Good vibrations aid brain function
Ear cleansing
Ayurvedic therapy for the ears is an integral part of a healthy routine, where gently warmed oil is dripped into the ears before thoroughly massaging them. This may seem a little strange to those of us devoted to ‘cotton buds’ to remove debris and wax but it is a much safer and beneficial way to treat our ears!
I (don’t) hear you!
Yet cotton buds persist – risking perforation of the eardrum, bleeding and (in some cases) permanent hearing loss. You see, there are small bones in the inner ear called ossicles which vibrate when hit by sound waves, and these bones stimulate nerve endings that transmit signals to the brain and – when disrupted – hinder the brain’s normal functions (i.e. memory, and the ability to make decisions or draw conclusions). In Ayurveda, this is called Vata imbalance. Thus, we use oil to care for our ears on a regular basis.
Ayurvedic ear and earlobe cleansing in practice (Karna Purana)
At Prana, we prefer herbalised oils because they are significantly more moisturising than plain vegetable oils; but it is entirely up to you… pure virgin olive oil is quite acceptable.
Next, we close the ear flap and, using medium pressure, gently massage the ear canal in a circular motion for one minute. We then gently massage the cartilage of the ear (the whole ear) using the thumb and index finger, rubbing out any tender areas.
Finally, we gently massage around the entire ear where the ear meets the skull to attend to any tender or sore areas.
There! Done. A frequently neglected but important part of our overall functioning is restored!
Author: Saroj Velho
