Be very cautious with black or drawing salve

Black salve and drawing salve are terms that often refer to purported cancer remedies that frequently contain bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), a small woodland herb that grows in the north-central United States and Canada. I have used bloodroot preparations successfully for removal of moles and skin tags. (Skin tags are benign, skin-colored, rubbery growths that typically hang by a little stalk —common on the neck, armpits, groin, eyelids and other body folds). The red juice from the bloodroot is poisonous when taken internally but when used externally has a unique ability to dissolve superficial skin growths without disturbing normal tissue.

For centuries, corrosive pastes and plasters, sometimes called black salves or drawing salves, have been applied directly to skin tumors in the hope of burning them away, or rubbed into the skin over internal tumors in hopes of "drawing out" the cancer. Although dermatologists sometimes use a mixture of bloodroot and zinc chloride to remove skin cancers (a treatment known as "Mohs chemosurgery," after the doctor who invented the technique), none of the black salves or drawing salves sold today have ever been formally tested, and no scientific evidence supports claims that these products are safe or effective.

Black salves are sometimes described as "escharotics" because they produce thick, dry scabs ("eschars") such as those that form as chemical or thermal burns heal. Some people who use black salves report damage and scarring of normal tissue from them.

"Little is known about the results of self-treatment for skin cancer with bloodroot pastes sold on the Internet or dispensed by traditional healers. A report by two dermatologists published in the December 2002 Archives of Dermatology described the cases of four patients who had tried the pastes on their own. One appeared to have a complete cure, but a biopsy showed residual tumor. Another got rid of his skin cancer but was severely scarred in the process. A third was lost to follow-up, and a fourth appeared to have cured his nasal basal cell carcinoma for several years, but the cancer recurred, requiring extensive surgery. If you have a cancerous growth, you would be much better off with conventional skin-cancer treatment, which has a cure rate approaching 100 percent for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas and doesn't damage adjacent tissues.

The American Cancer Society reports that some practitioners claim that cancer salves can destroy malignant cells or draw them out of the body and that salves can cure any type of cancer without the need for such conventional treatments as surgery, chemotherapy or radiation. I would love to see these reports investigated and the salves studied.

Bottom line: If you want to try a "black salve" containing bloodroot on a skin tag or a mole, do so with caution, following careful instructions from someone expert in its use. If you are dealing with a malignant or possibly malignant growth, do not put your faith in such a product; let a dermatologist identify it and treat it appropriately.

I'm wondering if you know any good long-term treatments for blepharitis? I've been receiving treatment from my doctor for almost two years: warm compresses, eyelid washing, flaxseed oil supplements, even a long-term course of doxycycline. While this regimen has definitely helped with the dryness, it has not helped as much with the blurry vision that seems to come with it. Any advice on natural remedies?

Blepharitis is an inflammation of the eyelids. It can cause watery and red eyes, a burning sensation, itchy or swollen eyelids, blurred vision, frothy tears and loss of eyelashes. Your eyelids may stick shut in the morning because of crusting or scales on the eyelashes or on the edges of the lids.

Blepharitis can be caused by dandruff, a bacterial infection, malfunctioning oil glands in the eyelid, or acne rosacea, a skin disorder that causes redness and inflammation. Unfortunately, blepharitis often becomes chronic, which means that the eye-care routine you describe is something you'll have to maintain indefinitely to keep the condition under control.

Warm compresses will help loosen any crusting in the eyelashes. Afterward, I recommend using a cotton-tipped swab dipped in warm water to carefully rub the edges of your eyelids to remove scales. Try to do this twice a day — in the morning and before you go to bed. If you have dandruff, you'll need a gentle, nondrying dandruff shampoo or a tar shampoo. Use it daily or every other day until the dandruff goes away and then use it twice a week. I also recommend treating dandruff by supplementing your diet with black currant oil or evening primrose oil to restore moisture to your skin and hair. These supplements provide GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), an essential fatty acid that promotes healthy growth of skin and hair. Try doses of 500 mg twice a day; after six to eight weeks, when you start to see improvement, cut the dose in half. I also recommend these supplements for treatment of rosacea.

As part of your eye-care routine, I suggest using calendula ointment to soothe the area and compresses of cool, wet tea bags (either regular or chamomile). Soak the tea bags in hot water, allow them to cool and then lie down and put them over your eyes.

Finally, following an anti-inflammatory diet (visit my Web site for details) can help address inflammation, part of the root cause of blepharitis, and may alleviate overall symptoms.

Fortunately, while blepharitis can be a nuisance to deal with, it isn't a threat to your general health.