"There have been no trials so far evaluating the benefits of ear-candling so there is no evidence whatsoever that it has any clinical effect other than through a placebo response… Apparently both the Canadians and the Americans have officially banned the sale of ear-candles as the adverse reactions seem to far outweigh the possible benefits — although they remain available over the internet." Dr George Lewith, Head of the Complementary Medicine Research Unit, Southampton Medical School, UK (The Times, 8th October 2005)