The hands of a king is the hands of a healer???

[doug*platypus]

Remember that the movie (sorry to mention the m word, but someone else brought it up) portrayal of Aragorn's healing skills in FOTR is significantly different from the book. In the book, Aragorn treats Frodo in the dell, bruising the Athelas with his hands and steaming it in water, to take full advantage of its properties. Moviegorn puts it in his mouth, chews it, and slaps it on Frodo's shoulder days after the actual stabbing. Hands of a munter. Also, he does not tend to Frodo's wound after The Temple of Khazad Doom (don't steal that, I kind of like it), whereas in the book he is able to heal Frodo and Sam quite well.

So I believe the answer to the original question is the poor portrayal of Aragorn's knowledge of Athelas (kingsfoil, the use of which was known by the king) in the movie. Also, I believe Moviegorn says that Frodo needs Elvis medicine. Listen closely.