Black salve is an ointment made with an herb called bloodroot. Black salve, also called black ointment, may resolve a variety of ailments, but it also has the potential for dangerous side effects. Bloodroot contains the active ingredient sanguinarine, which can be harmful if not applied appropriately. Always consult your physician before using any alternative remedy to treat a serious health condition.
History
Native Americans first used black salves containing bloodroot to treat a variety of skin conditions, sore throats, cancers and rheumatic pains. Bloodroot is a wildflower that grows primarily on the Atlantic coast of North America, from Nova Scotia to Florida. The bloodroot herb comes from the root of this flower. This herb also produces a red dye which the Native Americans used for war paint.
Palindromic Rheumatism
Palindromic rheumatism is the sudden swelling of tissue in the joints, or of the joints themselves. These attacks may be difficult to predict, cause pain in the joints and disable the sufferer from full use of the affected area. The swelling and pain in the joints completely disappear between attacks of palindromic rheumatism. If palindromic rheumatism progresses into rheumatoid arthritis, the pain may become chronic. When rubbed onto the affected skin area, black salve penetrate abnormal tissue and may stimulate healthy tissue growth. Black salve's sanguinarine content may help the pain of rheumatism, but black salve is not a medically proven cure for rheumatism.
Ringworm
Black salve may also help to fight ringworm. Ringworm is a fungal infection that leaves ring-shaped rashes on top of your skin. Ringworm may occur after direct contact with another person who has the infection. You can also get ringworm from contact with an animal or object that has the microorganisms that lead to ringworm. After contact with an afflicted person, animal or object, the fungus lives on the outer layer of your skin. You may be susceptible to ringworm if you have a weak immune system, share garments or live in crowded conditions. To treat ringworm with black salve, apply the ointment directly to the affected area of your skin, as black salve's antiseptic properties may combat the ringworm fungus.
Theories/Speculation
According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, black salve with bloodroot has several other uses, including bone resorbtion, cancer-fighting properties, the ability to fight infection and plaque removal. The root of all of these uses come from the anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of black salve. However, black salve is not a proven cure for any of these ailments.
Warnings
The active ingredient, sanguinarine, has potentially toxic effects, so dosage is very important. If you plan to use sanguinarine as part of a toothpaste or plaque-removing solution, be sure to stick to the manufacturer's guidelines. If you plan to use bloodroot tincture to treat a sore throat, use no more than 10 drops at a time, with a maximum of three doses per day. Consult a medical professional before any use of black salve with bloodroot in order to avoid painful side effects.
