Chinese Snake Oil Salesmen

Chinese medicine is often misunderstood and mistrusted by Westeners.

Most don't take it seriously. However, certain facets of Chinese medicine are either viable alternatives to or supplemental to Western treatments. Acupuncture is one, for example. Certain roots and herbs such as ginseng have been shown to be helpful for a variety of conditions.

I try to be open-minded, but I don't believe powdered rhinocerous horn will increase my virility. The only thing powdered rhino horn increases is the number of dead rhinos.

Mainland Chinese doctors are recommending a traditional potion that includes dead silkworms and cicada skins to ward off SARS. Here's the recipe:

Put 10 grams of dead silkworms and 10 grams of cicada skins in water with five herbs. Boil this mixture for 20 minutes. Drink the water like tea for seven to 10 days. Try not to barf.

Ummm ... which five herbs? And how is a traditional elixir supposed to protect me from a virus that never existed until a few months ago? If I take the medicine and don't catch SARS, how will I know it was responsible? If I use it, but contract pneumonia, who takes the blame: the doctor or the dead silkworms?

I'll stick with washing my hands, thank you very much.

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