[morethanpretty]

The cranberry extract probably would have been a fine remedy for my UTI, but I had to go to the doc to get it diagnosed, so she gave me antibiotics just to really kill it. At that point though it was my 3rd or 4th month in a row that I had to take antibiotics...I prob shoulda turned 'em down. I think part of the problem with herbal remedies used by the general population is that they are also "self-diagnosing" and don't have a professional opinion as to what is their issue is. Of course, the pro's don't always do that good of a job either which I know first hand.

About the studies, I just don't trust that all or even most natural remedies have been effectively tested. Especially in this country where big pharm runs the show. I don't want big pharm to take over that aspect of medicine whatsoever, it would drive up the costs and then some might require a prescription. Or they would fuck up the medicine in order to 'imrove' it. Remember the coca plant? Now used to make cocaine...yeah cocaine was the 'improvement' of the effects of the coca plant.
HP can say there is more money in herbal remedies all he wants, truth is, big pharm gets the money for research, patents their meds, and pushes it to the public through doctors who are under/mis-informed. Our FDA is mostly in their pocket, and they have lobbyist to keep the effective natural remedies from succeeding.
Yes there are alot of scam 'natural remedies' that is part of the issue with it. There are really good ones as well that no one seems to know about, or possible we haven't ran an effective trial. Just like jinx was posting about fraud trials for big pharm meds, don't you think the same is possible for trials of natural remedies?

Yes, they are out to get me...