The Beauty Society

Hopi Ear Candling (also known as Thermal Auricular Therapy) is a pleasant and non-invasive treatment of the ears, used to treat a variety of conditions.

It involves placing a candle in the ear and lighting it. The ear candles induce a revitalising heat upon the head and ears, which soothes, relieves and relaxes.

What’s in a hopi ear candle?

The candles consist of a hollow tube made out of organic cotton flax which is impregnated with bees wax, honey extracts and powdered herbs that are well known for their healing properties. The candles contain:

• Camomile - for its anti-inflammatory properties
• St John's Wort – which has analgesic qualities and is used as a restorative tonic for the nervous system
• Sage - a circulatory stimulant which relaxes peripheral blood vessels

History

This ancient and natural therapy has been handed down by many civilisations. It derives from the ancient roots of the people of the Siberian Prairie, China, Asia and Native North & South American Indians. It is believed that the Ancient Greeks also used ear candles for cleansing, purifying and healing initially on a spiritual basis, but much later on a purely physical basis. The practice, as the modern world knows it, arrived via the native North American Hopi Indians, who used it to achieve a wide range of effects, some of which were therapeutic in a conventional Western way. Incidentally ‘Hopi’ means ‘peaceful people’.

How does it work?

The candles work in three phases:

1. Firstly - the chimney effect – the air rises inside the candle drawing any impurities to the surface where they can be gently removed, and a gentle vibration is created which massages the eardrum and promotes the health of the sinuses.
2. Secondly, the blood and lymph circulation is stimulated boosting the immune system and the body’s natural cleansing system.
3. Thirdly, they equalise the pressure in the head and ears, making them particularly suitable for air travellers and divers.

Most impurities are removed from the ear into 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.

What does a hopi ear candles treatment involve?

Each ear is treated in turn. Treatment involves the patient being asked to lie relaxed in a comfortable position on one side, so that one ear is uppermost and easily accessible to the therapist.

The Hopi ear candle is then gently placed into the ear canal, where it is lit and held steady in a vertical position by the therapist. The patient will then experience a pleasant crackling sound and a warm comfortable feeling as the candle burns and the herbal and honey ingredients
are vaporised.

A light suction and the movement of the flame create a vibration of air in the ear candle generating a welcome feeling of warmth and a balance of pressure in the ear, sinuses and forehead. The candle is allowed to burn down until it reaches a specific marker indicated on its side and then it is taken away while the patient lies there for a few moments. The process is then repeated on the other ear.

The treatment sometimes includes a face and neck massage after the application of the Hopi ear candle, using special oils which deeply relaxes and soothes the facial nerves and muscles, improves the blood and lymph circulation and helps the sinuses to drain.

Most people feel extremely relaxed and report a feeling of clearness in the head and ears, as well as a general feeling of well-being after the treatment.

What are hopi ear candles used for?

Treatment results vary from patient to patient, but in general Hopi Ear Candles may be helpful with:

• Excessive or compacted ear wax build up
• Pressure due to sinusitis, colds & flu
• Catarrh
• Hay fever
• Rhinitis
• Blocked nasal passages
• Hearing problems
• Headaches & migraines
• Stress & anxiety
• Tinnitus
• Glue Ear
• Ear pressure problems - air travel
• Stimulation of local and reflex energy flow
• Relaxing and calming effect in cases of stress
• Improved immune system
• Better sleep
• Relaxation

Contra-indictations

There are no known side effects but it is considered cautionary not to use Hopi candles if grommets are in place, if there is inflammation or infection or in the event of an allergic reaction to the contents.

Most people, however, find the treatment relaxing and regularly describe a "slight relieved feeling" in the ears and head but also a relaxing and calming effect on the whole system.