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Ear Candling: Is It Safe? By Lisa Barger

Ear Candling -- Removing a Life Time of Debris By Marian Brown

What is an Ear Candle? By Jonathan Kraft

Ear Candling: Is It Safe? By Lisa Barger

Dr. Andrew Weil calls ear candling "hocus pocus" and he's not alone. Why then, do so many people still believe in a practice that is, at best, useless and, at worst, potentially harmful? Let's examine the "natural" practice of ear candling.

What Ear Candles Are

Sometimes referred to as ear cones, ear candles are long strips of beeswax-soaked fabric that have been wound into tight cone shapes. (Some manufacturers add ground herbs or essential oils but this practice is controversial among ear candle aficionados.)

After placing the small end of the stiff fabric cone into the ear canal, the practitioner lights the large end of the cone and allows the cone to burn down to within a few inches of the ear. After the cone is allowed to burn down to the appropriate length, the flame is extinguished and the remaining end of the cone is examined for toxins.

What Ear Coning Is Supposed To Do For You

Proponents of ear candles claim that candling create a "gentle vacuum" that "opens the chakras". Ear candling, according to believers, can help relieve symptoms of tinnitus, migraine, sinusitis, and more.

But think about this for a moment. Ear wax is very, very sticky and your eardrum is fairly fragile. Any "gentle vacuum" that's strong enough to "draw any impurities to the surface" would have to be strong enough to damage your eardrum, wouldn't it?

Quite simply, ear candling can't work as its cheerleaders claim.

Is Ear Candling Safe?

It's impossible to tell exactly how many people practice ear candling but a 1996 survey of 144 physicians found that these physicians had treated 13 instances of external burns, 7 cases involving obstruction of the ear canal due to melted wax and at least one perforated ear drum. Clearly, ear candling can be dangerous if not performed carefully.

Lisa Barger is a traditional naturopath specializing in natural health education. To learn more about Ms. Barger's belief in "Empowerment through Education" or to take a free online natural health class see her website, http://www.LisaBarger.com

Ear Candling -- Removing a Life Time of Debris By Marian Brown

Although centuries old, the ancient technique of ear candling or ear coning has seen increasing interest in the past decade in the holistic community. Thought to have originated with the Egyptians, it was used for spiritual cleansing as well as physical cleaning. It was believed to open and clear the spirit centers and refresh the auras.

Original style coning by the Egyptians utilized hollow reeds. Today, coning/candling uses a hollow candle, much like a large straw. Although they differ, most candles are made of 100% unbleached cotton (muslin) fabric coated with purified paraffins and/or bees' wax. There are also some specialty candles which contain herbs and oils.

Candling applies simple laws of science. The flame of the candle (when the candle is properly seated in the ear) creates a draw or vacuum which pulls the wax, fungus, candida, yeast, and other particles of debris out of the ear and up into the bottom of the candle. The vacuum is caused by the warmed air from the flame and the colder existing air moving through the hollow chamber of the candle. The movement and compression between the ear canal and the candle chamber generate air flow with increasing velocity, thus producing the "sucking" vacuum.

As the particles are drawn from the ear and into the bottom of the candle, the air flow becomes disrupted. This is why it is important to remove the candle and "tap out" the contents.

Why candle? The purpose of candling is to remove wax buildup, especially the heavy impacted wax that normal cleaning cannot remove. Candling is a more comfortable and less expensive alternative to the traditional cleaning method of forcing water into the ear canal.

Candling is also believed to remove candida, yeasts, fungus, and remnants of past infections. The Ear, Nose and Throat Journal of U of U Medical lab reported that the types of bacteria we currently fight in our ears include Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Anaerobic bacteria, and Influenza A and B.

A lifetime of residues build up in the ear canal!

Candling can be done on persons of any age. Candlers often have accounts of children, even babies, being candled with remarkable results. Inner ear infection is one of the top reasons for hospital admittance in children. Often candling has been used as a last effort for treating chronic ear infections and to avoid ear tubal placement. As well as treating the ear, candling can work on the sinus and lymph system, removing impurities there as well.

Because of all the intricate crevices in the ear, unbelievable amounts of debris can accumulate. This buildup creates a breeding ground for problems, and can also interfere with correct hearing. Impacted wax can build up against ear ducts and can also block reception of incoming sound waves. This lifetime accumulation may explain some of the hearing problems we develop as we age. It is reported that 20% of adults between 65-74 have hearing problems.

It is important to discuss candling with your health practitioner and always use common sense. Candling is not a replacement for proper health care, but can be an effective home remedy. Candling should not be done on a person who has a perforated eardrum or similar problems.

Candling is quite simple and is done with a partner. Generally, three candles are used in each ear. This varies from person to person as does the frequency of candling. Read and follow the specific instructions which come with your candles. The basic procedure is to have the person whose ears are being candled to lay on his/her side or to place their head sideways on a table. Be sure they are comfortable, as candling can take 15-20 minutes per candle, depending on the type of candle. The "candlee" should place the small tapered end of the candle snugly into the ear. (The candle may be inserted through a paper plate covered with aluminum foil to protect the face and hair.) The candle must fit snugly to allow proper air draw. As the bottom fills, gently tap it out in a bowl and carefully cut back the burned wick. The "suction" sounds much like the gentle hum one hears when a seashell is placed against the ear.

After candling, it is recommended to gently rinse the ears and place a couple of drops of oil of garlic into the ear. The normal wax will be replaced within 24 hours. For the first 24 hours after candling, it is best to protect the ears from wind, cold, and excessive amounts of water. Within 24 hours the normal production of wax will again protect the ear. CAUTION: Ear candles are a home remedy and should not take the place of medical treatment. They make no medical claims. They are not a medical device or take the place of any medical device.

Marian Brown has been involved in holistic and alternative care for people and pets for over 15 years. She is the editor of Holistic Health News at http://www.hhnews.com Visit the site and sign up for our free email newsletter.

What is an Ear Candle? By Jonathan Kraft

The magic of fire has fascinated people from the very beginning of time. Ear candles evoke a similar fascination, having been used by many cultures since ancient times.

The peoples of the Siberian prairies, Asia and native North and South American Indians mention ear candles in their myths, with ancient rock paintings showing ear candles being used at initiation rituals and medicinal ceremonies.

The Hopi, the oldest Pueblo people, who possess great medicinal knowledge and spirituality, brought this knowledge to Europe with the professional involvement of a company called BIOSUN.

The ear candling treatment (also known as coning, candling, or ear coning), is a relaxing and therapeutic method many people use to promote ear health. This age-old 'home remedy' works to relieve pain and discomfort, and the warmth and smoke may assist the body's natural process to excrete impacted or infected earwax during the days after candling is performed.

Many companies have been researching the use of ear candles for over 15 years, and although there are skeptics of ear candles, there are many people worldwide who benefit from the healing effects of ear candling.

How do ear candles work?

The healing properties of the Hopi ear candle has its foundation in two primary physical actions. First, the slight pressure created inside the ear candle, and the vibration of the rising air column, serve to gently massage the ear drum and promote secretion in the frontal and paranasal sinuses. This has an immediate effect of regulating ear pressure. Users often describe a soothing, light sensation in the ear/head area. Second, the locally applied warmth stimulates vascularization, invigorates the immune system, and reinforces the flow of lymph.

Ear candles users often report successful treatment of nose and throat congestion, sinusitis (or other sinus problems), headaches, T.M.J. pain, tinnitus earaches, and swimmers ear. Most day spas and other relaxation professionals will offer ear candling, because ear candles are an ideal relaxation treatment for stress or anxiety related symptoms. Ear candles, generally speaking, tend to soften earwax for easy removal At the same time, important acupuncture points and reflex zones are stimulated, causing further relaxation of the muscles in and around the ear, which can also help the ear and sinuses to open up.

Where can I buy ear candles?

Purchasing

There are many manufacturers of ear candles. Generally speaking you want to look for these factors when deciding on a good ear candle. Remember, these are going in your ears, so you do want a high quality product! Here's what to look for:

High Quality Manufacturing
High Quality Ingredients
Regularly tested
Natural Ingredients
Free from chemical pesticide & fungicide residues
Prompt Delivery
Competitive Prices
Good customer service

Based on my experience as a certified massage therapist, there are many companies who will have all of the above, except that they will be lacking either in customer service or competitive prices. Australian-based company Global Herbal Supplies, distributors of BioSun ear candles, is a good ear candle company. BioSun uses only the highest quality ingredients, and continually tests those ingredients to insure quality.

Jonathan Kraft is a Certified Massage Therapist living and working in Colorado. You find out more about massage, healing, and generaly wellness at www.strive4impact.com/massage.html

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