Does anyone one of studies disproving 'alt. health treatments' like "aromatherapy"?

[Xeelee Bo??s]

Links to actual peer reviewed medical journals on the topic would be helpful.

I am currently debating proponents of aromatherapy, reflexology, homeopathy, etc. who are claiming that it is all "scientific" and cures diseases. I know it isn't. However up until this point I've mainly debated Christian Creationists not New Age health nuts. So if anyone has experience in debating people on these topics, please give me me pointers.
@ That Damned Heathen.

I don't doubt that essential oils smell nice or can help people relax. I am talking about people claiming that smelling essential oils cure disease.

 

[That Damned Heathen]

Aromatherapy - http://altmed.creighton.edu/Aromatherapy/Studies.htm

http://www.aahaa.info/scientific-aromatherapy-evidence.html This one is more about how one should view the results given for tests of this sort... it has other links as well.

http://www.macalester.edu/psychology/whathap/UBNRP/Smell/AROMAT~1.HTM there is a list of references on this page

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/aromatherapy-000347.htm This one is mainly basic info, but has a list of tests done at the bottom.

I'm not exactly a new age health nut. lol in fact I wouldn't call myself that at all. But I do tend to agree with certain ideas about aromatherapy. I have experienced myself the effects of lavander, vanilla, chamomille. The problem with some of these things is the fact that people think you can just pick up a bottle of lavander essential oil for $2 at the dollar store.... that's not essential oil. That's artificial mixtures.

I don't know much on reflexology and I've only heard mixed results with homeopathy. Some swear by it while others think it's all bs. There are plenty of scientific studies on it, but I haven't found one case where ANY of this actually cures any diseases. The one reason why I prefer using aromatherapy is the fact that I know where the ingredients are coming from.... they're all mainly natural with a few exceptions. I normally make some of this stuff myself except the essential oils.... but that's a difficult process and I certainly don't have time for that.

I can't say I've debated these issues as most I know would say they have seen and felt the effects of aromatherapy.

Good luck

 

[zazugrey]

The Wikipedia articles are a god place to start. Since they give references, you can look further into it. I know that no one has yet produced a study that shows that homeopathy has any effect but placebo.

 

[alpu5]

Here's a site that might give you a little ammo.
http://www.skepdic.com/

 

[Rico JPA]

Start by googling Placebo effect and go from there.

 

[Ayame]

I don't think you should be going into something with a bias either way. I'm as interested as the next person to find out if a lot of the new age, and often old age health treatments work more than placebo, but I'm not going to decide if they work or not and then try to find evidence to prove my claim, isn't that what religious people do?