They call it exostosis, but most of us know it as Surfer’s Ear that slow, silent buildup of bone that creeps into the ear canal after years of cold water, wind, and wave time.
It doesn’t hurt at first. It’s just there invisible, unnoticed, until one day your hearing dulls or water stops draining right. For me, it was that: a constant echo, like the ocean never left my head.
The Doctor’s Words
I remember sitting in the ENT’s office, salt still in my hair, when he looked into my ear and said,
“Your left canal is 90% closed. You’ll need surgery if you want to hear properly again.”
That number hit me harder than any wave.
Ninety percent closed.
He explained they’d drill into the bone to open it up, a common procedure, but one that can leave the ear more sensitive afterward.
It didn’t feel right.
It didn’t feel like the way nature designed us to heal.
So I decided to do what I always do when faced with something “unfixable”:
I turned to ritual.
The Ritual That Changed Everything
Every night, for nearly a year, I used our Sunshine Rituals Ear Oil the same blend we now offer in our apothecary:
Organic Olive Oil from Temecula Olive Oil Co., Garlic, Mullein, St. John’s Wort, Calendula, Vitamin E, and a touch of Tea Tree Essential Oil.
I’d warm the bottle between my palms until it felt alive, then place a few drops in each ear before bed. Some nights I’d just massage the oil along the outer ear and down the neck tracing the lymph pathways that help the body drain and clear itself.
It became less about “treating” something and more about re-establishing flow — blood, lymph, warmth, and awareness.
I paired the ritual with what I now know as thermal balance:
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avoiding icy post-surf ear shock
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rinsing with warm water afterward
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spending more time in early-morning sunlight to regulate inflammation
Healing isn’t just what you put in the body — it’s the rhythm you return to.
A Year Later
When I went back for my checkup, the same doctor looked confused.
He examined the scan twice, then said quietly,
“Your ear is almost completely open — less than 10% closed.”
No surgery.
No drills.
Just plants, warmth, and time.
I still remember walking out of that office grinning.
It wasn’t just about the ear — it was proof that the body can reverse what it once created, if we give it the right language.
Understanding Surfer’s Ear (Naturally)
Surfer’s Ear forms when repeated cold-water exposure triggers the bone in the ear canal to grow inward — a protective reaction gone too far.
The narrowing traps water, leading to chronic irritation and infection.
Most doctors recommend surgery once it becomes severe. But many cases, especially early to moderate stages, can be supported through circulation, warmth, and anti-inflammatory care.
That’s where our Ear Oil shines.
How Sunshine Rituals Ear Oil Helps
Each ingredient was chosen to support the very functions Surfer’s Ear disrupts:
Olive Oil – Keeps the canal hydrated and pliable, preventing dryness and micro-cracking that trigger bone response.
Garlic – Natural antimicrobial and warming; discourages infection and promotes circulation.
Mullein – Softens tissue and encourages lymphatic movement.
St. John’s Wort – Calms nerve inflammation, supports regeneration.
Calendula – Soothes, heals, and reduces irritation.
Vitamin E – Nourishes delicate skin and resists oxidative stress.
Tea Tree – Maintains microbial balance; helps prevent post-surf irritation.
Together, they act like a balm for the auditory tides — keeping things open, supple, and able to flow.
The Practice
Here’s the simple ritual that changed everything:
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Warm the bottle in your hands before use.
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After surfing or showering, dry your ears gently.
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Tilt your head and place 2–3 drops in the affected ear.
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Massage around the ear and down the neck to stimulate drainage.
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Repeat nightly or after long water exposure.
This isn’t a quick fix — it’s slow medicine.
But slow medicine is what lasts.
The Bigger Picture
Surfer’s Ear isn’t a curse of the ocean — it’s a conversation between your body and the elements. When we respond with warmth, nourishment, and rhythm instead of force, the body remembers what openness feels like.
That’s what Sunshine Rituals is built on — the understanding that we’re not here to fight nature; we’re here to relearn how to move with it.
For external use only. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare practitioner for persistent or severe symptoms.
