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Post by auntieannie on May 31, 2011 9:49:51 GMT
I was on the train last week and that man kept yapping at me about all sorts of subjects. I suffered his incessant babil, but had to pinch myself really hard not to burst out laughing when he showed me what he called a "zapper", supposedly able to "zap" microbes in one's body.
it was a black plastic box with some kind of electric current that could be turned on or off. you were supposed to put your thumbs on two round metal plates (they looked like copper to me) and let the machine do its magic for a minute or so... turn it off and rest assured the nasties had all been slayed in your body.
I was unable to find anything positive to say about the device, so opted to remain silent.
Do you know of any other such beliefs?
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2011 10:52:06 GMT
Well, there is always that business about the healing power (?) of pyramids.
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Post by onlymark on May 31, 2011 12:00:50 GMT
When I saw the title I thought it was about religion. But what about superstitions? Are they a bizarre belief? And homeopathy?
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Post by bjd on May 31, 2011 13:00:00 GMT
That magic box sounds like the machine Scientologists used years ago. I am not up to date on their practices but when they were first building up their community, they used some kind of machine with a couple of tin cans you were supposed to hold. Ha -- I just found a picture on Wiki -- it was for a stress test. Still looks like tin cans.
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Post by mich64 on May 31, 2011 15:58:52 GMT
Can someone explain to me why wearing a copper bracelet is supposed to help you health somehow? I have never quite understood this. Cheers, Mich
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2011 17:38:18 GMT
If you are extremely naive and gullible, you can read this.
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Post by auntieannie on May 31, 2011 19:11:43 GMT
Mark, homeopathy doesn't make scientific sense... but it does sometimes work, or so it seems. I am not able to comment further as I don't know the subject well at all.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2011 19:31:25 GMT
A lot of these things really do work -- if you believe in them. They are unlikely to cure cancer, but they certainly work wonders on mundane (psychosomatic?) aches and pains.
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Post by onlymark on May 31, 2011 20:00:08 GMT
I will concede Annie that there are some people who, whilst taking homeopathic 'medicine', show signs of improvement. There's a big difference between that though and it being the cause. From 'The Natural News' ( "The NaturalNews Network is a non-profit collection of public education websites covering topics that empower individuals to make positive changes in their health, environmental sensitivity, consumer choices and informed skepticism") - "The placebo effect proves to be good medicine in twelve month study; mind/body medicine is more powerful than drugs and surgery" www.naturalnews.com/001125.htmlHowever authentic this information is, or isn't, the point is that homeopathy and placebos have to me a similar effect - but the effect is nothing to do with the 'medicine', it is the combination of the influence of the brain and mind plus randomness plus chance plus how many would get better anyway. I therefore reiterate my first two sentences. Plus wonder how many people feel better purely by going to a doctor - you know how it is, we've all had a time when we've felt crap but as soon as we go we start feeling better. I'm not decrying anyone's belief in it as it may do some good by the sole act of the belief. But it's not for me.
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Post by auntieannie on May 31, 2011 21:09:17 GMT
well... you have to realise that one's body is doing its own repair work. By taking medicine, we (hopefully) give tools to our bodies to sort itself out. I don't believe in homeopathy myself, though. I believe herbal medicine works and that it's scientifically provable and proven.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2011 21:19:15 GMT
Even Lourdes works wonders on certain people, as long as they think it is possible.
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Post by onlymark on May 31, 2011 21:45:33 GMT
Herbal medicine I do believe in. No problem with that at all. It's probably the oldest form of healing there is and I bet even Neanderthals utilised plants in one way or another.
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Post by happytraveller on Jun 1, 2011 6:45:43 GMT
Homeopathy is a weird thing. I don't believe in it but twice I was desperate enough to give it a go and both times it worked...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 7:08:31 GMT
A lot of standard medicine started as homeopathy. Willow bark was used for thousands of years to treat aches and fever until the active ingredient was refined into aspirin in 1897.
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Post by mockchoc on Jun 1, 2011 8:43:47 GMT
Always remember some of this kills as asprin did almost did to me, thank god I got to hospital in time. It doesn't always do as it should for everyone.
Almost anything can help or kill you. This is dangerous stuff.
If you have time research about the new medications your doctor subscribes. I won't be going near my newest doctor again or letting my husband back near her. Three times and she is out.
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Post by auntieannie on Jun 1, 2011 12:23:50 GMT
kerouac, you have herbal medicine and homeopathy confused.
herbal medicine is the medicine that was used by our ancestors from neanderthals to about 50 years ago.it uses whole plants. It is considered an allopatic medicine and gave birth to modern medicine - which since has tried to relegate it to the museum, sure in its youthful energy that it is the only right option.
homeopathy is about taking something that is a poison, reduce it to infinitesimal quantities, put it in a ball of lactose and decide that it will trigger reactions in our bodies to counter its effect and therefore cure the issue we have. Very very different outlook.
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Post by onlymark on Jun 1, 2011 13:04:22 GMT
It is apparently known for certain animals to eat bitter tasting plants to help ease pain or an illness.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 13:45:42 GMT
kerouac, you have herbal medicine and homeopathy confused. I disagree. Willow bark appears on all of the homeopathic sites. And anyway, aspirin is a poison, so that fits in what what you were saying.
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Post by auntieannie on Jun 1, 2011 14:44:13 GMT
ah, the concept of poison. In the UK, some of the herbs that medical herbalists use are on what they call a "Schedule 3" list. This means that their use is controlled closely. Why? because the therapeutic dosage is very near the lethal dosage.
Many things are poisonous in one way or another, if not handled in an appropriate manner. These schedule 3 herbs, such as digitalis purpurea, are excellent medicines. They only need professional knowledge and care in their handling.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jun 1, 2011 14:45:18 GMT
Homeopathy is a weird thing. I don't believe in it but twice I was desperate enough to give it a go and both times it worked... I tend to believe there might be something to it, at least as I understand the logic behind it. However, just as with "regular" medicine, it can't do everything, nor are all its practitioners as skilled as they might be. One appeal of homeopathy for me is the opportunity to self-diagnose and self-administer. I think the confusion about aspirin is because so many homeopathic companies sell standard herbal remedies under the homeopathy label. At times, with some of the companies, this seems a deliberate attempt at confusion. I.e., their consumer base believes in homeopathic remedies, so they let them think everything they sell is homeopathic, logic and appearances to the contrary. Willow bark is an herbal remedy, but it's often found sold by homeopathic companies.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 20:52:34 GMT
"Willow bark" definitely stretches the concept of "herbal."
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Post by auntieannie on Jun 2, 2011 8:23:45 GMT
come on, K2... open your mind!
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2012 5:17:00 GMT
They were talking about superstition on the morning news, including illogical beliefs like the end of the world as per the Aztec calendar.
One interesting thing that was mentioned was that the Philippines, United States and Argentina are among the most superstitious countries and Belgium, France and the United Kingdom are the least superstitious.
One seventh of the world population believes that the world will end during their lifetime, either through a decision by god, a natural catastrophe or a war.
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Post by hwinpp on May 2, 2012 15:05:36 GMT
They were talking about superstition on the morning news, including illogical beliefs like the end of the world as per the Aztec calendar. One interesting thing that was mentioned was that the Philippines, United States and Argentina are among the most superstitious countries and Belgium, France and the United Kingdom are the least superstitious. ... They didn't mention Cambodia? Oh well, I guess the Philippines is a league or two above it.
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Post by komsomol on Jun 14, 2012 14:40:55 GMT
Pleasure in Life according to LDS
5 That inasmuch as any man drinketh wine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him. 6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, pure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make. 7 And, again, strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies. 8 And again, tobacco is not for the body, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill. 9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly. 10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome herbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man— 11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with prudence and thanksgiving. 12 Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly; 13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2012 17:20:39 GMT
What is LDS??
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Post by patricklondon on Jun 15, 2012 19:33:24 GMT
I assume Latter Day Saints = Mormons
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Post by Deleted on Jun 16, 2012 10:26:30 GMT
Thank you. I had another combination of the same letters confused in my head.
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Post by komsomol on Jun 16, 2012 19:57:23 GMT
yeah sorry - I meant Mormons.
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