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.

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Is chocolate bad for your voice?

I've had a variety of singing teachers, all of whom assured me that eating chocolate prior to singing was bad for my voice. This is assumed fact amongst almost all other singers I have known. I've never come across the original research though, so…
fredley
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Does the Buteyko method improve asthma symptoms?

The Buteyko breathing method is based on the assumption that many health problems are caused by hyperventilation. By training people to breath less, it claims that (amongst other symptoms) asthma can be cured, or at least improved. Is there any…
Aron Rotteveel
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Does inhaling steam from fresh-boiled potatoes help with a cold/flu cough or congestion?

Growing up in Russia, almost everyone I knew used this remedy. Here's Internet example. Fortunately, half an hour is just enough time for you to boil a big pot of potatoes. Remove them from the heat, throw a towel over your head, and breathe the…
user5341
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Does placing an ice cube on your neck provide health benefits?

It has been suggested that placing an ice cube on your neck where your head and neck are connected (the Feng Fu point) once a day has several health benefits123. Supposedly the reason for this is that placing an ice cube in this location causes…
FGreg
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Does garlic prevent the spread of colds?

I just heard that a friend plans to feed their toddler raw garlic because the toddler has a cold and they don't want it spreading to their infant. Is there evidence for or against the efficacy of this practice?
Stephen Collings
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Does Gripe Water work for fussy babies?

All parents have to deal with a fussy infant at one time or another and it seems like nothing will sooth them*. Hence, there are many over-the-counter tonics and formulas that are said to calm a fussing infant child suffering from gastrointestinal…
user11643
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Will coffee increase the growth of white hair?

I am curious about white hair: A friend told me that drinking coffee and tea would increase the number of white hair. There is a similar claim on the English Pravda site: Among other reasons of hair graying are excessive intake of tea, coffee and…
Sabapathy
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Is "face reading" accurate?

Can you determine personal characteristics, i.e. helpfulness, work-ethic, good lover, just by looking at a person? Nose Reading http://www.2knowmyself.com/face_reading/face_reading_nose_shape Face…
Clatoon Adour
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What is a Nosode?

Homeopathy literature likes to compare Nosode remedies with traditional vaccinations, does this have any validity?
Richard Stelling
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Does the "Belfast" study by Madeleine Ennis prove that water memory exists and homeopathy might work?

There has been a number of attempts to replicate Jacques Benveniste's results relating to the "water memory". Wikipedia lists many of them. One of those attempts is the "Belfast study". P. Belon, J. Cumps, M. Ennis, P. F. Mannaioni, M. Roberfroid,…
Olivier Bruchez
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Do the effects of Chromotherapy have support in scientific literature?

The above mentioned picture made it to my Facebook feed. While it doesn't sound unreasonable that there can be a psychological effect of some colors, I got a bit skeptical regarding the claim that yellow would increase your metabolism. A quick…
Kit Sunde
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Has electromagnetic therapy been proven effective?

Has there been any legit studies that looked into it? Anything that either confirms or debunks it? I might need the powers of science by my side when some family members come and try to convince me of its merits (and, eventually, to shell out some…
Nikki Erwin Ramirez
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If I stand on my head for a while will I get healthier?

I've read that standing on your head (called sirsasana by hatha yoga practicioners) does something to the blood flow to the brain and hence increase your health or something. Partial claims were made here:…
Chen Harel
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Are there documented cases of people that were cured from cancer without surgery,radiation and/or chemotherapy?

It's a typical claim of many alternative therapies: a cure for cancer. I was wondering if there are any documented cases of people who were cured from cancer without any of the typical therapies (surgery, radiation and chemotherapy). Eg cases where…
johanvdw
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Do salt lamps produce negative ions?

Do claims that Himalayan Salt Lamps produce negative ions when lit with an incandescent bulb have any science to back it up?
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