History of Ear Candling

Ear candling is a practice in which a long, waxy cloth tube is inserted into the ear canal and burnt. This allegedly creates a vacuum that cleanses the ear canal.

Unverified Origins

• The exact origins of ear candling are unknown. Vague claims have been made about rock paintings depicting a process similar to ear candling, but no concrete evidence has been presented.

Cultural Knowledge

• Cultures that were said to have used ear candling include those in Siberia, Tibet, Greece, Egypt and Atlantis. These claims are unverified.

Hopi Controversy

• A widespread claim on the Internet is that ear candling is part of the medicine of the Hopi Indians. However, in an undated letter to the website Active Health, Leigh Kuwanwisiwma, director of the Hopi Cultural Preservation Office, disavowed ear candling as part of the Hopi culture and called the claim a misrepresentation.

Modern Use

• Ear candling is used in the alternative health community as a way to supposedly remove not only earwax but toxins and fungi. It is also said to clear emotional problems.

Debunking

• A 1996 study by the Spokane Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic showed no benefit from ear candling and found that debris from the candle was left in the ear canal. A 2006 experiment by Heather Shenk, Au.D., and Jess Dancer, Ed.D., reported on AudiologyOnline.com, showed that a burning ear candle placed inside a test vial containing earwax did not affect the wax at all.