Ear candling is a relaxing treatment which claims to have a variety of health benefits.
When lit, ear candles work by vaporising their ingredients and creating air flow towards the ear.
What is ear candling?
The term 'candle' is something of a misnomer since the products used are not candles as we usually understand them. Ear candles are hollow tubes make from unbleached cotton or linen and hardened with beeswax. They are infused with honey and various herbs such as sage, chamomile or st johns wort, with some varieties also containing essential oils. When alight they resemble candles, hence the name.
Origins of ear candling
Ear candling is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries in many cultures throughout the work. In mexico, cones are placed next to the ear to aid healing. Historical records in the indian subcontinent also show that oils and wax removing sticks have been used, along with smoke being blown into a persons ear.
A common treatment for earache in iran was to smoke a pipe filled with various theraputic herbs and blow the smoke into the ears to alleviate pain. Ear candling was also widely practised in italy, Spain and Eastern Europe, using materials such as rolled tobacco leaves and waxed cloth ot paper and these methods are still in use in some places.
Other names given to ear candling include coning, thermo or thermal auricular therapy and thermotherapy.
Can everyone enjoy candling?
Ear candling is suitable for most adults and can be used on older children once their suitability to lie still for the duration of the treatment had been assessed by the therapist. There are certain conditions (such as perforated eardrums) where you should avoid ear candling and to ensure the continued well-being of clients, all treatments should begin with a consultation. This enables your therapist to make sure that ear candling is right for you.
What happens during an ear candling treatment?
An ear candling treatment lasts for approximately 45 minutes. Following a consultation, your therapist will do a brief examination of your ear to check for inflamation. You will then lie on your side on a couch. A protective cloth with a slit in it will be placed over the ear and an ear candle will be gently inserted into the opening of the ear.
Once treatment of the first ear is completted it will be repeated on the other ear. During treatment you may experience gentle heat around the ear area and a feeling of pressure being realsed in the ears ot sinuses. You may hear popping sounds and a pleasant crackling as the ingredients are burning.
After your treatment
Once both ears have been treated, you should rest for 10 - 15 minutes. During this time, a soothing scalp massage or massage of the neck, ears and face may be given. The therapist will then review any residue in the ear candles and provide you with further advice if needed.
It is advisable to avoid water sports and swimming for 24 hours after treatment. Keep your ears warm as they may feel slightly more sensitive to the environment for a few hours after treatment.
Benefits of ear candling
Reported benefits of ear candling may include:
- Relaxation and stress relief
- Stimulation of local energy flow
- The softening and loosening of compacted ear wax
- Relief from sinus problems, headaches and snoring
- Easing pressure problems following flying and diving
- temporary relief from tinnitus
- Reduced irritation of the ear canal
- Ear fluid circulation