Black Salve

Many people use the term black salve and drawing salve interchangeably, but the two salves perform different functions. One is very safe to use, while the other can cause severe scarring and disfiguring. It’s important before purchasing an herbal remedy to know the different between black salve and black drawing salve.

Know the difference between black salve and drawing salve.

Salves and Their Uses

Throughout history, herbalists and healers have prepared salves to rub into wounds and heal external ailments. Salves treated burns, cuts, scrapes, splinters, and more serious lesions. Most salves contain plant-based elements in a base of wax, honey, clay or similar agents.

Black Drawing Salve

The most famous black salve is black drawing salve. Medicine chests in olden times often contained a tube of this gooey black ointment. The active ingredient in black drawing salve is ichthammol. Ichthammol is a coal-tar derivative, and while natural in origin, is not an herbal remedy. Black drawing salves are great for "drawing out" or encouraging the body to expel foreign material, such as splinters, glass shards, or stings. Black drawing salve is safe to use externally as directed.

Bloodroot Salve

A second type of salve that is also black in color, and often called black salve, is bloodroot salve. Made with the herb bloodroot or Sanguinaria canadensis, bloodroot salve was the only treatment available for skin cancer prior to the 20th century. Bloodroot salve is considered escharotic, which means that it causes tissues to die or burn off. Bloodroot is only approved by the FDA for use in small quantities in certain beauty products. Colgate-Palmolive was experimenting with a bloodroot extract in toothpaste for the treatment of plaque, for example. Bloodroot salve can cause serious injury if improperly used.

Black Salve

Bloodroot salve is most frequently referred to by its other name, black salve. Some herbalists, naturopaths, and conventional physicians have prescribed black salve to treat skin lesions. There are numerous problems with this approach.

Cancer Can Spread

Many people seek black salve as home remedy to remove skin cancer. They find out that they have skin cancer, and are afraid of conventional treatment, or simply prefer a home treatment method.

There are several problems with this approach:

• Cancer can spread: Skin cancer, like many other cancers, can spread. That’s why it’s important for anyone diagnosed with cancer to be thoroughly checked for additional cancer sites. Cancer may not be contained to just one area such as the skin. By using a substance like black salve to remove the skin cancer or lesion, you may be able to rid yourself of the lesion, but if the cancer has spread, you’ll need additional treatment.
• Burning and disfigurement: Recently, a Georgia doctor was accused of prescribing black salve to patients with breast cancer. The salve caused such extensive burning that nine women were left with excruciating pain and severe disfigurement. The doctor is currently under investigation and denies the claims.

One study conducted by Drs. McDaniel and Goldman and published in the Archives of Dermatology followed four patients who used black or bloodroot salve as part of their treatment for various skin cancers. The doctors’ conclusion is that the salve is not effective and may cause serious harm. Conventional methods treat skin cancer more effectively over the long run.

Sometimes Herbs Aren’t the Answer

Although it would be wonderful to report that herbal and alternative medicine offers the cure for all illnesses, the truth is that like conventional medicine, it’s wonderful for some things but not for others. Such is the case with black salves and cancer treatment. While typical black drawing salves are fine for minor skin complains and treating splinters, black salves that contain bloodroot can cause serious skin burns and may not cure cancer.

Be safe, and be smart, and always consult a physician if you suspect you have skin cancer. Before embarking on a course of treatment using alternative remedies for cancer, make sure you find a good herbalist or naturopath you can work with, and include your oncologist in the conversation. While at first it may seem impossible to find a medical doctor who understands and is open to alternative treatments, there are some who will listen to what you have to say.

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