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Why candle? The purpose of candling
is to remove wax buildup, especially the heavy impacted wax that
normal cleaning cannot remove. Candling is a more comfortable and
less expensive alternative to the traditional cleaning method of
forcing water into the ear canal.
Candling is also
believed to remove candida, yeasts, fungus, and remnants of past
infections. The Ear, Nose and Throat Journal of U of U Medical lab
reported that the types of bacteria we currently fight in our ears
include Streptococcus pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Anaerobic
bacteria, and Influenza A and B.
A lifetime of
residues build up in the ear canal!
Candling can be done
on persons of any age. Candlers often have accounts of children,
even babies, being candled with remarkable results. Inner ear
infection is one of the top reasons for hospital admittance in
children. Often candling has been used as a last effort for
treating chronic ear infections and to avoid ear tubal placement.
As well as treating the ear, candling can work on the sinus and
lymph system, removing impurities there as well.
Because of all the
intricate crevices in the ear, unbelievable amounts of debris can
accumulate. This buildup creates a breeding ground for problems,
and can also interfere with correct hearing. Impacted wax can
build up against ear ducts and can also block reception of
incoming sound waves. This lifetime accumulation may explain some
of the hearing problems we develop as we age. It is reported that
20% of adults between 65-74 have hearing problems.
It is important to
discuss candling with your health practitioner and always use
common sense. Candling is not a replacement for proper health
care, but can be an effective home remedy. Candling should not be
done on a person who has a perforated eardrum or similar problems.
Candling is quite
simple and is done with a partner. Generally, three candles are
used in each ear. This varies from person to person as does the
frequency of candling. Read and follow the specific instructions
which come with your candles. The basic procedure is to have the
person whose ears are being candled to lay on his/her side or to
place their head sideways on a table. Be sure they are
comfortable, as candling can take 15-20 minutes per candle,
depending on the type of candle. The "candlee" should
place the small tapered end of the candle snugly into the ear.
(The candle may be inserted through a paper plate covered with
aluminum foil to protect the face and hair.) The candle must fit
snugly to allow proper air draw. As the bottom fills, gently tap
it out in a bowl and carefully cut back the burned wick. The
"suction" sounds much like the gentle hum one hears when
a seashell is placed against the ear.
After candling, it is
recommended to gently rinse the ears and place a couple of drops
of oil of garlic into the ear. The normal wax will be replaced
within 24 hours. For the first 24 hours after candling, it is best
to protect the ears from wind, cold, and excessive amounts of
water. Within 24 hours the normal production of wax will again
protect the ear.
CAUTION:
Ear candles are a home remedy and should not take the place
of medical treatment. They make no medical claims. They are not a
medical device or take the place of any medical device.
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