EAR CANDLING
Ear candling can also be known as ear coning or thermal auricular therapy. The process is known to clear excess wax from an individual’s ear.
During this process, the end of a hollow burning candle is placed by the individual’s external ear canal and allowed to burn down. This is said to create a pressure pull on any excess wax or debris in the ear and effectively removing it from the canal. A plate is then placed around the ear to prevent any hot wax from seeping into the ear canal.
Recent studies have indicated various devices that are coned shaped have been used in a similar technique to ear candling in a bid to remove excess or built up wax.
When performing ear candling, there are specific candles that should be purchased, i.e. unbleached candles, as chlorine is bad for the ears. Bees wax candles are however one of the best suited for this procedure. It is also a good idea to purchase candles which do not drip.
This method is also been recommended to help relive sinus pain and pressure, swimmers ear, vertigo, Meniere’s and tension, along with regulating pressure and strengthening the brain.
There is however controversy regarding its ability to strengthen the brain, as the internal ear canals do not extend to the brain and can therefore have no influence on the brains functioning.
Procedure followed during ear candling:
The patient will be required to lie on his or her side and a collection plate with a hole is now placed around the ear and the candle inserted through the hole in the middle of the collection plate. The candle is then lit and allowed to burn down with the wick being trimmed at regular intervals. After a 1 – 2 hour session, the candle should be blown out and the plate removed.
A clean cotton swab or cloth is then used to wipe excess mucus, wax or foreign bodies that appear on the ear. Ear oil is a trusted option to use after completing treatment.
Precautions when performing this treatment:
During this procedure, the ear must only feel warm and not hot. Should the ear feel hot, the procedure is being done wrong and should be stopped immediately to prevent damage. Most tests have however indicated that this procedure is not effective and could have devastating consequences if done incorrectly.
Why is Ear Candling Ineffective?
- Wax is known to be sticky and only negative pressure can pull it away from the ear. The pressure therefore needed to draw the wax out of the ear canal will therefore need to so powerful that should it occur, it may cause a rapture of the ear drum.
- Research has also indicated that there is no negative pressure vacuum created by the lit candle and that the only result of this treatment has been damage to the delicate ear canal.
- Also the remnants that are left on the collecting plate can be linked to burned residue of wax as well as the burnt wick and not ear wax and impurities or debris.
- The ear is not connected to the brain as mentioned above, and can therefore not result in positive effects (spiritually or physically) being felt by the brain due to this treatment.
The best and possibly safest treatment for ear wax removal is to visit your ENT or Doctor.
ENT’s and Doctors have studied in their field and have expertise information on different procedures and methods. If wax is incorrectly removed tinnitus, ear infections, Eustachian tube malfunction and other ear related conditions can occur. |
