What Is Hopi Ear Candling?

Many people have not heard of Hopi Ear Candling, however it is a growing technique and claims to improve the overall wellbeing of the person by using what are called "Ear Candles". This article explores what it is exactly, how it works and who can use this treatment.



What Is Thermo-Auricular Therapy / Hopi Ear Candling?



A deeply relaxing, calming and soothing treatment offering real and marked benefits for many problems and conditions associated with the ear, nose and throat areas. Quite different from conventional wax candles that burn from a lit wick that runs up the centre of the candle, a Hopi ear candle is actually a cotton tube, impregnated with beeswax, honey and therapeutic oils, that is painlessly inserted into the ear to draw out impurities, relieve pressure in the head and sinuses, and aid hearing problems.



What is a Hopi Ear Candle?



Ear candles are an ancient, mild and natural therapy, and have been used by the Native American Indian for many years. The Hopi candle is not a candle as such, but a hollow tube made out of cotton flax. To stiffen the flax, it is impregnated with extract of honey and herb oils (in particular chamomile, sage and St John’s wort), the healing properties of which have been known to many indigenous tribes for hundreds of years. The making of the candles is a complex process and all genuine Hopi Candles are made in the traditional manner.



Only a trained therapist should use the candles, which gently massage the eardrum and help regulate the pressure within the head, including the sinuses. A treatment is very soothing and is helpful for earache, headaches, stress, nervousness, ear noise, and excess ear wax. This non-invasive therapy very effectively removes wax even from young children’s ears. Hopi ear candles cannot be used by people with perforated eardrums, or those having grommets or epilepsy. The candles recommended for use on this course are Biosun Ear Candles, which are still made by hand today, using the traditional recipe and the finest regularly tested ingredients. They are certified medical products according to EC guidelines 93/42 (EEC), regularly tested by independent institutes. Only pure beeswax, honey extract and traditional herbs such as sage, St. John's wort, chamomile and pure essential oils are used.



The ear candle is an all-natural product, carefully hand crafted according to a traditional formula. Together the contents of the candles have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, healing, analgesic, antiseptic, soothing and anti-oxidant properties. Ear candles are usually sold in pairs so that each ear can be treated during a treatment session. For balancing purposes, each ear should be treated during the same session.



The ear candles should always be similar in length, with a uniform safety line drawn and positioned on the outside surface of each, below which the candle should not in any circumstances be burnt. It is normally made very clear in the instructions that come with the candles as to which end should actually be lit. This will ensure that there will be no risk of the internal filter being melted by the flame reaching it.



How Does it Work?



The healing properties of the Hopi ear candle have their foundation in two primary physical actions. Firstly, the slight under-pressure (the chimney effect) inside the ear candle, and the vibration of the rising air column, serve to gently massage the ear drum and promote secretion in the frontal and paranasal sinuses. The burning action infuses the herbs and essential oils into a vapour, which is drawn into the auditory canal. This performs a massaging function as well as softening any impurities. This has an immediate subjective effect of regulating ear pressure. Users often describe a soothing, light sensation in the ear / head area.



Secretion flow is gently stimulated and the vapour collects and removes impurities or deposits. Most of these are carried away through the candle "chimney", although some of them can be found in the condensed candle wax residue after removal from the ear, or could even work their way up to the surface 24-48 hours after. Gentle heat from the candle stimulates blood circulation, increases the cleansing circulation of lymph from the lymphatic system, intensifies the immune system and stimulates energy points and reflex zones.



Light from the flame penetrates the auditory canal, delivering a high-energy spectral frequency to important energy points. The cleansing fire carries away negative vibrations, harmonising and balancing energy. During the treatment the client feels comforting warmth, and can hear a light crackling sound - said to sound like rain or bacon cooking. Following candling, each ear is bilaterally massaged to stimulate the reflex zones based on the theory and hypothesis of French physician Paul Nogier.





Who Can be Treated?



Anyone of any age, providing they can lie still for 10-12 minutes at a time. Children can gain real benefits in terms of relaxation, stress reduction and improved concentration, as well as overcoming painful problems such as glue ear and the need for grommets to be fitted; which often lead to huge amounts of school time being lost.

The elderly can gain real benefits from the relief of common complaints such as tinnitus and hearing loss, as well as enjoying the relaxation and stress reduction promoted by the treatment.



Note: Hopi ear candles cannot be used by people with perforated eardrums, or those having grommets or epilepsy.



This article has been put together by the distance learning organisation Start Learning who are experts in home study. If you want to find out more about Hopi Ear Candling or many other distance learning courses please browse their website: Distance Learning



A good way to find out more about Hopi Ear Candling is to sign up for a distance learning course on the subject. By studying in your free time and pace, you can gain the necessary knowledge while tailoring it to suit your schedule.



Kerrana McAvoy

Academic Director – Start Learning

Distance Learning