What Is Ear Candling and How Does It Work? [top]

Ear Candling (or coning) is a natural, gentle method of removing wax, also know as cerumen, from the ear canal and is much less invasive than flushing or scraping! The procedure is meant to help restore a balanced flow of wax within the ear canal and remove any blockages, toxins and/or debris that may be causing headaches, earaches, infections, a loss of hearing, vertigo, tinnitus and more.

Ear Candles are hollow tubes often made of unbleached cotton and beeswax and are roughly 9-12 inches in length. One end of the candle has a hollow tip and is inserted gently into the ear canal, while the other end, the one farthest from the ear, acts as a wick and is then lit. The warmth of the flame creates a gentle convection current which softens the wax in the ear canal and begins to move any toxins and debris. Because the candle is a hollow tube, a gentle vacuum like action is created, causing the wax and debris to draw up into the inner section of the hollow candle.

Through osmosis, the smoke from the candles (which if made from beeswax contains natural Vitamin E in the form of bee propolis and natural disinfectant) will travel through the pores of our skin, cleansing and purifying the area of toxins. The warm sensation from the candle induces deep relaxation and allows the muscles and circulatory system to release and open. This encourages blood flow and stimulates the lymphatic system. When blood and lymph begin to move the body is able to clear out any cellular debris and eliminate congestion, such as within the sinuses. I often use Essential Oils like peppermint and lavender in my sessions to further enhance and support this action.

An added benefit to this particular therapy is the treatment that the body receives on a wholistic level. The ear contains acupuncture points relating to all other areas of the body and when one receives a candling treatment the points are stimulated, thus balance and flow are initiated throughout the entire body.

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What Can Ear Candling Do For Me? [top]

Earwax is essential to our health as it protects us from weather, viruses and dangerous organisms, however if there is an excessive amount of wax that becomes build up within the canal, loss of hearing, infection, and irritation can all occur. When wax builds up within the ear it begins to put pressure on the pores of the canal. This causes the pores to swell, preventing the natural flow of cerumen. Once a blockage is created and the flow becomes stagnant, the wax becomes a breading ground for bacteria and can often cause severe infections, headaches and more.

Ear Candling can provide relief from sinus congestion or pressure, assist in the elimination of toxins, reduce the occurrence of infections, clarify hearing, aid in the treatment of migraines, tinnitus, vertigo and so on. This is a non-invasive treatment aimed to help to restore balance and flow within the body.

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How Often Should I Receive A Treatment? [top]

This greatly depends on the severity of the issue being addressed but because ear wax is a necessary part of our body's defence system, it is often suggested that one receive a treatment no more than once a week. It may also require anywhere from 1 to 7 sessions for optimal results to be seen, once again however this depends entirely upon the person and the problem.

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A Word of Caution [top]

Because there is an open flame during an ear candling session, precautious measures should be taken by the practitioner. There should always be a guard of some kind between the clients head and the flame of the candle.

No more than 3 candles should be used per ear in a single session and NEVER receive a candling treatment if you have had or currently have a perforated eardrum or tubes. Communicate openly with your practitioner and if you are uncomfortable at any point during the session don't be afraid to speak up.

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A Brief Look at the History [top]

Ear Candling dates back thousands of years to 2500BC and has been used by many cultures all over the world, including the Atlanteans, Aztecs, Incans, Mayans, Europeans, Egyptians, Native Americans and more. Most cultures believed the treatment helped enhance spiritual abilities by cleansing the upper chakras and restoring balance to the body, mind and spirit.

Many different materials were used to perform the treatment throughout history. Herbal smoke and glazed pottery were often used with linens made of flaxseed. Bamboo, soft bark, leaves, hollow sticks, mullein rods and scrolls were also commonly used materials.

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