Also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy is an alternative medicine practice, to improve general health and well-being.
The art of ear coning dates back for centuries, to the ancient Egyptian, Chinese, Tibetan, Aztec, Mayan and American Indian cultures. Cherokee, Mexican, Indian and European healers still practice coning. German medical students are taught coning as a part of their medical practice.
Ear candles are made of cone-shaped material with a paraffin or beeswax coating. The tip of the cone is gently placed in the opening of the ear canal; The other end of the cone is lit which creates a gentle, swirling vacuum of warm air within the cone. This has the effect of warming the excess ear wax and toxins and lifting them outward into the cone.
Ear Coning is very relaxing and non-invasive, and there is no heat felt in the ear canal.
Uses: to treat many ailments of the ears and sinuses, such as congestion due to colds and chronic sinus or ear infections. It also helps with itching, ringing, fluid build-up or an accumulation of wax in the ear.
Benefits: of ear candling can include symptomatic relief of: sinus pressure or ear aches and infections, hearing problems, congestion, sore throats, excess mucus, and dizziness. Also lead to reduce stress levels, less pain and tension in the jaw and fewer headaches; a feeling of balance, both physical and emotional; an improved sense of hearing, smell and taste.
Contraindications: Recent surgery to the ear, a recently ruptured eardrum from increased pressure in the middle ear, cysts in the ears, mastoiditis (infection of the bone just posterior to the ear), Tympanotomy (tubes surgically placed in the ears), artificial eardrum, or cochlear implants.