Ear Candling: A Fool Proof Method, or Proof of Foolish Methods? - Part 1

Editor: Ear Candling. We've all heard of it as a way to remove earwax. It's been a source of controversy for ages. Does it really remove earwax, or is it an old wife's tale? Here are a couple of folks who should know!

Reprinted with permission from Audiology Online (www.audiologyonline.com)

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By Heather L. Shenk, Au.D. & Jess Dancer, Ed.D.

Ear candling has been acclaimed as a treatment for almost every ailment of the ears, head, and - the entire body, depending on the source. In this article, we'll explore the history, the claims and the facts related to ear candling.

History:

Although ear candling appears to date back to ancient cultures, the exact history is rather obscure. Dryer1 stated that people from Tibet, China, Egypt, the Pre-Columbian Americas, and possibly even the mythical city of Atlantis, participated in ear candling.

Ashby2 stated ear candles date back to 2500 BC in ancient Egypt, where candles were made from flax (a plant by-product). Ashby also noted, production of ear candles may have coincided with the domestication of the honeybee and the availability of wax. 2

Another source3 explains that ear candling was actually known as "ear coning" because cone-shaped pottery was used to facilitate the flow of smoke into the ear. A double helix was carved into the center of the cone. When the small end of the cone was placed into the person's ear, smoke from burning herbs could be "funneled" down into the ear canal. Supposedly, "the smoke and heat cleansed the ear canal and pulled debris out by vacuum as air was burned out of the ear canal."

Mayan, Aztec, and American Indians used ear candles, too. Some Indian tribes blew herbal smoke into the ear through a cone-shaped object. Ear candling was considered "a spiritual process for clearing the mind and senses." 3 Additionally, the process was used for "physiological cleansing" and "spiritual purification" before initiation rites and rituals. 4

Ancient Greeks used ear candling for "cleansing, purifying, and healing on a spiritual basis" and later for "physical benefits." American Hopi Indians of northern Arizona demonstrated candling in paintings of initiation rites and healing ceremonies. 5

The Materials:

In "The Practical Guide to Ear Candling," Sheppard6 offered a list of materials necessary for ear candling. Ear candles are made of unbleached cotton or linen, soaked in wax (i.e., paraffin or beeswax) and shaped into a hollow cone or cylinder. Often, one end of the candle is tapered for easier insertion into the ear canal. During the production of ear candles, herbs may be added to the wax, such as sage, chamomile, rose, rosemary, burdock root, osha root, periwinkle, jojoba, quassia bark, yucca root, or honey. 1 According to Sheppard, herbs added to the wax enhance aromatherapy during candling. 6

Ear candles are approximately 12 inches in length, about 5/8 inch in diameter at the top to 1/4 inch at the tapered bottom.3 Ear candles take from 8 to 30 minutes to burn. Two to four candles are recommended per ear per session. 6

The Procedure:

There are two basic methods for completing ear candling; the "traditional" way and the "new" way. 6

The traditional way has the person lying on his or her side with the ear facing up. The head and shoulders are covered with flame retardant material or towels. An aluminum pie plate with a hole cut near the center is suggested to protect the participant. A hole is made in the center of the plate and the candle is inserted through the plate before being inserted into the ear canal. The person conducting the candling session inserts the candle into the ear canal without force. When a seal is obtained, the top of the candle is ignited. If smoke leaks out around the ear canal, a better seal is obtained by rotating the candle slowly. The person should hear cracking and popping sounds as the candle burns.6

Sheppard suggests beginning facial massage during candling to help the person relax and to help the sinuses clear. The person conducting the candling session should trim the candle every two inches as it burns, and that ashes should be picked up as quickly as possible. When the flame burns down to four inches, the candle should be extinguished. The process should be repeated with another candle. 6

The new way recommends that the person sit up during the candling session. Towels are still placed around the head and shoulder. The person conducting the candling session inserts the candle in the ear canal at a 5-10 degree angle away from the person's head. The candle is trimmed every two inches and extinguished when it is within four inches of the ear. 6

Alleged Benefits:

Dryer1 reports multiple claims have been made regarding potential benefits of ear candling, including:
* relieves sinus pressure and pain
* cleanses the ear canal
* improves hearing
* assists lymphatic circulation
* regulates pressure
* purifies the mind
* strengthens the brain
* relieves pain and fever associated with a ruptured eardrum
* cures swimmer's ear and other ear infections
* relieves earaches
* acts as an alternative to "tubes put in your ears"
* sharpens the senses of smell, taste, and color perception
* stabilizes emotions
* stops tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
* helps TMJ pain and stiffness
* relieves vertigo
* fortifies the central nervous system
* clears the eyes
* purifies the blood,
* acts as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, or antibiotic
* cures Meniere's syndrome
* aids sinusitis
* releases blocked energy
* reduces stress and tension
* cures auricular zona (a herpes zoster infection of the ear)
* opens and align the chakras
* opens the spiritual centers and cleanses the auric bodies.
One website4 offered, "It is strongly advised that this process can be very profound, sometimes allowing the release of buried memories or events and emotions. The person conducting the coning session should therefore be versed in counseling skills, or have someone present who is, to create and maintain an emotionally safe environment for the client and to guide the client through any potential emotional turbulence."

Another website7 stated, "Ear candling can benefit almost everyone, from infants to adults. Musicians can benefit - especially singers and horn blowers - who often have a lot more wax build up than other people. People who wear hearing aids can benefit. Also, those people who have had previous ear injuries, can benefit from ear candling as they tend to have a greater build up of wax and fungus. Ear Candling should not be done to people who have ear tubes, perforated ear drums, or artificial ear drums."

Part Two