Salty Lamps to "Cure Many Diseases"

Advertisers can rarely resist going overboard with their claims for salt lamps.

I've written about similar products before. Here's another example from www.saltylamps.co.uk (handout available here and here).

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This particular firm boast that their lamps are made from

"...natural salt crystal rock formed millions of years ago in the foothills of the Himalaya [sic]..."

Alas, the advertisers seem a bit confused about the rock's chemical composition.

"...Pure, unpolluted, without environmental impact - from a time when the Earth was pristine. Contains no impurities from environmental pollution... 100% pure... Contains 84 'natural' elements needed by the body... hydrogen, lithium, beryllium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, fluoride [sic]..."

That's a heck of a lot of impurities for something that's supposed to be "100% pure"!

The company boast their lamps will create a "cozy [sic], relaxing, wellness environment" that will "help improve your concentration and refresh you". It's also good for enhancing meditation sessions.

No arguments from me, there. But what about the following dodgy health claims?

"Medical Benefits: In addition, crystal salt helps to cure many diseases. Bio-energotherapists and homeopaths in Western Europe have recommended crystal salt lamps for a long time to support treatment of allergies, [the] respiratory system and blood system diseases. They are often used in the treatment of rheumatism..."

Can the company substantiate their claims to "cure many diseases"? For that matter, who exactly are this company?

It's a mystery to me. I can't find any details about the company, and their website is owned anonymously.

ASA complaint follows!

"I'm writing to complain about a handout for www.saltylamps.co.uk, which I picked up from a stall at the 'Mind Body Spirit' exhibition in London on 26th May.

The handout promotes the company's salt lamps, and contains some health claims which I suspect are misleading.

1. "Medical Benefits: In addition, crystal salt helps to cure many diseases. Bio-energotherapists and homeopaths in Western Europe have recommended crystal salt lamps for a long time to support treatment of allergies, [the] respiratory system and blood system diseases. They are often used in the treatment of rheumatism..."

I'd like to challenge whether the advertisers can substantiate their claims that the salt lamps can "cure many diseases" and treat "allergies", "blood system diseases" and "rheumatism".

I can confirm that I have no connections with the advertiser or with the alternative medicine industry in general."