curealls
Supposed miracle treatments
Curealls is the plural of cure-all, a remedy claimed to treat all diseases or solve all problems.
The term is almost always skeptical or dismissive—genuine medicine rarely promises universal effectiveness.
Snake oil was the archetypal cureall.
The word extends beyond medicine: Tax cuts aren't the cureall some politicians claim.
Fraudulent cure-all
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- mountebankTraveling seller of fake remedies
- hucksterAggressive, unscrupulous peddler
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
hoax · sham · bogus · pseudoscience · fakery · trickery · deception · scam
Universal cure
- elixirMythical healing draught
- tonicInvigorating medicinal drink
- balmHealing topical preparation
- salveTopical healing preparation
remedy · antidote · nostrum · potion · liniment · ointment · therapeutic · restorative
Supernatural occurrence beyond explanation
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- guaranteedPromised with certainty
- testimonialStatement praising someone's qualities
- infomercialExtended TV sales broadcast
too good to be true · quick fix · silver bullet · magic bullet · breakthrough · revolutionary · secret formula · ancient wisdom
Legendary substance enabling transmutation
- fountain of youthRestorative source of youthfulness
- ambrosiaGods' immortality-granting food
- nectarFloral sugar water
- holy grailSupremely elusive objective
mandrake root · unicorn horn · dragon blood · alchemical · magic potion · witches' brew
Inactive substitute for medicine
- placebo effectHealing through expectation
- psychosomaticMind-induced bodily illness
- mind over matterWill overcoming physical constraints
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
snake oil
Fraudulent cure-all
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- mountebankTraveling seller of fake remedies
- hucksterAggressive, unscrupulous peddler
fraud · hoax · sham · bogus · pseudoscience · fakery · trickery · deception · scam · swindle
panacea
Universal cure
salve · remedy · antidote · nostrum · potion · liniment · ointment · therapeutic · restorative · patent medicine
miracle
Supernatural occurrence beyond explanation
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
- guaranteedPromised with certainty
- testimonialStatement praising someone's qualities
infomercial · too good to be true · quick fix · silver bullet · magic bullet · breakthrough · revolutionary · secret formula · ancient wisdom
philosopher's stone
Legendary substance enabling transmutation
- fountain of youthRestorative source of youthfulness
- ambrosiaGods' immortality-granting food
- nectarFloral sugar water
holy grail · mandrake root · unicorn horn · dragon blood · alchemical · magic potion · witches' brew
sugar pill
Inactive substitute for medicine
- placebo effectHealing through expectation
- psychosomaticMind-induced bodily illness
- mind over matterWill overcoming physical constraints
cureallsevidence-based medicine
Clinical care guided by research
pharmaceutical · prescription medication · clinical intervention
all, cure, cured, curing, curate, curator, curative, cure-all, all-purpose