I already posted this question over at Countryside but thought I would ask here also.

Has anyone used Ear Candles? Do they work? I notice all the makers have a disclaimer saying they do not gurantee that they remove old ear wax. I must admit the first time I heard of Ear Candles the first thing that poped into my mind was that someone was making candles from ear wax (Yuck).

-- Mark in N.C. Fla. (deadgoatman@webtv.net), January 20, 2002

Answers

Yes, they work. We use them every so often. We hear much better after using them, too. They will pull out infection also. There's different kinds, we prefer the ones that burn slower, they cost more, though. I've heard others prefer the thinner made ones. Don't use more than one per ear each time you use them, at least of the denser ones.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 20, 2002.

What the heck is an ear candle????

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), January 20, 2002.

I'm with Cheryl on this one. Someone want to explain?

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), January 20, 2002.

Ear candles are hollow, candle-shaped and wax-dipped muslin (or similar material). The small end is inserted into the ear and the other end is lit. You must keep the lit end trimmed for it to work properly and have something around the bottom to keep the wax or other stuff from dripping on you. It works great for some ear infections, sinus infections or similar problems. Pulls all the drainage out and relieves pressure. You should always use some type of eardrops or oil in your ears after using. They are available at health food stores or on the internet. We have used two or even three per ear in stubborn cases with no problems, but I've never seen (I guess) a thick ear candle.

-- Deena in GA (dsmj55@aol.com), January 20, 2002.

We use to have a health food store for several years-- & it was a very good seller----we also used them & swore by them----

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 20, 2002.

Yes, ear candles work! I have a website that you can see a picture of them on - I do sell them, but that isn't why I'm posting, promise! http://www.anzwers.org/trade/crookedtree/page4.html They do remove old ear wax, and help with upper respiratory problems as well. Because they aren't "approved" by the FDA, we have to put a disclaimer on there or risk getting hit with a suit from the AMA.

-- Veronica Wiese (ronniew@sowega.net), January 21, 2002.

I have been having a little pain in one ear, and have noticed I am having trouble hearing, so I asked my doc to look and she said my ears are completely blocked up with wax. I was going to try the ear candles, and DH said, well, they don't work, they did a segment on them on either 60 Minutes or 20/20 or whatever, and they proved according to him, that they don't work. Then, I recall a question in CS magazine, where the gentleman asked about them, and said he tested them on his kitchen table, and that as much wax appeared on the table as did if you put it in an ear. Has anyone ever had a doctor state that there was wax buildup, and then after using the candle, looked again and stated that it was gone? Not to stir up anything you guys, ya'll seem to swear by them, but....

-- Katie (homesteader@accessnevada.com), January 21, 2002.

No offense, but why would we spend money on a doctor's visit when we don't need to? The doctors aren't going to tell you they work, then you wouldn't be going to them. I saw the same article but since I knew the candles worked I didn't worry about what he said. I have also used the candles on several skeptics who were totally won over after using them. I do know one person who did not have relief of her symptoms after using a candle, but this is one out of probably twenty or twenty-five people that I know who have used them.

-- Deena in GA (dsmj55@aol.com), January 22, 2002.