Ear candle treatment uses long, hollow 'candles' which are made of organic cotton and a selection of natural ingredients such as honey extracts, crushed herbs and beeswax.

The candle is gently placed about a quarter-inch into the ear and lit, allowing the flame to pass down the candle's hollow centre. The warm air comes into contact with colder air, creating a vacuum effect. This draws out wax, head pressure, and other debris that may be lodged in the ear canal.

The removal of excess wax and impurities helps to clear the inner ear and sinuses, regulates ear pressure and brings about a lighter sensation in the head and ears. Ear candling also encourages deep relaxation, which is enhanced by the infusion of herbs and essential oils.

The Hopis (the peaceful people) used ear candling in rituals and healing ceremonies and developed a specific candle formula to enhance the treatment's holistic and therapeutic benefits. The main ingredients they used in their candles included cotton, beeswax, honey, sage, chamomile and St John's Wort - a formula still used in modern ear candle treatments today.

Ear candling works well as a complementary treatment, alongside medical interventions.

migraines
hay fever
anxiety and stress
post flying and driving pressure
swimmer's ear
asthma
vertigo
yeast infections
colds and flu
parasites
itching in the ears

It is also advised that the treatment is not carried out too soon after any form of ear surgery and if you have any of the following:

cysts in the ears
high blood pressure
ongoing ear or sinus infections
cochlear implants
allergies to any products in the candle
inflammation in the ears
perforated eardrums
grommets or tubes in the ears
acute otosclerosis (an abnormal bone growth in the middle ear)
mastoiditis (an infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear)
difficulty breathing around small amounts of smoke