Hopi Ear Candles or Thermo Auricular Therapy
Hopi ear candles are named after the native American tribe who first introduced this therapy to the West. The Hopi nation are renowned for their extensive knowledge of healing and their spiritual lifestyle. Translated Hopi means "peaceful ones".
Ear candles may not be the first thing that you think of to treat ear, nose and throat problems. However the people of Asia and North America have used them for centuries as a spiritual and healing remedy. In Europe the candles are used to treat many ailments, including migraine and headaches, glue ear in children, catarrh, sore throats, sinusitis, tonsillitis, 'flu and excessive ear wax.
Despite the name, the 'candles' are in fact hollow tubes made in the traditional Hopi Indian way by using a combination of herbal extracts such as Sage (Salvia Officinalis), Chamomile (Matricaria Chamomile) and St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum), which are blended with honey and beeswax and then soaked into organically grown linen, which is then rolled and allowed to set.
During Ear Candle treatment - which is also known as THERMO-AURICULAR THERAPY - the candles work in three phases:
In the hands of a qualified Thermo Auricular Therapist like Liz, you do not need to be worried about being burnt. The candles have a filtering system and no residue can enter the ear. The ear candles that Liz uses are registered in the EU as a legal medical device and as such have met rigorous safety and quality checks. You will feel a warming sensation but the effect is gentle and relaxing.
Many people report an immediate release of pressure in their head after just one treatment, although; depending on the condition, a number of sessions may be required to ease an ongoing problem fully.
A session begins with the therapist asking questions relating to your medical history and then checking the ears for any infections or visible problems with an Otoscope. (Small device with a light to look inside the ear) The candle is lit and placed gently but firmly in the ear creating a seal and is held in position throughout the treatment. The heat from the flame creates the mild suction, which helps even the pressure in the sinuses, clearing the whole area in general. As the candle burns the warm herbal vapour circulates around the ear working on the impurities and deposits which are either carried away in the smoke or left condensed in the base, when the candle has burnt sufficiently, it is removed. The client may hear a crackling sound from the burning candle and experience a warming sensation, but generally clients find it very relaxing and soothing.
This is then repeated for the other ear, even if only one side is causing problems, to ensure a balanced treatment. The treatment finishes with a brief massage and on the whole a treatment takes about half an hour. Most people require between one and three treatments.
In summary Thermo-Auricular Therapy, is a simple, yet effective treatment, which utilises the knowledge of our forefathers and the shamanic practices of the Hopi people and other traditions from around the world. In doing so it provides a solution to many ailments including some of the painful and distressing symptoms caused by environmental and dietary lifestyle of the modern world.
