The Sceptical Preacher

Trust Boots? Your high-street destination for voodoo

Inspired by this article on the James Randi site, I decided to try an experiment. Boots, a UK chain of stores, has a reputation in this country. They started as a chemist but have since expanded to sell just about anything. In their adverts, they play on this reputation. Their slogan is Trust Boots. Unfortunately, trusting Boots would be a very bad idea. Boots stock a rather extensive range of what can politely described as complementary medicine. If you're rational though you'd simply call it fraudulent products designed to separate the gullible from their money. Trust Boots indeed... This range includes items such as the Silent Knight Ring. A wonderful ring that works on ancient principles of acupressure. It's ancient so it must be good, right? If you still have money left after buying this junk you can treat yourself to some homeopathic medicine. I noticed this particular product. Boots Alternatives Snoring Remedy Here is what Boots say about this product.

An easy to use spray formula, helps to relieve snoring. A combination of essential oils to help stop snoring. Effective in reducing snoring for 4 out of 5 users. Spray Formula. 

Please read the product packaging before use. Seek professional advice before using if you suffer from epilepsy, skin allergies, are pregnant or are using homoeopathic remedies. Asthmatics should avoid direct inhalation.

I sent Boots an email asking for advice before buying this product. I explained that since homoepathic remedies are essentially just water, is it safe for someone who consumes water on a regular basis to use this product. Here is their response.

Thank you for contacting us at boots.com regarding the Boots Alternatives Snoring Remedy. I'm afraid we can not answer questions of a medical nature due to the specialist knowledge that is needed. I suggest you speak to a local pharmacist or GP and they will be able to help you.

An understandable reply really since I am asking for some rather in-depth medical advice. In response, I've sent them this email.

Please could you answer these questions as I'm interested in this product http://www.boots.com/shop/product_details.jsp?productid=1021333&classificationid=1035989&slmRefer=000 The web site makes this claim. "An easy to use spray formula, helps to relieve snoring. A combination of essential oils to help stop snoring. Effective in reducing snoring for 4 out of 5 users. Spray Formula." Would you be able to point me in the direction of published research in a peer reviewed scientific paper that backs this up. If a paper is not specific to the product, perhaps a reference to a paper that discusses the essential oils that you use and explains how they have been tested? Research endorsed by the BMJ, Lancet or the Royal Society would be excellent since they would by quite authoritative. Ideally, have you published the research undertaken to arrive at the '4 out of 5' figure? I'd like to know who carried out the testing and also the parameters of the test. Thanks again, I appreciate your time.

== Update 21/5/2006 == I received the following response.

Thank you for contacting me regarding our Alternatives Stop Snoring Spray. I understand your concerns and I appreciate you letting me know how you feel. I have contacted our healthcare team and they have advised me that this product works by coating the back of the throat with a mixture of essential oils which then helps to stop the snoring. I am unable to provide you with details of Boots research information as this is commercially sensitive. However, I would like to reassure you that all our wording is in line with the current UK legislation and all our claims are legal. Also all of the claims are checked thoroughly by our internal legal and medical experts.

So, you can see that this reply doesn't really make sense. I asked them how they tested the product to arrive at the "Effective in reducing snoring for 4 out of 5 users" figure. They say they can't tell me because it's a trade secret? How on earth is this comercially sensitive? I'm not asking them to tell me how to make the the stuff, just how they tested it. It looks like if I want to take this any further I'll need to phone them or consult Trading Standards to find out if this is legal.

posted by The Preacher @ 5/05/2006 08:11:00 PM