How to Use Beeswax Ear Candles

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By Larry Parr
eHow Contributing Writer

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Beeswax ear candles are used for the practice of candling, which is known as an alternative treatment for ear problems. Beeswax ear candles come in the shape of a funnel, and are about 12 inches long. The pointed end of one of the candles is placed in the ear and then lit, resulting in heat which draws air into the ear and up through the funnel, dislodging ear wax and small foreign objects. Candling is said to produce some pretty amazing results, including restoring or increasing hearing in one or both ears. Read on to learn more about how to use beeswax ear candles.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Beeswax ear candles (two)
Towel and/or piece of aluminum foil
Match

Step 1

Purchase a package of two beeswax ear candles. It is possible to make your own candles by melting beeswax and pouring out a thin sheet of the wax on a flat sheet of aluminum foil and then, just before the wax fully hardens, roll it up onto a thin metal funnel. Once the wax cools remove the funnel. When choosing a metal funnel choose one that is approximately 12 inches long and has a bell end that is no more than 1.5 inches in diameter.
Step 2

Sit in a comfortable chair and turn your head slightly to the side. Stick the pointed end of one of the beeswax ear candles into your ear. Insert it carefully but try to insert it so that it is firmly inside the outer ear.
Step 3

Place a towel or a sheet of aluminum foil on the shoulder under the candle so any dripping wax will land on the towel or the foil. Now, with the head just slightly cocked, light the wide bell end of the candle. Do not cock your head so much that any melted wax could drip down the funnel and into your ear.
Step 4

Sit tight while the candle burns. There is surprisingly little wax that melts or runs. The beeswax candle simply burns itself out. As it burns the draft that the heat creates draws air through your ear and up into the funnel, drawing out any foreign objects that may be in your ear canal.
Step 5

Burn the candle until it is approximately 4 inches long unless otherwise instructed by the candle manufacturer. Then carefully twist and remove the candle. Put the candle out. Turn your "candled" ear down toward the ground and try to carefully remove anything that may have been loosened or dislodged by the ear candling process. Your ears should be noticeably cleaner.

Comments

mylady22 said

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on 7/20/2009 Thank you EarCandleLady, for your comment!

EarCandleLady said

on 12/18/2008 My oldest son broke a bean bag chair when he was 8 years old and the foam pellets got in his ears, nose and else. After 5 fun filled years of DOCTOR visits, irrigation, probes, ear infections and chronic sinusitis, I discovered ear candling and tried it on my son. I became a believer when (after 5 years of Doctor treatments and $$'s) there was a foam pellet stuck to the bottom of the ear candle!!! He has not had problems since. Your experience may have been bad, but so was ours with the DOCTOR. Do we outlaw the doctor because he failed to do the right thing by my son? Naw, we just do what works and move on. . .

Sharon01 said

on 12/1/2008 I used ear candles 1-1/2 years ago, I used them and received a severe burn from the super hot wax falling into my ear canal, I have suffered everyday since and now I find out I require ear surgery to fix the damage that has been done to my ear. If you have problems with your ears then go to a professional doctor. Don't risk pain and suffering like I did.
Oh and I almost forgot, the so called "chimney effect" that "draws out ear wax"-is FALSE you can empty, rinse clean a soda can, put the ear candle in and wrap foil around the opening of the can at the bottom of the candle, light it and let it burn down a few inches, take it out and look at what you have in the bottom of the ear candle- the same brownish red wax that you had when you put it in your ear and let it burn down. They should be outlawed!