Snake Oil

[Canary42]

I am bombarded with ads/e-mails for health-style remedies and it amazes me that there are so many "cures" around which are not offered by the qualified Medical Profession.

Examples: obesity, arthritis, COPD, sexual potency, hair loss, IBS, high blood pressure, insomnia, constipation, the list goes on.

My question is, have you ever used one of these, and was it effective ?


[Posted in CB out of respect for the site rules]

[jno]

ancient Egyptians used willow bark for pains; it wasn't till millennia later that science identified the active ingredient as salicylic acid; it was marketed in tablet form only 100 years or so ago as aspirin.

Village wise women always knew this sort of stuff. But when men took over the medical profession, a lot of knowledge was sidelined until it could be rediscovered scientifically.

[Mamyalynne]

Yes, the Witchfinders have a lot to answer for :-)

[Deskdiary]

pastafreak - the horses were already getting better.

Homeopathy is water. And no matter how much succussion (which is charlatan talk for shaking) can get away from the cast iron fact that homeopaths are selling water to the gullible.

Homeopaths should be ashamed of themselves.

[pastafreak]

I'll have to take your word for it deskdiary. As I said, I know little about it.

[pixie374]

In my opinion- people often use the word "natural", meaning unlicensed and untested. Some of the most potent poisons in the world are natural. It doesn't mean healthy or safe.
But some may become official medication in time... we rely on those believing in it to test them first.

[pixie374]

I agree with DD. Although people think the placebo effect doesn't affect animals- it could, if it affects their humans.