Ear Candling

While wandering around a metaphysical bookstore, one weekend day during my massage therapy training lunch break, I happened to see a woman sitting on a stool with a cape draped around her torso, her head tilted to the side, a small towel type covering over the side of her head, and a burning candle sticking out of her ear. The candle was being held in place by a store employee. The two were chatting away. The woman looked totally ridiculous, by the way. I would have been embarrassed to be sitting there, behind the front counter, on display like that. Amid my puzzled looks and investigative glancing, I saw on a table close by, a package labeled something like ear candles. Aaaaah, I realized, that is what ear candling looks like.

I had seen ear candles before, but had no idea what people did with them. I never felt the compulsion to find out, either. But, now that I saw it being done, I wanted to know what it was about. So, I read about it from a proponents' point of view. Hmmm, the candle creates suction in the ear and draws out the ear wax? At the end of the session, they cut open the candle and show you the black junk inside and declare - see, that's the yucky ear wax and junk from your ear. My first thought was that it was the burned leftovers from the candle itself. You know, fire creates a chemical reaction, it transforms, and then there is leftover by products.

By the way, did you happen to see the episode of MythBusters when they took wax from people's ears so they could make a candle from it, to see if it would burn? Watch the YouTube video on it. They had a doctor come in to extract ear wax from people. Not everyone had ear wax to contribute. Some had a tiny bit, and 1 or 2 had a bunch. The doctor used a special tool to remove it. It was totally disgusting seeing a bowl of human ear wax. I had to look away. If I was there in person, I probably would have vomited.

Anyway, back to ear candling. Well, it makes no sense to me how a candle, wedged in your ear, could create any suction at all. And, what, it has to be hot enough to melt the wax in your ear so it drips out? I mean so it drips up? Is that how the wax supposedly comes out? Or does it turn to vapor? Or stay solid, but because of sheer force of that suction, it uproots itself from your ear canal, and flies into the candle? And, about that candle, if it's burning, won't it melt and potentially drip its own wax into your ear? Well take a look at an excerpt from the FDA website about reports they've received about ear candling ...

"FDA has received reports of burns, perforated eardrums and blockage of the ear canal which required outpatient surgery from the use of ear candles. And a survey of ear, nose and throat physicians published in 1996 in the medical journal Laryngoscope reported 13 cases of burns of the ear, seven cases of wax occlusion of the ear canal, and one case of a perforated eardrum. The authors of this study also reported that the burning ear candles dripped candle wax on the eardrum of the test subjects and in a model of the ear."

You can read the FDA page on ear candling here.

You can read a report on the Health Canada website about the dangers of ear candling.

Apparently, there are claims that ear candling not only removes junkies from your ear, but it can help with ear and sinus infections, headaches, ear aches, and improved hearing. I won't even mention the blood purification and curing cancer claims. Oops, too late. And, once again from the FDA website ...

"In the Laryngoscope study noted above, it was found that burning ear candles produced no measurable vacuum pressure, or suction on a model of the ear. Ear candles were also found to be ineffective in removing ear wax in 4 test subjects. In fact, using ear candle on these subjects appeared to have pushed ear wax further into the ear canal.

In addition, Health Canada, the Canadian health regulatory agency, performed their own tests and found that ear candles produce no measurable effect in the ear and have no therapeutic value."

And, so there goes another one of those alternative, get well quick, holistic health type remedies. If you have a problem with your ears or sinuses, please make sure you see a physician about it. Yes, a doctor. Someone with a medical degree who gave years of their life to study and practice medicine. Do not put your health in the hands of ear candles and unqualified ear candle people doers. Not sure what to call the person who does the ear candling, except maybe quack? Be smart. Investigate. Your health is up to you.

Did you notice how I didn't bother referencing any sites which claim successes in treating people with ear candles? That is because I have already made up my mind that I don't believe it to work. Therefore, I'm trying to convince you of this, too. And, I'm doing it by bringing up evidence that supports my case. I am biased on the matter.

Stay tuned for other things I've seen or overheard in that metaphysical bookshop :)

The Best Foods You Aren't Eating

The Lifehacker blog points us to a NYT story about 11 foods you probably are not eating, but are really good for you. We've seen some of the suggestions before - mainly because when we became vegetarians we became much more aware of what we were eating, and thus tried a variety of other things. I personally felt healthier as a result. Now, some of the suggestions are things I typically avoid (beets and plums for example), while Sardines are right out. But others can be quite good - Allison makes some great Turmeric potatoes.

Find Local Foods in Season

It's said that the healthiest things to eat are locally grown fruits and vegetables. The thing is, how do you know what is in season in your area. Well, Epicuriouis.com now has an interactive map that shows exactly what is in season in your area. For example, in New Jersey (where we live) Broccoli and Spinach are in season, which for us is great as we both tend to be a frequent visitor to our dinner table.

Vitamin D and Sunlight

Here's a short article from the UK talking about a rising incidence of Vitamin D deficiency due to people avoiding the sun because of fear of skin cancer. When exposed to sunlight, the body will make its own Vitamin D. It's possible to avoid the sun during peak hours, and still get enough sunlight for a healthy amount of Vitamin D.

EDP24 - Warning over vitamins and sunlight

Global Dimming

We've all heard of Global Warming, but what about Global Dimming? The idea is that the Earth is getting darker .. it is receiving less sunlight than it had been getting 40 years ago. It was estimated in the mid 1990's that the US was receiving 10 percent less sunlight than in 1960. Why? The article suggests atmospheric pollution and talks about other impacts the pollution is having in the world.

Icarus Flying II – wot no sun?

New-Age Lunar Therapy

Hmmm ... lunar therapy? Someone built a 25 ton moon reflector in southern Arizona where you can experience the reflected light of the moon while you are 20 feet in the air. They are saying that the moon light has healing qualities and can help treat certain maladies. Unfortunately, they mention in the article that sun light does not having healing qualities - and to that I disagree. I have no opinion yet about the lunar ray theory. What do you think?

New-Age Lunar Therapy

Globalization comes full circle

I thought that this would be an interesting article to include in the Natural Health SIG. Why - you ask? Well, it does mention the word naturist. But, I think that it's important because it tries to explain about our ancestors, and how they pretty much all started off in the same place on the Earth. They then started exploring and moving outward until we eventually have what we have today. People all over the world, different cultures, languages, appearances, customs. Yet, we all started out from the same place. I say "we" because I'm assuming that you can make the leap that our ancestors are part of who we are today. To me the article speaks of our similarities of being inhabitants of the Earth - and hopefully it makes people think about being more accepting of others even though they may look different. When you meet someone new, don't you feel better when you discover you have something in common? So, take a long read about something we all have in common here on our Earth.

Globalization Comes Full Circle

Domesticated Nature

Here is an article about a study published in Science Magazine having to do with the effects of humankind's alterations to the environment. These are not theoretical effects, but actual occurrences. While the intention was to improve human welfare, many of the secondary effects have played out to be quite negative. It sounds like the entire study would be interesting to read.

Study Examines Exploitation of Natural Resources

Petition to Stop 'Drive Through' Mastectomies

This petition is not brand new. However, they're still accepting signatures. It seems that in some states, the Health Insurance Companies prefer NOT to pay for coverage for hospital stays after the very emotionally and physically traumatic surgical procedure of a mastectomy. You can read the details at Lifetime's website - including personal stories and a link to the actual Bill in the Senate. Definitely worth researching and signing. Thanks to Jen for sending me this link.


Lifetimetv.com: Breast Cancer Awareness - Petition

Scott Meyers Launches New Natural Health Website

Here's a press release about a new natural health website that may be worth checking out. The new site has articles on different natural health topics. It will probably grow over time and may become an interesting resource.

Scott Meyers Launches New Natural Health Website