It's no secret that we produce earwax to protect the ear canal from any invading microorganisms or dust that might infect it. However, too much production can cause clogs. Regularly cleaning your ears is therefore part of the hygiene and prevention measures to adopt in your daily routine. Find out some tips on how to take care of your ears naturally.

Before we begin, I want to emphasize one point...

To banish: the cotton swab that pushes earwax deep into the ear canal, irritating its walls and can cause eardrum perforations at the slightest sudden movement. In addition, cotton swabs produce waste, a lot of waste, to the point of becoming a real ecological plague. Plastic cotton swabs are now banned in France since January 1, 2018 because many are found in the oceans, on beaches and in the bellies of large fish...

Cleaning your ears naturally: the alternatives to cotton swabs.

• For those who don't produce a lot of earwax, a daily wash in the shower with the help of your pinky (which is called the pinky, let's not forget!) is sufficient. Be sure to dry the inside of the canal before going outside at the risk of getting an ear infection.
• For those who are prone towax buildup: there is the Oriculi, a small spoon-shaped instrument with a rounded tip that allows you to clean the ear canal without pushing earwax toward the tympanum. They come in metal or bamboo, the latter being compostable as soon as it reaches the end of its life. Cleanable after each use, they are convenient, effective, long-lasting and 0 waste! You can find them in organic stores or on specialized online sites.
• Ear candles are a source of debate between those who use them and those who consider them ineffective. Test it to make up your own mind. For the convinced, these hollow candles of about twenty centimeters based on wax and cotton from a Native American tribal tradition, aspires through the heat of the flame all the earwax deposited in the duct. After a session, a sense of well-being is felt as well as improved hearing.
• In practice, it takes two people for safety. The subject lies comfortably on his or her side while the second person lights and inserts the end of the candle into the ear canal. This process lasts for a few minutes during which the gentle creep of the candle ear and its gentle warmth will relax and unwind the person.

These candles are available onthe internet and in some organic stores. In addition, some practitioners in the field of natural health and / or well-being offer it in session, accompanied by a cranial massage, foot or facial reflexology ...

Taking care of your ears by freeing yourself from the plugs

If you do not have any pain or fever nor diarrhea,ear bathswith a few drops of vegetable oil at room temperature are reputed to unclog ears and evacuate plugs. Keep in the ear canal for a few minutes while pulling the ear up, down and back from the base to loosen the plug from the walls before tilting the head to let the oil flow with the wax. Wipe with a clean cloth.   

You can also usingan adapted syringe ( obviously without a needle), inject a small amount of oil. The pressure of the injection combined with the viscosity of the oil will soften the plug and dump it.

Having clean ears is obviously important. However, we must not forget the primary role of earwax, which is to protect our ear canal from any external aggression. Too strict hygiene can have deleterious effects such as irritation of the ear canal, the eardrum or even a perforation of the latter. The tips and recommendations outlined are for prevention and apply only to everyday cases. If you or your children are prone to ear infections, ear plugs regularly, you should not take these events lightly because more important inconveniences can result: decreased hearing, ringing in the ears leading to difficulties in concentration and learning, loss of balance etc... It will therefore be necessary to consult your doctor who will refer you to an ENT specialist who will take proper care of you.