Benefits of Ear Candling

Ear candling is an age-old practice that is believed to have a rejuvenating effect on the overall well-being of a person by creating a harmony of the body, mind and spirit. The practice of ear candling technique dates back 2, 500 years and the ancient Egyptians, Tibetans, Chinese and American Indians are credited for developing this practice of alternative medicine. Nowadays, the popularity of ear candling has grown in developed countries as a means of improving health and general well-being of an individual.

Benefits of Ear Candling

Ear candling technique involves the use of a hollow candle, known as the ear candle, which is quite different from the ones commonly used. Ear candles are made from cotton or linen and are soaked in wax, usually soy or bee wax and sometimes in paraffin wax. For performing ear candling, one end of this candle is lighted and the other end is placed in the ear canal of an individual. A specially designed plate with a hole in the middle, is used in the process. The candle in inserted through this hole and then placed in the ear canal. This helps in preventing the candle wax from entering the ear canal.

The users of this technique claim that the process of placing a hollow lighted candle in the ear canal generates heat, that melts down the hard and solid ear wax. At the same time, the process also creates a vacuum, which draws out the melted ear wax into the candle. So one of the most important benefits of ear candling is to help you get rid of ear wax. This in turn improves hearing and alleviates different ear problems like tinnitus and temporary loss of hearing due to accumulation of excess ear wax.

However, ear wax removal is not the only benefit of ear candling. It has been claimed by many, that the process can have several other significant health benefits also. One important benefit of ear candling is its stimulating and invigorating effect on the central nervous system, mainly on the brain. Besides this, it can improve lymphatic circulation, alleviate ear infections, sinusitis, pain and fever associated with a ruptured eardrum and dizziness. It can balance the pressure in the ear and purify blood. Ear candling is claimed to have an spiritual effect that purifies the mind and opens the spiritual centers or energy points. Many have also asserted that the process has a soothing and relaxing effect on the mind by reducing stress and tension and restoring emotional balance.

Risks of Ear Candling

However, most of these health benefits of ear candling has been refuted by several medical researches and studies carried out in this field. Even its effectiveness in removing ear wax is questioned by many with the allegation that the debris, which accumulates in the candle is actually residue of the candle itself and not ear wax. The process of ear treatment by using this technique involves many risks that can range from minor burns of the ear, skin and hair to blockage of the ear canal and damage to the eardrums. Therefore, it is not advisable to perform ear candling on your own. Many people generally go to a professional who can perform this procedure by following the appropriate ear candling instructions and safety precautions.

Considering the different health hazards of ear candling, the selling or importing of ear candles for medical purposes, has been declared illegal by the United States. Before opting for this alternative method for alleviating various ailments, it is better to evaluate the different pros and cons of ear candling. It is also important to keep in mind, that in addition to the risks involved, most of the health benefits of ear candling, as asserted by its proponents, have not been proved scientifically.