The wide variety of alternative therapies available for rheumatic diseases attests to the inability of the medical profession to provide patients with adequate cures. Many patients resort to alternative remedies even if these are not always declared to the physician. Our own studies have included assessments of injectable enzyme preparations, vitamins and the use of healing in conjunction with the Confederation of Healing Organisations. Other well controlled trials have been made of diet, nutritional supplements and natural remedies such as green lipped muscle preparations. Unfortunately, the controlled scientific evidence of efficacy is often eclipsed by extravagant advertising claims for subjective enthusiasm of patients who suffer from a variety of conditions, many of which undergo a natural cyclical variation in severity. The clinical assessments used in such trials require critical appraisal.