DEAR DR. GOTT: With your on line website, (which I love by the way) I notice you have advertising, which I am sure is necessary. Do you endorse your advertisements? Are we to assume you recommend them?
DEAR READER: I do have several advertisements on my website, and they are, in fact, necessary to cover operating costs and more.
As you have seen, there is a top banner ad from HUMCO, with which I have a long-standing relationship, and, in a very small way, was involved in the development of Castiva. The company approached me after I had written several articles regarding castor oil rubs for arthritis, which is the base ingredient in Castiva. I have recommended this product in the past, and continue to, as I feel it is a great alternative to other over-the-counter and prescription oral medications. It is a safe, inexpensive product.
There are three other ads at the bottom. Two are for other HUMCO products and the third is a standard Google ad block. The Google ad block changes with each page refresh and I do not control what is displayed so I can’t recommend or endorse any of the websites or products that appear there as I simply don’t know what many of them are. The two HUMCO ads change periodically at the company’s request. The current ads are for ChiggAway, a chigger repellent and the other is for IvyWash, a product used to wash away poison ivy, sumac, oak, and other irritating plant oils which can cause skin irritation, rash, etc.
Chiggers are not a common problem in my area; however, I have heard many tales about how frustrating they can be. ChiggAway was developed as a topical repellent and is, I am told, currently used by our US military. I have personally (as has my office staff and their families) used IvyWash, as poison ivy and woodbine are plentiful in my hometown and its surrounding woodlands. I have used it not only to wash the oils away (and I believe have successfully prevented many an outbreak), but I have also used it following the development of a rash. The lotion is mildly abrasive and, frankly, feels wonderful when used on the rash. It helps to calm the itching and dry the oozing.
So in answer to your question, as my website is at this moment, I do recommend and endorse most of the advertisements. My website is also open to accepting other advertisers, however, I will not advertise/promote any products or companies that I feel are untrustworthy or unsafe.