Thanks to film and television, most people understand what you’re talking about when you describe someone as a ‘Snake Oil Salesman’ - it’s a derogatory term used to describe someone employing dubious techniques to sell a product which doesn’t work.
Interestingly though, the original snake oil actually worked!
Chinese labourers hired to build the Transcontinental Railroad in the 1860’s, brought with them an oil derived from the Chinese Water Snake which was used to relieve aching and tired muscles.
These Chinese labourers shared it with fellow workers who found it beneficial - which was great for the workers, but not so good for the men who made their living by travelling and selling proprietary medicines.
To protect their business, the travelling salesmen, ridiculed the natural remedy and then started calling any ‘cure all’ remedies, snake oil. The term ‘snake oil salesman’ was used to describe anyone selling non-mainstream health products - and the term is still alive and well today!
Over 150 years have passed since those days, and mainstream suppliers of pharmaceuticals are still using similar techniques to attack suppliers of natural or unconventional remedies – but, are they really ‘snake oil salesmen’?
Well I’m sure some are, but as we’ve seen, some ‘snake oil’ works – in fact, there are a lot of good cures and remedies in complimentary and natural medicine.
The big pharmaceutical companies know these remedies and methods work and they are desperate to reproduce them - but chemically – because they cannot patent the natural products to make money from them.
As an end user you’ll need to sort the wheat from the chaff, but don’t be put off by the universal detractors.
AK Smith is a freelance writer and author.
This article will have answered some of your questions, select another category for further pain relief information.
For FREE information on a broad range of topics visit Can-I.co.uk and select your required category.
Remember; always consult your doctor before trying a new therapy.
DISCLAIMER:
This blog is NOT a medical advice service – always consult your doctor for specific advice.
The information in this blog is for informational purposes only and is in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of your doctor.
If you have symptoms or feel ill please see your doctor.
