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Evidence for 16 “natural therapies”

Posted 16 April 2025

In 2024, the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care embarked on a review of the evidence for 16 “natural therapies”, including an update on the 2015 review of the evidence for homeopathy, which had been questioned. The Commonwealth Ombud response to that complaint, reported in 2023, is below.

The Natural Therapies Review 2024 was published on 27 March 2025 and can be accessed at https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/natural-therapies-review-2024-report-and-recommendations.pdf.

Individual reports are at:
* Alexander Technique – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-alexander-technique-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Aromatherapy – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-aromatherapy-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Bowen Therapy – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-bowen-therapy-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Buteyko – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-buteyko-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Feldenkrais – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-feldenkrais-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Homeopathy – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-homeopathy-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Iridology – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-iridology-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Kinesiology – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-kinesiology-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Naturopathy – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-naturopathy-supplements-evidence-evaluation?language=en and https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-naturopathy-supplements-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Pilates – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-pilates-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Reflexology – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-reflexology-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Rolfing – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-rolfing-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Shiatsu – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-shiatsu-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Tai chi – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-tai-chi-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Western herbal medicine – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-western-herbal-medicine-evidence-evaluation?language=en

* Yoga – https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/natural-therapies-review-2024-yoga-evidence-evaluation?language=en

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April 16th, 2025 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Category: Acupuncture, Aromatherapy, homeopathy, Homeopathy, Naturopathy | Leave a comment

Aromatherapy described as pseudoscience

Posted 19 May 2021

In a brief article, Joe Nickell discusses the history, claimed effects, and lack of supportive evidence that aromatherapy is beneficial in preventing, treating, or curing any disease.

Nickell describes aromatherapy as the pseudoscience of using aromatic substances for claimed improvements to one’s physical or mental health. He argues that aromatherapy may help people relax through the power of suggestion or augment the soothing, stimulating, or other action of massage in administering aromatherapy oils.

Reference: Nickell J. Aromatherapy: ‘Healing’ by the scents of smell. Skeptical Inquirer, 45(3):43-44, May/June 2021

Source: Consumer Health Digest #21-19, May 16, 2021

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May 19th, 2021 | Tags: , | Category: Aromatherapy | Leave a comment