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• Ear candles are a product promoted by alternative health practitioners primarily for cerumen removal.  Their use requires placing a hollow candle into the external auditory canal (EAC) and lighting the opposite end.  
  • This "candle" is actually a piece of paraffin-coated fabric (linen or cotton) wound into a cone about a foot long. 
• The lighted candle is thought to create a low-level vacuum which draws cerumen and other impurities from the EAC.  A dark brown waxy substance purported to be cerumen plus EAC debris is left in the stub of the candle.  
  • As opposed to a vacuum, some proponents claim that smoke draws out excess fluids, wax, and toxic debris by osmosis.
• Toxins are purported to be oxidized and turned into vapors during the procedure.  Vaporized beeswax and herbal essences in the smoke are also said to infuse their natural infection-fighting properties into the inner ear, sinuses, and lymph drainage system [4,7,13].
• *(For a picture of a typical set-up, see http://www.awarinst.com/candles.htm)
• In addition to ear wax removal, ear candling is claimed to relieve pressure, fight infection,  remove "other impurities" and improve mental clarity, energy and a sense of well-being because oxygen and glucose are more apt to travel through the cleaner passage ways and "enter into the brain thus restoring neural functions."[3] 
• 
• Proponents claim that candling can:
  • relieve sinus pressure and pain
  • cleanse the ear canal
  • improve hearing
  • assist lymphatic circulation
  • regulate pressure
  • purify the mind
  • strengthen the brain
  • relieve pain and fever associated with a ruptured eardrum
  • cure swimmer's ear and other ear infections
  • relieve ear aches
  • act as an alternative to ear "tubes"
  • sharpen the senses of smell, taste, and color perception
  • stabilize emotions
  • stop tinnitus (ringing)
  • alleviate TMJ pain/stiffness
  • relieve vertigo
  • fortify the central nervous system
  • clear the eyes
  • purify the blood
  • act as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, or antibiotic
  • cure Meniere's syndrome
  • aid sinusitis
  • release blocked energy
  • reduce stress and tension
  • cure auricular zona (herpes zoster infection of the ear)
  • open and align the chakras
  • open the spiritual centers and cleanse the auric bodies [8]
• Ear candles can be made of cotton or linen and are soaked in wax or paraffin and allowed to harden.  Most are sold for between $2 and $10 each.
• Some waxes contain herbs or other substances, including sage, chamomile, rose, rosemary, burdock root, osha root, periwinkle, jojoba, quassia bark, yucca root, or honey.  (http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/candling.html)
• Nearly all package directions indicate that the ear will feel warm but not hot, and that the experience will be relaxing and even spiritual in nature.
• Critics point to the dangers of external burns, ear obstruction and eardrum perforation (see evidence against).
• Recipients may hear a hissing sound during the procedure similar to that of a conch shell held against the ear.
• Treatment length is recommended 30 minutes to one hour with one or two candles being burnt.  Variations in the required number of treatments exist depending on the specific ailment.
  • Many consider ear candling treatment to be a normal routine of personal hygiene, just like brushing one's teeth, that may be performed on a scheduled basis.[13]