How Hopi Ear Candles may help

The holistic approach - from the Greek 'holos', meaning 'whole', the whole person - mind, body and spirit - is taken into account.  

         

How they work - The Ear Candles work on a chimney principle, drawing any impurities to the surface where they may be gently removed or allowing for easier drainage through the Eustachian tube to the throat. Ear Candles have a physical function. A light suction action (chimney effect) and the movement of the flame create a vibration of air in the Ear Candles, generating a massage-like effect on the eardrum. They equalise the pressure in the head and ears, thus making them suitable for many conditions and people of all ages. This induces a pleasant feeling of warmth and a balance of pressure in the ears, forehead and sinuses.

 

Ingredients - Marianne only uses the Biosun Hopi Ear Candles during treatments. They are an all-natural product and comply with the EC guidelines 93/94 (EEC) for medical products. If you have never seen a Hopi Ear Candle before, you can be forgiven for thinking that they might be solid wax like most candles we light around our homes! They are infact a hollow tube prepared using a traditional formula, hand crafted, and measure approximately 20cm long. Each candle is constructed of organically grown flax (the tube itself), with honey extracts, beeswax, therapeutic herbs including camomile, sage, hypericum (St John's Wort) impregnated into the flax, as used traditionally by the Hopi Indians. Each ingredient has an important role to play in the treatment, and is outlined below:

  • FLAX - a plant cultivated for its textile fibres which are then spun into linen cloth (used in the candles as the tube).
  • HONEY - has anti-bacterial qualities; honey sugars breakdown into substances that inhibit the growth of bacteria. Skin problems, burns and wounds were often treated with honey by the Ancient Egyptians, Persians and Chinese. 
  • BEESWAX - has an emulsifying ability with other ingredients and is prized for its purity and emolliency.
  • BETA-CAROTENE - is a pigment (yellow-orange) found in foods such as carrots. It is an anti-oxidant and can be converted to Vitamin A by the body when required. However, in Hopi Ear Candles it is only used to enhance the colour.
  • CAMOMILE - is a well known anti-inflammatory, soothing and calming herb. It is also a disinfectant valuable for treating many skin problems.
  • SAGE - is a warming herb, having a softening effect on tight muscles as well as helping with throat and mouth infections and clearing headaches. Native Americans used it to create sacred space and clear negative energies.
  • HYPERICUM (St John's Wort) - has exceptional healing and soothing properties, being used for the treatment of wounds and pains of various kinds throughout history. It is analgesic, anti-inflammatory and an antiseptic.
  • FILTER - is found at the bottom end of each candle and is environmentally friendly.

Conditions - Ear candle treatments may help with many conditions today. Some of the more common ones are listed below:

  • Irritations in the Ears or Sinuses, Otitis Media
  • Catarrh, Sinusitis, Glue Ear, Colds, Flu, Sore Throats (cutting out dairy from the diet will help these conditions)
  • Rhinitis, Hay Fever
  • Headaches, Migraine
  • Tinnitus
  • Lymphatic Systems, Metabolic Process, Blood Flow (local activation)
  • Labyrinthitis, Ménière's Disease, Vertigo (local energy flow and reflex points bring about coordination of cerebral hemispheres helping with balance of fluids in the labyrinth)
  • Flying, Diving (helps in relieving pressure)
  • Excessive Excitement, Stress Symptoms (helps to relax and calm the body)

Contra-indications - No contra-indications are known to date, but as a precaution we would advise against the use of candles if:

  • under Medical Supervision Grommets are in place
  • there is a recent Perforation of the Ear Drum
  • there is an Allergic Reaction to any of the Contents
  • Oil has been put in the Ear (leave 24 hours clear)
  • there is Inflammation or Infection of the Ear (Leave 12 hours after antibiotic cover)

 

The Treatment

Whether you'd like quiet time to unwind or a chance to sort out health problems, Hopi Ear Candles are a fantastic way to relax, and are a wonderful complementary therapy that may work alongside many orthodox approaches to health.

Marianne practices from her home in Bishop's Itchington; she has a beautiful treatment room which provides a warm, relaxing, professional and private environment for treating clients. 

A Hopi Ear Candle treatment lasts for approximately one hour. This would include a chat to see how you have got on since your last treatment. However, if it is your first treatment, a full medical history will be taken (including any prescriptions you're on), as well as an indepth knowledge of the lifestyle you lead; how much exercise you take, whether you smoke and/or drink, the type of diet you have, how much sleep you get, etc. This helps to form a holistic picture specific to you, and based on this information practical advice and homecare may be given to you to enhance your treatments for future occasions.

Once the above information has been taken (usually around 30 minutes at your first treatment), you'll be asked to take your shoes off and lie on one side on a couch. A blanket is placed over you to keep you warm. The treatment will then begin by placing an Ear Candle into your ear canal and getting a snug (but not uncomfortable) fit. The Candle is then removed, lit at the top end, and positioned back into the ear canal. The Candle is allowed to burn down for approximately 10 - 12 minutes and is then removed and extinguished. (The sensation in the ear whilst the Candle is burning is very relaxing and warm. It sounds like 'snap, crackle and pop'!) After this, a massage of the ear area encourages good blood flow and circulation also helping the ingredients in the Candle to take effect.

The same process is repeated on the second ear.

Finally, a full face and head massage is carried out to really help the drainage of sinuses and further deep relaxation.

You will always be offered water to drink as a treatment may make you feel thirsty. A chance at the end of the treatment to 'come round' for 10 minutes is essential before you leave. You may well feel a little light-headed, so getting a bit of fresh air before you drive off is a good idea.

You'll be offered another treatment with a suitable time gap inbetween treatments. Any questions you have can be addressed before or after a treatment and are actively encouraged!

Marianne is qualified to practice Hopi Ear Candles and has passed her theory and practical for this qualification, T. A. Th. (Thermo-Auricular Therapy). Marianne treats all clients without prejudice and conversations are held in the strictest of confidence.

 

An Historic Background

'Hopi' means 'peaceful people'. The 'Hopis' (Pueblo Indians) were first to settle in the North American Continent, and they had great respect for Mother Earth. A very spiritual people, they lived in harmony with nature and universal laws were passed down to them by the great creator 'Massuu'.

 

It is believed that the ancient Greeks used ear candles on a spiritual level to help cleanse and purify the body. At a much later date the candles were used for their fantastic physical attributes and there are many people from the Mediterranean and Latin American countries who remember receiving ear candle treatments as children. However, the knowledge that the world has today of ear candles is primarily down to the Native American Hopi Indians of North Arizona.

Traditionally, ear candles were used in initiation rituals and healing ceremonies by Shamen healers. There are colourful mural paintings inside the 'Hopi Tower', North Rim, Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA, depicting the use of Hopi ear candles.