Ear candles, or ear cones, are hollow tubes typically made from muslin and beeswax. They are used to soften and extract earwax and remove excess moisture from the ear canal. They also help to alleviate sinus pressure and extricate debris from the ear canal. King-sized ear candles are more effective and economical than the smaller sized candles, because you'll only need to use one candle per ear, versus three or four of the smaller ones. Follow these steps to make king-sized ear candles at home.

Things You'll Need:

• Wooden dowel, 1" in diameter, at least 15" in length
• Sharp whittling knife or file
• Lacquer, Vasaline, non-petroleum jelly or mineral oil
• Aluminum foil
• Beeswax, approx 5 ounces
• Double boiler or saucepan
• Strip of unbleached Muslin cloth, about 1 1/2" - 2" wide and about 18" - 20" long
• Sharpened pencil
• Permanent marker
• (optional) Latex gloves to keep wax off your hands

1. Sharpen the last 1 1/2" of the dowel to a dull point, using a sharp knife or file. Cut a notch 12" from the tip. Lacquer or oil the entire dowel so the waxed cloth will slide off when cool.
2. Cover the surface of your work station with aluminum foil to protect it from any hot wax drippings and make cleanup easier.
3. Melt beeswax in a saucepan over low heat. Let the beeswax simmer but do not allow it to boil or become too hot. (use a double boiler for best results)
4. Drop a strip of the muslin cloth into the wax. Use your dowel to slowly submerge the cloth into the wax.
5. Lift cloth out of the wax using your dowel. Allow it to cool for a moment until the wax is cool enough to handle.
6. Wrap a little of the cloth near the pointed end of the mould to form the candle tip, leaving approximately 1/4" - 1/2" of the tip exposed (you want the opening of the candle to be approx 1/4" in diameter.)
7. Continue wrapping the cloth around the mold to the 12" notch. Apply pressure as you wrap and shake off any excess wax.
8. Smooth the cloth onto the mold in the same direction you wrapped it to remove any air bubbles.
9. Dip the tip of the candle back into the warm beeswax to give it an extra coat of wax.
10. Remove the mold from the candle once it is about half way dry. Simply hold the candle with one hand and twist the mold with the other hand to loosen the mold from the candle. Then pull candle off the mold, taking care not to misshape it.
11. Use a sharpened pencil to reopen the hole in the tip of the candle if it has closed.
12. Lay the candle on the foil to finish drying.
13. Using a permanent marker, draw two lines around the diameter of the candle: one at 4" from the tip, and one at 8" from the tip.

How To Use Ear Candles

Things You'll Need:

• Well-ventilated, draft-free workspace
• Approximately 1 hour of time
• 2 King-Sized Ear Candles, 12" in length with markings at 4" and 8"
• Pillow
• Two hand towels
• Matches, lighter or a free-standing lit candle
• Sharp scissors
• Bowl of water
• Wooden Skewer
• Paper towel

1. Create a relaxing atmosphere for the recipient.
2. Have the recipient lie down on his/her side in a comfortable position with head cradled on a pillow.
3. Cover the hair, head, neck and shoulders with towels, leaving the ear exposed.
4. Position the head so the candle will be upright when positioned into the ear.
5. Light the larger end of the candle with a lighter or free-standing candle. When a small amount of smoke comes out of the tapered end of the candle, you can be assured that nothing is blocking the candle openings.
6. Gently place the tapered end of the candle into the recipient's ear canal (or let the recipient place the candle.) If smoke leaks out of the ear, reposition the candle until it is sealed (turn the candle in the ear canal slightly, if it helps.)
7. Hold the candle in an upright position while it burns to the first line; remove candle from ear, extinguish the flame by cutting off the lit end with sharp scissors. Let the smoldering end fall into the bowl of water.
8. Clean out the candle using a wooden skewer, letting debris fall onto the paper towel. Repeat steps 5-7, allowing the candle to burn down to the second line. DO NOT LET THE FLAME PASS THE SECOND LINE!
9. Repeat steps 1-8 with the second candle and the other ear.
10. If ears are sensitive over the next 24 hours, put cotton in them to protect them from the wind, cold temperatures and loud noises until the soft wax lining of the ear replenishes itself.

Disclaimer: Ear Candles are not medical devices. Their intended use is not for the treatment or cure of any medical condition or disease. Those participating in ear candling must assume full responsibility for it's use. Transformations Wellness Holistic Spa is not responsible for injury or damage resulting in the use or misuse of these instructions and guidelines. Do not attempt to perform ear candling if you are uncertain about how to do it safely and properly.

Warning: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PERFORM EAR CANDLING ALONE. EAR CANDLING SAFELY REQUIRES AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE.