Ear Candles - What is the Truth?
Ear candling - also called as ear coning had originated in Egypt. Some insist that the ancient Chinese were the first to practice it. Though, the source of origin is not clear, the procedure practiced, was the same everywhere.
Procedure of using an ear candle
The procedure is simple. The person (whom doctors may call a victim) lies on a comfortable couch in a well-ventilated room. One ear is worked upon at a time. The narrow end of the candle is made to pass through a plate and is inserted in the ear. The plate prevents the hot wax dripping into the ear. The other end of the candle is lighted and the wick is allowed to burn for some four inches. The flame is snuffed out and the candle is cut. The wick is lighted once again and is allowed to burn till the last but one inch.
The whole procedure might take around some forty-five minutes. The debris is revealed when the hollow candle is cut into two.
Some enthusiasts claim that they are relieved not only of debris but of ear ailments too.
The Procedure
Ear candling works in a simple manner. The candle is lighted on one end. The heat from the lighted candle is believed to create a vacuum in the ear. The vacuum pulls up the debris. The ear canal might thus get cleaned.
Benefits of ear candling
Doctor's view
Doctors are unanimous in speaking against this procedure. Simple logic states that ear wax is sticky. To pull out such a sticky wax great negative pressure is required. The vacuum created by a lighted candle is woefully inadequate in creating such pressure.
And if such a pressure is really applied then it leaves the eardrum damaged.
No lighted candle can produce enough heat to melt the earwax.
Dangers of ear candling
Accidental damages are potentially dangerous. Accidental dripping of hot wax burns the ear internally.
Placing candles inside the ear might infect it. Doctors report treating quite a few ears damaged by ear candling.
Seller's psychology
Manufacturers of ear candles claim them to be safe and beneficial. But they cannot be trusted. Cost of manufacturing an ear candle might work out to around 10 cents. They are sold for more than $3 in the market. Profit motive is the reason behind their assertions.
How effective are ear candles and should they be used?
Doctors have conducted simple experiments, to verify the truth. They have burnt the candles without placing them in the patient's ear. Later, when these candles were cut open, debris was found lodged inside.
The candles had debris though they were not burnt in the ear!
This proves that all the claims of the ear candle advocates are a hoax. Even the promoters, have learnt to play it safe and are now calling ear candling as a source of entertainment and nothing more.