Ear Candling - W.T.F. ?? - Anyone experienced this?

1. 59

   Eric Graudinsposted 14 years ago

   Hi,
   
   I'm being encouraged to have my ears cleaned out by a process called "Ear Candling".
   
   I know nothing about it, but basically it involves setting fire to a roll of material that has been inserted in your ear.
   It's supposed to totally clean your ears out by creating air currents that draw all the gunk in your ears up into the cloth.
   
   I've never heard of this process, and am pretty skeptical that it would work.
   In fact, it sounds a bit dangerous (yep - I'm a woos.)
   
   Anyone care to comment - (On the candling process - not my degree of woosness )
   Thanks,
   Eric g.

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   1. 0

      SirDentposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Check it out for yourself.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-NoGtV_Ie0
      
      or
      
      http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2rtp2 … ion_events

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2. 63

   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   Looks like fun
   
   Yet I really doubt it does what is advertised...

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3. 84

   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   I knew a girl over ten years ago that swore by it.  She used it on her kids.  I'd sure keep my hair out of the way!   LOL   Good luck with it.  I can assure you that it's been around a long time.

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4. 84

   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   Thanks for sharing the YouTube video, Sir Dent.  That was interesting!

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5. 92

   Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

   It is an old time remedy. I have never had it personally, but have heard of it.  My mom preferred a less extreme method of melting the ear gunk, by dripping warmed olive oil into the ear.

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6. 84

   KCC Big Countryposted 14 years ago

   The second video was a bit cheesy....but a good simple demonstration.  The guy just lit her candle and left her to handle the rest on her own.  He could have helped!   LOL

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7. 61

   goldentoadposted 14 years ago

   its a trip and it works

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8. 0

   Leta Sposted 14 years ago

   Um, sounds dangerous.  I'd never do it.  See a doctor instead?

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9. 63

   Mishaposted 14 years ago

   LOL how about that one? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax9I6_xz_2w

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   1. 84

      KCC Big Countryposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      At first I wasn't buying into their experiment since they had the candle placed at an odd angle (compared to the other videos I've seen)....but when they cut it open, assuming nothing was altered in the filming......it sure looks like the build-up is only the build-up caused by the candle and not the removal of anything.
      
      On a similar note......I've read somewhere (sorry, I don't remember where in order to properly give them credit) that the products you buy to do the colon cleansing where they show you the 3 ft long slimy pieces of supposed-buildup, that it's actually the coagulation of the product in your system that you're passing.  Nice ploy if that's what they're doing.  Selling you something to remove something only for it to be their very own product forming the 'something' you end up removing.  LOL  (Hope that made sense).

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10. 0

    SirDentposted 14 years ago

    When I worked in coal mines I used to use peroxide once a week to clean my ears. Some say it isn't good but it did the job for me. I would just put a couploe drops in my ear and let it boil for a few minutes. Then I would do the other ear.

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11. 60

    seemorebangkokposted 14 years ago

    It's mainly done in Asian countries especially in China and it's been practiced like a thousand years. I've seen it done in barber shops and general gathering places in Beijing. Since there's billions of Chinese today they must be onto something.

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12. 68

    gwendymomposted 14 years ago

    I have done ear candling on myself, my husband and my children. I really didn't think it helped that much but I know many people that swear by it. Save yourself the expense of having it done at a salon or some other place that is going to charge you a fortune and go to just about any health food store and you can buy about 6 for $10.00 or so. BTW, use a paper plate with a hole cut in it to protect yourself from the burning candle.

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13. 59

    Eric Graudinsposted 14 years ago

    @Misha,
    I tend to agree with you.
    I can't see that flame generating any updraft through the tube at all - and certainly not enough to suck anything out of your ear.
    
    It seems that this is as silly as that other strange habit people do.
    
    Rolling up tobacco in bits of paper, sticking it into their mouth, and then setting fire to it.
    Thanks, Eric G.
    
    (I looked at a couple of those clips - bloody hilarious! )

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    1. 90

       Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Actually Eric, it does work - but I don't know any western doctors that recommend it, because it can apparently be dangerous if there's any infection present in the ear (and sometimes, if your ear is clogged, that's why it's clogged).

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14. 71

    sunforgedposted 14 years ago

    My girlfriends family swears by it...although it does disgust me, i have seen the results, I believe the heat melts the wax and causes a small vacuum, a lot of gunk does come out of their heads, they claim they can hear better and their equilibrium is better. i dont know
    
    But i did take a cool picture of it once. thought it seemed kind of spooky if you didnt know what was going on
    
    
    
    You will notice they use foil to protect the 83 year old womans head...Im not sure a paper plate would be very wise, lol

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15. 80

    sunstreeksposted 14 years ago

    My doctor said a few drops of baby oil can loosen up some ear junk when I asked for my daughter.. Might be something easier to try first.
    
    Maybe try baby oil first, suck it out with a baby nasal aspirator.. Seems like it would be more effective.

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16. 81

    WHoArtNowposted 14 years ago

    I've had it done, it's fine as long as you protect your ear somewhat. I think they use beeswax candles, or at least they do when I have it done! It pulls out so much crap!
    
    I use to use warm olive oil, but the woman who does my acupuncture once a week gives me a free ear clean out once a month, so I just let her do it! Especially as the acupuncture is covered by the NHS (ha ha ha, national health service rules!!)

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17. 81

    LondonGirlposted 14 years ago

    I'd go with my Granny's line that you should never put anything smaller than your elbow in your ear.

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18. 66

    Andromeda10posted 14 years ago

    Haha I like that line. When asked that "stranded on a desert island" line I always say Q-Tips. Even a clean ear freak like me wouldn't be able to handle fire!

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19. 73

    dagny rothposted 14 years ago

    Okay...here's the scoop on ear candling.  I have done it. In fact, I must admit I have developed a strange enjoyment to ear candling.  There is something very gratifying about sticking that sucker in your ear and unwrapping the candle (yes, I unwrap mine) to discover the treasures which have just been extracted from your ears.  It is too much fun!  The immediate gratification is pleasing.  Where else can you actually see the end result of your toils in relation to self grooming?  Now don't be concerned.  I am not a complete weirdo.  For example, I don't analyze my poo.  Just thought I would share.

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    1. 58

       MBP42posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Way too much information. I don't think candling does very much. My audiologist (hearing doc) recommends a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water, you mix 50/50 and use a cup to slowly pour a small amount (a capful of peroxide and a cap of water) into the ear, the gook will bubble and run out. If that isn';t enough a hot shower and q tips usually work for most people. If the gunk in your ear is worse than that or reddish orange you may have an infection and should see the ENT (ear nose throat doctor)

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20. 63

    Mishaposted 14 years ago

    LOL Q-tips always do the trick for me without any mysterious devices that defy basic laws of physics
    
    Yet another water-for-gas coupled with lemon cleanse

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21. 60

    Colebabieposted 14 years ago

    I have done it before. There is slight pressure while it is happening. It is pretty gross to see the contents after it is done. I haven't done it in a while and won't do it again... because the last time I got an ear infection I would stick with cotton swabs!

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    1. 90

       Marisa Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       For all those of you saying you'll stick with Q-tips or cotton buds, do you know how dangerous that is?  You should never put anything smaller than your little finger in your ear - anything smaller can cause serious damage (which you may not fully appreciate till years later).

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       1. 60

          Colebabieposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Cotton swabs are made to clean the opening of the ear canal and not the ear canal itself. It is perfectly safe to clean around the ear cartilage and the opening, it shouldn't be pressed into the ear of course

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          1. 58

             MBP42posted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Doesn't everyone already know not to put the q tip into the ear canal all that does is push the wax further into the ear canal.

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          2. 58

             MBP42posted 14 years agoin reply to this

             Doesn't everyone already know not to put the q tip into the ear canal all that does is push the wax further into the ear canal.

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       2. 63

          Mishaposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Marisa, who scared you THAT much?

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