Skeptics Stack Exchange
Skeptics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [alternative-medicine]

Use this tag for claims regarding cures and health practices which fall outside the boundaries of scientifically validated medicine.

Any healing practice, method, compound or procedure which falls outside the bounds of scientifically validated medicine either because it has not demonstrated significant, safe, repeatable results consistently under proper observing conditions, or has not yet had the opportunity to undergo such testing. Can also relate to the study, evaluation, and interpretation of data collected on such processes. Related term: Complementary Medicine.

192 questions
15
votes
1 answer

Does cupping have medical benefits?

Recently, in the Rio Olympics 2016, quite a few sportsmen and sportswomen have been seen with cupping marks, which allegedly result from the traditional Chinese/Oriental medicine treatment Hijama or potentially an alternative cupping method. A…
Wolpertinger
  • 259
  • 2
  • 9
15
votes
1 answer

Does ginger help against the common cold?

My wife is treating all cold symptons in the family with a few spoons of freshly ground ginger juice mixed with honey. While I don't mind an occasional placebo, drinking ginger juice is unpleasant because of the burning sensation while swallowing,…
Twinkles
  • 1,591
  • 15
  • 24
15
votes
2 answers

Does earthing reduce oxidative stress and inflammation?

The other day my friend asked what I think about "earthing" claiming that their products provide electrons we used to get from walking barefoot on the earth surface and that they have positive (healing) health effects. If you haven't heard of…
Bazilika
  • 245
  • 2
  • 6
15
votes
2 answers

Does water therapy provide measurable benefits to childbirth?

I recently watched the trailer for The Business of Being Born, which included the following quote: "The presence of Doulas; using water during labor; these things have been scientifically shown to generate better outcomes. I did some looking…
Beofett
  • 9,363
  • 4
  • 57
  • 84
14
votes
2 answers

Do essential oils safely and effectively treat constipation, stomach aches and fevers?

My wife was encouraged to try several doTERRA "essential oils". She's convinced (through anecdotal evidence and perhaps the placebo effect) that different oils have been effective in treating "constipation, tummy aches, fevers and immunity" in my…
Daryl Spitzer
  • 259
  • 1
  • 2
  • 7
14
votes
1 answer

Does drinking cattle urine have health benefits?

Recently, a provincial government in India has decided to promote cattle urine as a health drink: Cow urine to be promoted as health drink in Uttar Pradesh BJP government in UP prepares proposal to set pharmacy that will package cow urine…
user42178
14
votes
2 answers

Are fish oil capsules beneficial?

Page 28 of the February 2018 edition of Which? magazine says, (You don't need...) Fish oils such as Omega 3 capsules Unless you are advised to take these, you don't need to. Studies show that fish oil's positive benefits are gained though eating…
ChrisW
  • 26,552
  • 5
  • 108
  • 141
14
votes
1 answer

Strange way of improving eyesight -- Could it work?

Possible Duplicate: Is the Bates Method for improving eyesight efficacious? I recently read the Bate's Method question and thought of this. A while ago in some forum someone posted a note. It described how the author went from having fairly…
Earlz
  • 251
  • 2
  • 6
14
votes
2 answers

Can headaches be relieved by massaging pressure points in the hands and feet?

There are a number of sites that claim that massaging a point in the webbing between thumb and index finger can relieve headaches. Livestrong.com: One pressure point that may help relieve your headaches is located in the webbing of your hand…
user7920
14
votes
4 answers

Does garlic lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure?

Some naturopath websites claim that garlic is incredibly good for you: If garlic had been created in the laboratory instead of by nature, it would probably be a high-priced prescription drug. The article goes on to claim it prevents cancer, blod…
berry120
  • 561
  • 4
  • 15
14
votes
1 answer

Does sugar "feed" cancer?

I keep seeing this claim in alternative health circles that sugar feeds cancer and if you restrict carbohydrate from your diet, particularly refined sugar, you can prevent cancer or even "starve" existing cancer. Here is an example of this…
Melissa
  • 871
  • 1
  • 8
  • 13
13
votes
2 answers

Can Alpha Brain dietary supplement improve mental acuity and focus?

Alpha Brain is a tablet offered as a dietary supplement by Onnit. They make many claims about its ability to help cognitive function: The idea behind the Alpha Brain™ dietary supplement was to create the first ever fully balanced nootropic. Alpha…
Jeremy Boyd
  • 231
  • 1
  • 4
13
votes
3 answers

Can heat cure COVID-19, the common flu and the common cold?

The following video is quickly making rounds via social media. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-011iO4esA The video claims Dr. Dan Lee Dimke has found that raising the temperature of the sinuses to 56°C (133°F) for 15 minutes is an effective cure…
user53816
  • 448
  • 1
  • 3
  • 13
12
votes
1 answer

Does Orgone Energy exist?

I have discovered a claim going around that says everything is surrounded by "Orgone Energy" which is a universal life force. Products have arisen from this theory such as a "Cloudbuster", a device intended to influence weather by altering levels of…
avitex
  • 273
  • 1
  • 6
12
votes
2 answers

Can honey help heal wounds?

Many sources claim that honey help healing wounds. Consider for example DermNet New Zealand consultant360 webmd TF1 telejournal (in french) From DermNet New Zealand, it seems that honey is most often used to heal Leg ulcers Pressure…
Remi.b
  • 2,001
  • 1
  • 17
  • 29
1 2 3
…
12 13