Do Ear Candles Really Work?

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:

Ernst, E. (2004). Ear candles: a triumph of ignorance over science.

Seely, D., et al. (1996). Ear candles--efficacy and safety.

Weil, A. (2005). Q & A Library. Melting Out Ear Wax? Retrieved from: http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA360594.