How to Use Black Salve

Black salve, or drawing salve, is a topical herbal past used primarily to treat skin cancer, skin infections and moles. The original black salve had bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) and crushed ash, but now there are several variations of herbal composition. Black salve was developed by the Native Americans to draw out infections. Other herbs common in black salve are chaparral, Indian tobacco, mullein, chickweed, comfrey, marshmallow, myrrh, Sodom's apple and zinc.

Things You'll Need

• Black Salve
• Q-Tips
• Bandages

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Instructions

How to Use Black Salve

• 1

  Get a biopsy to determine if your mole dark spot is indeed skin cancer before you use black salve. If you use black salve on skin spots that are not really cancerous, the skin will merely become inflamed. Black salve only works on neoplastic (cancerous) tissue, so using it other places, like moles, won't do much but waste the product. The only danger of using black salve is that it won't work and your cancer spreads. Consult your physician or before making decisions about how to treat your cancer.

• 2

  Remove the bandage after 24 hours. Use hydrogen peroxide and a Q-Tip to gently remove the excess salve and any other organic buildup like pus our serous fluid. If pus formation is not evident, repeat the application process for another 24 hours. Normally one application is enough for a formation the size of pencil eraser. For larger tumors, use a maximum of three applications. This maximum guideline applies only after penetration to the cancerous tissue. In other words, it may take a few applications to first get to the cancerous tissue (you will know when because of the tingling). An eschar should begin to form, which is a slough or piece of dead tissue like a scab. Cover the eschar up with a bandage to protect it. Remember, drainage is normal.

• 3

  Let the eschar fall off on its own after about 10 days, like any other scab. There is no need to forcefully remove the eschar. It should come off easily. The presence of the eschar indicates that the cancerous tissue is dying, which begins shortly after application.

• 4

  Keep the remaining pit or "deactivation" site covered and continue with your everyday bathing, and it should heal without infection. Don't worry if it looks raw and unpleasant. Apply hydrogen peroxide to it once a day to kill any lingering bacteria. Cancer returns only in rare cases. It may be advisable to perform an extra application to be sure that you get all of the cancerous tissue. Keep in mind, however, more applications increases the chances of greater scarring. To avoid unnecessary applications, the best approach is to get another test to see if any cancer remains.