pseudomedicine
Unproven healing claims
Pseudomedicine is treatment or therapy that claims medical benefits without scientific evidence to support it.
The term is pejorative, used by critics to distinguish unproven remedies from evidence-based medicine: The clinic was shut down for peddling pseudomedicine to desperate cancer patients.
Common targets include homeopathy, crystal healing, and certain supplements marketed with health claims.
Fraudulent medical practice
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- placeboInactive therapeutic substitute
- debunkingProving claims false
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
evidence-based · clinical trials · peer review · FDA · regulation · misinformation · exploitation · harm
Diluted-substance alternative medicine
- naturopathyAlternative healing using nature
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- chiropracticSpine-focused alternative medicine
- reikiJapanese energy healing
crystal healing · reflexology · cupping · aromatherapy · ayurveda · ear candling · magnet therapy · faith healing
Extra nutritional intake
- essential oilsConcentrated plant-derived aromatics
- herbal remediesPlant-based medicinal preparations
- tincturesMedicinal solutions in alcohol
- tonicsSupposed health-boosting drinks
elixirs · potions · miracle cures · snake oil · detox teas · colloidal silver · copper bracelets
Not artificially produced
- holisticAddressing interconnected wholes
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- cleanseRemove dirt or sin
- ancient wisdomLong-held profound understanding
alternative · wellness · energy · balance · blockages · quantum · vibrations · alkaline
quackery
Fraudulent medical practice
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- placeboInactive therapeutic substitute
- debunkingProving claims false
skepticism · evidence-based · clinical trials · peer review · FDA · regulation · misinformation · exploitation · harm · false claims
homeopathy
Diluted-substance alternative medicine
- naturopathyAlternative healing using nature
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
- chiropracticSpine-focused alternative medicine
reiki · crystal healing · reflexology · cupping · aromatherapy · ayurveda · ear candling · magnet therapy · faith healing · craniosacral therapy
supplements
Extra nutritional intake
- essential oilsConcentrated plant-derived aromatics
- herbal remediesPlant-based medicinal preparations
- tincturesMedicinal solutions in alcohol
tonics · elixirs · potions · miracle cures · snake oil · detox teas · colloidal silver · copper bracelets
natural
Not artificially produced
- holisticAddressing interconnected wholes
- toxinsHarmful biological substances
- cleanseRemove dirt or sin
ancient wisdom · alternative · wellness · energy · balance · blockages · quantum · vibrations · alkaline · organic
pseudo, pseudonym, pseudonymous, pseudoscience, pseudoscientific, medicine, medicines, medical, medically