Homeopathic?? Surfers Ear remedy...

[Morris Cod]

Since Homeopathy, naturopaths etc. are the thing at the moment, I thought I might throw this into the ring for discussion, opinions etc.

I have a condition called “surfers ear” which occurs when cold water enters the ear after a prolonged period, causing bony growths in the ear canal,which can cause blockages, ear infections etc. (oooww!).

Too much zero degree winter surfing is the problem, and the solution is an operation, which basically peels back the ear and drills out the growths. Not a lot of fun.

After a nice surf, and a gig playing loud music, the wax builds up behind the growths, causing ringing ears, loss of hearing, infections etc.

It’s a pain.

Being a sook, I googled my ailment, and came up with:

http://www.health-freaks.com/surfersear2.html

Basically, it is a trial of a you beaut remedy, that has produced positive results,(apparently), according to the many testimonials……

I have been on this trial for a month or so, and it seems to help me manage the condition, and avoid the dreaded drill, but, I dunno, it’s a bit early to tell yet.

On the bottle of this potion, it states:
TRIAL REMEDY; Without approved therapeutic indications.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: all natural combination of homeopathic, flower and shell remedies.

It smells of alcohol, it says 60% by volume, which helps to clear the ear of water anyway, I have been using that for a while,it always helps.

Anyway, have a look at the site, and see what you think.

I must admit I am a bit sceptical after seeing the “debates” on homeopathy, but I will persevere with it and see how I go.

(I’ll let you know)

I have had my condition diagnosed by a rather loopy,(but competent) ear, nose and throat specialist, so I am intending to go back to him after a while using this stuff, to get his opinion on my progress or lack of it…

After learning more about the scientific method, it would seem how they are conducting the trial is hardly “double blind”, but whaddoiknow?

The remedy costs $10 a go,a bottle lasts about 4-5 months ,or so it would seem.

There’s another thing…paying to be on a trial.

Hope’s fading fast!!

 

[Zep]

Try a 1 litre $2.50 bottle of metho instead, next time. Same product...

 

[Morris Cod]

Actually, no, metho won't do it.Stings and makes the wife think I've been at the bottle.

The product I have used before, and recommended by the doc to clear water out is 95% isopropyl alcohol,and 5% glycerol.

Cheaper than gin!

Don't get me wrong, I think I am a bit optimistic, and would love a result, but I don't expect too much.

$10 bucks is'nt the end of the earth.

Thing is, I know one of the guys that testify as to its efficacy, and he swears by it.....which probably means diddly of course, but we'll hAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

 

[Morris Cod]

Oh, and "same product" now I geddit.

I would love to know what the flower and shell essences are, but there is no indication what they are.....

Probably classified or suppressed by the Government.

 

[Goshawk]

Hope’s fading fast!!

Hope of what? I'm not sure what you want from us. Validation? You bought a bottle of this, and now you want us to tell you you didn't waste your money? Sorry, no can do. You admit that it's 60% alcohol by volume, you admit that your doctor told you to use alcohol, you admit that alcohol works, you admit this stuff works--well, obviously, it's because it's alcohol. So what do you want from us?

It's just alcohol; the "potentised plant and shell extracts" don't mean diddly.

Rubbing alcohol, like your doctor told you to use, is a lot cheaper. Incredibly cheaper. It's about 79 cents for a 16 oz. bottle here. That website is charging 22 US dollars for a teeny little bottle, looks like it holds maybe an ounce or two.

You got taken, son. Sorry.

And where are you getting this "it's only 10 bucks" figure? 19.50 in Australian dollars equals 14.43 in US dollars.

 

[Goshawk]

BTW, in case you're not familiar with the homeopathic term "potentised", you should know that it doesn't mean those plant and shell extracts are just "extracts" added to the formula the way that shampoo manufacturers add, say "ginseng extract".

No, it means they are unbelieveably diluted, so diluted, in fact, that there's effectively nothing left of them at all. In the process of potentization, you dilute your original solution, or extract, and then you dilute it, and you dilute it and you dilute it, over and over again, until (and this is the whole idea), there may be as little as a SINGLE MOLECULE of the original substance left in your potion. This, then, is the "potentized" homeopathic remedy.

So even though those plant and shell extracts may have originally had some herbal use, by the time they've been potentized, they're basically not there anymore, at least, not in the sense that Science understands it. Homepathy maintains that the solution retains the "memory" of what used to be there before you started diluting it.

And we all go, "Uh huh."

 

[Morris Cod]

OK,OK, I'm getting the picture......

$10 was the price I paid,maybe the price went up, who knows.

As for validation,no.

Just asking the question.

Thought you may be interested.

Am I giving the impression that I expect a miracle?

 

[Morris Cod]

So, basically, wee in a bottle.

This was my suspicion.

Thanks.

 

[Goshawk]

Heh. Even "wee" in the bottle would have been something. This is nothing.

 

[Morris Cod]

Just for the excercise, I am going to continue to use the bottle, and send in my feedback.

If it does'nt work, or WHEN it fails to work, I'll be frank about my experiences.

It'll be interesting to see if my testimony will be used........Hmmmm.

Also, I intend to ask my doc if he sees any difference, and inform them of the result.

Alas, 'twas a small glimmer of hope,but that's how most of these guys operate, or, at least, get clientele.

 

[c4ts]

You know what I've always wanted to see?


A homeopathic killer on the loose.

 

[Zep]

Oh, and "same product" now I geddit.

I would love to know what the flower and shell essences are, but there is no indication what they are.....

Probably classified or suppressed by the Government.

Oh the essences are easy! They are a drop or two out of some el cheapo perfumes bought at a local community market stall.

Yes, isoprop would be a little more effective because it takes longer to evaporate. The glycerine is there simply to carry the smell, and to give it some "body". In summary, you can make your own for a few cents per replacement bottle.