1: J Laryngol Otol. 2004 Jan;118(1):1-2.

Ear candles: a triumph of ignorance over science.

Ernst E.

Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, Universities of Exeter &
Plymouth, Exeter, UK. Edzard.Ernst@pms.ac.uk

Ear candles are hollow tubes coated in wax which are inserted into patients' ears
and then lit at the far end. The procedure is used as a complementary therapy for
a wide range of conditions. A critical assessment of the evidence shows that its 
mode of action is implausible and demonstrably wrong. There are no data to
suggest that it is effective for any condition. Furthermore, ear candles have
been associated with ear injuries. The inescapable conclusion is that ear candles
do more harm than good. Their use should be discouraged.


PMID: 14979962 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Related Links

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    Ear candling. [Ear Nose Throat J. 2008] PMID:18800318

    Ear candles. [Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995] PMID:7646862

    Ear candling: should general practitioners recommend it? [Can Fam Physician.
2007] PMID:18077749

    Coning candles--an alert for otolaryngologists? [Ear Nose Throat J. 1997]
PMID:9018937