Ear candles are quack devices that even "natural" experts like Dr. Andrew Weil decry.
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Can Ear Candles Clear Infections, Relieve Migraines & Perform Other Feats of Magic?
Illegal in Canada, ear candling is a popular home remedy for ear aches. But is this "therapy" effective? Dr. Andrew Weil calls ear candling "hocus pocus" and he's not alone. Why then, do so many people still believe in a practice that is, at best, useless and, at worst, potentially harmful? Let's examine the "natural" practice of ear candling.What Ear Candles Are
Sometimes referred to as ear cones, ear candles are long strips of beeswax-soaked fabric that have been wound into tight cone shapes and allowed to cool and harden. (Some manufacturers add ground herbs or essential oils but this practice is controversial among ear candle aficionados.)
After placing the small end of the stiff fabric cone into the ear canal, the ear candle practitioner lights the large end of the cone and allows the cone to burn down to within a few inches of the ear. After the cone is allowed to burn down to the appropriate length, the flame is extinguished and the remaining end of the cone is cut open and examined for toxins.
What Ear Coning Is Supposed To Do For You
Proponents of ear candles claim that candling create a "gentle vacuum" that "opens the chakras", reduces "toxins" and removes excess ear wax. Regular ear candling, according to believers, can help relieve symptoms of tinnitus, migraine, sinusitis, and more.
But think about this for a moment. Ear wax is very, very sticky and your eardrum is fairly fragile. Any "gentle vacuum" that's strong enough to "draw any impurities to the surface" would have to be strong enough to damage your eardrum. Nor can ear candles pull "toxins". No clinical study has ever proven that ear candles do anything for migraines, ear infections or any medical conditions. Quite simply, ear candles don't work as promised.
Is Ear Candling Safe?
Ear candles can be dangerous if not used carefully. It's impossible to tell exactly how many people practice ear candling but a 1996 survey of 122 physicians found that these physicians had treated 21 instances of injury related to ear candles. Burns, melted wax in the ear canal and even perforated ear drums have resulted from the use of these quack devices.
References:
- Ear candles are claimed by some to cure everything from migraines to ADHD.
- But no scientific study has ever actually proven ear candles helpful for any medical condition.
Comments
DJ
(Guest)
(Guest)
07/01/2009
I love it when people speak about something they know nothing about.....I think u people that speak of this and no nothing about how it works are ignorant...not stupid ... There has been research done and it sure wasn't BioSun that did the research. education is the key. If you think it is going to pull wax from your ear than do not waist your money. Research has shown that ear candling is a lot like acupuncture. It takes your inner ear from stressed state to a relax state while realigning the meridians so your body can work properly. As far as burns are concerned ..... that is shoddy material being used and idiots not using percaution...It is fire ...DUH ... what is left in the candle after doing an ear candles is not ear wax, it is a chemical reaction between the cloth and wax itself and if any of you idiots are tested it you would see that. >>>That is all I have to say so unless u do the research necessary keep your mouth shut
Good article! I also would not recommend ear candling, the biggest reason being that there is a risk of burns. Also, any object put into the ear can cause the wax to become impacted. Wax is only produced in the outside 1/3 of the ear canal so it is not normally present anywhere else. Ear wax is also naturally antiseptic and removing too much wax can result in an increase in outer ear infections. (Q-tips are NOT designed for use in cleaning ears and should NEVER be put into your ear! They were originally designed for makeup application and removal.)
Katie
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/08/2008
it actually says on the packages that the candles do not remove ear wax, but it also doesn't say what it does do or remove.
Dan Boone
(Guest)
(Guest)
04/06/2008
The Biosun Candles are the greatest product out for years I have watched my wife in serious pain she went to the doctors and had all sorts of test but was not helped it was not until she used the candles that she finally got relief.
I fined it hard to believe using the candles could be unsafe, follow the direction, I made a special cardboard hood placed over the ear and poke the candle through it, you have no burned hair or hot pieces falling into your hair and also do not do it on your own.
I actually had success with ear candling, I did get a lot of wax out of my ear and I was surprised. good article and very informative!
interesting. I've never heard of this before. It doesn't sound like something I want to try. :)
Good info. I had these used on me when I lived in Germany and I did not like thme-- frankly it hurt, didn't work, and I don't like the idea of a flame so close to my hair
I used to love candleing my ears, until I injured the ear and suffered pain from it. Good article.
Thanks for the good information :-)
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