An ear candle is a hollow cone made from unbleached fabric, typically linen, and soaked in paraffin, beeswax, or soy wax. These candles are usually about a foot long.
To begin, you’ll be asked to lie on your side, ensuring your face and outer ear are protected by a plate with a hole in the center around the candle to prevent burns from wax drippings. The practitioner will gently insert the tapered end of the candle into your ear canal at a 90-degree angle.
For 10 to 15 minutes, you’ll listen to the pleasant, crackling sound of the burning candle while the practitioner trims the cloth every two inches or so. When about four inches of the candle remain, it is removed from the ear and extinguished.
You will then turn over and repeat the process for the other ear. Afterward, you’ll be able to see the debris that was drawn out of your ears, often prompting the question, “How could all of that have been in my head?”
Ear candling is believed to create a vacuum inside the ear, which helps to draw out ear wax. Due to the buildup seen on the burned candle, people often use ear candles to address issues such as:
- Excess ear wax
- Swimmer’s ear
- Headaches
- Tinnitus
- Vertigo
- Hearing loss
- Sinus infections
- Cold/flu symptoms
- Stress