Hi John,

> Dien, my own take on this statistic (and I
> know some of the tricks which are played
> with them. I worked around stats people for
> years) is that dis-satisfaction with the
> service from the medical establishment is
> DRIVING people to try just about anything
> else!

Yes, I agree!

It's also true that (unfortunately) standard medicine doesn't yet have all the answers....

One reason why I take certain alternative therapies seriously, is that often these "alternative" therapies become (over time) accepted by the medical establishment.

One example I've come across is milk thistle, which is a herb which was traditionally used to help with liver problems. This folk medicine is now used in medicine for patients with liver cirrhosis, under a name such as silymarin, which is extracted from milk thistle.... So, milk thistle is an example of a folk herbal medicine, whose extract (silymarin) is now regularly used in medicine....

However, it's always best to be a bit cautious, and if you have health problems, to consult a health professional first to be safe....

> The caveat is "if it works". I
> keep away from this area because what works
> short-term might turn out to be damn
> dangerous over a longer period, what works
> for one person can be devastating for
> someone with apparently similar problems.

Yes, it's best to have some caution.... If you have a serious medical condition, it's good to first consult with your doctor....

> I don't think that is a major consideration
> when people's health is concerned.
> I am not against all alternative therapies,
> theories and products; I used Guarana (there
> are significant differences between products
> from different Companies which are supposed
> to be the same there), take a vitamin
> supplement which appears to have some
> benefit for me and so on.

Yes, I'm the same.... I'm currently taking a chromium supplement and I take beta carotene (vitamin A) and vitamin E daily (the last two seem to help reduce my asthma)....

> But I would not advocate or sell these sort
> of products without knowing their track
> record and having printed confirmation of it
> from fully independent credible sources.

I understand what you're saying.... I think it would depend on what it is....

The danger I think is pushing something which could be harmful to some people, without warning them or without having adequate expertise....

However, I think some things wouldn't harm people (like massage, as Amber mentioned). And I think it's okay to make things available to people, as long as you also warn people to check with their doctor etc. if they have a serious medical condition, before using it....

Some things I'm personally a little bit doubtful about, but some people like them, and I don't really see the harm in it.... For example, a friend of mine learned how to practice Reiki, which is some sort of "laying on of hands" technique. He doesn't charge to do it (he doesn't feel comfortable with charging for it), though there are others who do.... I've never used it, but if some want to use it I don't see why not.... He sincerely believes in what he does....

> Please don't use this outside the forum. I
> know a person who is having great success
> hypnotising people to remove cravings (my
> words) for cigarettes etc.
> This person was taught about hypnotism by
> someone who firmly beleived that hypnotism
> was a complete fake!
> So the "cures" happen but the
> method is decried by the therapist's
> teacher!

Heheh.... That's an unusual story!

I've looked into hypnosis since I was a kid (one of my first books was by Melvin Powers, who - I didn't realize then - is also a highly successful mail order marketer!). I personally do believe that it seems to work, at least for some people, though I've never done it or had it done to me.... I thought it was pretty much accepted by the medical establishment now?

> I must add that the therapist & the
> teacher are both very honorable. If the
> therapist wasn't, he could probably set up
> his own religion or something.
> No offense intended to people who sell these
> products, or set up up their own religions
> even, in a responsible manner.

Thanks John, that was a good warning.... It's good to be cautious! And to be ethical too....

- Dien