In the months leading up to my driving test and my January A-Level exams I started having frequent migraines. I used to get them less than once a year but I was now getting them every week. So willing to try anything that might prevent a migraine attack I started having Indian Head Massage (IHM). I've been having them for over a year now and they do really seem to help. When I went last month I told the therapist that I have been having lots more headaches (I'm quite stressed) and I'm starting to get mild migraines (not half as bad as they were before I started getting IHM). She did the IHM as usual but suggested that I book a Hopi Ear Candle instead of the IHM. I agreed, so on Wednesday I went for the appointment.
~ What are Hopi Ear Candles? ~
The candles used at the place I went to are made by BIOSUN. These ear candles are about 22cm long and have a burning time of 10-12minutes. These ear candles are made by hand using the traditional recipe. The ear candles are made from pure beeswax, honey extract and traditional herbs (eg Sage, St John's Wart and essential oils)
The candles look like a cylindrical tube (not like a typical candle) and the end, which is placed in the ear, is marked so that it is clear the maximum you should allow the candle to burn.
When the candles are lit a light sucking action occurs, allowing impurities to be brought to the surface. The movement of the flame creates a vibration of air generating a massage-like effect on the eardrum. This can help to regulate the pressures involved inside the ear.
Hopi Ear Candles are useful for a number of things including: · Cleaning out excessive or compacted wax in the ears · Eliminating backed up mucus · Alleviating allergic conditions · Enhancing hearing, or even taste and smell · Relieving ear pain · Noises in the ears, ringing, tinnitus · Migraine and headaches (my reason for having this treatment) · Sinusitis
~ What happens during the Hopi Ear Candle procedure? ~
When I first went in we had a five-minute consultation where we discussed how I have been feeling since my last massage. She also checked that I have no problems with my ears.
She left me to get undressed (I just took my t-shirt, jewellery and shoes off) and get under the blanket on the bed.
As we had already decided I would be having the Hopi ear candle treatment she started to tell me a bit about it. She wanted to do a peppermint one (for headaches) but she had none left so she selected a detox one (Sage and Thyme).
She took the candles out of the packet and showed me what they look like while she was telling me about it and the first thing I could smell was the beeswax.
She started with my left ear so I turned my head so my right ear was resting on the pillow so the candle could be held in a vertical position. She told me she would place the candle into my ear and she did so, very gently. She asked me if it was comfortable then told me I could just relax while it burned.
As soon as the candle was placed in my ear I could hear a crackling noise, a bit like Sizzling bacon, or a sparkler. It got louder as the time went on but I wouldn't really describe it as a noisy and I could still hear the relaxing music in the background. She told me before it started that the nosier the experience, the more going on inside my ear/candle. Towards the end of the candle I could feel a warming sensation on my cheek. The therapist held the candle in place throughout the procedure.
When she took the candle out of my ear, she massaged the ear and immediate area around it before turning my head and doing the same procedure on the other ear. The second candle was a lot quieter but did get slightly nosier towards the end.
As the candle was removed from my ear, I felt a pressure relieving sensation in my ear and head.
After both ears had been treated with the ear candle, she finished off with a head and scalp massage, which lasted about 15 minutes (I'm making a bit of a guess as I had my eyes shut)
She then left the room quietly and came a few minutes later (to give me time to waken up) with a glass of water. She turned the lights up and opened out the candles so we could see what had been going on inside my head! :)
Both candles had wax on them, the left one (which had been nosier) had more on. There was also a fine line of powder, which she told me was excess moisture that had been drawn out of my ear.
Before I left she told me to drink loads and loads of water that night and the next day, as it is quite a heavy detox.
~ What do I think? ~
I enjoyed the experience and it was quite relaxing. I don't really feel any different to when I have an IHM but I would be happy to have one of these now and again for a change.
I had a really bad headache on Thursday morning (the day after I had the treatment) and I think it was because I hadn't drunk enough water the night before. I just drank about the same about as I usually would, which probably wasn't enough.
~ Is it suitable for you? ~
Unfortunately, Hopi Ear Candles are not suitable for everyone. They are not recommended for people who have a perforated eardrum or grommets. If you are unsure whether this is suitable for you consult a therapist or your GP.
~ How much does it cost? ~
I think this will vary depending where you go. It cost me £23 for a 1-hour session (which is £3 more expensive than the IHM at the same place.)
You can buy the ear candles online (£5.95) a pair (BIOSUN) and these come with instructions to carry out the procedure from home. It is recommended that you have someone to help you and hold the candle in place. My dad would like to try Hopi Ear Candles but he is worried that he would be sensitive to the oils used in the massage and they'd make him sneeze (he sneezes a lot) so we might buy some of these to try out at home.
~ Would I recommend it? ~
I quite enjoyed the experience although I didn't find it as relaxing as my IHM. The therapist recommended that I have one of these every now and then in place of an Indian Head Massage and I'm happy to do this, as I did still get a bit of a head massage and I did enjoy the experience. I do think it is rather expensive though as I don't feel it is as beneficial as IHM for me personally.
and 100% natural beeswax, when lit, the Hive Of Beauty Solutions Hopi Ear Candles help generate a light suction effect within the ear canal, which in turn performs...
and 100% natural beeswax, when lit, the Hive Of Beauty Solutions Hopi Ear Candles help generate a light suction effect within the ear canal, which in turn performs...
the movement of the flame create a vibration of air in the Earcandle, generating a massage-like effect on the eardrum. This induces a pleasant feeling of warmth ...
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