Ear Candling

Ear candling, or thermal-auricular therapy, is a technique used to remove ear wax and other impurities from the ear canal. It also compares itself to the healing and therapeutic aspects of acupuncture and aromatherapy. The theory behind this is that the heat will create a suction that draws ear wax into the bottom of a hollow, cone-shaped candle. It is unknown who or what culture started this idea, but it has been around for thousands of years. There is evidence that the first use of this treatment was with glazed clay or stone pottery cones.

Research into ear candling has been done and results show that this is not safe for the ear canal. It also does not have the power to heal sinus infections and improve hearing like people had originally thought. It turns out that it only makes matters worse by pushing ear wax deeper into the ear canal. Even with all of this evidence, people still use ear candles because they think it will help them with their clogged ears, sinuses, and hearing problems.

Links:

http://www.earcandling.com/

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/consumer-health/expert-answers/ear-candling/faq-20058212

http://www.morganlevymd.com/morganlevymd.com/placebomedicine/fake1.html