‘Naturopath’ banned over bicarb soda cancer cure claims

The HCCC ruled that Barbara O'Neill's actions would have discouraged patients from chemo
Barbara O’Neill. Photo: Facebook.
Barbara O’Neill. Photo: Facebook

A woman who claimed cancer was a fungus that could be treated with bicarbonate soda has been banned for life from providing health services.

Barbara O’Neill, of northern NSW — who provided services as a naturopath, nutritionist and health educator — posed a risk to the health of members of the public over her advice, according to a decision by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC).

Other claims included that vaccines had caused an “epidemic” of autism and cot death and that raw goats milk was an acceptable substitute for breastmilk for babies.

For 15 years, Ms O’Neill was the health director of the Misty Mountains Health Retreat in the small NSW town of Bellbrook.