ear candles

The appearance of an ear candle resembles a thick straw. It is about 20 centimeters long and has a diameter of about six millimeters. There are now a variety of ear candles on the market. Depending on the type of production, these consist for example of cotton, linen and beeswax. Depending on the application, herbs, spices or essential oils are added to the ear candles.

Contents:
ear candles
Historical review
Mode of action of the ear candles
Expiry of an ear candle treatment
Side effects of ear candling therapy
Areas of application for an ear candle

Historical review

There is no established source of ear candling therapy. What is certain, however, is that it has long been used for treatment. The shamans use the ear candle for the ceremony and various rituals. The production of ear candles was a mystical affair at that time and not every shaman was authorized to do so. Only a few details are known about the true origin of the ear candle treatment. So this could be according to the current state of research in Central or North America, in Asia, China or in the Urals. However, it is known that ear candles were used at that time as a home remedy and also produced themselves. Only in 1985 the ear candle came to Europe and is used more and more frequently in naturopathic practices for therapy.

Ear candles have only been used increasingly in Germany for about 30 years. Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com

Mode of action of the ear candles

There are no clinical studies on the effects of ear candling therapy. However, this therapy belongs to the portfolio of many naturopathic oriented practices. The ear candle is placed on the external auditory canal and lit. This creates a negative pressure that emits stimuli to the eardrum. This is put into slight vibration, which is equivalent to an eardrum massage. The heat emanating from the ear candle has a very relaxing effect, once on the ear and additionally on the entire organism. Deposits in the ear canal loosen, which can lead to a hearing improvement. The inner ear, in which the equilibrium organ is located, is better supplied with blood through the vibrations. Also, the vibrations and the heat development have a positive effect on the paranasal sinuses.

The charm of the ear candle spreads over the Eustachian tube (connection between middle ear, nose and throat) up to the throat. There is lymphatic tissue, such as the palatine tonsils. These too can benefit from an ear candle treatment.

Ear candling therapy can also have a positive effect on the psyche. The burning of added herbs or oils produces smoke. The smell process affects our limbic system in the brain. Fragrances trigger a chemical reaction there, which can then influence our feelings, our memory and our mood. Depending on the addition, the parasympathetic nervous system (part of the autonomic nervous system) is stimulated or calmed, which influences our circulation, blood pressure and respiratory rate. Thus, through the use of ear candles calming, but also stimulation of body and mind occur.

Depending on which herbs or essential oils of the ear candle are added, they exert an additional effect. For example, an ear candle containing lavender is very suitable for relaxation. Added frankincense is effective against various pathogens and honey supports ear hygiene.

Expiry of an ear candle treatment

Usually an ear candle treatment is performed in the practice of a non-medical practitioner. He gets a picture of the patient, asks about allergies, blood pressure, circulatory problems and of course about acute illnesses. For example, ear candling should never be used for acute ear infections and especially not for perforated eardrums. Fever is also considered a contraindication. Extremely inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract and the ears are in the hands of a specialist.

The treating therapist informs the patient about any reactions that may occur during or after the treatment before the ear candling therapy. These are a slight first aggravation of the acute discomfort, skin irritation, tearing of the eyes and mild toothache. The reactions, however, usually resolve quickly.

During the treatment, the patient lies quite relaxed, in a lateral position, on a treatment table and is covered as required. The therapist sits next to the patient, holding the ear candle tight. The ear candle is gently placed on the ear canal, covering the surrounding area with a cloth, so that any escaping wax can not lead to injury. The ear candle is lit at the upper end, which represents the beginning of the actual treatment. At the bottom, the ear plug has a mark indicating the end of the burn process. When the end of the candle is reached, place it in a jar of water to extinguish the flame. The treatment usually lasts one hour. Each ear will need about twenty minutes and then a rest period is scheduled. It is best to perform the ear candling treatment in the evening, so that the patient can then relax a bit at home and the sleep-promoting effect can soon be used.

Side effects of ear candling therapy

From the right side effects, as they can occur with medicines, is in the ear candles out of the question. The term concomitants seems more appropriate. Failure to cover the ear may result in uncomfortable burns resulting from the wax that may be leaking. Through the use of herbs and essential oils, some patients also experience allergic reactions. In case of difficulty breathing or massive erythema, the treatment is stopped immediately. A mild skin irritation is a normal reaction that soon dies down after treatment. Sometimes acute ear itching also occurs during treatment. The cause may be a long ago fungal infection, which flares up again through the ear candle treatment. But even this is a rather harmless side effect.

Areas of application for an ear candle

An ear candling therapy is used primarily for relaxation. But the circulation-promoting effect of burning the ear candle is also used to relieve headaches and migraines. In sinusitis, both acute and chronic, ear candling therapy can be used. It is also used to boost the immune system and clean the ear canal. Tinnitus or tinnitus, a condition that is becoming increasingly common today, may in some circumstances also result in minimizing the symptoms of ear candling. (Sw)

Ear candles: a treat for cold and stress

Image: John Flux