Purpose of ear candling?

Question

I have been interested in ear candling for years but wondered if it’s only purpose was to remove wax? Are there any other health benefits? I sleep with ear plugs every night and if anything I have a reduction in ear wax from wearing them. I’m further confused because I imagine ear wax is like mucous - it serves a purpose to keep bacteria from getting in and the removal of it could leave you prone to infections. Thanks in advance for your insight!

Answer 1

Your instincts are correct... ear candling is hogwash and potentially dangerous.

The ear canal produces cerumen as part of its self-cleaning mechanism. It traps dirt and debris to keep it from damaging the delicate tissues of the eardrum; it also has an acerbic taste to discourage insects from trying to nestle in the cozy environment. There was an article going around the web a couple weeks ago about a boy that had spiders in his ear canal. I've seen ants and roaches.

For most people, it is best to do nothing beyond washing the external ear with a washcloth and fingertip. Some people have narrow or twisting ear canals, or very dry cerumen that make it more difficult for it to work its own way out -- for them drops like MiraCell or Debrox can help, as well as periodic visits to the Ear Nose & Throat doctor for cleaning.

Answer 2

A normal amount of earwax should always be present. Sometimes though, it accumulates and causes decreased hearing. We were taught to only remove the visible wax. Ear candling will bring the wax to the surface, but I do not think it completely removes it. Your hearing should be better afterward even if you didn't think you had a problem. Just don't do it too often.
Yes, earwax has a purpose. For one, it keeps the ear lubricated and resists water to enter the ear canal.
I've never used this method but a neighbor has and she liked it. I'm not sure how dangerous this is. So you might just want to stick to cleaning the outside.

Answer 3

The solid answer to your question the purpose is to sell the candles. They will not remove any wax from your ears period, the stuff left over is simply from the burning candle. Don't believe me then candle your ear over and over again and each time you will see the same residue. Well the ear does not produce buckets of wax. Save your money and potentially damaging your ears.

Answer 4

I do not know of any other purpose, other than removing wax. Just be very careful if you do use them. I have a friend that used them once and wax dripped down and burned her ear drum. She lost some hearing over this.

Answer 5

Some people get mass production of ear wax and it acutally plugs their ears up. Some people and Dr's think irrigation is the way to get it out...umm, that's like shooting a fire hose on your bike to wash it. It can really damage your ears.

Candleing has been around forever. I did it on my friend. She had an earache for a long time and I did it on her three days in a row. She said it helped and helped her to become 'un-dizzy'. maybe she had too much wax in one ear? or some kind of bacteria? Anyway, after candeling, you should replace some of the wax you remove with a soothing herbal oil, I use garlic olive oil. Its not food grade, its from a health store sold in a dropper bottle for ear use specifically.

Answer 6

I have been using and performing ear candling for several years now. As a testimony, my grandson who is now 7 was having ear infection after infection. The doctors were going to put tubes in his ears. We started doing the ear candling every change of season with our quarterly cleansing and he has been infection free ever since. I also did it on myself because I was having a lot of seasonal allergies and it cleared them up as well. I highly recommend ear candling, but not on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Either on an as needed basis or as a season cleansing. I felt so much cleaner afterwards and feel a lot better.

Answer 7

Good question! But I love it. It makes you feel so refreshed. The candles will gently "pull" the nastiness out of your head. Cleaning out your sinuses. Your sinuses help keep you healthy by filtering out most of the harmful particulates that enter through your ears or nose. By removing this buildup, your allowing the body to function better. Hint: Moisten the tip of the candle you stick in your ear with mineral oil before sticking them into your ears. It will soften the tip to help for a better seal. ALSO when your done burning the candle down, cut it open, wow nasty huh? Good Luck!

Answer 8

Yes. had it professionally done. Didn't do a thing. my problem at the time wasn't wax it was clogged ear. I later found out what caused it (a hormone)

Answer 9

its bad for your ears researcher say but its gets all the ear wax out of your ear by a vacum