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Readers Respond: Pros and Cons of Ear Candling
Responses: 10

By Phylameana lila Desy, About.com

From the article: Ear Candling
Share Post: Have you ever been given an ear candling treatment? What was the experience like? Would you recommend ear candling as an effective treatment? Or, do you feel ear candling is ineffective. What is your opinion of this ancient therapy? Share Your Opinion

Definitely Not Ear Wax!

I know for a fact that the ear wax looking substance at the bottom of the candle after the candling process has been complete is Definitely Not Ear Wax! I have heard of placing the candle into a cup and proceeding as if you were candling an ear. In the end, You will have the same waxy substance at the bottom. Its a selling point. I also was on a site that sold ear candles and they bared the truth on this. Why would the manufacturers say this if it were in fact not true?
—Guest Frank

Helped with Sinus Pressure

After healing my body with food to completely releive the chronic rhinosinusitus I have lived with my whole life, I could finally breath but noticed a clogged feeling in my ears. Since I was not getting infections anymore I decided to ear candle and see how it was. I really enjoyed the feeling and relief from it. It was crazy how much wax came out of my boyfriend ears! He had long thick amber drips up the side of the candle. I had tons of powder with little chuncks of amber wax, like little pebbles. I liked the experience very much. I will continue to candle as well as research.
—Guest Cahaus

Yes, that gunk is ear wax

Some people say that its just crap from the candle, when you cut open a used ear candle. but if you are brave enough to touch it to the tip of you tongue, you will surely know its earwax, and I do recommend brushing your teeth after that. lol
—Guest someone

It works!

I was having terrible dizzy spells a while back & squishiness in my ears, also car sickness. Candled them & it was gone!
—Guest Dreamspirations

It does NOT work

Folks: It does NOT work, there is NO negative pressure, it has frequently been tested (scientifically rather than from hearsay) to find ZERO effect apart from being a potentially relaxing experience. Any residue is ALWAYS from the candle, NOT from the ears. It's like the Emperor's new clothes, not enough people are willing to ask themselves how it could possibly work, without there being a vacuum at the very least. Wake up, you'll laugh at yourself for having believed in this :)
—Guest Harry

Sore Ears

I had it done about 2 months ago and at the time I really enjoyed the experience because I had Reiki at the same time and afterwards a lovely face massage but in the weeks after the treatment my ears really hurt and they are only just feeling okay now.
—Guest Amy

My Hair Caught on Fire

Ear candling can be hazardous to your hair and possibly worse burns to your skin. My hair caught on fire the last time I had my ears candled. OMG... thank goodness for the nearby bowl of water that got dumped over my head. I'm still willing to have my ears candled again because I've had it done several times before and do enjoy having it done. Just be careful!
—Guest Lisa

I love the ear candles

I have candled so many ears over the years and I have to say that it not only loosens the wax from the ears that a q-tip only pushes deeper in the ear but helps remove yeast that can build up in the ear and cause ear aches. I love the ear candles.
—Guest redfoxthehealer

Gentle and Relaxing Experience

I started having a drumming noise in my left ear... which was steadily growing worse. There was also some pressure and aching. I was in a craft store and came across the ear candles they had for sale. I purchased 8 of them, along with the instructions. Later that evening, I had my husband candle both of my ears for me. Along with being a very gentle and relaxing experience, I was astounded at the amount of wax that came out of my ears. The wax that came out was NOT from the candle. Ear wax has a distinct odor, and what came out was definitely ear wax. But the best part was that the noise and pressure in my ear was totally gone. The next evening, I candled both my husband's and son's ears. If done properly, it is an extremely safe, gentle, and natural procedure. I have seen ear irrigation done in the doctor's office, and it is painful and very unpleasant. I will always keep ear candles on hand in my house.
—Guest shewalksdogstoo

Helped With Persistent Ear Infections

I am a Colon Therapist and became interested in ear candling to further benefit the entire body cleansing. I tried it myself but was not impressed and felt it really did not serve a good purpose. I learned the procedure in Sedona Arizona after having it done professionally at $60.00 per treatment. That amount was absurd to say the least. Although I did not feel I reaped benefit from it I did find it helped those with persistent ear infections. Those individuals had fewer infections, pain, and discomfort after the treatments and did not have to go back on antibiotics so I changed my opinion. It is a very old procedure so it must have been helpful when antibiotics were not available. Now that antibiotics are so over used it can be another way to help with ear problems.
—Guest Dorothy

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