"Hopi" Ear Candling

[Julia]

There's a nice little article about "Hopi" Ear Candling here:

http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2008...-grey-goo.html

Not only is this ridiculous treatment not ancient, it's not connected to the Hopi people in any way!

[SKIRRID5]

Apart from the fact Mr Mannion can't spell, his remark is one of the most tedious chestnuts trotted out in support of crank science. Actually, I'd say science didn't in fact laugh at a great deal of nascent technology. It would have been more likely that the non-scientific community, such as government or potential investors, would have done so.

[bindeweede]

There's a nice little article about "Hopi" Ear Candling here:

http://www.quackometer.net/blog/2008...-grey-goo.html

Not only is this ridiculous treatment not ancient, it's not connected to the Hopi people in any way!

Julia,

Though but, there are people with LOADS of letters after their names, what are clevererer than me and you, who say it works. Lynne Hancher.

http://www.lynnehancher.co.uk/aaahop.htm

[SimonC]

Thank you for that link, Bindeweede. "Thermal Auricular Therapy". That's completely brilliant! I love it!

There just aren't enough laughing smilies in the world for that one.

[The Great Bymble]

As I suffer from constant ear/nose/throat problems I tried these things out a few years back.Whilst I couldn't perceive any benefits which would justify the cost of a regular 'candling',I did get a nice warm feeling when the candle ignited the shoulder of my fleece ...
I'll stick to menthol crystals in future-cheaper and safer IMO.

[bindeweede]

Thank you for that link, Bindeweede. "Thermal Auricular Therapy". That's completely brilliant! I love it!

There just aren't enough laughing smilies in the world for that one.

Well, as it happens, I am in the process of patenting my very own new therapy - could be a nice little earner. TFT - Thermo-Fundamental Therapy! It does involve candles - the larger ecclesiastical variety. There is no known effect on the ears, but some users have reported a distinct watering of the eyes.

[SimonC]

Well, as it happens, I am in the process of patenting my very own new therapy - could be a nice little earner. TFT - Thermo-Fundamental Therapy! It does involve candles - the larger ecclesiastical variety. There is no known effect on the ears, but some users have reported a distinct watering of the eyes.

That sounds like a very promising idea, Bindeweede. If it's going to catch on, I think you'll need to incorporate the Native American theme somehow.

Maybe a tagline would help - "After trying TFT, Sitting Bull changed his name to Bull Who Sits On Comfy Cushion". Something like that...

[filippo lippi]

Is this it?

http://buttcandle.com/index.html

[SimonC]

It's a rare thing, but I'm totally lost for words at that. You just couldn't make this stuff up, though I thought Bindeweede had.

[geek moment] O/T, but kudos on your avatar, Filippo Lippi - Beta Ray Bill drawn by Walt Simonson - classic stuff! [/geek moment]

[filippo lippi]

It am Beta Ray Bill

[Amaris]

The candles are made from the natural ingredients of beeswax, honey extracts, sage, St Johns Wort, chamomile, beta-carotene and organically grown flax.

And these are a proven remedy for??

The candles work on a chimney principle, drawing any impurities to the surface where they can be gently removed.

So just ear wax and assorted herbal residue?

They equalise the pressure in the head and ears, making them suitable for most conditions. Secretion flow is gently stimulated and the vapour collects and removes impurities or deposits. Most of these are carried away through the candle "chimney", although some of them can be found in the condensed candle wax residue after removal from the ear, or could even work their way up to the surface

Is there any medical back up for this claim?

This kind of thing really makes you wonder where people's sense of logic is doesn't it?

[Blue Wode]

Is there any medical back up for this claim?

None whatsoever. Have a look at these two links:
http://www.audiologyonline.com/artic...rticle_id=1538
http://www.randi.org/jr/02-02-2001.html (scroll down the page)
Both show experiments - accompanied by photographic illustrations - of what really happens when you burn an ear candle.

However, some people (including MDs apparently) seem intent on ignoring the scientific evidence, preferring instead to go to great lengths to inform the world about the alleged ‘energy cleansing’ properties of ear candles. I’ve copied and pasted the following sections from one of the links provided by the Quackometer article because it’s a tour de force in dangerous woo that shouldn’t be missed:

Ear candling is a powerful means to cleans and strengthen the whole person; to "burn off" the accumulation of one-sided element qualities; to help re-balance a person's energies.

The way it achieves this is by the addition of a lot of heat to an isolated part of that energy field. The particular circumstances of the heat delivery to the aura causes a process of implosion within the air column. Implosion is nature's own, radial-axial motion, which can be defined as convergent, contracting, consolidating, creative, integrating and formative.

So, let's get "cleaned up" and "energized".

Let's do more ear candling, and be amazed!

- snip-

Questions, Answers, Applications, Instructions for use
What it is, how you can benefit and simple instructions so you can do this at home are all contained in this leaflet.

The Authenticity of the Hopi Candle
It now turns out that the story of how ear candling was "rediscovered" by the West in the rituals of the Native American Hopi Indians has been made up. They have never heard of ear candling and they certainly have not made any candles bearing the Hopi name.

Ear Candling Explained
How ear candling really works and how it fits in with the principles of Active Health is explained here. It shows the endless possibilities of a simple and safe procedure like ear candling.

Ear Candling: The Next Step
A further explanation, detailed in its simplicity, of how and where ear candling fits into the whole of life. It will show how Nature's own most powerful cleaning method has been set to work through the proper use of ear candles.

Ear Candling - The Debris
What is the meaning of the debris left in the bottom of the candle? Does it tell us something about the effect the candle has had? Is there any relation to the candle itself?

Ear Candling in Cancer Therapy
What are the properties of Ear Candling that can be of great benefit in the treatment of cancer? Is it a crazy idea to burn a hollow candle in your ear as an alternative to burning or poisoning a cancerous tumor?

Ear Candling and Allergy
Understanding the real origins of allergies and the powerful impact of ear candling on the human system, it is not surprising to have the two linked and to examine how ear candling will be a tremendous help in overcoming this growing Western medical problem.

Ear Candling and Auto-Immune Diseases
Bringing together our knowledge about the immunological process and the effects of ear candling, it becomes very obvious how this ancient healing method has a major part to play in the modern disease phenomena. Take a fresh look at the way illness occurs and find a successful way towards health.

Aura Changes and Ear Candling
Further explanation to the effects of ear candling on the physical body is supplied by an understanding of the energetic field in which the physical body is being created. Knowing how this creative process occurs allows us to visualise the powerful impact of ear candling on this very process.

Ear Candling - Observations and Attempting to Explain
At the Ear Candling Conference simple observation did away with the "suction" theory of ear candling. New Biology opened another door to possibly explain the seen effects in the body and, in general terms, modern research shows us how these effects created by the fire at the top of the candle can be transferred to the person.

-snip-

Ear Candling Training
Would you like to become an Accredited Ear Candling Practitioner?
We run regular 2 day courses…


More:
http://freespace.virgin.net/ahcare.qua/index5.html

[Amaris]

Interesting, thanks for that Blue Wode

[Blue Wode]

Here’s a horribly irresponsible and factually incorrect piece of health journalism from Liz Mulholland in today’s Telegraph:

I am now addicted to what is known as thermal auricular therapy, or ear candling. Though subsequent treatments have not proved as dramatic as the first, the decongested life is a revelation, and more pleasant than knocking back Sudafed.

Ear candling, a traditional therapy used by the Ancient Greeks, was popularised by the Hopi Indian tribe of the American south-west…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/health/2008/05/05/hhopi105.xml

Unfortunately there’s no comments section.

[bindeweede]

Yesterday I picked up a leaflet produced by someone who claims to be a qualified nurse. Apart from beauty therapies and Reflexology, she offers Hopi ear candling. Quote from the leaflet.....

Ear Candling is especially effective for treating the following conditions:

migraine and headaches
sinus problems
stress and tension
glue ear
tinnitus
relief from flying/diving"

I contacted the RNID earlier today, and this was part of their reply, which did surprise me a little.

Hopi ear candles are hollow candles, which are placed in the ear and then lit. They aim to draw excessive wax out by the smoke, which is produced. We do not recommend using these candles, as we do not encourage people to put anything into their ears, unless it is done by a trained professional -such as a GP, practice nurse, or ENT (Ear nose and throat) staff member. Placing a flame so close to the ear can be dangerous, therefore if you do decide to go ahead with using a Hopi ear candle it would be advisable to look for someone who is fully trained and experienced in this procedure.

Some people have reported a benefit from Hopi ear candles - some people enjoy the experience as it can help a person feel relaxed.



But this - slightly adapted dis from "Trick or Treatment".....


“There is no evidence that candling is effective in the treatment of any of the conditions………..hay fever, headaches, sinusitis, rhinitis, colds, influenza, tinnitus.”


“ear candles are based on the absurd idea that this method removes ear wax or toxins from the body; it is not supported by evidence.”


But I assume as these things are unregulated, Trading Standards, to whom I have complained, will not be able to take any action.