Science or Snake Oil: what is black salve (blood root) and why do people think it can cure cancer (in particular skin cancer)

[AussieNeil]

Black Salve (colloquially as “blood root”, “Indian paint” and “red root”.) 'appears under a variety of trade names including Cansema (Alpha Omega Labs), Black Ointment (Dr Christopher’s Original Formulas) and Herb Veil 8 (Altered States).'

Given our increased susceptibility to skin cancers, many of us may wonder if blood root may be a useful topical treatment.

'Blood root is a strong escharotic, meaning it is a caustic and destructive material. The zinc chloride and sanguinare are corrosive, but dealers claim when it’s applied to damaged skin the healthy skin will separate and not be damaged. There’s no evidence to support this.

Documented adverse effects of black salve include direct damage to the skin, as well as disease progression where users eschew evidence-based therapy. In a recent review there were nine cases of biopsy-proven skin cancer treated with black salve and then documented.

All of these cases reported adverse clinical outcomes, including severe pain or discomfort, and seven reported significant adverse cosmetic outcomes. In six of these cases the cancer worsened. Two cases reported no worsening.

:

There is, however, emerging laboratory evidence sanguinarine does have therapeutic anti-cancer effects. This evidence is based on studies on cells outside the body. These found beneficial effects, with selective destruction of malignant cells, but at much lower concentrations than in existing salve products. Higher concentrations result in destruction of normal tissue as well as cancer cells.'

Full article by Cliff Rosendahl, Associate Professor and course Coordinator in the University of Queensland Skin Cancer Program. (Queensland is colloquially and infamously known as the "Skin Cancer Capital of the World"): theconversation.com/science...

Note Professor Rosendahl's, closing words:

'In the future laboratory studies and ethical clinical trials might discover a beneficial role for blood-root products. But at present the use of black salve has no justifiable place in medical practice.' Perhaps yet another case of dose making the difference between a poison and a cure.

Neil

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Maybe it can be used to help a snake shed its skin, should a snake ever have a problem with that occurence. : )

[wmay13241]

Sounds like 'snake oil' to me.

[Hidden]

I personally know of two people who used it. Neither lived closed to me so I didn't see it personally. One sent pictures. He had skin cancer (so he said) on his face. He used the salve and it caused a hole in his skin that oozed. He cared for the skin with peroxide and alcohol, and in a few weeks it healed with a slight scar. I don't know if it's the same salve you're talking about, but this did look really nasty when he was using it. Naturally it ate through whatever was on his face and he said the cancer was gone, but I don't know if he ever saw a Dr. before or after he used it. I found an old email from him and this is what he used. He bought the ingredients somewhere and mixed it himself 1/3 Bloodroot Powder

1/3 Galangal Root Powder

1/3 Zinc Chloride . Have no idea what galangal root is!

[kathymac52]

In my opinion, snake oil. A good dermatologist would just remove the skin cancer surgically, tested for malignancy, and then monitor you. My husband has had two malignant melanomas and there is no way, we would’ve treated with this black salve. Lucky for us, the dermatologist caught them early.

[Hidden in reply to kathymac52]

I would have never tried it either!!!