The "Snake Oil" of the 1800's is still alive and mostly the same in the 21st century. Ala Goyin, Xango, Noni, etc.etc. etc. These are all "Snake Oils" that are very expensive and are still just "Snake Oil".....Utahn's are very guilable on this stuff, along with our Neighbor Idaho. Hmm? Wonder if its a "Mormon" Thing?????

There are many means and ways to a better health than through conventional medical practices. Drug companies use many of these very same herbal medicines to produce their artificial drugs. The medical schools and training just chose to ignore the value of natural medicines that have been in use for thoursands of years. It's not a snake oil business although it is prevalent, even in drug manufacturing companies. The main problem with americas health is diet, lack of strenous physical activity, and ingesting chemically treated and genetically altered foods and meats, especially in fast food chains. The only problem with herbal medicines is shelf life. If anyone wants to talk about a sanke oil industry, look at the drug manufacturing companies, they are the real criminals and fakes. The FDA and government are not doing enough to endorse herbal medicines because of the major impact it would have on drug manufacturers who synthesise, and at high risk to users, many of these herbs and alternative medicines for mass production.

Herbs and vitamins come from whole foods and have wonderful benifits. Because of your beliefs dont you dare eat any more fruits, vegtables, grains because they are just "snake oil" foods. Good nutrition benifits the body by building and strengthening the systems to work properly on there own. "Real battle is correct, if you look at the source of prescriptions they are synthesized from natural herbal sources. The medical and pharmaceutical companies cant make there profit margin off foods.

Good nutrition and health come from consuming these healthy grains, fruits, and vegetables. That is extremely obvious, so why not go down to the market and buy these products and incorporate them in your diet? Why do you need to have some Utah Valley company pump who knows exactly what into a bottle that is then marketed at $40.00 or $50.00 a bottle? I can't believe that people are stupid enough to fall for the claims, and its certainly not a mormon thing. I just moved from Alabama and the people down there are sure that Noni juice will cure any ailment you might have.

"I would say the industry is a scam." What a priceless comment about the snake oil industry. Of course all of you people getting scammed will fill us full of your anecdotal evidence. Will someone please give me some double blind placebo controlled clinical evidence. Never fear, I'll do it for you:
-A recent NIH study concludes that glucosamine chondrotin probably doesn't do anything.
-Vitamin E has been linked to increased mortality.
-Studies show cinnamon does nothing to lower blood sugar, garlic doesn't lower cholesterol etc.

Why is the herbal industry so resistant to being regulated by the FDA? Maybe its because then herbal makers couldn't make such wild claims based on absolutely no clinical evidence.

Now that I have ranted on, I feel much better. Are there some herbals that have some practical uses? Sure, but there needs to be more, err some, err any regulation in the herbal industry.