There are some similar common misconceptions about traditional Chinese medicine too. Some people equate it to throwing chicken bones, I think. Chinese traditional medicine isn't all effective, or scientifically based, but there are some treatments that have thousands of years of application, and compelling evidence of efficacy behind them. I know that this sounds crazy, but we get a medicine from China that cures the flu. I'm talking about: you start to feel feverish, bones are aching, you take this stuff, and the next day you feel great. The flu never sets in. I got my PhD in Medical Physics. I need evidence. I doubted that this medicine would work, but it has, time and time again. The medicine comes as granules that taste like donkey ass (well as I imagine donkey ass might taste), and it contains about 11 different ingredients. It's the best thing in the world. Funny thing, the company that makes it also provides a pill form. -It doesn't work. I don't know what they do in the pill-making process, but it just doesn't work. As an aside, it's interesting because institutes often look for the 'active ingredient' in traditional Chinese medicines, but never find it. -The complete medicine has an effect in cell assays, etc, but no component ever matches up. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical companies and agencies like the FDA don't like synergistic effects very much. I think it has to do with requirements for patenting and clinical trials. As a result, some medicines never make it to market, because no one can find the component to be tested in a clinical trial, or get a strong patent.