Science is the reason we live so well in the 21st century. Woo is what held it back for so long

[JDPriestly]

19. If vitamin supplements are but one element of the domain "woo," why do doctors prescribe

calcium supplements for people with osteoporosis, and vitamin B for pregnant women (at least they did that when I was pregnant).

An excellent doctor suggested that I rub aloe vera and a vitamin oil into my hands for a condition in my hands.

It would be more accurate to say that "some vitamin supplements" are but one element of the domain "woo."

Besides, sometimes the placebo effect works. In fact, I know a young mother who tells her three-year-old that she is giving him a placebo. She says, "You had an upset tummy didn't you? And then I gave you a placebo and you felt better? Right?" It works.

Sometimes we take "real scientifically tested medicines" when we don't really need them. But they sometimes work. Now if we take a scientifically tested medicine when we don't need it and then feel better after we have taken it, should we call that "woo"? Or is what we are calling "woo" really just the way that people who like "woo" comfort themselves? And if a person who takes a lot of woo does feel better due to the placebo effect, why should we discourage that?

Some years ago when one of my children was born, we lived in a country in which mothers were advised to feed their babies camomile tea if they were gaining too much weight or had an upset stomach. Guess what? My child who was born in that country and drank the camomile tea for comfort still finds a cup of camomile tea to be very comforting.

Lots of good, healthy products do not come in a box or bottle with a prescription label on them. And lots of comforting products are among those non-prescription items, folk medicine if you will.

As for acupuncture. I had it once for an earache and it really helped me. Placebo effect, woo or perhaps a real remedy? I don't know but it worked for me. On the other hand if I have an infected elbow, I want an antibiotic cream.

In the meantime I swear by aloe vera. It really soothes the skin. And vitamin B really does make me feel better, placebo or not.