Soviet Union

In the Soviet period, before the evidence-based medicine emerged, most people had turned to alternative medicine as the most available and affordable way of treatment. Such methods included liver/gall bladder cleanse, treatment by a hot-water bag, use of mustard powder if any symptoms of ARVI develop, or some kinds of physical therapy. Today, the evidence-based medicine principles are widely recognised, and doctors doubt the use of alternative medicine and put the physical therapy on the back burner. Nevertheless, people in the former Soviet republics still receive treatment by vegetable oil to cleanse the body, and inhale the vapour of boiled potatoes.

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