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Claim: A Facebook page, Creative Chronicles, shared a video claiming that a mixture of garlic and olive oil can cure ear infections.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s findings reveal that there is no scientific evidence that a garlic-and-olive-oil mixture can cure ear infections.
Full Text
A Facebook page, called Creative Chronicles, posted a video suggesting that combining garlic and olive oil can cure ear infections.
In the video, a woman is seen adding chopped garlic to a pan, pouring olive oil over it, and then frying the mixture. The video’s caption directed users to mix chopped garlic with four tablespoons of olive oil and fry until brown. The user noted that this mixture should be used as an ear drop.
“Chopped garlic, four tablespoons of olive oil, fry until it turns brown, strain the oil, and use a dropper to apply it to the painful ear. Do it three times a day,” the video’s caption read.
As of April 13, 2026, the post had garnered over 263,000 views, 2,000 likes, 80 comments, and 276 shares.
The comments section under the post indicates that many users are unsure about the remedy. While some sought clarification on how to use it, others asked about its effectiveness for different ear conditions.
Promise Mashaba asked, “What if I don’t have olive oil? Can I use any cooking oil?”
Clementine Mutale said, “What about inflammation of the eardrums? Can you use the same?”
Liz Sammy asked, “What about if I smash the garlic, then use that juice?”
Vivian Nkechiyerem queried, “Can this work for lost hearing?”
Shish Shi also asked, “Can I use coconut oil instead of olive oil? I currently don’t have olive oil.”
DUBAWA fact-checked the claim due to its potential health implications.
Verification
Ear pain, or otalgia, is broadly classified into two types, primary and secondary, based on its origin. Primary otalgia arises from problems within the ear itself, such as infections, inflammation, structural damage, or tumours affecting the outer, middle, or inner ear.
In contrast, secondary (referred) otalgia arises from conditions outside the ear, including dental issues, temporomandibular joint disorders, or throat-related problems. In some cases, distant organs like the heart, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract may also be involved. This wide range of causes is linked to the ear’s complex nerve supply, which is shared with several parts of the body.
Garlic (Allium sativum) has long been used in traditional medicine due to its bioactive compounds, particularly organosulfur elements such as allicin. Studies here and here suggest it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, with potential effects against bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.
Similarly, olive oil contains beneficial compounds and monounsaturated fats that may support overall health and help reduce inflammation, among other protective effects.
Despite these properties, their effectiveness in treating ear infections remains limited. Laboratory studies show garlic may act against some bacteria linked to ear infections, and a few small studies suggest garlic-based drops may relieve pain. While garlic may show some activity against bacterial and fungal ear infections, it is not as effective as medically prescribed treatments.
Using oil or garlic in the ear may also pose risks. It can trap bacteria, irritate the ear canal, or worsen existing conditions, especially if the eardrum is perforated.
What experts say?
Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist David Olaniyan explained that ear infections require proper diagnosis and treatment, depending on the cause.
According to him, “The ear is not different from any part of the body; it depends on the type of infection, you use the appropriate antibiotics. So using oil and garlic does not cure the infection.”
He further clarified that, “The only point where we use olive oil is to soften wax before it is syringed out,” stressing that it is not a treatment for infections.
On garlic, he said there is no role garlic plays in the treatment of any form of infection, either viral, fungal, or bacterial.
He said, “They might not allow the infection to grow well, but it does not totally kill the infection.”
He advised against self-medication, saying, “If you have any problems with your ear, let your ear be tested… don’t go everywhere dogmatizing yourself and using olive oil and garlic. No, it does not work like that.”
Another ENT specialist, Mustaphar Lawal, explained that ear infections may occur in different parts of the ear and are commonly caused by bacteria or fungi, which require proper medical treatment.
He noted, “Garlic and olive oil, there’s no evidence scientifically to show that they can cure ear infections.”
While acknowledging garlic’s theoretical properties, he said, “Although garlic contains some chemical substance… which is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory… that is theory. Evidence-based, and what we have in practice, we don’t usually use garlic for it.”
He also warned of possible risks, stating, “Some people put raw garlic into their ears… it comes with a lot of complications, maybe irritation, allergy, even pain or infection itself.”
Regarding olive oil, he agreed with David that it is only used to soften the earwax, not to treat an infection.
He added that improper use could be harmful.
“If you are removing wax… It’s even as if somehow indirectly you’re predisposing the ear to some infection.”
Conclusion
There is no scientific evidence that a garlic-and-olive-oil mixture can cure ear infections. Experts emphasise that proper diagnosis and medically approved treatments are necessary. They also noted that using such home remedies may be ineffective and potentially harmful.
