • Repeat this on each side two or three times as needed.

12. Stinging Nettle

Those who are well familiar with herbal remedies will recognize stinging nettle as a natural remedy for clearing eustachian tube blockage. Stinging nettle is one of the most effective naturally occurring antihistamines available. It will help to shrink swollen tissues surrounding the eustachian tube and keep it open.

What to do:

  • You can take a stinging nettle supplement in a dosage of 300 mg per day.
  • A better solution comes from the preparation of stinging nettle tea and drinking it to help clear up the problem.

13. Onions or Apples

Another antihistamine that can help relieve the pressure in the surrounding tissues and clear the eustachian tube blockage comes from onions or apples. The antioxidant quercetin, found in these two foods, helps to reduce inflammation in the sinuses and airways, which can help relieve congestion and pressure around the middle ear area.

What to do:

  • Extract the juice of a medium onion.
  • Mix 1 Tbsp each of onion juice and honey and drink the mixture.
  • Repeat this several times a day.
  • Though onion juice is more potent, freshly extracted apple juice can also provide you with a lot of quercetin.

14. Pineapple

Effective against respiratory inflammation bromelain, found in pineapples, is another antihistamine that is able to help eliminate Eustachian tube blockage naturally. Bromelain is very popular in the relief of allergies and is quite effective at helping reduce swelling in the middle ear area as well.

What to do:

  • You can take a supplement of 300 to 400 mg of bromelain daily.
  • Extracting the juice from a fresh pineapple core is one of the best ways to get natural bromelain.
  • Drink several glasses of the extracted juice daily.
orange oil and leaves for Eustachian Tube Blockage
Tip: Keep a small bottle of orange oil in your bathroom and use it on occasion.

15. Vitamin C

Though most people are not aware of it, vitamin C is also a natural antihistamine that can help to reduce swelling of the tissues in and around the Eustachian tube blockage. This is one of the best remedies for not only clearing up this problem but for keeping it from happening in the first place.

What to do:

  • Vitamin C supplements are easy to find and can be safely taken in a dosage of 2 grams daily.
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables with vitamin C are also abundant and should be added to your daily diet on a regular basis.

Suggested Read: 5 Home Remedies For Itchy Ear

How Do You Clear Blocked Eustachian Tubes?

If you are a little off your game because of the pain and pressure of blocked Eustachian tubes, then you are well aware of the urgency with which you need to find a solution to the issue. Knowing how to clear Eustachian tube blockage naturally is a great benefit for not only gaining momentary relief but also for preventing it. Make sure to deal with it before it worsens into an earache.

Questions, comments, and success stories are always welcome and encouraged in the section below. We would love to hear feedback from you.

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