The truth vs. natural remedies

[Gem]

Hi

My confrontational title is intended to get a raise, because it is time to raise hell against quackery when it comes to the well-being of human beings.


If you see a thread on this section, one person will ask about a remedy for some sort of malady, then others will suggest this thing and that thing until a dozen different herbs and supplements are listed, and none of them provide any evidence for the claim. Anyone can say anything and it really doesn't matter if it's true or if it works or if cause of the malady should be addressed naturally in terms of nutrition, better sleep patterns, alterations to social situations or what have you. Indeed it is more likely that the cause is something that can't be rectified by magic herbs that if run in trials would not produce an effect beyond the placebo effect.

If someone suggests a magic herb, ask them to direct you to the evidence. Ask them to explain the biological processes it effects. Ask them to prove it in one way or another. Hold them accountable for their suggestion.


If you'd like to talk about maladies in terms of your broader life situation then I welcome the natural remedies that actually apply. For example, if your nutrition is not balanced first, there is no point trying to fix that with supplements, let alone snake oil.


The truth is, a large percentage of natural so-called remedies in the form of herbs and supplements will have no beneficial effect, and some will have negative effects. Granted a few will have beneficial effects, but the risk to reward ration here is poor.