Mankind has been searching for the Fountain of Youth for as long as anyone can remember. Yes, even long before Ponce de Leon in the 16th century.  And it’s no different today. I know, because as a physician, I have it presented to me on almost a daily basis.

Whether it’s mangosteen drinks, colloidal silver, magnet therapy, Breathe Right strips (really? placing a strip of tape over the bony bridge of your nose is supposed to help you breath better or stop snoring? Do the physics!), copper bracelets, and now I’m afraid, essential oils.

I’ve heard it many times before and I know it will only be a month or so more before the next fountain of youth appears, promising life everlasting or at least some semblance of that.

All these products and many more like them claim to boost the immune system, help fight off bacteria and viruses, bring back youth and beauty, yada, yada, yada. These are “pseudo-scientific claims of alternative medicine” as one author put it. And they come at a significant price, namely your valuable money and your common sense.

Take Rose oil for example. The Oil of Divine Love. “It is a powerful healer of the heart. It supports an individual in reaching heavenward and contacting Divine love.” That’s not medicine and it certainly can’t be studied. At best it’s spiritism.

Chasing after these products and their claims in hope of the “fountain of youth” they promise is like missing the moment of beauty when seeing a gorgeous sunset at the beach or gazing at the foot of a majestic mountain because you’re too preoccupied trying to take a photo of it.

Life is short. Just enjoy the beauty instead of trying to take the picture.