Ear Candling
How do Ear Candles work?
The technique involves gently placing the hollow, coned shaped candle about a quarter of an inch into the ear canal. Once the candle is in the ear canal and lit, the flame slowly passes down the candle’s hollow centre. As it burns down the warm air eventually comes into contact with colder air and a vacuum effect is created - drawing out any wax, candida, yeast and other debris that may be lodged in the ear canal. The movement and compression between the ear canal and the candle chamber generate air flow that functions like a chimney. This ‘chimney effect’ is what stimulates the sucking action.
Origin of Ear Candling
It is thought that the Ancient Greeks were among the first to utilise ear candling, which they referred to as ‘coning’. It was used for cleansing, healing and purifying on a spiritual basis.
The Greeks used pottery clay to make coned shaped instruments, and carved a double helix inside to create a downward spiral energy flow for smoke and heated air once the candle was lit. This carried burning herbs down into the ear canal, helping to cleanse and draw out debris and impurities.
Gradually more and more ancient cultures picked up on the practice, including the Chinese, Egyptians, Mayan and Inca tribes. The modern incarnation of ear candling however is primarily based on the technique envisaged by the Native American Indian tribe, the Hopis (meaning ‘peaceful people’).
The Hopis – who were known for their medicinal knowledge – used ear candling in rituals and healing ceremonies, and developed a specific candle formula to enhance the treatment’s holistic and therapeutic benefits. The main ingredients they used in their candles included cotton, beeswax, honey, sage, chamomile and St John’s Wort.
What does an Ear Candling treatment entail?
Before you have your Ear Candling treatment you will be given a full consultation and asked a number of questions regarding any problems that you may have with your ears. This is to help assess whether ear candling will be a safe treatment for you to have and to find out what your expectations of the treatment are.
You will be placed in a comfortable position laying down on your side. The ear candle will be gently placed just inside the ear canal and lit. The candle will be held firmly in place to create a vacuum. A protector disc will prevent any of the ash from falling in or around the ear.
You will experience a fire crackling sound as the candle burns and possibly some popping of the ear. You will also feel a gentle massaging sensation to the ear drum and some heat as the candle burns lower. When the candle has burned it is carefully removed from the ear and extinguished. The entire process is then repeated for the other ear. Each candle takes around 10 mins to burn.
Once both ears have been treated you will be left to relax for a few minutes before receiving a soothing facial massage to to encourage lymphatic drainage and enhance the effects of the candling. You can also request to see the inside of the burnt out candle to reveal the condition of your ears.
Some people may experience relief straight after the first session but more may be needed depending on your age, the nature of your ailment and how long you have had it for. Generally, the older you are and the longer you have had the condition, the more ear candle treatments you will need to see a noticeable improvement. There is also the question of how complex the condition is, as some are easier to treat than others.
What are the benefits of Ear Candling?
Ear candling is a holistic treatment - therefore it is not designed to be a specific cure for any particular ailment. However, due to the fact there are so many intricate crevices in the inner ear, it is easy for debris and impurities to build-up and cause problems that can interfere with hearing and cause discomfort. Regular removal of yeasts, allergies or compacted wax through ear candle treatment can bring relief to the following conditions:
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Excessive ear wax
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Glue ear
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Ear ache
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Hearing difficulties
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Meniere's disease
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Tinnitus
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Colds and flu, Sinus congestion
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Rhinitis
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Hay fever
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Snoring
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Headaches
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Vertigo
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Swollen glands
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Pain or pressure after flying, scuba diving or swimming
Other potential ear candling benefits can include:
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Stimulation and detoxification of the lymphatic system.
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A catalyst to clear nerve endings and promote healing.
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Providing a boost to the immune system.
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Improvement to mental functions, vision, hearing, taste and colour perception.
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Bringing about a more balanced emotional state and clearer thinking.
Ear candling provides a pleasant and safe alternative for people who find traditional medical treatments such as syringing uncomfortable and/or ineffective, and is ideal for people of all ages – including young children and elderly people.
Are there any side effects or times when it should be avoided?
Although anyone can be treated with ear candles they should not be used if any of the following conditions apply:
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Infection or inflammation of the ear
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Surgery on the ear within the last 3 months
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Perforation of the ear drum
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Auricular cysts
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Grommets, drains or ventilation tubes fitted
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Known allergy to bees wax/stings.
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Epilepsy
Providing you have none of these existing conditions ear candling should be a perfectly safe treatment for you to have.
Read about other Ear Candling experiences or submit your own here.
If you are interested in Ear Candling or any of the other treatments available, please feel free to contact me, or dive right in and book a treatment and experience the benefits for yourself.