By Elaine Oxamendi Vicet, Contributor 
EAR CONING is one of the oldest methods in cleaning the ear and in removing debris from the inner ear. The Egptians, Tibetan monks, Mayan Indians and the peoples of Sumeria first used this unique method of cleaning.
But what is ear coning, or ear candling as it is popularly called? As Ananda Dancingheart, a Colorado resident who recently visited Grand Lido Negril as a facilitator at the resort's 'Annual Body and Sol Fit Week', explains, it is a very gentle, non-intrusive and even enjoyable way to clean out the ears.
Ananda starts the class off with a story of a little girl in Colorado who complained continuously of an ear ache. The family doctor recommended surgery as he diagnosed that the little girl had a hyperactive sinus and this produced a lot of mucus, which caused pain, and for the child to experience vertigo.
The child's mother took the little girl to an Indian Doctor who performed the ear coning and the child's problem was relieved. On completing her story Ananda asked for volunteer and I decided to be the guinea pig.
I was made to lie on my back at which time Ananda went through a little ritual and massaged my ears and my neck and shoulders. I asked for my left ear to be worked on first. So I turned my face to the right and my left ear was all hers.
The ear cone is a hollow-looking candle made from a muslin spiral dipped in bee wax with herbs. My particular ear cone was rose scented. One end is lit and the point is placed very comfortably in the ear. First you hear a crackling and then you feel as if there is a slight pull. It is almost like being in a tunnel. What happens is that the ear cone becomes a vacuum that cleans off the nerve endings in the Eustachian tube, ear canal and the sinuses and activates the entire respiratory system.
Periodically, Ananda removes the cone and snips off the end to release the debris that has been pulled into the ear cone. Ananda gently blows the smoke away from my ear as she gently replaces the cone in my ear and the process continues.
The smoke is a part of the cleansing process. It goes into the ear osmotically, as Ananda explains drawing out excess earwax through the eardrum into the cone.
The process continued until the cone was close to the end and I turned to see what came out of my ear. White powdery stuff and brown clogs is the only way to describe what I saw. But I felt lighter.
I turned my right ear with pleasure to commence the cleansing, as all apprehension was gone. On completion of the right ear, Ananda performed another gentle massage and I felt light and clean.
Results
On closing the class Ananda Dancingheart says that the results of ear coning may include one or more of the following: the cranial fluids being realigned; improvements in sight, colour, perception and balance. There is also the possibility of decreasing fluid and pressure in the ears and a total absence of a ringing sensation in the ear that persons sometimes experience.
It is important to note Ananda says that after the treatment no water is to go in the ear for 24 hours. So cotton is placed in the ear to prevent any moisture from getting in.
Ananda also recommends that the treatment be done at least twice a year. I know I can say with certainty that I felt much better after. I had a little congestion, which I got rid off and I want to do it again.
Ananda Dancingheart is a trained masseuse having completed over 1,200 hours of massage training. She is also trained in the techniques of ear coning. Ananda is an alternate healer and she plans to return to Jamaica in November of this year.
