What are ear candles, do they really get rid of wax and how much does the treatment cost?
Are holistic healers' claims about the health benefits of ear candling too good to be true?
EAR CANDLING is a natural therapy to remove toxins from the ear that supposedly dates back to 2500 BC.
Alternative therapists claim that the treatment was used in Ancient Egypt with parchment and beeswax and even by the North American Hopi tribe.
However, an officer for the Hopi Tribal Council itself has debunked these claims as fraudulent and denies any link between ear candles and the tribe.
There is much debate about the effectiveness of ear candles with some claiming that the practice is dangerous.
But what is it all about? We've got all you need to know about the controversial treatment...
What do ear candles do?
Ear candling, also known as ear coning, is an alternative medical treatment aimed to improve general health and well-being.
Endorsers of ear candles proclaim that they can remove earwax and even help relieve the pain of heightened air pressure while flying.
What is the procedure?
During the process of ear candling, the subject lies on their side with one ear up vertically.
One end of the waxed cloth cone is lit, while the other is placed in the patients ear.
The cone remains in the patients ear until the flame is around 5 to 10 centimetres from the ear and during this time the suction from the flame draws out earwax and debris from the ear.
In order to avoid hot ash or wax falling into the ear, a paper plate or aluminium pie tin can be placed around the candle.
Some ear cones are scented with various herbal fragrances from lemongrass to eucalyptus.
What are the benefits of ear candles?
According to natural healers, the benefits of ear candles can include:
- Clearing wax and debris from the ear canal
- Relieving pressure from behind the eardrum
- Sharpening mental functions, vision and hearing
- Reducing earaches, headaches and sinus pressure
- Relaxation from the charge of the herbal smoke
- Promoting the healing of nerve endings
What are the risks associated with ear candles?
On the flip side, many medical experts deny all claims of the benefits of ear candles.
Instead there are believed to be numerous severe health risks associated with the practice.
The most common risks are burns to the face, ear and ear drum or candle wax falling into the ear causing a plug or inner ear damage.
Less common, but equally dangerous consequences are potential fires, damage to the eardrum itself and even complete loss of hearing.
According to the , there is no conclusive proof that ear candling pulls debris out of the ear.
They even go as far as to describe the process as "ineffective and dangerous."
How much does ear candling cost?
The cost of ear candles can range from place to place.
On average, however, you are looking at a price in the range of £12 to £20 for the treatment at a salon.
The do-it-yourself home kits are much cheaper, however, and can be bought from for around £4.50 per candle (sold in packs of 2).
