Complain about a product or service

Small Comfort for Comfrey

In our newsletter of July 9, 2001 , we belittled, besmirched and otherwise castigated companies that sell the herbal substance comfrey, claiming it to be good for everything from multiple sclerosis to cuts and bruises. That sparked the following from Debra:

I had been a faithful subcriber to your E-Zine and praised it's zealous approach to resolving consumer complaints. Unfortunately, I assumed that you do have the cpabilities to thoroughly investigate issues by obtaining consultants in areas where you would not be likely to have a known expertise.

Your comments regarding the professional credentials affiliated with Dr. Christopher's herbal formulas were grossly inappropriate.

"Whatever that means?" How dare you be so presumptious as to make snide remarks about a field that you clearly are ill-equipped to evaluate.

I had been a big fan of your E-zine and recommended it to others. I know we can all comment on how long distance phone companies and car dealers frequently deceive their customers and prospects . This does not require any special knowledge. (getting ripped off is clearly enough in-put)

Unfortunately, you are guilty of some of the same type of tactics that other unethical businesses engage in. The FDA is not God and frequently their information is false and based on the financial and political biases of pharmeceutical companies, the AMA and other extremely conservative and self-serving entities.

Comfrey is a wonderful herb regardless of what the FDA studies may have shown. It can heal irritated tissues and soothe inflammation.

While herbs are often much safer than drugs many of them require following instructions and taking them in a judicious manner. If the FDA was not so reactionary it would be easier for people to have access to qulaified practioners and appropriate information retgarding the correct uses of herbs and other alternative treatments. People have died as a result of taking precribed drugs even when they were supposedly administered correctly. People also die or become severly ill as a result of various allopathic (Western medicine) treatment surgery etc. Ibuphophen can relieve pain howver it and tylenol can cause liver damage especially if taken in excess and or over long periods of time.

I have used Dr. Christopher's products and know others who have used them. They were highly effective and I did not suffer an adverse reactions. I also have expereince and knowledge working with herbs and have a huge reference library. I also have access to qualified holistic health practioners. rather than go after Dr. Christopher's you ought to decry the fact that drug companies and the AMA fight the use of complimentary medicne because it hits them in the wallet and affects their sense of self-rightous pride and omnipotence.

The credentails that you besmirched represent substanial expertise in the area of holistic medicne. A doctor of Naturopathy is a professional who practices natural medicine.

I have had excellent results using alternative or complementary medicne. I was able to avoid knee surgery by using accupuncture and certain nutritional supplements to repair the cartilage in my knee. I have also had and observed wonderful results with numerous herbs and herbal formulas.

If you want to bash compaines that are in engaged in a business that is familiar to all of us after you have checked out complaints and conmducted a thorough investigation, my hats are off to you. I salute your desire to fight for the consumer. Getting in over your head and taking pot shots out of ignorance and bagging about your ignorance cheapens your entire mission.

Now however I feel that my level of trust has been affected since I had incorrectly assumed that you used knowledgable consultants to research issues. Instead you have stooped to the level of a tabloid magazine to create sensationalist copy.

I would appreciate a reply to my complaint.

Sincerely,

Debra, CRC, CASAC

Sorry, we have no patience with modern-day medicine show barkers who sell herbal substances as though they were pharmaceutical products that have been shown to be both safe and effective. We don't think that using the Internet to take money from sick people is very admirable, for at least a couple of reasons. One is that the stuff might be harmful, like comfrey. Another is that it may keep the consumer from seeking competent medical advice. The third is that it lightens the consumer's wallet.

There is some slight merit to Debra's observations about the FDA but there is really no comparison between the drug approval process overseen by the FDA and the anything-goes horror show launched a few years ago by Congress and the lobbyists for the herbal supplement industry.

And, contrary to Debra's assertion that we are know-nothings in this area, we do consult regularly with academically-certified nutritionists, including a highly-experienced Ph.D. nutritionist and dietitian. The editor of our newsletter and site has an extensive background in scientific writing and has written and/or edited quite a few papers, protocols and articles related to nutrition.

We're not complete blockheads.

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