Thermo-Auricular Therapy

Ever thought about sticking candles in your ears to relax? Find out how it can help with a range of ailments

"What do you want to stick a candle in your ear for?" said my husband when I told him I was going for a hopi-ear candle treatment. Oh ye of little brain. In an ear candle treatment, or a session of Thermo-Auricular Therapy, to give it it's proper title, no actual candle is used. Well, not the type of candle you might use for a romantic candlelit meal anyway.

Hopi Ear Candling originated from the Native American Hopi Indians of North Arizona. A 22 centimetre, hollow ear candle, made with flax, beeswax, honey, Camomile, Sage and Hypericum is lit at one end and gently placed in the ear as you lie , relaxed, on your side. This creates a pressure and a vibration of the rising air column through the natural movement of the flame which gently massages the eardrum. While the candle burns, the pleasant heat sensation is intensified which stimulates the blood circulation and strengthens the cleansing of the nearby lymph glands. It's helpful for earache, migraine, headaches, build up of wax, sinusitis and tinnitus amongst other things. It's also very relaxing.

My therapist Janet Flowers of Herts Healing explained that I would feel a pleasant feeling of warmth during my treatment and if my ears had that annoying blocked feeling, then the pressure could make them 'pop'. Great news as I'd spent many an hour that week straining to hear my boss muttering at me. (There's only so many times you can say "Pardon?" without it sounding rude!)

I lay on the treatment couch with the candle in my ear and a blanket covering me, the smell of honey soothing me and the warmth calming me. Luckily I didn't fall asleep or Janet might have had to put up with my snoring. She did say a lot of her clients do drop off however.

You are aware of a slight fizzing, popping sensation as the candle burns, and occasionally a rushing sensation, not unlike when you put a seashell up to your ear. This is the slight vacuum the candle creates and I liked the thought of it drawing out all the impurities gumming up my passages! Once the first candle is finished, you turn over and the other side gets a candle to work its magic. Both sides done, and an absolutely blissful facial massage around my sinuses and facial pressure points from Janet, I felt a clear, lifting sensation in my head and bizarrely, an open feeling in my lungs as If I'd gone for a long walk by the sea. Janet offered to open up the candle remains, to see what they'd drawn out. Inside were a good few lumps of compacted ear wax. Perhaps not for the squeamish, but fascinating to see what the candle does! The Hopi's believe that if your head is clear, the rest of your body will be in balance, hence their penchant for ear candling. They've got a point. I spent the rest of the day breathing deeply through my nostrils, just because I could and it felt great!

Mind you, one word of warning, when my husband got home that night, he kissed me hello, nuzzled into my neck and recoiled saying I smelt like burnt toast and honey. I don't know if that was a compliment or not!

For more information on ear candling, or on Janet's treatments, go to www.hertshealing.co.uk

Share this Print this