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History
Stories circulating about the history of ear candling, include them being used in ancient times, However, the way it is today is open to debate. Some sources say it was used in China, India, Tibet and India, although evidence is yet to be found of this. We can be fairly sure it was used in some form, probably ceremonially in Egyptian, and certainly in Mayan, Aztec and North American cultures. Ancient rock paintings show the use of Earcandles at initiation rituals and medicinal ceremonies
Although based on an ancient practice, Ear Candling has been described as a modern fad, but there have been stories told by people who were children in the early part of the 20th century in America’s Midwest. These describe an ear treatment that involved rolling a newspaper into a cone, placing into the ear and igniting the paper. The paper often had some kind of wax coating, but one account even tells of neat paraffin being soaked into the end of the newspaper! This sounds dangerous, but certainly believable. Similar stories can be found in South America and doubtless elsewhere. These methods fell into disuse as the century progressed with the advent of modern medicine.
Ear candling was revived in Europe about 15 years ago with a great deal of input from the North American Indian tribe, the Hopi. The Hopi, are the oldest Pueblo people with great medical knowledge and a highly regarded spirituality. Ear candles, whatever the make now seem to be called ‘Hopi Ear Candles’ and seem to have acquired the tag in the same way that vacuum cleaners are called ‘Hoovers’.
What are Hopi ear candles?
The "candles" are in fact hollow tubes made of woven cotton, honey extracts, essential oil of Sage, 100% pure beeswax and crushed Indian medicinal herbs (mainly sage and camomile).
How does it work?
Whilst the patient lies on a massage table the practitioner places one end of the candle carefully into the auditory canal and lights the other end
What does it feel like?
A warm sensation may be felt while the healing vapours are introduced into the head. The chimney effect helps to regulate pressure in the head and draw outwards wax and debris from the ear. After both ears have been treated a head massage is given to complete the process.
What can the candles be used for?
The treatment is extremely relaxing and can be used for many ear nose and throat problems including ear infections, problem ear wax, glue ear, tititus, headaches, migraines, rhinitis, sinusitis, colds and hay fever.
How long does the session take?
A session lasts between 50 minutes and 1 hour. . There are no set number of treatments involved, this depends on how much wax/debris is removed and how quickly the candles burn down.
Contra-indications
Hopi Ear Candles are not suitable for those with perforated ear drums, eczema of the ear, where grommets are in place, or those who may be allergic to any of the ingredients
Pre-treatment preparation
You may benefit from putting a few drops of warm olive oil into each ear for two or three days before treatment, as this may help to loosen any wax present.
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