subject: What Is Ear Candling (Coning)? [print this page] What Is Ear Candling (Coning)? What Is Ear Candling (Coning)?
Ear candling, sometimes known as coning is a method designed to remove wax buildup from the ears. However, most doctors and health care practitioners agree that it is generally inefficient and might even be dangerous.
Ear candling is a practice of great antiquity. Ear candling is where a practitioner will remove wax from the ears using a tube of cotton most often coated with beeswax, but sometimes also melted with honey or herbs. The tube is usually about a foot long.
The tube is then inserted into the ear with the narrow cone shaped end first. The other end is then set on fire and the flame is said to make a vacuum that then has the power to suction wax out of the ear canal. After about fifteen minutes, the cone/candle is removed.
The supposed wax is then pushed out of the candle, however, according to scientists and doctors this is merely the wax from the candle and not from the ear itself. According to these medical professionals, a candle simply could not exert enough pressure to actually draw out ear wax from deep in the ear canal.
Ear was is furthermore actually understood to be a beneficial substance that helps to coat the ear canal and keep infections and bacteria at bay. The only ear wax that should be removed, say these men and women, is the wax that has already made its way to the ear opening.
In order to clean ears properly, it is advised that one simply turn his or her ear towards the shower head while in the shower and then use a wash cloth to gently rub the ear area. Cutips likewise are not advised and as the old saying goes, nothing larger than your pinky finger should attempt to make its way into the ear.
Some people find that garlic oil is a useful treatment for ear wax buildup or ear infections. These products can be found at your local vitamin shop. Because garlic has antibacterial properties, it can certainly be helpful for bacterial infections. However, if your symptoms don't improve or if you feel a loss of hearing, be sure to seek medical attention immediately.
Your ears are important and need to be treated with care. Do not try to cure them yourself or use any objects candles or otherwise to clear out wax. See your doctor or health care practitioner who can advise you on the best course of treatment.