(National-NBC) Feb. 21, 2005 - Donald Cuthbert had trouble hearing. He says his job puts him around loud noises, and the result is too much wax build-up. So, his wife suggested an ear candle, "I ...

``Even people who have never heard of ear candling often blow smoke into the ear canal to relieve symptoms of fever, flu and 'swimmer's ear' (the smoke helps dry fluid in the ear),'' the book says.

Despite being a traditionally trained physician, I consider myself open to many complementary therapies. I appreciate the value of meditation to soothe the nervous system, of prayer and visualization ...