If you have any doubt about how much influence a doctor with a TV show has on millions of viewers, open a tea business. When we start receiving phone calls and visits from people requesting certain teas or medicinal herbs, I simply ask: “Dr. TV?” I know my 80-something-year-old neighbor has been watching when I get her phone call at the store and am told I need to bring in a certain herbal tea because Dr. TV said it was good for something.
Our problem is that we don’t carry some of what has been recommended to viewers and they themselves really don’t know anything at all about these requested products in terms of how much to drink, how to brew them, when to consume them or not, or whether there are any possible interactions with medications. A typical call after a show recently went something like: “Do you have such-and-such an herbal tea?” Pause. “Dr. TV recommended it?” Pause. “Yes. It’s supposed to help with my cravings.” Another popular one this week: “Do you carry a tea that sounds like poo-something?” Pause. “Pu-erh?” Pause. “I think that might be it. It’s supposed to help me lose weight.” About a month and a half ago, there was a run on hibiscus tea. “Dr. TV recommended it?” Pause. “Yes. It’s supposed to help my blood pressure.”
Personally, I am totally into organic, natural, and healthy and I don’t take any medications. I’m also aware that people viewing the Dr. TV show seem to really believe that bilberry can stop a hard-core food craving or that pu-erh can help them lose weight without radically changing an over-eating, sedentary lifestyle. It seems they are looking for a “magic bullet” in liquid form that will change their lives quickly and without much pain or strain. I have the feeling they really aren’t hearing everything the doctor is saying.
Studies on true teas as well as rooibos (herbal) are available. They are easier to find than data on many herbs, it seems to me. Recently, there was an excellent post on T Ching by Adela Hasas, Master Herbalist, that anyone who is interested in herbal benefits should read. As tea business owners, we are allowed to state some of tea’s benefits without running into trouble with the FDA.
But I’m just sayin’ … when someone gets the idea that drinking bilberry tea (and how long would they stick with that, I wonder, once they taste bilberry?) will stop their life-long addiction to chocolate or whatever, I’m not good with being part of that, even if I can making a buck selling it. I am sure that Dr. TV wouldn’t be either, if he knew that’s what they were hearing.
There is no magic bullet to take the place of a healthy, disciplined lifestyle and there never will be. I’m sure any doctor would agree.
Dr. TV’s influence on tea
In general, I agree. However, the information that is typically given really does not suggest this or that tea is a magic bullet – as you suspected. If it were me, I’d encourage them to go to Dr. TV’s web site and get the full story on the herb. Truth is, it’s much better than soda or coffee and along with other life style changes, can be helpful. I always support people’s initial efforts into herbal teas, reminding them that herbs are medicine – hence read up on the doctors web site for complete information. OR – if time permits, have that information available for them so once you’ve gotten the first call, you can read the full story to them. Obviously it’s above and beyond but I know you want to help educate your customers. I’m delighted when Dr Oz or Dr Andrew Weil talks about green tea for example. It gives me an opening to share a lot more details then their 5 minute episode on TV. As you say, there are NO magic bullets here. People want it to be as easy as popping a pill. It’s not BUT it can be beneficial to ones health over time.
This has been a huge problem in the herbal medicine community for a very long time. Once the media gets a hold of even one potential aspect of a natural remedy (and it doesn’t even have to be the function it is most effective for, it suddenly becomes the de facto property or purpose for that herb. I guess I can’t totally blame any of them – the doctors, the media or the consumer. We have all been raised in the mechanistic zeitgeist of the medical model and we have been well indoctrinated in believing that is the only way to see things.
On the other hand, one could argue that at least Dr. TV does bring these things to the attention of many more people than would ordinarily give them a second thought. One can hope that at least a small percentage of them will take that initial information and look into it in more depth before just taking them blindly.
Diane, your post reminded me of infomercials and shopping networks also. I used to wonder how and why consumers would make a purchase decision based on something they saw on tv. I don’t wonder anymore because I myself have started watching more tv, including those Dr. TV programs. Viewers can be very easily influenced and persuaded.
Thanks for the responses, Michelle and Sandy. A young gentleman, a very knowledgeable herbalist responded on our Facebook about the subject. He is our ‘go to expert’ on herbs and a great tea customer. His comment working at a well-known natural food market that does sell supplements/herbs: “I get this on a daly basis from my customers. What really scares me is when they don’t exactly know what its for yet they are insistent on taking it because “dr. tv” said its good for them. I have to educate them on how these products actually work. Sure his information is bringing people over into the natural medicine world but using a product (even an herbal one) comes with risks and contraindication especially when some one is already on medications. Please inform yourself before taking any herbal even if the charming doctor on tv said its safe!”
Hi Diane: Thanks for your article. I echo the earlier comments. People are looking for the magic bullet and wide-eyedly believe anyone who offers them an easy fix. I have a little background in Traditional Chinese Medicine including herbs. Some of the herbs can be toxic if taken inappropriately. One should thoroughly research any medication before taking it, even if their doctor prescribes it. I’m reminded of a saying that one should believe only half of what they read in the newspaper and none of what they see on TV. There is so much misinformation being repeated by “professionals”. FYI, just today we received 3 calls for “chickweed tea” that they saw on TV.
Hi Ifang and Dan: Wow, what a relief. It’s good to know we are all in this together. :) So, what we usually are able to do is give them a general overview of tea and herbals’ benefits (inside FDA guidelines) and they usually do decide on something that will indeed be, not only healthy overall, but will be delicious enough to become a ‘good habit’… not a hit and miss thing. And we do, Michelle, ask people to please do their own research too. It’s so easy now with all the online sources for studies, etc.