ear wax

[springbulb81]

What's the technique called used for extracting ear wax using a coil and smoke?

[jake-the-peg]

I think you mean hopi candles

But I think that's a technique for extracting cash using smoke and mirrors isn't it?

[jane1098]

Hopi ear candles or something like that

[Mortartube]

Actually, I tried Hopi ear candles recently for the first time and I did feel some benefit, perhaps not as much as syringing but not too bad

[Mortartube]

The lighted bit melts the wax. Did I do it wrong? lol

[springbulb81]

thanks. But once its melted the wax how does it extract it out of your ear?

[Mortartube]

The candle is a tube and you light the top end whilst the base is in the ear.

The idea is that the hot air at the top end, draws further air up the centre of the candle like a chimney, whilst also warming it. This warm air partially vapourises the ear wax which is also drawn up and out of the candle.

Two sides to the argument for and against them here.

http://earsunblocked.com/ear-candles.html

[Thersites]

Warm (not hot, you don't want to burn your eardrum) vegetable oil (olive, sunflower) is faster and a few orders of magnitude cheaper.

[bobclean]

Springbulb, these candles do not extract wax, the only thing they extract is the proverbial urine!

Have a quick read of the following article, hope it helps.

http://www.randi.org/jr/02-09-2001.html