11/30/12 – The fallacy of naturopathic medicine

Our final stop of the day was the Dead Sea.  Unfortunately we wouldn’t have much time there owing to a number of delays during the day on account of the perpetually late; there were at least four of them in the group.

Dad and I changed into our swim trunks quickly and headed down to the mud baths while we waited for the shuttle to take us to the water.  People had been asking me if I would get in the mud; it was reputed to have healing properties due to the mineral content.  Personally, I don’t go for naturopathic remedies as I believe the only thing they’re good at curing is a fat wallet… and seriously, is that really a problem that needs curing?  Naturopathic remedies: they’re based on the misguided belief that nature gives us everything we need to heal ourselves.  It the same misguided belief that automatically labels chemical compounds as “bad” simply because they’re synthesized by human hands.  Supporters of naturopathic medicine (it’s no more medicine than a naturopath is a doctor) are often stumped when you point out to them that arsenic is a natural substance yet it can kill you much like many other naturally occurring substances can… natural isn’t necessarily safe.

Science has brought us space exploration, the internal combustion engine, electricity, clean water supplies, sanitary living conditions, and the greatest tool ever invented: the internet.  So when someone voices a wholesale disapproval of science based medicine I know I’m talking to either a crackpot or a liar.  All I need to do is take a look in their medicine cabinet to figure out which one.