Negative publicity - was scientific challenges

[Guest guest]

I know these scientific challenge reports annoy many, myself included,

but at the end of the day I do wonder if they really matter. I have

lost count of the number of negative articles and broadcasts on

aromatherapy and essential oils in the UK over the years. Such things as:

1. Essential oil suppliers being caught out selling fake oils - yet

they are still in business.

 

2. Unjustified and inaccurate articles about the toxicity of oils -

despite that the growth of oil sales boomed in the 1990s.

 

3. Articles about the dangers of unregulated therapists - yet the

trained ones are often more dangerous!

 

4. Negative media about complementary medicine as a whole - yet we

still have Universities and hundreds of colleges teaching aspects of it.

 

The Gary Young's of this world (he is the top dog but there are many

of a similar disposition) have continued unabated raking in the cash

by lying through their teeth.

 

The facts are it is the biggest con artists in aromatherapy and

essential oils supply who drive our machine and always have. Gullible

customers really believe their gurus and just dismiss any negative press.

 

Aromatherapy has dropped away in both the US and UK, but I really

doubt this has anything to do with negative media, but rather is part

of the natural cycle of boom and bust that most alternative type

treatments go through.

 

Another example is homeopathy which has come in for a lot of targeted

negative media. Sure some UK health trusts may be dropping its use,

but the health food stores are still crammed with the products. So

will the negative aspect of the health trusts affect sales much, I

doubt it. The believers will still continue buying their hit of water

and brandy, and buying the novels on the subject!

 

You know the old saying " any publicity is good publicity " .

 

Martin Watt

[Guest guest]

Hi Martin

I agree with you re negative publicity having little effect on CAM

therapies overall. But I do think there is something more insidious

going on (now I sound like a crazy conspiracy theorist).

As far as AT is concerned I dont remember a time when such positive

trials, like the Wythenshawe one (sorry to harp on that) get so little

press coverage, yet the negative lemon/lavender fiasco (both of them)

get so much international press coverage. There is a similar situation

with Homeopathy (as you noted). Herbs are taking a hit as well, I

recently read a hypothesis that taking Ginko would increase the risk

of stroke. That was drawn from a trial where all subjects were over

80, a rather high risk stroke group anyway.

 

As for Aromatherapy dropping away in both the US and UK, well,

possibly it is, but then with the current economic climate I dont find

that at all surprising. In the UK AT (massage) is often concidered a

luxury, and luxuries are the first to go when money gets tight.

LLx

 

 

On 14/03/2008, Martin Watt <aromamedical wrote:

>

> I know these scientific challenge reports annoy many, myself included,

> but at the end of the day I do wonder if they really matter. I have

> lost count of the number of negative articles and broadcasts on

> aromatherapy and essential oils in the UK over the years. Such things as:

> 1. Essential oil suppliers being caught out selling fake oils - yet

> they are still in business.

>

> 2. Unjustified and inaccurate articles about the toxicity of oils -

> despite that the growth of oil sales boomed in the 1990s.

>

> 3. Articles about the dangers of unregulated therapists - yet the

> trained ones are often more dangerous!

>

> 4. Negative media about complementary medicine as a whole - yet we

> still have Universities and hundreds of colleges teaching aspects of it.

>

> The Gary Young's of this world (he is the top dog but there are many

> of a similar disposition) have continued unabated raking in the cash

> by lying through their teeth.

>

> The facts are it is the biggest con artists in aromatherapy and

> essential oils supply who drive our machine and always have. Gullible

> customers really believe their gurus and just dismiss any negative press.

>

> Aromatherapy has dropped away in both the US and UK, but I really

> doubt this has anything to do with negative media, but rather is part

> of the natural cycle of boom and bust that most alternative type

> treatments go through.

>

> Another example is homeopathy which has come in for a lot of targeted

> negative media. Sure some UK health trusts may be dropping its use,

> but the health food stores are still crammed with the products. So

> will the negative aspect of the health trusts affect sales much, I

> doubt it. The believers will still continue buying their hit of water

> and brandy, and buying the novels on the subject!

>

> You know the old saying " any publicity is good publicity " .

>

> Martin Watt