How to Ear Candle: An All-Natural Process

A traditional practice used for centuries, ear candling (also called coning) consists of placing a hollow cylinder coated with wax at the opening of the ear canal and lighting the other end to allow warm smoke to enter the ear.

Ear Candling is used for soothing the symptoms of ear problems. It can help relieve pain, discomfort and itching, and assist the ear in its natural removal of unwanted wax and debris (including remains of infections and environmental pollution) from the ear canal.

Modern ear candling uses disposable hollow candles made from strips of unbleached cotton or linen dipped in paraffin or beeswax. The spiral roll of these candles creates the same effect as the ancient pottery ear cones. Some candles are made with herbs or essential oils mixed into the wax, in a similar way as the ancients placed herbs in their ear cones for the beneficial effects of the smoke.

Those who use ear candles claim the warm, soothing smoke that the candle delivers to the ear canal helps dry out fluids in the ear canal, softens old hardened earwax, and stimulates the body's natural excretion of this wax and waste material (like dead cells, pollen, molds and parasites) bound to the earwax. They say the process is relaxing and often results in a sense of "clarity" after candling.

Many people who have never heard of ear candling often blow smoke into the ear to relieve symptoms of fever, flu, and even "swimmer's ear", where the smoke helps dry out fluids trapped in the ear canal. Though ear candlers originally thought the candle actually "drew out" earwax through suction, we now realize that very little if any of that residue in the candle comes from the ear. Most of the wax found in the candle probably is the result from burning the candle.

An ear candle is gently placed in the outer ear canal, and the opposite end is ignited to produce a gentle, soft flow of warmth and smoke that flows into the ear. The candle is burned to about four inches from the ear, then cut, removed, and extinguished in a bowl of water. The procedure is said to assist the body's natural excretion process, and the ear canal may continue to cleanse itself for a day or more.

The burning candle creates a gentle, soft flow of warmth and smoke that flows into the ear, drying the ear out, helping soften earwax, and helping soothe pain and discomfort. The process is very soothing, relaxing and non-invasive, bringing spiritual energy and soothing herbal essences into the ear. This process is also called "Ear Cleansing".

If the interior of the burned candle contains a brown powder, however, this could indicate there was not a good seal around the ear. Another candle should be used, making sure it fits properly, and listening for the crackling sound as the candle burns. At no point does the tip of the candle or the ear become hot to the touch. In fact, the candle should never burn down closer than 4" from the ear.

Following the procedure, the ear usually continues to excrete excess earwax for a few days. There should be no discomfort during the procedure or afterward. We suggest people allow a day or two between candling sessions for the cells lining the ear canal to restore a normal amount of healthy, new earwax.

If you have a serious ear disease, tubes in your ears, eardrum damage or an upper respiratory infection, consult a physician before you attempt this process. Ear candling should not be used as a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment.

Basic Rules

• Always have an assistant perform the process.
  
• Use fresh supplies and work in a clean area.
  
• Use common sense around fire.
  
• Do not insert sharp objects or push anything into the ears.
  
• If anything falls into the ear, stop the procedure and tilt the head to let the material fall out. You can also flush clean water into the ear to rinse out any of this material.
  
• Following these suggestions will help prevent any injury or harm to the ear.
  

Procedures

• Use damp towels or Wally's Head & Shoulder Cover to cover the hair, face and clothing.
  
• The person can sit up (as shown above) or you may prefer the traditional method having the person lie down during the process.
  
• Use aluminum pie pan with hole for candle, angling the candle about 10 degrees upward.
  
• Light candle, and let smoke and warmth soothe the ear.
  
• As candle burns, cut off the ash into a bowl of water.
  
• During the procedure, you may massage the face in the areas of the sinuses (around the cheek, nose and eye) and along the side of the person's neck.
  
• When candle burns to about 4" in length, carefully remove it from the ear and extinguish the candle in the bowl of water.
  

Supplies

• Wally's Ear Candles (2-4 per ear)
  
• Scissors 
  
• Small bowl of water
  
• Aluminum pie pan (with a hole cut off-center for the candle to fit through)
  
• Matches or lighter to light ear candles
  
• Dampened towels or fire retardant covers (to cover the head and upper body and protect hair, clothing, bedding and furniture).
  
• Wally's Ear Oil to soothe the ear.
  
• Wally's Itch-Away Oil to relieve itching.
  
• Lotion or massage oil (for face massage)
  
• Trash bags (for cleaning up)
  
• Instruction manual

Supplies

• You may need more than one candle for each ear.
  
• Use Wally's Ear Oil to further soothe ears after candling.
  
• If itching persists, use Wally's Itch-Away Oil.
  
• Wait at least a day between candling sessions.