Ear
Candling: Ancient Therapy for a New Generation
by Joyce Long
Primarily used for wax buildup and related hearing problems,
ear candling is also used for ear infections and sinus infections. Treatment involves
placing the narrow end of a specially designed hollow candle at the entry of the ear
canal, while the opposite end is lit.
In the Beginning--
Historically, there is evidence of ear candling (aka coning
or funneling) throughout the timeline of civilization. Virtually every major group had
some version of the practice.
Ancient Egyptians used papyrus rolled into a cone shape.
Upper-class Greeks used candling to evoke mental clarity and a deeper spirituality.
There's evidence of candling in cave drawings discovered in Europe. Oriental doctors of
Thailand, China, India and the Philippines have included the process as a routine part of
their regular practice of medicine. American Indians used reeds from the riverbank to
relieve head congestion for candling purposes. Diaries translated from native dialects of
African slaves describe the practice of candling as being widely used on the African
continent.
Even today in modern Spain, Mexico, Greece, and Italy (to
name but a few), the candling process is performed as a folk remedy usually be a
designated family member for sinus problems, headaches, etc.
The actual process of candling was performed by a diverse
cast of practitioners. In some cultures, the religious leader, holy man or shaman provided
the service for members of the tribe or village. Other civilizations looked to the
medicine man or healer to help them. Today, either a family member or neighbor is
typically designated to treat community member. In American, wellness practitioners have
assumed this role and thousands of people have found relief from a wide assortment of
problems from tinnitus to chronic sinus infections.
How It Works:
A cone-shaped candle about 8-10 inches long is used for most
sessions. It is made of muslin fabric that has been soaked in an aromatic herbal solution,
then fashioned into a conical shape and allowed to dry. It is then dipped in beeswax to
make the candle more substantive and so it will burn better (it resembles the paper cones
used with cotton candy.)
The person lies on his/her side on a comfortable.
Usually a small towel is draped over the shoulder to safeguard the hair, neck and face. A
barrier plate (heavy paper plate) is used to hold the candle in proper placement and to
collect any drips of beeswax.
The candle is inserted into the opening of the ear canal (the
auditory canal) - making sure placement is snug and comforwith no smoke leaks. It is
held in place by the client. The candle is lit. One may hear a faint sizzle sound as it
burns. The volulme of the sound will vary as to the extent of blockage and/or residue in
the ear canal. A minimum of one candle per ear is recommended, with the to use an
additional candle as is appropriate. It usually takes about 30 minutes.
The Principle:
As the candle burns, warm smoke is guided into the ear canal.
The resulting heat creates a vacuum which draws old wax and residue out of the ear and
into the hollow core of the cone-shpaed candle.
Fluids are drawn from ears, sinuses, and lymph glands. As the
material is extracted, blockages are reduced and/or eliminated, allowing the natural
processes.
Results:
All clients have unique reactions to this process. Reports
have included:
- improved hearing and vision
- better balance
- heightened sense of taste and smell
- less deep-ear itching
- draining sinuses and less infections - even mental clarity!
Of course, no medical claims, promises or guarantees can be
made as to benefits. The only gauge to know if it works for you is by the way you feel!
What Does Not Happen During a Session
- A lighted candle is not put into your ear!
- Hot candle wax is not dripped into your ear!
- You experience pain or discomfort during the process.
- A candle flame is not placed into your ear!
- Nothing is put into your ear - only extracted!
Who Needs To Do This
This process is recommended for people who:
- work outdoors or in a dusty environment
- outdoor sporting enthusiasts
- love water-oriented activities
- live or work with animals
- have chronic sinus problems, headaches or sore throats
- "ringing" or "plugged" (tinnitus)
sensation
- are elderly and experience a sense of hearing loss
- are children and are plagued with perpetual
earaches/infections.
All these diverse types of people may derive benefit from
this simple therapy. |
