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What are the most outrageous claims made by alternative therapys for healing?

Elisa Evenett

Well, there are a lot of alternative therapies out there that make some pretty wild claims about their healing powers. It's hard to know where to start, really. But I suppose one of the most outrageous claims that pops to mind is the idea that drinking bleach can cure pretty much any illness you can think of.

Yes, you read that right - drinking bleach. Some people swear by a substance called "MMS", or "miracle mineral solution", which is essentially a mixture of sodium chlorite and citric acid that is supposed to be diluted with water and then ingested orally. The idea is that the chlorine dioxide that is produced by mixing the two chemicals together will somehow "cleanse" the body of toxins and pathogens, and help to cure everything from cancer to HIV/AIDS to malaria.

Of course, this is complete nonsense. Drinking bleach is not only dangerous, but potentially deadly. The chemical can cause serious damage to your digestive system, your liver, your kidneys, and even your brain. It can also lead to seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory failure. In short, it is never a good idea to drink bleach under any circumstances, and anyone who tells you otherwise is either misinformed or trying to scam you.

But MMS is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to outrageous claims made by alternative therapies. There are also people who swear by things like ear candling (which involves sticking a hollow, cone-shaped candle in your ear and lighting it on fire), cupping (which involves creating suction on the skin using glass or plastic cups), and even urine therapy (which, as the name suggests, involves drinking your own pee).

Again, all of these practices are completely unproven, and some of them can even be dangerous. Ear candling, for example, is a fire hazard and can cause serious burns or puncture your eardrum. Cupping can leave bruises and sometimes even cause infections. And urine therapy is not only gross, but can also lead to electrolyte imbalances and other health problems.

That being said, I don't want to totally dismiss all alternative therapies as quackery. There are certainly some practices that have shown promise in treating certain conditions, such as acupuncture for pain relief or herbal remedies for gastrointestinal issues. But it's important to approach these therapies with a critical eye, and to always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before trying anything new.

At the end of the day, there is no such thing as a "miracle cure" for all that ails us. The human body is complex and nuanced, and different people may respond differently to different treatments. While it's natural to want to seek out quick and easy solutions to our health problems, we should always be wary of those who promise the moon and the stars with little or no evidence to back up their claims. In the end, the best medicine is always a healthy dose of skepticism and common sense.