At first, nothing seems too objectionable with aromatherapy. There’s nothing wrong with liking the
smell of flowers, and if certain smells make you feel relaxed, well, that’s all that really matters, even if
it is a placebo. The issues start when people make claims of physical healing, as in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jv44xsnHUM. This woman, who seems to be selling lavender oil,
claims that it is antiviral, antibiotic, antifungal, etc. Essentially, she claims it is a cure-all. There also
appears to be some influence from other forms of alternative (i.e. pseudoscientific) medicine,
including the idea that a naturally-occurring molecule is functionally different from a synthetic version
of the same molecule.
Needless to say, this is a dangerous claim. While it is a shame that people are tricked into buying
products that won’t help them, the real problem is the fact that they are less likely to seek help from a
proper medical professional, with the worst-case scenario being that they die from an untreated
condition. Skepticism regarding alternative medicine is especially important during the current
pandemic. To snake oil peddlers, a time like this is a business opportunity.
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I completely agree that it is dangerous to claim that these products can cure any infection or disease because the people who don't know any better will believe it. They will buy these products instead of real medicine or going to an actual doctor which can lead to more medical problems. It is important that people like this be exposed.
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