What is HubPages' policy on hubs with dangerous medical advice?

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  1. profile image56
    irmisolposted 10 years ago

    Authors should be free to write about alternative medical treatments that they personally found useful for a minor ailment, but claiming a recipe cures all forms of stage 4 cancer, or any other serious terminal illness, is unethical. Especially if the hub is plugging a book with the same unsound medical content.  I flagged such an article, but it is still published.  Does that mean HubPages considers this content acceptable?

    1. Melissa A Smith profile image83
      Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I don't think there's anything in the TOS to target this kind of content. If there was, it would open a new can of worms for what can be considered as such.

    2. Barbara Kay profile image75
      Barbara Kayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think anyone writing such a hub and Hubpages itself should be careful about these types of hubs. We could get sued. A disclaimer should be added to every one of them.

      I feel that out and out false medical advice shouldn't be allowed here. What you are mentioning sounds more like spam.

      1. rmcrayne profile image94
        rmcrayneposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        And who will judge and make the assessment of "false medical advice"?  Most MDs and Western Medicine practitioners will judge any alternative medicine strategies as "false".  They are two different paradigms.  It would be like having a botanist evaluate nuclear physics.

        1. psycheskinner profile image78
          psycheskinnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Aluminium chelation to cure autism is false and cruel to the parents by treating them like idiots for not just "curing" their kids. Ginger to cure cancer is in the same camp.

          It is predatory nonsense used to scam money from desperate people and nothing to do with real complementary mind/body medicine.  Equating the two insults real practitioners of holistic medicine.

          It is like saying your kid sister with a hack saw is just the same as a trained and licensed surgeon. Its just not true.  respecting different paradigms does not mean accepting frauds who exploit people.

          1. rmcrayne profile image94
            rmcrayneposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            My comments were directed to Barbara Kay's point, on page one of this thread, "I feel that out and out false medical advice shouldn't be allowed here [on HubPages]." 

            I have spent most of my adult life eyeball deep in Western Medicine practice.  I am an Occupational Therapist.  I have witnessed countless instances of the failure of Western Medicine over the years.  I have seen patients treated dismissively and disrespectfully by the WM world.  Unfortunately, MDs tend to be of the mindset, ‘If I don’t know what’s wrong with you, then nothing is wrong with you.’  In the last decade I started dabbling in alternatives.  In the last 5 years, I have embraced the alternatives, as a personal choice.  In my opinion, there is a lot more logic in alternative medicine than in Western Medicine. 

            I no longer dismiss things as ridiculous that I would have dismissed as ridiculous 10-15 years ago.  This is not to say that I embrace everything I read.  Just that there are a lot of things I would have immediately dismissed in the past, but now I keep an open mind about many of them.  Lack of proof of the efficacy of alternatives is not the same as proof of quackery.  Lack of proof of harm is not the same as proof that something is safe. 

            But as I said, alternative therapies is a choice I've made for myself.  I'm very clear what is within my scope of practice when it comes to my clients.  I'll share my alternative med opinions with friends however.

            1. HollieT profile image82
              HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              I think alternatives and conventional medicine can co-exist in harmony, and there are specific sets of circumstances when alternative treatments are the best option,and at other times conventional medicine the best option. I just think that many here, certainly myself,  are concerned that an author on HP is offering a 'cure for cancer' , stage 4 to be precise, to what may be frightened and vulnerable people who are hoping for some kind of miracle.

              The author has also stated that people who have cancer should not consult their doctor because they'll stop cancer by themselves.

              There's no real evidence to suggest that his cure actually works, or is in anyway effective. Yet he insists that he can cure cancer in two weeks!

              1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                Others have said I have claimed one should never see a doctor.

                I never said that despite being accused of it at least a few times.

                It's okay to SEE a doctor so long as the doctor doesn't do anything INVASIVE or prescribe any drugs.
                There are exceptions.

                Obviously if a person is in a coma from an accident, or needs to have a broken bone set, then they would need a doctor to do those sorts of things.

                But for 95 to 99% of the problems people have there are herbs that are far superior to the treatments doctors offer.

                Keep in mind that I recommend grating the herbs are making a tincture. In those forms the herbs can be 10 times more powerful than what is found in a capsule or a tea.

                1. HollieT profile image82
                  HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  I didn't quote you as saying 'never' see a doctor. These are your exact words:

                  "People have a better chance of getting rid of their cancer if they do nothing than if they fall into the cook's traps. Autopsies were done and the autopsies showed that most people had cancer that stopped growing several times but didn't know it. So they cured themselves without knowing it.

                  But if you go to a doctor for cancer you have only a 50/50 chance of lasting 5 years at best. So the person is better off not going to the doctor for cancer because even by mistake, the person will stop the cancer all by themselves."

                  On this thread > http://hubpages.com/forum/topic/121201

                  1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                    Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    You claimed I said one should not consult their doctor.

                    That is incorrect. My previous comment should clarify it.

                    Don't use a doctor to TREAT your cancer. Use them only for evaluation. Most of the ways doctors evaluate the progress of cancer or its remission are also suspect. CT scans promote cancer like crazy. Biopsies spread cancer.

                    Blood work needs to be interpreted correctly because when cancer is being shrunk, it often leaves through the bloodstream. This results in spikes in the numbers from blood tests which could easily be misinterpreted as an increase in cancer.

                    Thus a person who was testing my remedy could easily make the wrong decision based on a result that actually showed great improvement.

                    Another misreading is if the tumor were to become more visible which makes it look like it is bigger than it was before. It's not actually bigger - it's just being discharged from the body including the hidden part. It's akin to an iceberg where the largest part by far is under the skin.

        2. John Serpico profile image68
          John Serpicoposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Amen.

          1. psycheskinner profile image78
            psycheskinnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            And you can get false alternative medical advice just as you can get false conventional medical advice.

            What makes it false, well the iridologist who gave may neighbor herbs and told her not to see a doctor, causing her to die of a curable condition.  That was not just false, it was evil and he went to prison. Are you saying he shouldn't have?

            I think the prejudice is saying only conventional doctors can commit malpractice.  Anyone in a therapeutic or education role can be greedy or incompetent.  I don't see why alternative medicine should be any exception.

      2. LongTimeMother profile image94
        LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        I have not read the book, and I doubt you have either. I am not a doctor (although the book title indicates it is about a doctor) so I fail to see how you can declare it features 'unsound medical content'.

        Who exactly is going to decide what is appropriate medical content and what is not? You?

        And who feels self-righteous enough to decide what is and is not a 'minor ailment'. Not me, that's for sure. Perhaps in the future people would have to deem their own medical condition, minor. To write a hub, should a person claim, "I suffered from minor end-stage cancer ..." ?

        I am surprised by the amount of time and effort being spent trying to lobby that hub out of existence. Really, it is silly. Folk like you will dismiss the information. Folk who really feel they need it, may try it.

        They'll be eating food, for heaven's sake. Stop underestimating the intelligence of other people, and let them make their own decisions.

        I leave you - and everyone else who picks up your cause - with this question ....

        "How will you feel if it turns out that 'medical science' validates this hubber's claims in ten year's time (as may well happen) - but you managed to rob millions of people access to that vital information when it just might have saved their lives?"

        I don't know about you, but I wouldn't be able to sleep at night. You seem to think you are saving people, but in fact you might just be doing the opposite.  If that's the case, then who's the bad guy?

        1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
          MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Here's my problem with those types of hubs- and yes I write on alternative medicine- I DO have what everyone thought was a minor cancer which actually turns out was "invasive, aggressive, metastasizing and unresponsive to treatment."

          Ironically I wrote a hub years ago about medical quackery when it comes to herbal cures for cancer... I have had to re-read it a couple times because I -quite honestly- am terrified. In my current state, even with knowledge, I would be easy prey to any huckster looking to make a buck. The fact that a book needs bought, implies that someone is making money off of said book. With the costs of treatment/lack of wages etc... that 15 dollars (or whatever is being charged for the book) could mean the difference between not eating/having meds or having food and medicine.

          Still, there's nothing to do about the hub... but it is a sketchy topic... ethically (or at least morally)

          1. Writer Fox profile image39
            Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I'm truly sorry about your illness. Kelley's recipe is posted on his Hub for free; you don't have to pay for it.  I don't know if it would work for you, but it certainly can't hurt you to try it.

            1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
              MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Actually in my case it would be torturous and against doctor's orders. I agree that it wouldn't cause a lot of harm in other circumstances, physically.

          2. Kelley Eidem profile image48
            Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Good grief.

            Why do people make comments when they aren't in the least familiar with the Hubpage in question and then make untruthful, negative comments?

            Sometimes my readers have lots of questions. And they come back and ask more. And they visit several times continuing to ask questions.

            I've been answering their questions - oftentimes quite extensively - for readers FOR FREE for SIX YEARS. I never asked one of them if they had ordered my book, nor is there any requirement to do so.

            NO ONE else is doing that for them.

            But there are plenty of people willing to take cheap shots about how they would do it differently. Well, let me tell you something - you AREN'T doing it - differently or otherwise.

            Go do it if you know so much. Until then, maybe you could have a little more humility.

            1. Writer Fox profile image39
              Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              +1

            2. MelissaBarrett profile image60
              MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              There was absolutely nothing that lacked humility in that post and it wasn't a personal attack.

              I know the hub and I know there has been at least one thread about it before. I just mentioned that there is an ethical component when dealing with this kind of thing because people are desperate and it's easy to take advantage of people in that situation.

              Even if you are doing it for free, you may believe in the "cure" but statistically it is unlikely to work. No matter how much anecdotal evidence exist. There is a certain amount of ethical responsibility-then- that falls on your shoulders if you convince someone it will work, and it doesn't.

              You can be defensive about that if you like, and you can type in bold letters as much as you want, it doesn't change that. If you would like to have a conversation about it from here that's fine... but if you are just going to jump down my throat then I'm sorry, I don't have the time for it.

              1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                If you actually knew anything about the Hub as you now claim for a second time digging yourself in even deeper to defend your false charge, you would not have made the false statement regarding the requirement to buy my book. And then you went on about it to further disparage me with your own false ideas. Here is what you wrote:

                "The FACT that a book needs bought, implies that someone is making money off of said book. With the costs of treatment/lack of wages etc... that 15 dollars (or whatever is being charged for the book) could mean the difference between not eating/having meds or having food and medicine." (caps added)

                Don't spread false information if you don't want anyone to jump down your throat.

                An example of lack of humility is to pontificate about a topic when you don't know the topic. You don't know my hubpage, but you acted like you did.

                Go educate yourself before making false charges.

                1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                  MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  While I may continue to post in this thread, my conversation with you is now over. Generally, I have no problems getting into pissing contests with random people on the internet... but this time is a topic that I'm really not going to degrade into an insult/rant level.

                  Have a nice day.

                  1. Melissa A Smith profile image83
                    Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    Good idea.

                  2. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                    Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    There is a difference between a pissing contest and correcting the record regarding ignorant false statements.

                    You were wrong. I corrected it.

                    You didn't like it. I corrected you again.

                    It's good that you aren't going to answer because it would probably require more corrections from me.

          3. HollieT profile image82
            HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            +1. Not on the receiving end of an aggressive and unresponsive cancer, Melissa, but have had my own experiences and it is very frightening. Not just the health aspect, but the everything, the implications for everyone that you care about.

            1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
              MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              And that's the big part of it Holly. It makes you scared and desperate, not just for yourself but everyone around you. That makes people behave in ways that aren't always logical or responsible. While, technically, no one else has responsibility for what such people do... there kinda is a responsibility, you know? Or there should be.

              1. moonlake profile image88
                moonlakeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                agree.

              2. HollieT profile image82
                HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                Yep, because people become vulnerable, frightened and really don't which way to turn. When you're in a heightened state of stress you make decisions based on fear and insecurity rather than logic and reason. Logic and reason is pretty easy to do when you're well and safe. So people can say all they like about responsibility for your own decisions, but until you've been there it's difficult to appreciate another's mindset.

                At these times I think we need a rock, or, at least, truth. The whole picture.

                1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                  MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  I agree completely. That "whole picture" is nearly impossible to find on the internet... and I would venture to say completely impossible to find in an open-platform site such as HP. Reputable and responsible holistic/alternative medicine can and does exist for cancer treatment, in the form of complimentary therapies coordinated with mainstream medicine. The holistics in those practices tend to be more realistic and honest about their treatments. Those practitioners generally will not work without a mainstream physician because they know that something as simple as a grapefruit could react with other treatments.

                  The writers on HP could not possibly go into the depth needed to judge each case and it is guaranteed that they are giving information that could be harmful in certain instances. Using the jalapeno thing- just for an example- whether or not it could be helpful aside, in my particular case it could be disastrous. You just don't know when something you write could be like that.

                  1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                    Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    "...the jalepeno thing..."

                    ???

                    What jalepeno thing? Yet you said, "I know the hub."

                    No, you don't.

                    1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      I will apologize for that, it has been a long time since I read your hub. I gave you another view going back to find my mistake. It was habaneros not jalapenos.

                      Both would have produced the same results in me. Habaneros probably more so.

                      As an aside, Ginger- your alternative- interacts with over 200 medications. Many of those medications are used in treating cancer.

                  2. HollieT profile image82
                    HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    That's it. The whole picture varies from one individual to another, not every cancer is equal and not every treatment the same, so it stands to reason that the outcomes for each person are determined by many factors. Likewise, one holistic intervention might be great for one person, but disastrous for the next.

                    I wont go into it too deeply here but when my sister was on dialysis she had to adhere to a very strict diet, which included her liquid intake. Lots of foods that are considered to be very good for us (and are under normal circumstances) were prohibited. But  when she suffered with coughs and colds (which was frequently because of her depressed immunity) pure honey and pure lemon juice were the best treatment. Comfrey for treating all the bruises and wheat bags for reliving the aches and pains. Conventional medicines, such as paracetamol, cough medicines or ibuprofen, are a problem for people on dialysis because whilst each exchange removes toxins and basically keeps someone alive, they're not as efficient as a kidney.

                    So, there can be occasions where the alternative treatments are by far the best option.

                    1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      I absolutely agree. I mentioned a few pages back about my love of complementary alternative medicine. I don't think I would have the same problem if someone was saying eat these really hot peppers IN ADDITION to mainstream medicine. I seriously don't believe that the hot peppers would ever kill a single cancer cell, just because of the way cancer cells work and the way the body delivers chemicals (natural or pharmaceutical). But, hey even placebo effects are great.

                      In some cases, alternative remedies work better than mainstream remedies... other than for infections, however, these remedies are best for relieving symptoms... not curing anything.  There are just simply limitations.

                      It is no different to say that drinking a tea will cure a compound fracture than eating a sandwich will cure cancer. They are simply two conditions that are outside of the range of alternative medicine to cure. Are there a ton of herbal/holistic remedies that would help with pain, relieve nausea, encourage appetite, provide relaxation, help build the immune system... etc? Absolutely. Are there any herbal remedies that will kill a cancer cell in the human body? No... at least not any simple ones. I'm open to the possibility that some combination could exist somewhere... however it would have to be in combining several herbs that have never been combined before... I'm just not sure there's that many combinations left that haven't already been tried. With the long growing/cultivation and medical usage of both hot peppers (of all types) and/or garlic and ginger... it's just not happening.

              3. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                Yup, that's why so many people jump into getting cut and cooked even though they have probably witnessed how bad those things have been for other people.

                The doctors scare tactics and their own fears panic patients into terrible decisions that usually leads to their death.

                OTOH, eating a sandwich isn't a big deal.

                There is a man who got scared into having stomach surgery who decided to try my recipe using yogurt instead of bread and butter for six days before having stomach surgery for cancer. When he went in for the surgery his stomach cancer was gone.

                1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                  MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  *sighs* This is a mistake.

                  I have a skin graft covering most of my lower eyelid and over forty stitches holding it all together. I've been told under no circumstances to cry. Eating food containing the same chemical they use to make tear gas is probably not the best idea for me.

                  Since you didn't know that personally, and if I had read your hub without that basic knowledge, seriously bad things could have happened... not to mention the possibility of searing horrible pain.

                  That's kind of the point I was making. You have no idea who you are giving your advice to and what it would do to them if they TOOK it.

                  1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                    Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    You're right with the <sigh> - I wish you didn't need to be corrected again. But you do.

                    If you hadn't allowed the doctors to cut you, you wouldn't be having the complications you have now.

                    My recipe is for getting rid of cancer, not for healing skin grafts.

                    Secondly, if you knew my hubpage - which you don't - I have probably said 10,000 times, "This is what I would do if it were me" or something similar in my replies.

                    I NEVER tell someone what they should do. They know their situation better than I do, and as an adult they need to make decisions based on what they believe is best for them.

                    1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                      MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      Actually, it was an ulcerative tumour that wasn't recognizable until it had done so much damage to my eye that it nearly blinded me. The surgery would have had to be done to remove the scaring if nothing else.

                      Or does your sandwich also fix the scaring cause by cancer?

                      Did you put in your hub that you shouldn't eat your sandwich to treat the rest of your cancer if you have had a skin graft to remove scarring? Or that you shouldn't eat ginger if you are taking aspirin? Food is just as dangerous as medicines sometimes. Doctors know this when they prescribe medicine. You seem to be missing that part. Did you know that Habaneros react with certain medications as well?

                      Your second point is when you are claiming to cure cancer, you really don't get to skate by with "This is what I would have done, you don't have to do it, BUT IT CURES CANCER". It goes back to the desperate people who are willing to try anything.

                2. profile image0
                  jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Hahah....it was cut out, probably!   Even if that guy did have some kind of miracle cure ( have no belief in such a thing, by the way), it would become "quackery" if you then suggested that others might be cured in the same way by following your advice.

                  A question for you.   If you suggested to a client that they try a particular treatment, and it failed, would you hold yourself up for litigation?   That would be from the relatives of the deceased, of course, I doubt if there's an agency or any lawyer, in the here-after.  The latter would have been banned for arguing with the Chief Judge.  smile  wink

                  1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                    Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    Anyone can be sued for anything. Prevailing is another matter.

                    But since you want to go that route, you might want to pay a visit to some graveyards. Probably more than 90% were put there by their doctors. The rest were killed in accidents or their own addictions.

                    Under your plan, doctors would not have time to attend all the lawsuits against them if they devoted 24/7 only to the lawsuits. They should be particularly wary these days with the reports from UCLA and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. UCLA found that radiation makes the remaining cells thirty times more malignant. Hutchinson found that chemo makes cancer spread much faster. So the doctors have been put on notice.

                    As for the man with the stomach cancer, his cure wasn't a miracle. The tumor followed the laws of chemistry and went away.

                    FYI, cancer cells have 15 times as much fibrin associated with them as do healthy cells. It's the same stuff that snot is mostly comprised of. We all know what happens when you eat a really hot pepper. The snot in your nose runs out.

                    The 'snot' around the cancer which protects the cancer cells is also melted. It exposes the cancer cells to the compounds in pepper and garlic that cause apoptosis or cell death in the mitochondria.

                    The latter part is what the researchers at Nottingham University reported regarding capsaicin. The first part about the effect of hot peppers on snot is so obvious that even you might understand it. If you're wondering why I'm speaking to you so dismissively, I'm simply responding to your dismissive tone.

                    Quackery is what is taught in medical school. Medical school and medical practice has almost nothing to do with healing. The schools are controlled by the pharmaceutical industry that expects a payoff for its involvement. And they are rewarded handsomely for their investments.

                    As a result we get doctors prescribing drugs for osteoporosis that causes bones to rot. And the same doctors prescribe drugs for cholesterol that cause an increase in heart attacks.

                    But worst of all we get doctors to cook their cancer patients, thereby speeding up the spread of their cancer.

                    You might have bit off more than you can chew.

                    1. profile image0
                      jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      I was being sarcastic to your earlier response.

                      You have jumped to conclusions a couple of times in your posts here.  First, I noticed you jumped to the conclusion about Melissa's tumour.   A real doctor does not jump to conclusions.   There is a time-honoured process of investigation and detective work that must be gone through in order to find a dependable diagnosis.

                      I am not saying every doctor of medicine does it right, or gets it right every time... of course not.   But the disciplines are there to be followed by any conscientious professional.   

                      From my own post earlier, you have jumped to a lot of presumptions, and then cast doubt upon my integrity.   So I am beginning to doubt your words also.   Is that not surprising?

                      Do you, Sir, follow a strict discipline when you are assessing a person who consults you?   It does not sound like it from your posts here.   What studies have you done in order that you can address the needs of people who approach you for advice?   If you make a mistake, can anyone sue you for damages?   To whom do you answer?  Do you have any kind of peer-review backup to your work?

                      When you offer opinions about doctors, scientists, companies, manufacturers, scientific principles, what are your qualifications for doing so?

        2. LongTimeMother profile image94
          LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Melissa, I would like you to answer my earlier question (in the quote above). And Hollie too.

          1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
            MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            How will you feel if it turns out that 'medical science' validates this hubber's claims in ten year's time (as may well happen) - but you managed to rob millions of people access to that vital information when it just might have saved their lives?

            Well, in ten years chances are I won't care, wherever I am.

            But if medical science validates this hubbers claim and I managed to rob millions of people-however I would do that-of access to that information I would feel very bad indeed.

            Now my question (and a more likely one)

            How would you feel if a 38 year old mother of five read that hub-and the suggestions that she would fail the treatment if she didn't believe, and the suggestions that "cutting spreads cancer" and ignored mainstream medicine because of her faith in hot pepper sandwiches. She didn't get the treatment and the small aggressive, invasive tumour on her eyelid spread into her eye then her brain? Instead of the three or four years she could have left dealing with the slower metastasizing into her lymph nodes, she dies within six months... not even knowing her children's names at the end and with no preparations or good memories to leave behind? On top of that, the cancer spread so fast that most of her face was gone when she did die... so the final pictures with her children are so horrible that they can't even be looked at?

            Could YOU sleep at night?

            1. LongTimeMother profile image94
              LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              MelissaB, I don't believe the scenario you outlined will ever happen.

              And, whether you like it or not, it is a widely acknowledged fact that cutting into cancer does encourage it to spread. Anyone who has a biopsy on a malignant melanoma, for instance, is likely to find it spreads elsewhere in the body. The best hope when it comes to surgery is if the entire growth is removed with the first cut, as opposed to a slice being taken for testing.

              I am very sorry for you and your family that you are in such a vulnerable position. You've clearly been some kind of guinea pig for mainstream medicine. They've had a shot and not healed you despite their best efforts.

              What a shame you didn't stumble upon the hub (and the hubber you seem so intent on undermining) a few years ago.  You might have had a different outcome, but we'll never know.

              Personally I think it was good of him to offer you his advice. Perhaps you are too far down your current path for it to make any difference. But if I was you, I'd try it.

              1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                Perhaps you didn't read that I had an ulcerative tumor. I'm not sure how cutting into it would have spread anything... you know since there were parts of my eyelid falling off anyway.

                Regardless, they didn't know what kind of tumor it was until the surgery, which was a complete removal. They assumed it was a basal cell tumor that was small then found the underlying tumor which took most of my eyelid.

                I had one of the most skilled optical plastic surgeons in the country. Sorry no experimenting, just doctors trying to help. She actually cried when giving me the diagnosis.

                No chemo, no radiation... it wouldn't help anyway.  Just a team of very concerned doctors trying to keep me alive as long as they can.

                I don't believe the scenario you lined up will ever happen either, but I answered your question.  How about you answer mine?

          2. Melissa A Smith profile image83
            Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I don't know if you meant me or Melissa B,, but I'll answer. That is a highly flawed, emotional appeal, loaded question. That claim can be made about any treatment under the sun. You are advocating opening the door for anyone with access to a computer to tout they have cured cancer because of the premise...what if they're right?

            Yes it's possible the OP could be right, although highly unlikely. It's possible that goldfish crackers can be 'the cure' to all illness. But these hypotheses -must be fully tested- before anyone can advertise to terminally ill patients. The OP dodged a shining opportunity to validate his claim and cure one of our fellow hubbers of a terrible illness and instead delivered a bunch of fancy talk. The burden lies on him, not me, to spread the word of his magic cure through the proper means.

            1. LongTimeMother profile image94
              LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Hi MelissaAS. I did mean MelissaB, but thanks for answering.

              I have had the good fortune of actually witnessing people overcome their cancer using chillies as one of their weapons. Not specifically the sandwich recipe, but chillies nonetheless.

              Have you witnessed goldfish crackers having the same result?

              Anyone would be stupid to accept such a challenge, and the author certainly doesn't strike me as stupid. I would certainly not risk my reputation on someone who doesn't agree with me (and makes that very clear) following my instructions to establish whether or not I'm right. It would be different if I was there and able to see for myself that my instructions were followed ... but no way would I accept the challenge as laid out.

              I am puzzled by how you could possibly refer to it as a 'shining opportunity'.

              1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                I actually offered to youtube it, holding a newspaper with the date, every day. Publicly. You can't ask for more observable adherence than that.

                My quote:

                "Once again, here's your chance to prove it.  I'll follow whatever treatment you give me. I'll youtube it with a newspaper with the date each day. Medical proof of cancer before and after."

                1. LongTimeMother profile image94
                  LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Here's a difference between you and me, MelissaB.  When I wanted to find a way to heal my husband's brain tumour, I just wanted to heal my husband's brain tumour. I didn't want to make a song and dance out of it, I just wanted to heal him.

                  We tried a number of alternative healing methods and, as I explained in another forum thread, he ate many chillies because his body craved them. The chillies were not one of my deliberate choices. It was only after he was successfully healed that the test results linking chillies to killing cancer hit the news.

                  Doctors were amazed when my husband had lived for 10 years - without any further evidence of any tumour. If he is still alive after 20 years it will be a 'miracle', according to the doctors who quoted the statistics for his type of tumour.

                  He is still alive 17 years later, and passes his annual check ups with flying colours. Three more years seems perfectly achievable.

                  The friends to whom I have suggested chillies (and other things) to battle their cancer had a distinct advantage over you. They knew my husband.

                  Would it work for you? Don't know. Did it work for them? Yes, those who tried it. (Some didn't, preferring instead to indulge themselves with chocolate in between chemotherapy sessions, and died.)

                  Don't waste your time and energy battling with the author. Battle with your cancer ... whichever way you choose to do that.

                  Who knows, perhaps you might still be around in ten years time. smile

                  1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                    MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    I don't want a song or dance either... I also don't want people dying from lack of treatment because they are putting their faith in unsound internet information. 

                    I'm not trying to win arguments... but the author apparently is getting views. That's dangerous because someone is eventually going to die from ignoring realistic options while eating a sandwich.

                    I made the offer because if it does work, people live. That seems highly unlikely, but if it did work he really would be making medical literature. There is such a small sampling of people with my type of cancer that anyone who has it is going to make medical literature... if for no other reason because they need the information to study it for the next person.

                    So that's a plus for both me and him and the world if he's telling the truth.

                    If it doesn't work, then he would have to put a link... which might save the life of the person who WOULD have forwent treatment and died from his advice.  Which is a pretty awesome thing too.

                    Either way, I would be helping people.  Seems like a win/win for everyone but the author...if he isn't confident that his "cure" will work and just wants to sell books and get views. I could see how it definitely wouldn't be win/win for him... but again only if he on some level knew taking his advice could be very dangerous.

                    1. LongTimeMother profile image94
                      LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      MelissaB, I understand that your world revolves around you, and I understand why. That's fine. But this man's hub is not just about you.

                      You have read it and rejected it. You're not the first and you won't be the last to think it is a load of garbage. That's fine. But you don't have to make it your personal mission to stop everyone else from reading it.  In my experience, it just might work - although as I said, I don't have first-hand experience with the specifics in his hub, just the main ingredient (with a few slight differences in other supporting foods).  Does my positive experience count for nothing?

                      And what good do you really think would come from "It didn't work for MelissaB who had such a rare type of cancer that 99% of the world's population will never encounter it in their lifetime."

                      Similarly, if it did work for you, mainstream medicine (and other individual skeptics) would be saying exactly the same thing. "Worked for MelissaB, but you don't have that type of cancer."

                      Sadly, your good intention is really no more than a good intention. It is not a great opportunity for the author at all.

                      If you are going to try his suggestions (and if I was you, I would - particularly as your body has not been ravaged by chemo or radiotherapy), do it for you. Do it for your kids. Do it for all the people you love.

                      That's the only reason why you might try it, as far as I can see. smile

              2. Melissa A Smith profile image83
                Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                "Have you witnessed goldfish crackers having the same result?"

                What if I said yes? The OP's sandwich claim sounds almost as strange. There are -many- substances in foods that have been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation in a petri dish. I don't know you nor do I have a detailed scientific overview of your friend's condition and their daily routines. You BELIEVE they overcame their cancer with chillies (now I'm just repeating myself), but there is a scientific method for a reason, and should chillies posses the magic that you and the OP claim, they should undoubtedly pass every test.

                I don't know if you are reading Melissa B's posts, but being wrong would be an extremely small price for her to pay for her recovery. To think she would be willing to 'fake' test out the chillies just to sabotage the OP to make a point for an internet argument is holding her integrity and sanity in a very poor view.

                1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                  MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  All you have to ask is how a specific substance kills one cell but not others... which is the problem with cancer in general.

                  The body doesn't have any neat little road map that tells substance to only kill one kind of cell. If it kills cancer cells it's going to kill healthy cells as well. There's this whole science thing behind how medicines/foods work.

                  Preventing cancer is easier... curing cancer-that's a whole 'nother ball game.

                  This should help... since this whole argument is basically been had in other venues... and is the equivalent of an facebook hoax...

                  http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/cancerupdate.asp

                2. LongTimeMother profile image94
                  LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  If you'd said 'yes', MelissaAS, I would suggest you pass on that valuable information.

                  On the subject of testing the actual results of chillies when used in people with cancer, if you are in a position to arrange appropriate testing with funding that is not linked to pharmaceutical companies, I will happily donate some cash to it.

                  And btw, I was not referring to faking anything. I was simply referring to being human.  Despite the best of intentions, humans often fail to take their 'medicine' for one reason or another.

                  1. Melissa A Smith profile image83
                    Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    You specifically said : "I would certainly not risk my reputation on someone who doesn't agree with me..." suggesting that she would maybe 'forget' to take the chillies properly because she has a secret agenda against the OP, a problem that wouldn't occur if she does make a daily vlog. She would obviously benefit tremendously if the peppers work, her life being saved, and the OP would spread his word, hopefully leading to more research on the compound.

                      We don't 'disagree' with the idea that the active ingredients in peppers could be cancer cures, but we are against staunchly touting this as 'The Answer' to all cancer without sufficient evidence.

                    And I'm also doubtful that there could ever be one cure for all cancers, because I believe it's a complex disease. I believe that for something so simple to have evaded scientists for so many years would require some 'catch', like maybe a certain delivery of the substance in a particular form would be the ticket. Yet I also believe that overcoming cancer depends on the strength of the immune system, the type of cancer, and the stage. Is that hard to see?
                    These posts are starting to make me fear making claims about the evils of big pharma or in my particular interests' case, vets making bad recommendations. People start to adopt the mentality that everything unnatural or doctor-recommended is bad, and vice versa, all natural therapies are good. In my experience there's good and bad in both. People do have an inherent need to categorize life's complexities into neat packages. It's an appealing idea that nature can provide cures to all diseases (and that some villainous tyrannical figure is concealing the truth), but I have a bleaker view that will change instantly when evidence is found.
                    I hope that you don't choose to ignore the cases of people who do not experience success with peppers. Would Kelley be prepared to face the fact that his cure might not be the end-all to cancer?

          3. HollieT profile image82
            HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I can't answer the question LTM, because it's a 404 page not found.

            1. LongTimeMother profile image94
              LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Okay, Hollie. That's enough to convince me I am wasting my time here. The quote was directly above my question ... and yet you didn't see it. The two Melissa's saw it, and responded. But you say it's a 404 page not found.

              I made sure it would be right in front of you when I invited you to respond. Seriously, if that's how much attention you pay, it speaks volumes.

              1. HollieT profile image82
                HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                LMT, calm down, go to the other thread and see the link you asked me to comment on, it's a page 404 page not found and that's what I thought you were referring to. If you want to make a big deal, however, from a misunderstanding then that's entirely up to you!

      3. Writer Fox profile image39
        Writer Foxposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        Wow!  You got yourself a brand new account on HubPages just so you could make six forum posts, name-calling an established author here, and try to get his Hub taken down. Didn't work. You can go away now.

        1. HollieT profile image82
          HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          You can go away now too. Sorry, just being EXACTLY like you!

        2. Kelley Eidem profile image48
          Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Wow! That's hilarious.

          The guy joined two days ago so that he could comment on a forum. He has no articles and no friends.

      4. profile image0
        Grey Templesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        I would certainly hope that anyone with cancer, me included, would certainly be smart enough to be doing their own personal research on the subject and not just take advise from a nobody.  If I write an article on say gargling with sage water for a scratchy throat (example only) I always write a disclaimer and encourage everyone to speak with their own doctor prior to trying anything natural as it may interfere with their medication or other treatments.  If someone has something as serious as cancer they are not going to go willy nilly and follow something they have not researched or asked a doctor about.

      5. LoisRyan13903 profile image71
        LoisRyan13903posted 10 years agoin reply to this

        I write home remedy articles for a different site.  At the end I always write a disclaimer such as:
        "If you are pregnant or nursing, avoid this herb"
        "If you are planning on collecting this herb from the wild, use the advice of a  professional herbalist"
        Before you start any natural remedy treatment, talk to your doctor"

    3. Stacie L profile image87
      Stacie Lposted 10 years ago

      Most authors that write about medical advice put a disclaimer on it.
      If they write about their own personal experience then I don't consider that to be a violation.
      One can ask them questions for clarification, but as adults ,we must use our own judgement.

      1. tsmog profile image86
        tsmogposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        Agreed. I wrote on alternative medicine here during my first year here. I deleted all my hubs (long story) and those left then. I had a disclaimer at the beginning of each hub. It came from a format offered by a friend who has a Ph.D in Holistic Nutrition. There are formats at various sites to follow for legalities offered freely. Google works.

        All of her articles always has a disclaimer as well as her website it is displayed prominently. Many mainstream medical websites and medical professionals offer disclaimers at articles and websites too.

    4. Lisa HW profile image63
      Lisa HWposted 10 years ago

      I really don't think too many people look to a site like this one for "established, legitimate" medical information; so what's left (that anybody may take at least a little seriously) may be the unconventional type-of-things that either go completely against "established" medicine or else that haven't yet been recognized - or else personal-experience stuff.   If someone makes it clear that they're writing from personal experience nobody will be misled.

      The one thing that can be a problem these days is that, in the interest of writing something that looks "polished" and/or "professional", writers are often told to stay away from first-person and/or to write "with authority".

      I do think people should be good and clear when it comes to writing about their own experience; and other that, I pretty much think most readers know not to put too much "blind stock" into medical stuff on a site like this.  BUT, I do think it would still be good if HP required some kind of "this-isn't-conventional-medicine" type of disclaimer for stuff that isn't obviously someone's own experience.

    5. DzyMsLizzy profile image91
      DzyMsLizzyposted 10 years ago

      There is the issue of the author risking a lawsuit for practicing medicine without a license.  But, that would be a whomever took said author's advice, had a bad experience, and bringing the lawsuit themselves.

      I have only a few hubs on medical issues; all have disclaimers as being personal experience, and advising folks to consult their own doctors.

      If the hub in question is mostly promoting a book, "about a doctor" (and not by a doctor--a big difference--then I would think the worst that HP would be able to do is flag it as 'overly promotional.'

    6. psycheskinner profile image78
      psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

      I report hub making claims that non-FDA approved medicines with a link to the FDA statement that this is illegal. These vary but for conventional foods it is this section: http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPack … 109603.htm

      1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
        Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        Your link means nothing because I don't sell food nor do I prescribe food. I tell people what I did and what I would do.

        Do you really think the FDA is going to ban habaneros, garlic and ginger because I used it to cure my cancer?

        The FDA is tyrannical, but they haven't gotten that tyrannical yet.

    7. Abbyfitz profile image71
      Abbyfitzposted 10 years ago

      I just want to add that no one really knows what they would do if they were faced with cancer until they really are. I have always been of the more natural approach. My sister got cancer and I tried to get her to go all natural, especially when things weren't responding.

      Well, when it came down to it, she wanted to go the doctors route. It was her decision because it was her body and I respected that.

      Would I chicken out and go the doctor route if I were faced with the same scenario? I hope not. I would want to know what natural cures people have used and had success with in making my decision, especially when the doctor tells you they've done all they know to do. It all comes down to making an informed decision.

      1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
        MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        What's funny is I adore alternative medicine. I am most of the way through my apprenticeship. I write hubs about it. I love it... when used responsibly.

        I have studied several different forms of both holistic medicine and herbology, including native american and Chinese healing.

        It is actually used extensively in Japan and integrated with their healthcare system.

        After hundreds of years of use and study, there is no holistic or herbal cure for cancer. Period.

        There are lots of alternative healing practices that complement mainline medicine, but none that would in any way cure cancer. Specifically recommending that you forgo mainstream medicine in favor of alternative medicine is a death sentence that no practicing herbalist/holistic healer that I've ever met would make.

        1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
          Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Your conclusions about holistic remedies for cancer are flat out wrong.

          This is why I would not consent to your wacky agreement. Your body would unconsciously defend your belief system. People die over their desire to be "right." We all die, so we can live with dying, but we can't live with being wrong.

          No one ever says, "Follow me, I'm WRONG!" The desire to be right is a powerful, powerful motivator.

          There have been many wonderful cures for cancer that have been lied about repeatedly by a $200 billion dollar cancer industry.

          The reason one needs to avoid the FDA-brand of cancer treatment is that all of them make a person sicker.

          It's stupid to try to get over cancer by on the one hand doing things to make us healthier and on the other hand making ourselves sicker.

          1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
            MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            That's funny... through my training I've met several holistic healers from several disciplines that had nothing to do with mainstream medicine and/or the FDA. They've all said no cure for cancer holistically.  Do you think they were paid off by mainstream medicine or big pharma?

            1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
              Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              The people who told you that are also wrong.

              I've interviewed people who were in a coma from their cancer or told they had two months to live who were cancer free 20 or even 30 years later.

              One was a Harvard grad and a medical doctor. Everyone he wrote to, including a scientist who won the Nobel Prize the following year, told him they had no answers.

              Who cares about people who don't know how to cure cancer when there are those who can and have?

              1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                Once again, here's your chance to prove it.  I'll follow whatever treatment you give me. I'll youtube it with a newspaper with the date each day. Medical proof of cancer before and after. And a patient with an excessively rare (and almost impossible to cure after metastasizing) cancer who is guaranteed to be written about in journals.

                If you are right, this would be your very best opportunity to show them all.

                1. Melissa A Smith profile image83
                  Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  The person you are talking to apparently has no morals. They have the cure for all cancer, but refuse to put it to test, which would save countless lives and alleviate human suffering.

                  1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                    MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    I don't even think it's that. I've actually ran across those who really do believe that doctors are trying to kill their patients in this great conspiracy. They honestly believe that they have the cure because it seems logical in a pseudo-science kind of way. In this case, the link is that if hot peppers clear nasal mucus that it will dissolve the mucus in cancer cells.

                    Too bad that's not how it works.

                    The ph thing is brought up a lot too.

                    1. Melissa A Smith profile image83
                      Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      But if that's what he -truly- believes, he would love to take your offer. If I knew that fruit was the cure for scurvy, I would confidently tell someone, eat fruit everyday and then see how you feel. I think somewhere deep in the recesses of his mind, he isn't as confident on his cure as he is on the surface. He's suffering from his own accusations, the fear of being wrong, which would of course dismantle his book's claims and source of personal relevance. I know he views his detractors as the cynical villains, but I'm surprised by his extreme evading of your offer, which would help people. I'm really glad you posted here and wish you luck. I wish he would accept your offer and that it would work and that I would be 'proven wrong'.

          2. Stove And Home profile image89
            Stove And Homeposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            The stuff Kelly refers to as "snot," has different terms in different languages. It is referred to as ama in Indian medicine, akin to toxic residue. Phlegm, cysts, tumors of all kinds have this residue -- foreign substances with a presence in the body. Strong spices/foods like curry, turmeric, ginger, and capsaicin are known as cancer preventatives, so I am not surprised that one or more of these foods have been found to be curative.

      2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
        cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        I would not go the conventional route of chemo, as chemo kills. As an medical herbalist, I would go the natural route. There are herbs that can be used to detox the body from the cancer, as well as stop the cancer. Along with a total diet change, many people can overcome the cancer and have it go into remission. The chemo might not kill you on the first round, but it is still in the body, and will make you sick months later. I have seen it with a friend who went with chemo. Her breast cancer was gone, but she took a med to keep it away. That med made her sick (and also greatly improved her chances for a heart attack by over 50%) She continued on like this for a year, and now the cancer is back. She now has a tumor on the brain, and seizures because of it. She is positive about the whole situation, but in the long run she will not make it as her body can not handle the strain. She does not eat well at all, which doesn't help. You have to feed your body good, healthy foods for it to combat any illness.
        She chose the conventional road, and I believe she chose the road to an early grave.

    8. brakel2 profile image69
      brakel2posted 10 years ago

      When I write medical hubs, I always put a disclaimer about consulting the doctor. I have no articles that are on the edge. Someone on the site complained a person with little expertise wrote similar articles to him. I think people know not to believe everything on the Internet.

    9. cloverleaffarm profile image80
      cloverleaffarmposted 10 years ago

      There have been people curing cancers without drugs for years. Take a look at Rene Cassie, a nurse from Canada, whom during the 20's and 30's was using an herbal formula to treat all kind of cancer. Essiac, ( a derivative of her last name) is still used today. She learned from an Indian who told her that if we all ate sheep sorrel each day, no one would get cancer.
      It doesn't matter if you had "teaching doctors", they will never tell you that there are alternative ways to treat cancer. It is not in their pockets best interest. Yes, big pharma does play big role in this whole money game. If you knew how to treat your cancer naturally (holistically), more people would live, and big pharma would go out of business.
      There is no need to argue about treating cancer naturally, as there are plenty of people who have done it. Open your mind (and heart) to the fact that doctors are not a god, and that they aren't trained in holistic/herbal healing. A true holistic doctor/nurse would, and could treat you without drugs or surgery first. Surgery/chemo would be the last option as chemo kills both bad cells as well as good ones. Many people die from the surgery/chemo, and not the actual cancer.
      Be Well.

      1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
        MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        Apparently you missed the part where I said I was close to completing my apprenticeship in herbal medicine. Legitimate herbal medicine. Not pseudoscience and random guessing... but study at the hands of members of a peer reviewed organization. It's a very long process.

        I haven't fallen into the hands of "big medicine and pharma" I have a knowledge base in both mainstream medicine and herbal/holistic medicine. There is no herbal cure for cancer. Period. There are records going back thousands of years (yes thousands) by people who have worked holistically from generation to generation. These records have not produced one single legitimate cure for cancer.

        2000 years (plus) of practical, everyday use for every condition known to exist... no cure for cancer. That is the reality of holistic medicine. It is a reality that any trained and recognized herbalist/holistic healer would share.

        1. Melissa A Smith profile image83
          Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Can people here actually imagine a headline saying: "Newsflash scientists find that eating peppers cures all forms of cancer at any stage. The world rejoices."

          Has there ever been a simple, herbal remedy for a serious disease in recent history?

          1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
            MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            What would have likely happened, since both cancer and habaneros have been around for a very, very long time... is that the people who practiced folk medicine in the area where habaneros grow naturally would have given it to people who game in with unexplained lumps and masses. If those lumps and masses went away...even for some of the people... they would have continued doing it, making it the "standard" thing to give.  When they interacted with people outside of the area, they would have traded the habaneros and they would have damn sure said that it made growths go away.

            Herbal medicine-the traditional passed down kind- has some of the very best clinical trial and error practices EVER. You give a root to someone, and they die... you don't give them that root again. You give a root to someone who has an infection, and the infection goes away... you give it to the next person... and so on. If you give a leaf to somebody who has an infection and the infection doesn't get any better, but all of the sudden her periods are regular... guess what?

            The reason it ISN'T bunk is because this has been going on with native plantlife in almost every area of the world for centuries. "New" information would require "new" plants.

            In short, if the amazon "medicine men" didn't say that eating habaneros cured those lumps... chances are they don't. They are great decongestants though.

            1. Melissa A Smith profile image83
              Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Makes sense to me.

        2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
          cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Well, I am a legitimate medical herbalist, aromatherapist, nutritional counselor and I disagree. There are herbs that can cure cancer, and have for years. Nature gives us everything we need to heal, and we just have to know how to use it. There are plenty of cases where herbs have been used to treat and cure cancer, as well as a total diet change.  I wish you well.

          1. LongTimeMother profile image94
            LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Thank you, cloverleaffarm, for offering the benefits of your experience. I had been wondering how someone undertaking training in herbalism and natural healing could possibly believe that cancer cannot be cured.

            An earlier post on this thread claimed:  "The body doesn't have any neat little road map that tells substance to only kill one kind of cell. If it kills cancer cells it's going to kill healthy cells as well. There's this whole science thing behind how medicines/foods work."

            I was tempted to try to explain the need for oxygen at a cellular level because cancer cannot thrive in a healthy, oxygenated environment; how processed sugar feeds cancer; how some herbs allow oxygen and nutrients to pass through the blood-brain barrier (particularly useful when treating brain cancer) etc, but knew I'd just be shot down in flames.

            I don't believe it is fair to expect everyone's cancer to be cured by natural means (particularly when most people who turn to mother nature have already been ravaged by chemicals and radiation and other tools of mainstream medicine, so the task is far more complicated).  But I absolutely believe that nature holds the tools to fight - and defeat - cancer, and it saddens me that so many people who have cancer believe it will inevitably kill them and therefore don't bother trying any alternative at all.

            I have noticed how quickly doctors are forgiven when they 'get it wrong' and their patient dies ... yet how demanding the same people are when discussing alternative medicine. Suddenly the expectation and demand is for 100% success.  Seems hypocritical, but it happens time and again.

            A quick visit to your profile page showed some of my favourite herbs.  I am so pleased that you are writing about them.  I grow a lot of others as well (as you probably do) and put them to good use.

            It is wonderful to have access to nature's remedies. I look forward to the day when more people appreciate what is readily available in our natural foods and herbs, and learn how to use them in their natural form to best effect. smile

            1. Melissa A Smith profile image83
              Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              " Suddenly the expectation and demand is for 100% success."

              Because this is what that author was claiming. I think everyone here advocating the use of only alternative medicine staunchly believes it is far more effective than conventional. I don't think me or MelissaB believe that herbs/diet have never cured or substantially aided a type of cancer with individuals. As I said before, I think it is a combination of the stage, the immune system of the individual, and various other factors. But there is no 'cure' with herbs, just aides. I used to be very much into herbs, until I realized there was a lack of peer-reviewed research.
              I see a lot of naturalist arguments here, which involves a bit of faith in the idea that nature is somehow designed to address every condition a human can get, which doesn't make sense to me. There's no reason for that to exist.

            2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
              cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Thank you, LongTimeMother smile Well said.
              It is sad to think that someone who studied herbs does not know of their curative powers. If you ask any herbalist that has been practicing long enough, they will tell you what you have said. Be well.

          2. MelissaBarrett profile image60
            MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            What organizations do you belong to and under whom did you do your apprenticeship? Most legitimate herbalist organizations would put a member under ethical review if they said they could cure cancer with an herbal remedy. In those states that license, that could be forfeit too.

            1. psycheskinner profile image78
              psycheskinnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Indeed.  Most licensing bodies take the law seriously--and making curative claims without supporting clinical evidence... well, it ain't legal in the US.

            2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
              cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              I do not belong to any organizations, as I feel this is unnecessary. Most herbal organizations know that herbs have healed many cancers over the years, so I'm not sure what that means. Just google it. There is no licensing for an herbalist in the US, and it is legal to educate consumers that there are alternatives to big pharma. Education is my way of letting people know that there are natural ways to cure disease...of all kinds. Diseases from A-Z are healed and cured using herbs. I've done it myself, and have helped others.
              You just have to be open to it.

              1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                Wow, actually the licensing falls under naturopathic doctor and it does occur in many states. But since you obviously know the loopholes in the law, you were likely aware of that too.

                What you are doing is avoiding the word prescribing by listing your services as "education" or "consulting". It is a common practice that the herbalism community is well aware of and most that I know dislike. Especially since you are, in fact, "treating".

                I wouldn't pay 10 dollars for a consultation with you, thanks. You have shown me no credentials, have not told me how you became educated in anything... I'm assuming you read a book or worse, wiki-pedia.

                Thanks, but no thanks.

              2. profile image0
                jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                cloverleaffarm, when the next person dies whilst waiting for your herbal potion to work, then I wager you will think up all manner of glib reasons why your proposed treatment did not work.

                The fiance of my niece felt a lump in one of his testes.  He went a full month "trying" different "remedies" rather than go and get that testicle removed.   This would have been a relatively simple operation, carried out very quickly after diagnosis.  He would have had a reserve testes available with which to build his family.

                Instead, he suffered 6-8 months of agony (shared by his fiance) and died - of course.

                In my opinion, the beliefs and superstitions are no match for careful, methodical, painstaking research and the acquisition of knowledge and understanding.  There are some in all the medical professions, whether "conventional" or "alternative,"  who are unscrupulous, because we are all human with common failings.  There are institutions and companies that corrupt the scientific process with their ulterior motives.  However,  you and I today are able to live fairly healthy and active lives because thousands of people have burned gallons of midnight oil working hard on legitimate research.   Be thankful, I say.  Stop knocking them and casting unfair accusations.  You are welcome to your personal beliefs, but it's irresponsible to push them onto others just to please your ego.

                1. Evan Martin profile image67
                  Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Jonny, just because your niece died from trying "natural" remedies does not mean they don't work. One personal case cannot define the whole. Check out Bio-Electric medicine and you will start seeing all degenerative diseases as essentially the same cause. The mainstream medical industry loves to complicate illness when it all essentially distills down to lack of energy at a cellular level. This can have various causes including mental causes, like stress which directly effect the body. If mind and body are not addressed then a person will not heal. If nutritional, energy, and mind "needs" are met then a person is vibrant and healthy. Lastly I understand many peoples frustrations with the "alternative" health industry and I completely understand it. There are many quacks and snake oil salesmen in the industry, which give guys like Dr. Jerry Tennant and Dr. Bruce Lipton, and other brilliant doctors bad names, but don't let the uneducated quacks deter you from the healing possibilities of "alternative" medicine.

                  1. profile image0
                    jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    Evan, with great respect, I can only appeal to caution and good, common sense.

                    From Wikipedia, " Quackery is the promotion[1] of unproven or fraudulent medical practices. "

                    1. cloverleaffarm profile image80
                      cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      Who told you that herbs are unproven? The FDA? Oh, yeah, like they can be trusted.

                  2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
                    cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    Thumbs up to you, Evan, for understanding that just because one died, does not mean there haven't been more that have not. This is one of the problems in our society. If you're sick...give em a pill, instead of looking at the whole body to see why they are sick. Many illness comes from the body being out of balance.Be well.
                    By the way, Dr. Oz is a doctor, but he turned his practice into a side show affair...for MONEY. He spouts about things on his show that he knows nothing about. In our local health food store, they have a special section for/about him that states "if you heard it on Oz, you don't want this...but this". Now, that is quackery.
                    PS. Google lemon balm and the dr. oz fiasco. I have written about this quack many times. He overdosed a woman on national TV, and has yet to answer my letter. Hmmmm....yeah, makes me want to go to see him....NOT.

                2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
                  cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  I'm sorry for the loss in your family. Herbs do not work instantly, and they (as well as some supplements) can be used along side of conventional meds to help the body heal faster, and more efficiently. It is not quackery, and if you google herbs for cancer, you will find a list of them, including cannabis. Not all cancers will be cured with herbs, OR chemo, OR surgery, OR radiation. Sometimes it takes a combination.

        3. cloverleaffarm profile image80
          cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Perhaps you should read this....http://www.essiacinfo.org/

          Oh, and just an FYI, if it wasn't for Rockefeller, we would all be seeing herbalists, and naturopaths as healers. It was Rockefeller who stuck his nose in in the early part of the 1900's and got the AMA to what it is today. It was his funding that started us all on the path that exists today.

          1. cfin profile image64
            cfinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            No offense but your comment is so closed minded. The beginning of modern medicine existed hundreds of years before the AMA even existed. I always laugh at these kinds of statements.
            Cancer is an international disease with an even amount of breakthroughs coming from across the world. The path that exists today, in your words, is only a reference to the US I presume? I doubt people in Ireland, the UK, Germany, Australia etc etc would stop seeing herbalists and naturopaths because of Rockefeller.

            1. cloverleaffarm profile image80
              cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Close minded? No, the truth. While the beginning of modern medicine may have started before that, more people still sought out other forms of healing. You can laugh all you want, but it's the truth. If it were not for Rockefeller and his money, the AMA and other medical associations would not have become what they are today. I will try to find the documentary I got this info from.

              1. Evan Martin profile image67
                Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                I've realized this recently, about how biased, especially the FDA is towards people with money, and yet the public doesn't see their motives, and takes their word for everything without questioning them

                1. wilderness profile image89
                  wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  And just what motives do you assign to the FDA, complete with evidence and proof of same?

                  1. psycheskinner profile image78
                    psycheskinnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    If the FDA was biased by money they would have approved velvet antler as a drug one of the times an application was made. Those people have money. What they don't have is any proof that velvet antler provides therapeutic benefits.

                    1. Evan Martin profile image67
                      Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      Wait you do realize that the big pharma industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, and you're saying they aren't corrupt because they didn't approve velvet antler?

                  2. Evan Martin profile image67
                    Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    and their motives are simple, to make money. Most of their employees are ex pharma people for the sake of having "experts" in the field. This leads to a lot of biased, dirty business. The evidence on this is almost endless. Do some research for yourself.

                    1. wilderness profile image89
                      wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      The FDA does not "make money".  Although the employees are paid a salary, the monies come from tax receipts, not payments by pharma companies. 

                      Or can you show checks by companies/individuals made directly to "FDA" in return for services rendered?

                2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
                  cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  I agree, and I think it is sad that anyone would completely trust the FDA.

          2. psycheskinner profile image78
            psycheskinnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Even if that were true, I would just say: good for him.

            A world without the germ theory of disease, vaccinations, aseptic surgery, and chemotherapy is horrible to even contemplate.  Not that I would need to as a few of my ancestors would have died before I had the chance to be born.

            Any alternative practitioner who suggest the world would be better without conventional medicine is one I would strenuously avoid.

            1. profile image0
              jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              http://health.howstuffworks.com/mental- … ackery.htm

              I am finding this an interesting read.

              1. Barbara Kay profile image75
                Barbara Kayposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                That was an interesting read. It makes you wonder what will be thought of the drugs and treatments we use now 100 years from now.

            2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
              cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              I didn't say it would be a better place, I said we would not be seeing doctors as we do now. Doctors have their place, but they are not gods. They don't know everything, and they certainly don't know about alternative therapies.

    10. ologsinquito profile image75
      ologsinquitoposted 10 years ago

      Longtimemother, this is terrific news. Melissa, The number of "terminal" cancer survivors is becoming too many to ignore, and these wonderful people have not forgotten that they are alive today only by the grace of God, because the "legitimate" medical authorities would have had them dead and buried. If you take issue with Kelley's hub, then I urge you to read a book by Tamara St. John. It is also available Amazon. She healed herself of "terminal" cancer. Also, you might be interested in reading about Protocel.

      At the moment, I am watching a loved one die from breast cancer, leaving behind four young children. She is afraid of trying anything alternative. She was diagnosed less than a year ago, when her tumor was pretty well contained. The conventional treatments have not helped a bit. Her cancer is now everywhere.

      1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
        MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        This is the report on protocel...

        http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/ … ages/Print

        Now with Tamara, should I just read her 25 dollar book, or go for the 200 dollar consultation with that?

        1. cloverleaffarm profile image80
          cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          My fee is $200 for 2+ hours. If you spend 3 with me, that is okay. That is better than any doctor would give to you. Plus, if you can't afford it, I have a sliding fee. Can't afford it at all, I will still meet with you. Why? I would rather help a person along their healing path, then to have them suffer. I don't push products on you as doctors do. I just give suggestions on what has been used for years.
          Would a doctor do that? I don't think so.

          1. Jayne Lancer profile image84
            Jayne Lancerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            You haven’t spent years studying to qualify as a doctor of medicine and, judging from what you’ve told us so far, you’ve nothing to prove proficiency of any kind in the medical field. Therefore, you don’t deserve to earn as a doctor does. That you even dare to compare yourself to a doctor blows my mind! Nothing you can give is better than a doctor could give a cancer victim.

            You’re in it for a quick buck, and that’s all.  The only reason you’re sometimes willing to waive fees is to reconcile conscience and profit motive.

            1. cloverleaffarm profile image80
              cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Actually, I have spent years of studying. I've spent over fifteen years studying... to be exact. I continue my studies as well. I have as much training as a doctor, but in herbs rather than pills. I train with doctors, and doctors train with me. I consult with doctors about their patients and we work together.  I have many doctors consulting with me when their patients want a different route than conventional medications. Ultimately, it's the patients choice. Oh, and I have doctors buying my product for their private use.
              One should not judge someone they don't know. You know nothing about me, yet you talk about my conscience and my lack of knowledge. I work hard for my money, (and for my patients) and I deserve to be paid for my expertise.
              I do wave fees for people, but not out of a guilty conscience, but out of empathy for the patient who comes to me after being tired of seeing the doctors and getting no results. They have spent all their money on conventional methods for whatever the ailment they have. They can't pay me in cash, but most pay me in kindness. A barter here, a barter there, and everyone is happy.  I am not in it for a "quick buck" as it is my career.
              I wish you good health.

              1. LongTimeMother profile image94
                LongTimeMotherposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                My adult daughter's local medical centre has GPs and alternative practitioners working together. I have been to consultations with her, and it is a joy to have them in the room together. The doctor assesses the test results and turns to the naturopath/herbalist for suggestions, asking for evidence of previous use and outcome.

                Yes, they use the internet in addition to personal experience  ... and yes, they even consider suggestions and research from the patient's mother. smile

                1. cloverleaffarm profile image80
                  cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  smile Nice to hear of others doing the same.

      2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
        cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        I am sorry to hear of your loved one. Even if she did not totally go the alternative route, there are herbs and supplements that can help support the body through the chemo or radiation. They help detox the body, so the body can "fight" better. A naturopath, or an herbalist may be able to make her life a little better.

    11. psycheskinner profile image78
      psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

      I think the main problem is polarizing the issue.  Yes people are avoiding alternative options, and then there is my neighbor who would probably be alive today if she used conventional medicine rather than relying on a crank iridologist until after her cancer metastasized.

      The answer is to go to a doctor who uses conventional and alternative modalities in harmony.  Not to act like either side is 'teh evil'.

      Neither side should tolerate blatantly false claims like that any one approach other than surgical excision of an entire localized tumor is a guaranteed cure for cancer.  There are evil practitioners of all kind of treatment and those who make false claims about the effectiveness of any treatment and those stop a patient from using something that will help them are the worst.  Those I hate with equal fervor not matter what philosophy of healing they follow.

    12. Barbara Kay profile image75
      Barbara Kayposted 10 years ago

      I've had two friends with cancer. When one died, her husband donated about 20 books to the library about different food cures. Poor Jane had purchased all of them and I know they didn't have much money. She did have surgery and chemo. She still passed away.

      The other refused radiation which was the doctor's answer for her type of cancer. She was given just 3 months to live. Because it was a lymph gland type cancer, surgery wouldn't work. She took vitamins the doctor recommended She is alive 12 years later, but still has the cancer.

      I think it seems to be a matter of when your time to go, it is your time. If it isn't you won't. I should mention the last one had hundreds of people praying. I don't know that there is an answer.

    13. ologsinquito profile image75
      ologsinquitoposted 10 years ago

      The prayer certainly didn't hurt. I believe it's God who heals, regardless of what type of treatment people choose.

    14. ologsinquito profile image75
      ologsinquitoposted 10 years ago

      I'd say start with the $25 book, or see if it's available at your local library.

    15. ologsinquito profile image75
      ologsinquitoposted 10 years ago

      Melissa, this is an NCI publication. It is very well known that studies can be designed any which way, so long as the desired outcome is reached. There are many Protocel testimonies on the web. I like to rely on anecdotal accounts from living people, rather than on government statistics, most of whom are now passed away.

    16. psycheskinner profile image78
      psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

      Herbal remedies that work do tend to transition into conventional medicine.  That said when they work based on an unknown mechanism this translation can fail.  For example we have had anecdotes that dogs can detected cancer better than any mechanical device for at least 50 years.  But only a few years ago did researchers start using them for this purpose--only *after* cancer cells were found to produce aromatic chemicals.

    17. psycheskinner profile image78
      psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

      If you consider conventional medicine to be drugs and radiation, and complementary medicine to be everything else--both are equally vital.  There is no either/or.

    18. Evan Martin profile image67
      Evan Martinposted 10 years ago

      I have done a large amount of research on cancer cures lately, and I have come to the conclusion that there isn't ONE miracle cure. However cancer is cured every day around the world. Each situation is unique, that is why so many people claim that "X" cured their cancer. "X" cured their cancer because it either took care of a nutritional deficiency, or helped raise their bodies total vibration. All healing from cancer comes down to those two things. Restoring the cells to a more youthful, higher energy state, while simultaneously giving it, and making sure it is digesting  and assimilating all the required nutrients to have a thriving cell. Whatever your body needs to achieve this is what cures cancer. People get cancer in certain places of the body because those cells are particularly weak, and by particularly weak, I mean their energy or voltage has dropped. If you start thinking of the body as a complex bio-electrical system (which it is) then healing starts to make sense.

      So How Does One Restore The Cells Energy?
      That is the million dollar question that many (mostly "alternative" doctors are slowly figuring out because they have much more freedom than mainstream doctors). The most common deficiencies seem to be of Magnesium, Iodine, and healthy fats, but with nutrition it is often more about what you STOP putting into your body (ex. sweets, sodas, fried foods, chlorinated water). The best ways to raise our cells energy levels are to have moderately paced exercise (walking, yoga, etc.), fresh air, sunlight, physical contact with the earth, and to drink healthy negative ORP water. This is just a summary, there are many other ways. Do your own research and you will be surprised what you will find.

      Lastly healing cannot take place while one is in FEAR. Obviously getting cancer can be very scary, but the body literally can't heal if it is stuck in the fight-or-flight response of fear. This response is directly opposed to the relax, digest and repair response of the body. This is THE number 1 reason most people don't heal from cancer. A certain amount of hope and love must be involved to heal from any disease. We aren't just bodies. We are bodies, minds and possibly souls/spirits. All areas must be addressed to heal from cancer. There is no miracle cure. Good Day, and please think for yourself and do your own research, use your common sense and start to see the big picture instead of seeking one miracle cure.

    19. paradigmsearch profile image59
      paradigmsearchposted 10 years ago

      To no one in particular. Let it rest.

    20. profile image0
      Scott P Williamsposted 10 years ago

      All treatments for stage four cancer have a possible side effect of "death". Chemo Therapy, Radiation, Surgery and all others. Most people don't make it past 5 years. The market is flooded with books about chemo, radiation and various surgeries. Report them to the authorities along with the alternative treatments!

      1. psycheskinner profile image78
        psycheskinnerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        Those treatments only make curative claims where they are supported.  That is why they are in compliance.  And that approach to medicine is the reason most kids now survive childhood leukemia when it used to be a certain death sentence.

    21. gmwilliams profile image82
      gmwilliamsposted 10 years ago

      I am going to weigh in here. When one reads hubs which discusses alternative medicines and/or any other type of medical advice, one must use inductive and deductive logic.   One should always check with a doctor or another health specialist when following medical advice.  This is not even pure logic but natural and instinctual common sense.  Always check and follow the advice of a doctor and/or other medical professional above all else. 
      http://s2.hubimg.com/u/8911969_f248.jpg

      1. Evan Martin profile image67
        Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        What happened to educating ones self and trusting ones own intuition when it comes to health? No one knows their own body better than themselves

        1. profile image0
          jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          " No one knows their own body better than themselves"   Evan I would not mind betting you know very little about your body, because most of the time it works with you knowing about it, or how it works.

          To dismiss years and years of patient study and research just on a whim of what you want to believe is not exactly intelligent.

          I am not declaring all research legitimate, not the published reports as necessary honest.  There are many charlatans and many manufacturers in existence that twist and cloud the issues.  But generally speaking, the people who engage in the research are conscientious and caring. 

          So please open your mind to this and give credit where it is due.

          1. Evan Martin profile image67
            Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            I don't feel like replying twice, read my comment below Melissa if you wish.

        2. Melissa A Smith profile image83
          Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          " No one knows their own body better than themselves"

          Having taken biology I can't begin to express how absurd this sentence is.

          1. Evan Martin profile image67
            Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Really Melissa, so if I walk into a doctors office and don't say a word, the doctor who is outside my body, has a separate nervous from me can somehow know my body better than I can, really?! I think how you were taking this is that a doctor knows much more about human bodies than the average person, and yes that is sadly true. However, I have educated myself extensively on the human body and I will NEVER need a doctor for anything. As soon as I get a pain or ailment, I know what to do to bring it back into balance which usually involves resting, meditating, getting hydrated, and getting my diet back in balance. The idea of NEEDING a doctor is a human flaw because many people are numb and out of touch with their bodies. Animals don't need doctors because they intuitively know when they are sick and they fast and rest. I'm tired of people thinking that we NEED doctors. Do whales and sea turtles who live over a 100 years need a doctor to achieve that, do people who live to be a 100 on Okinawa need a doctor, NO. Most of the ones who lived to be a 100, never saw a doctor in their life. This reliance on someone else to help or heal you is a limited belief.

            1. AliciaC profile image94
              AliciaCposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              I read your post in utter amazement. You honestly believe that you will never need to visit a doctor in your entire life? What happens if you experience a deadly viral or bacterial infection, a ruptured appendix or serious internal bleeding? Do you expect to heal these problems on your own?

              A hospital doctor saved my sister's life. A vet saved the life of my family's dog. They were both suffering from a very serious emergency that would have killed them without treatment. Trying to maintain your own health by natural means is a great goal, but predicting that you will never have to visit a doctor is unrealistic.

              1. Evan Martin profile image67
                Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                Unless I get stabbed or or a tiger bites my arm off, NO I will never need a doctor, and I will never need an appendicitis. Appendicitis is from inflammation in the intestine area. Have proper health habits and you will never have to worry about an appendicitis. If I get sick when I am very old, I will die in peace in my own bed around my family, not in some hospital bed with chemo or some terrible treatment til the day I die. I accept that I am mortal but I also expect to be physically strong and able to jog well into my 70's like most people do in Okinawa. That this is surprising to people is saddening to me. Why have we accepted disease as the norm?

                1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                  MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Well, when you are jogging at 70 and fall and earn yourself a compound fracture... come see me. I have a great peppermint tea recipe that will fix you right up.

                2. profile image0
                  jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  "If I get sick when I am very old,....."  you really are living in naive hope, Evan!

            2. Jayne Lancer profile image84
              Jayne Lancerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Whales and sea turtles don't go to the doctor because they understand their bodies?

              Evan, I strongly suspect that you might not be old enough to write on HubPages. Have you read the TOS? Are you over 18?

              1. Evan Martin profile image67
                Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                You COMPLETELY miss the point Jayne and yes I am 23 years old. Let me explain it further for your since you obviously <personal attack snipped> to understand the context the first go around. Modern Medicine claims that humans cannot live long without their expertise, help, vaccines, etc etc, which is total bullshit and I will tell you why. How are there millions of people around the world that live longer than everyone else (perfect ex. Okinawa), yet they never take drugs or need Western Medicine? How are there animals that live ridiculously long and have lived long for millions of years WITHOUT doctors. Do you understand that it is the powers of nature or God or whatever that keep you and alive and vibrantly healthy NOT a dude in white coat. You can place your faith in that dude, I'll keep my faith in the powers of nature. Man's arrogance amazes me at times. We truly think we are smarter than nature...

                1. Jayne Lancer profile image84
                  Jayne Lancerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  If you're 23, something is obviously very wrong.

                  1. Evan Martin profile image67
                    Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    How so? Please explain. I give thought out responses, and you give back one line personal jabs? You obviously aren't very good at this debate thing Jayne.

                    1. Jayne Lancer profile image84
                      Jayne Lancerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      I'd rather debate the subject with my 7-year-old daughter. Her arguments are better thought out than yours.

                2. Melissa A Smith profile image83
                  Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Evan you are sooooooo out of it.

                  1. Evan Martin profile image67
                    Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    Again, just another personal jab. I would love to see one intelligent response.

                    1. Melissa A Smith profile image83
                      Melissa A Smithposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      Me and Jayne L are just in disbelief. You believe that nature allows certain animals to live to be 100, but -most- animals die well away from their maximum age capability. Of course, much of this is due to predation, injury, but also disease. Some animals, and also humans, have genetics that for some reason, likely along with lifestyle habits (but not always) leads them to have better longevity. Nature doesn't 'design' animals to live long, we exist because we produce viable offspring which drives evolution. Any long living is just a by product of selection aimed at success of the species.
                      You mentioned that animals fast to 'heal themselves'. Sometimes animals will fast themselves to death when they get sick. Animals get sick and die all the time. Their weakness causes them to immediately get eaten. Top level carnivores slowly starve.
                      For some reason, you are only paying attention to certain animals/people, and inventing a strange naturalist theology. Many people do what you are doing in fragments (i.e, another poster here stated 'nature provides everything we need to heal ourselves'), but I've never seen such an extreme example.

    22. Jayne Lancer profile image84
      Jayne Lancerposted 10 years ago

      So, basically, if I discover a lump in my breast, I should avoid conventional medicine. In spite of decades of research, I should understand that conventional cancer treatments only kill people, and were only invented with the ulterior motive of making money, because all involved in conventional medicine are corrupt.

      Instead, I should go to somebody purporting to be a ‘herbalist’, who has no medical qualifications or credentials, and pay $200.00 for a two hour consultation. Whatever advice, potion etc. this person prescribes will cure my cancer.

      I hope those of you condoning this type of practice aren’t succeeding in convincing (vulnerable, gullible, desperate) people that it’s right. If you are, I sincerely hope you end up getting a taste of your own medicine!

      1. Evan Martin profile image67
        Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        No Jayne. You are speaking in absolutes. Both conventional and "alternative" health care methods are valid. "Alternative" options are much better at prevention in my opinion.

        1. Jayne Lancer profile image84
          Jayne Lancerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          The silliness is overwhelming.

          1. Evan Martin profile image67
            Evan Martinposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            The silliness of what? I'm confused. Maybe you and I just have very different perceptions of what "alternative" medicine. I don't support snake oil salesmen and false health claims, but I also can't support mainstream medicine that has overall terrible results, especially regarding degenerative diseases.

            1. Jayne Lancer profile image84
              Jayne Lancerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Obviously.

    23. psycheskinner profile image78
      psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

      I understand my body pretty well, but last week when I saw an irregular edge developing on my mole I did not expect that understanding to prevent it from being cancerous--I had it checked.

      I look after things myself that do not require specialist knowledge--but I respect and consult those that have specialist knowledge when I need to.

      1. ARUN KANTI profile image32
        ARUN KANTIposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        I once read a hub regarding thorough washing of the mouth by scrapping the throat to get rid of lot of germs and food remains. I checked with my dentist who advised me that while proper mouth cleaning using tooth brush and paste to clean and maintain the aesthetics and health of teeth  is advisable such scrapping of the throat might cause more harm than bring benefits. Everyone has a right to express own views but while publishing  such hubs on medical advices  expert’s opinion should be sought.

    24. LongTimeMother profile image94
      LongTimeMotherposted 10 years ago

      Hello, Evan.
      The day may come when you need to see a doctor. They are very helpful when it comes to diagnosing problems. That doesn't mean you have to take the mainstream option for treating the problem of course, but it is important to know what your actual illness or injury is.

      Like CloverLeafFarm says, some doctors and alternative practitioners work together.  One of my adult children has a condition causing extensive demyelination and she attends a medical clinic where she has a weekly consultation with both her GP and her naturopath in the room together.

      Yes, she has also seen Neurologists - none of whom had anything to offer her. In fact, we paid over $300 to another neurologist just recently (to request another MRI and hoping again for some specialised help) and he said she had no hope of recovery.

      Well, she's had significant improvement in recent times (thanks to alternative remedies and the support of her gp and naturopath). The gp runs the tests, and the naturopath makes suggestions. (The role of the neurologists in my daughter's case is little more than requesting MRIs, allowing us to monitor changes in her myelin.)

      But ultimately it is up to the patient to decide precisely which path to take.

    25. Kelley Eidem profile image48
      Kelley Eidemposted 10 years ago

      This man must not have gotten the message that tumors can't be made to disappear using herbs:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cAyR8oOC5g

      The video is 1 minute and 9 seconds long.

    26. Kelley Eidem profile image48
      Kelley Eidemposted 10 years ago

      Drug companies actually do pay the FDA large sums of money to get their drugs fast tracked. This program has become a significant source of added income for the FDA.

      They focus on it because there is less red tape in getting money from the drug companies as opposed to the government funding which takes a great deal of time and effort.

    27. Kelley Eidem profile image48
      Kelley Eidemposted 10 years ago

      Here's another person, a child, who also didn't get the message that herbs -specifically oil from herbs - don't work:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml8CZ2q2zrE

      He is in remission.

    28. Kelley Eidem profile image48
      Kelley Eidemposted 10 years ago

      Little 2 year old Cash hadn't heard that the oil from an herb couldn't help him:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4lsvHMkWFg

      He is now in remission.

    29. Kelley Eidem profile image48
      Kelley Eidemposted 10 years ago

      Herb improves severely autistic child's behavior. He was so heavily medicated that his doctor said he would die. It's a good thing he hadn't heard herbs are only for mild ailments.

      Here is the story as covered by a local ABC affiliate:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHvXKgKeVN8

      It might be important to note that in none of these cases did the doctors recommend the herbs.

      1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
        MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        Or conversely, she could have tried occupational therapy and a good speech therapist for feeding issues.

        Also curious how she got a prescription for medical marijuana without a doctor.

        In addition, the autism isn't cured. Just pointing that out. I'm sure if he ate a hot pepper sandwich though, he could be cured of his autism.

        1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
          Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          The question isn't whether other therapies such as occupational or speech therapy would be helpful. It is whether herbs can have a huge positive effect on serious disease.

          It did. As can be seen from the GMA interview, improvements started within hours of the first dose.

          There are two circles of doctors. The two rarely intersect. One huge circle is that of the doctors whop know almost nothing about cannabis and won't prescribe it. The second circle is a tiny circle of doctors who will.

          The mother had to go outside the huge circle to the tiny circle. Hopefully the size of the two circles will change in relation to each other with a much greater intersection.

          To achieve a complete reversal of autism requires removing the mercury and aluminum overloads. Whether cannabis can do that by itself is something I don't know. In this particular case under discussion, the mother used MJ rather than cannabis oil. Generally, the oils are the most potent.

          1. profile image0
            jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            There are two circles of doctors:   those who tell huge fibs and those that don't.

          2. MelissaBarrett profile image60
            MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Hot damn! You know what causes Autism! Problem... My two children that have it have never been exposed to mercury and/or aluminum ingestion... the body doesn't produce either on it's own. So you will reverse my kid's autism by removing something they don't have in their body anyway?

            Neat!

            Does it involve butter?

            1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
              Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              It's naive to think anyone has avoided exposure to aluminum.

              Aluminum exposure is pervasive, coming from many different sources, including from vaccines where the aluminum comes in contact with the bloodstream.

              Food cooked in aluminum is another source. Citrus drinks in particular pull aluminum from packaging such as Sunny-Delight and many others.

              Aluminum is put into personal products such as deodorants and in drugs.

              Aluminum also shows up in our water.

              Studies have shown that everyone now has a small amount of aluminum in their body although aluminum has no biological use.. The higher the aluminum we have, the greater the risk of harm to the brain and for cancer.

        2. profile image0
          jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          big_smile   If I did that, I would be speechless, Melissa!

    30. Kelley Eidem profile image48
      Kelley Eidemposted 10 years ago

      Here is Good Morning America's report on the same child with autism:

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0XVBYZjW_8

      1. wilderness profile image89
        wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        The single anecdote is great, but can we have the link to the controlled study showing peppers dissolve cancer tumors in X percent of cases?  The one with several hundred test subjects, blind studies, both control and test subjects and that covers at least a decade of time?  The one showing exactly how many people showed remission, the percentage of remission and how many showed no results?  The one covering several races, all ages and both sexes? 

        Or are we limited to a handful of anecdotal cases with any negative results carefully concealed and hidden?

        1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
          Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          The ability to ignore a good anecdotal account is the hallmark of a mediocre scientist.

          Every single doctor in the world accepts that citrus reverses scurvy based on Dr. Lind's "Treatise on Scurvy."

          Lind reversed two - count 'em two - scurvy patients of their scurvy in six days by having his patients eat oranges and lemons. In fact, one wasn't totally cured by the sixth day when they ran out of oranges and lemons in 1753 in England.

          Lind didn't control for sex, age, socio-economic standing, race or anything else.

          Here is another case of a cure using an herb. Keep in mind that the assertion was made several times that herbs can't cure cancer. Period. So any one case invalidates that claim.

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uJsHcJ6pFk

          1. wilderness profile image89
            wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            And the ability to pretend that studies are not needed to know if a program has any use is the mark of a quack.

            I presume from your answer that there are no studies concerning the efficacy of hot peppers to destroy cancer cells?  Just claims with nothing to back them?

            1. profile image0
              jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              I used to keep ducks too.... they conversed in a series of Quack, Quack.

            2. Kelley Eidem profile image48
              Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              You can presume whatever you wish even though it's wrong in this case. Do your own research. I already have done mine and won't do yours.

              A quack is someone who does harm to patients which is what doctors do on a regular basis. Doctor caused death is one of the leading causes of death in the US. In addition, 1.6 million patients end up in the emergency room each year in the US due to reactions to prescribed drugs.

              Hippocrates said, "First, do no harm." But the doctors ignore this. They do harm regularly and often. Patients suffer strokes, heart attacks, deafness, and blindness due to doctors.

              Doctors also give their patients cancer from the drugs and radiation they prescribe. .

              1. profile image0
                jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                From Wikipedia:

                Quackery is the promotion[1] of unproven or fraudulent medical practices. Random House Dictionary describes a "quack" as a "fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill" or "a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to have skill, knowledge, or qualifications he or she does not possess; a charlatan"

                I have never seen so much out and out false teaching in my life as coming from Mr. Eidem.

                What is it with people who swallow so much rubbish?

                1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                  Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  I could have called what doctors do to their patients daily "manslaughter" or "reckless homicide" but was trying to be nice by calling them quacks.

              2. cloverleaffarm profile image80
                cloverleaffarmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                They also give them heart attacks from the Lipitor the prescribe. They don't tell you that Lipitor may help to lower cholesterol, but your chances of a heart attack are the same, or worse if you take it. There are also other serious side effects like cognitive impairment, leg pain and muscle weakness. The leg pain and muscle pain will go away, but the CMI does not always leave the patient. The patient, and their family are left with a person who is significantly impaired mentally.

            3. HollieT profile image82
              HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              Wilderness, here is an article by the American Cancer Society about Dr Revici, who, correct me if I'm wrong, Kelley Eidem is discussing in his book.

              http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatme … emotherapy

              Makes interesting reading.

              1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                Yes, the American Cancer Society has knowingly smeared Revici's work several times.

                The ACS has played a major role in the unnecessary suffering of tens of millions of people as a result of their behavior.

                There is a chapter in my book devoted to discussing the ACS's culpability.

                1. HollieT profile image82
                  HollieTposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Persecution is a terrible, terrible thing!

              2. wilderness profile image89
                wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                "The only published clinical study of Revici's guided chemotherapy appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1965. It was done by a group of 9 doctors known as the Clinical Appraisal Group. They studied 33 cancer patients referred to Revici for treatment after conventional treatment failed. Twenty-two of the patients died of cancer while on Revici's therapy, 8 showed no improvement, and the remaining 3 showed signs of cancer growth. The group concluded that Revici's method was without value."

                Not particularly interesting, I'm afraid.  Nor unexpected.  It's really odd, isn't it, how an actual test always shows the charlatans for what they are?  Leave out the personal anecdotes and what is left is truth...truth that hurts.

                1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                  Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  There is a long chapter in my book that covers the fraudulent report in JAMA.

                  Of all the fraudulent papers ever published in peer review journals, that one is probably #1 for being the most egregious.

                  Let me make three quick points about the article.

                  1- There were actually 38 terminal and preterminal patients in the study, not the 33 Lyall claimed. He had to leave them out because they were cancer free. None of the patients were curable. So it would be expected that all would die. For that reason, the criteria of the study was tumor size, not deaths.

                  2- Lyall claimed there was no evidence of benefit either through a pathology report or visible by the naked eye (macroscopically.) Photographic evidence proved that was a 100% false statement. Visible tumors went away.

                  3- Although the study claims 9 authors, only two saw any patients. This is a breach of ethics.  One of the named authors had demanded his name not be included in the list because he found the process to be a sham. His name was included anyway.

                  There is a lot more shocking skullduggery about the study, but you'll have to read the book to find out.

                  1. wilderness profile image89
                    wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    Link please, to the actual data, photographs and results?

          2. MelissaBarrett profile image60
            MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            You know, curing malnutrition by feeding the patient really doesn't count as a cure... right? That's essentially the scurvy argument. Just sayin'

            1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
              Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              That's funny: autism is a malnutrition disease. hahahahaha

              But you are beginning to understand that much disease is a malnutrition disease that disturb the metabolism, including cancer in many cases. So the solution is specific nutrition to solve the particular malady.

              1. MelissaBarrett profile image60
                MelissaBarrettposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                I was talking about the scurvy you keep mentioning. Do hot peppers help reading comprehension? You know, since I specifically said scurvy.

    31. psycheskinner profile image78
      psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

      Yeah, peddling the bogus chelation cure for autism = complete lost of any credibility in my book.  We know where that nonsense idea came from and we know it was shown to be erroneous and based on based on biased and fraudulent data. Anyone clinging to that is operating outside of any rational paradigm.

      Ironically the idea came from conventional medicine, but was then investigated, found to be incorrect, and retracted. This being a case where "greedy"  allopathy was able to admit a mistake and stop providing an expensive but worthless treatment, and alternative healers were not and continue to charge money for a known fraud product.

    32. Kathleen Odenthal profile image88
      Kathleen Odenthalposted 10 years ago

      Well this escalated quickly....

    33. paradigmsearch profile image59
      paradigmsearchposted 10 years ago

      Think I'll write a hub on how to cure cancer with prayer. Anybody got a problem with that?

    34. Kelley Eidem profile image48
      Kelley Eidemposted 10 years ago

      Here is another video of another person who used an herb to cure his cancer.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRJxauzFfNM

      1. wilderness profile image89
        wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

        The single - no, two - anecdote is great, but can we have the link to the controlled study showing peppers dissolve cancer tumors in X percent of cases?

        1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
          Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          How many times do you need to burn your hand on a hot stove to know not to touch it?

          Or do you need a study comprised of men, women, various races, various socio economic strata, smokers and nonsmokers, drinkers and nondrinkers?

          You and everyone else accepts Dr. Lind's "Treatise on Scurvy" where two patients recovered from scurvy by eating citrus.

          If scurvy were still a mystery disease, today's physicians would be treating scurvy with chemo and radiation with promises of new drugs around the corner. If someone presented 100 cases of scurvy being cured by someone like me, you'd be conditioned not to accept it. There could never be enough studies to satisfy the medical industry.

          How can it be claimed no study would be enough? Because there are over 10,000 studies on nitric oxide and arginine with many showing how they relax arteries and lower blood pressure. A Nobel Prize was given for the discovery. Yet almost no doctors prescribe arginine for high blood pressure when it should be the first prescription written.

          When it comes to alternative medicine, the peer review process is a spider's maze intended to keep the cures from being put into use. But they are unnecessary as Lind's Treatise proves.

          If you don't believe raw habaneros combined with freshly grated garlic along with an oil to help balance the metabolism, then choose something else. Lots of sailors did between 1753 and the early 1800's.

          And lots of them died.

          Life is a risk. All of us make our choices and take the risks that come with those choices

          1. profile image0
            jonnycomelatelyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Sounds like one hell of a risk accepting your stories, Kelley.

            1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
              Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              "Sounds like one hell of a risk accepting your stories, Kelley."

              Really??

              Then don't use my recipe. It's that simple.

              It looks like chemo and radiation will be in ample supply for the foreseeable future for those who feel the need.

              Meanwhile, if you're not familiar with the story of Lind, citrus and scurvy, Google is your friend.

              The same is true regarding the story about the 1998 Nobel Prize regarding nitric oxide.

              It's rather funny how you feel a high risk regarding actual history.

          2. wilderness profile image89
            wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

            Does this mean that no one has ever done a study on the efficacy of hot peppers in shrinking cancer tumors?  No one, including you, has ever proven any of the claims you make?

            Or does it mean the study HAS been done but the results were all negative, proving that peppers do not affect cancer at all?

            1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
              Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

              My Hubpages speak for themselves.

              Based on the standards of acceptance of Dr. Lind's Treatise on Scurvy that EVERY physician WORLDWIDE accepts, we have exceeded those results.

              If you aren't satisfied, that's your decision to make. There is always chemo and radiation if a person feels that's what they need and trust.

              1. wilderness profile image89
                wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                After asking several times I begin to think you are refusing to answer the question of testing ever being done.  Is there a reason for that?

                1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                  Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                  Test it to our heart's content if that is your desire.

                  Go for it if that's what you need to convince yourself!

                  1. wilderness profile image89
                    wildernessposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                    I don't need to convince myself or anyone else; I'm neither making the claim nor encouraging people to ignore doctors in favor of peppers for cancer.  I haven't written a book on it and I'm not earning money from untested and unproven claims.

                    And I certainly won't forgo a hospital if I ever DO get cancer.  So no, I have no desire or need to test such a claim.

                    1. Kelley Eidem profile image48
                      Kelley Eidemposted 10 years agoin reply to this

                      This thread started because someone who doesn't even write articles on Hubpages tried to get my articles banned. So I am participating to defend my article from its attackers.

                      Sorry if my sticking up for myself offends anyone.

                      The article in question has been up for six years. During that time I've given my time to answer questions for those who have cancer regarding my recipe.

                      If a person is either unconvinced or not using my recipe, there is no reason for them to participate in the question and answer section, because I don't try to convince anyone if they don't believe it.

                      Imagine for a moment that I had written a recipe for baking a cake. If you're trying to make the cake, you could ask questions, and I'd answer them.

                      But if you don't believe in eating cake and wanted to argue with me about it - we're not going to have that discussion. My Hubpage is for those who want to use the information.

                      I've already indicated to you more than once that I'm not going to try to convince you about the validity of my recipe. For some reason, you haven't accepted my answer in that regard.

                      It's obvious despite your denial that you want a proof. Go use Google or YouTube if you want evidence - or do your own study. It's already been proven to me so I don't need to do any research on it.

                      While you're at it, look up the scientific proof about citrus reversing scurvy. Good luck finding much of anything beyond anecdotal evidence. The reason why there isn't research on it is that the cure for scurvy was done at a time when people accepted the little evidence that there was. It was plain to see that citrus reversed scurvy.

                      Today, 100 times as much proof would not be accepted if scurvy were a mystery disease because it would interfere with the prescribing of chemo for it.

    35. Kathleen Odenthal profile image88
      Kathleen Odenthalposted 10 years ago

      This forum thread really makes me wish HP had a "Like" button for comments!

    36. ologsinquito profile image75
      ologsinquitoposted 10 years ago

      Hospitals, not hot peppers, are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Please read the September 2013 issue of the Journal of Patient Safety, which highlights the need of reigning in medical errors.

      Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am concerned that those who disagree with a more natural approach to healing the body are trying to impose their brand of censorship on what is "acceptable" to write about.

    37. psycheskinner profile image78
      psycheskinnerposted 10 years ago

      What offends me is people making ridiculous hoax claims and equating that with genuine holistic/traditional medicine.

      What offends me is people saying you should avoid allopathic medicine in situations where it is life-saving.

      And people mistaking conditional support of genuine holistic/traditional medicine as part of the medical spectrum for opposition to same.

    38. Kelley Eidem profile image48
      Kelley Eidemposted 10 years ago

      Thank you for your comments, Scott, Cloverleaf, ologsinquito and to all the rest who support freedom of choice and gentle methods for getting and staying healthy..

      You are correct. My job is done here.

      It's time to get back to helping people who desire my assistance. Being of service is where the most good gets accomplished. It's not my job to change the minds of skeptics. They'll have to do that on their own.

      Let me leave you with a cartoon video I made about the American 'Canker' Society that you might enjoy. Well at least some will get a kick out of it. The rest will have steam coming out of their ears.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnnqyqQVaJw

    39. chriscamaro profile image69
      chriscamaroposted 10 years ago

      Medicine is no different than any other science and it should be controlled the same way.  Observations that an experimental treatment has a certain effect on a certain disease leads to the formulation of a testable theory.  Once the theory is tested, it is then peer reviewed and tested many more times, in-vitro, in-vivo, on animals, then in humans, pre-clinical trials, clinical trials and after all's said and done, if it still proves effective and repeatable with an acceptable level of risk, it gets adopted into what we know as "Western Medicine".  Any holistic or traditional medicine that works will eventually BECOME a part of Western Medicine because its efficacy will be validated by other medical professionals.  Until that happens, it is not a complete body of knowledge.  It is not scientific.  All non-scientific methods of treating illness should come with a disclaimer.

     
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