Category: Herbs & Supplements

Kambo: Frog Poison for Health?
The Kambo fad: people are applying frog poison to burns created on their skin, making them vomit repeatedly and feel terrible. They think this torture has health benefits. There's no evidence that it does anything but poison them. Could anything be more ridiculous?

Salonpas
Salonpas is an over-the-counter topical NSAID used to treat pain. It's probably safe and might be worth trying for minor pain, but the effect is small and the advertising is more hype than substance.

Melatonin
Melatonin supplements are increasingly popular, but the evidence is weak and mixed.

Zinc and COVID
Should you take a zinc supplement to prevent a COVID-19 infection?

FDA and FTC issue more warning letters citing products and services making illegal COVID claims
The FDA and FTC have issued hundreds of warnings to companies selling products and services claiming, without adequate evidence, that they can prevent or treat COVID-19, but the possibility of government action doesn't seem to be a deterrence.

When Doctors Refuse to Believe Evidence
Paul Offit's new book covers the evidence for many surgeries, medications, and screening tests that have been proven ineffective and harmful yet are still being used by doctors who refuse to follow the science.

The Top COVID-19 Hucksters and Grifters…so far
It wouldn't be a health crisis without those that want to profit from it.

Dr. Oz Allegedly Selling CBD
Ads selling CBD oil feature Dr. Oz and other celebrities, but Oz warns that he never endorses products, and that ads using his name or image are fraudulent.

The Evidence for Hydrogen Water
Alex Tarnava sells Drink HRW Rejuvenation tablets. The evidence for the health benefits of drinking hydrogen water is not convincing.

Where Are We With CBD
The science is not yet in on cannabinoids for most indications. We should wait until it is.