simple123...
I can't imagine a more effective alternative therapy than
ear candling. Ear candles are small diameter, slightly
tapered hollow 'candles'. They are really like oversized
straws made of wax-impregnated fiber. When inserted into
the ear and lit, with appropriate precautions for safety,
the candle produces a subtle vacuum which gently pulls
wax deposits out of the ear.
This is an ancient therapy, and the following sites
attribute it to various civilizations from Egypt to
Greece to the Hopi Indians of North America.
Green Goddess ear candles use 100% cotton impregnated with
beeswax. They attribute ear candles to the ancient Egyptians.
Much more on the site:
http://www.freewebs.com/ggec/01.htm
Hopi ear candles are made from:
"...beeswax, honey extracts, sage, St Johns Wort, chamomile,
beta-carotene and organically grown flax."
and are attributed to the ancient Greeks and the Hopi Indians.
Much more on the site:
http://www.lynnehancher.co.uk/aaahop.htm
You will notice that both of the above sites talk of having
a 'session' in which a practitioner does the candling for you.
While this can involve the addition of other therapeutic
measures to the candling process, it is not necessary to
utilize the services of a trained practitioner.
When I decided to try this therapy, I therefore sought
a place where I could buy the supplies, and, with the
help of my partner, we applied the therapy to each
other. The candles we bought were impregnated with
normal wax, rather than beeswax, and so were a little
less expensive. We bought the candles from Bobalee Mfg:
http://www.bobalee-mfg.com/
They came with very complete instructions, which are
available on this page:
http://www.bobalee-mfg.com/how_to_ear_candle.html
You may also be able to find ear candles at one of
your local health food stores. They are making a
comeback in popularity at this time.
As for the results, I play 3 instruments by ear, so
I have very sensitive hearing, and could not imagine
having much debris in my ears. I was shocked to discover
an amazing quantity of hardened wax being drawn out of
my ears and onto the base of the candle. If, as in your
friend's case, the material is extremely hardened, it
may be useful to soften it prior to treatment using a
bit of 'sweet oil', which is simply cold-pressed olive
oil. Recommendations vary, but the use of 2-3 candles
per ear, per session is not extravagant. Rather than
set a limit, you can simply stop when debris ceases to
be extracted.
There are no dangers involved from the use of the candles,
except for the assistant to be cautious in covering the
rest of the head except the ear, and to be careful when
trimming the lit end of the candle. The person undergoing
treatment often feels very relaxed by the therapy, and
sometimed dozes off.
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Searches done, via Google:
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