Ear candling

Attempting the procedure

Ear candling, also called ear coning or thermal-auricular therapy, is a pseudoscientific[1] alternative medicine practice claiming to improve general health and well-being by lighting one end of a hollow candle and placing the other end in the ear canal. Medical research has shown that the practice is both dangerous and ineffective[2] and does not functionally remove earwax or toxicants, despite product design contributing to that impression.[3]

  1. ^ Shenk, Heather L.; Dancer, Jess (December 12, 2005). "Ear Candling: A Fool Proof Method, or Proof of Foolish Methods? Heather L. Shenk Jess Dancer". AudiologyOnline. Retrieved 2019-05-04.
  2. ^ Seely, D.R.; Quigley, S.M.; Langman, A.W. (1996). "Ear candles: Efficacy and safety". Laryngoscope. 106 (10): 1226–9. doi:10.1097/00005537-199610000-00010. PMID 8849790. S2CID 45885657.
  3. ^ Beatty M.D., Charles W. "Ear Candling: Is it Safe?". MayoClinic.org. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 7 June 2014.