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Claim: A Facebook page, Jenny Blog, shared a video claiming that juice extracted from pawpaw tree roots can cure ear infections.
Verdict: Misleading. While pawpaw root extracts show some antibacterial properties in laboratory studies, there is no clinical evidence that they can safely or effectively cure ear infections in humans.
Full Text
A Facebook page, Jenny Blog, posted a video (archived link here), claiming that juice extracted from pawpaw tree roots can cure ear infections. In the video, a woman instructs viewers to wash pawpaw roots, pound them without adding water, extract the juice, and apply two drops into the ear morning and evening for one week.
In the video, she instructs viewers, saying, “If you know anybody with an ear problem, the person is having an ear problem, please carry out this remedy for the person… go and get pawpaw, get the root of pawpaw, take it home and clean it very well… pound it very well, do not add any water… You carry the liquid from the pawpaw, extract the juice, get a container and put the water inside… in the morning… put two drops, in the evening repeat the same process. Repeat it for a week.”
As of May 20, 2026, the post had accumulated over 486,000 views, 15,000 likes, 472 comments, and 1,500 shares.
Some users in the comment section expressed belief in the remedy or sought clarification on other ear conditions.
One user, Gabriel Lok, asked, “Did the treat some things ringing in the ears, called tinnitus?”
Another user, Chidinma Jane Azubuike, wrote, “What of constant itchy ear does this remedy work for it as well?”
Helena Acirokop contradicted the claim, saying, “I tried the papaw roots but didn’t work.”
The post was also shared here.
DUBAWA decided to verify this claim because this is a public health issue and because of the varying comments.
What does science say?
Scientific literature shows that Carica papaya root extracts contain phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and glycosides, which have demonstrated antibacterial activity against organisms like Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in laboratory settings.
Some in vitro studies, including research conducted in Nigeria, suggest possible relevance for infections such as otitis media.
Otitis media is a middle ear infection usually caused by bacteria or viruses trapped behind the eardrum, often following a cold or allergy. This infection may present with ear pain, fever, fluid discharge, and temporary hearing loss.
However, these findings are limited to laboratory experiments and do not demonstrate that pawpaw root extract is effective or safe for treating ear infections in humans.
According to health guidance cited by Healthline, applying unsterile substances into the ear may introduce contamination, trigger allergic reactions, or worsen infections, especially if the eardrum is perforated. It also notes that variability in preparation makes dosage and safety unpredictable.
Experts view
An Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist, Mustapha Jimoh, dismissed the claim, explaining that while plant extracts may contain bioactive compounds, there is no scientific proof supporting their use for treating ear infections.
Mustapha said, “There is no evidence in modern science that juice extract from pawpaw tree roots can cure ear infection.”
He further noted that although some plant-based substances may show antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties, they require proper purification, testing, and dosage control before use in medicine.
Mustapaha also warned that unregulated use could be harmful, adding that such substances “may damage the ear, may cause irritation, and can also stimulate or attract superimposed infections.”
Another ENT specialist, Titus Ibekwe, also dismissed the claim, stating that “orthodox medicine lays no credence to any of the above mantras.”
Conclusion
Although pawpaw root contains compounds with antibacterial activity in laboratory studies, there is no clinical evidence that it can cure ear infections. Experts warn that using unsterile plant extracts in the ear may be unsafe and could worsen infections or delay proper treatment. The claim is therefore misleading.
