15/06/2025
Ear wax, or cerumen, is produced by our bodies to support with cleaning and lubrication of ear canals ๐งผ๐๐ฝ and protection of our inner ears from bacteria, fungi, particulates and water. ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ง
However, this helpful substance has had some weirder uses throughout history:
Pliny the Elder, in his book "The Natural History" from around AD 77, recommended the use of human ear wax as a cure for bites from scorpions, humans and even serpents! ๐ฆ๐ซฆ๐ Apparently it worked even better if the ear wax used came from the victim of the bite themself; a ground up human tooth would work nicely too. ๐ฆท
In Medieval Europe, ear wax was commonly used to prepare pigments by scribes and illuminators to adjust colours and shades (they also used other bodily substances like urine!)! โ๏ธ๐จ๐
The 1829 book "American Frugal Housewife" celebrated ear wax as the absolute best cure for treating wounds from "a nail [or a] skewer", and as a perfect natural lip balm. ๐ฉน๐
Seamstresses, bookbinders and shoemakers often use waxed thread to prevent fraying and to smooth the process; before prewaxed threads became widely available, ear wax often used as an easy access solution. ๐งต๐ชก๐๐