Hopi candles, also known as Chinese cones, are made from cotton and beeswax, with an opening at each end.
Because it has this “inverted chimney” shape, when it is lit, the heat descends to the inside of the ear, softening the wax that is there. As the ear gets warmer, thermal convection takes place causing warm air to come out again. Excess wax is thus extracted, clinging to the sides of the candle, like grease in a chimney.
Hopi candles are used in most cases to remove excess ear wax and impurities. They can also be used to relieve the sensation of tinnitus, vertigo, dizziness and earache. They are an important tool in complementary therapy to relieve the symptoms of sinusitis, rhinitis, otitis and allergies.
Although it is a natural type of treatment with few risks, it is however contraindicated in situations of ear cysts, open wounds in the ears, allergy to beeswax and epilepsy.