The choice is

over the counter cold medicine

vs

homeopathic "remedies".

Neither of these cure diseases. Neither of these prevent the seeking of medical care. Both of them may make people feel better (the placebo effect can be powerful). Only one of these is frequently abused by teenagers as a recreational drug.

There are plenty of people who take homeopathic and other alternative products instead of prescription products because they can't afford the prescription products, and fraudulent advertising makes them think the alternative is more or less equivalent.

I actually had someone at a pet store try to sell me homeopathic medication instead of dewormer because they were out of actual dewormer. Do you think that's harmless to someone who doesn't know the difference between giving their pet real medication vs. magic woo water?

I'm only advocating for homeopathic cold medicine. Real cold medicine does not cure the common cold and does have harmful side effects.

Your examples are cases where homeopathic remedies should not be marketed beside real medicine.

> There are plenty of people who take homeopathic and other alternative products instead of prescription products because they can't afford the prescription products,

True

But worse people use homeopathic remedies because they do not trust modern medicine

Harmless for cold cures, not harmless for infectious diseases

Your appendix is about to burst, the surgeon is busy, but do some yoga near this crystal and it’ll clear right up