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Black Salve Bloodroot Warnings and Side Effects

May 24, 2011 | By Canaan Downs

For over a century, black salves have been used in alternative medicine as a topical treatment for skin cancers. With the rise of allopathic medicine at the start of the 20th century, however, the use of escharotic, or caustic, salves began to decline. Although countless different formulations of black salve exist, all contain both zinc chloride and bloodroot, the rhizome of Sanguinaria canadensis. Proponents believe that black salves work by causing chemical burns, killing cancer cells in a manner similar to laser or radiation treatment. The Food and Drug Administration, however, has not approved the use of these products for the treatment of skin cancers. If you are considering using black salves, consult with an experienced health care professional.

Bloodroot Risks

The FDA and FTC have acted against the import and sale of black salves, inferring that the skin damage and scarring caused by the use of black salve is produced by bloodroot extract. According to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, bloodroot's anticancer activity is well-established, effective partially by inducing cancer cell apoptosis. While it is true that bloodroot does indeed contain powerful proteolytic enzymes, these alone cannot be responsible for serious skin damage. In fact, bloodroot has been used as an ingredient in dental hygiene products as a treatment for gingivitis. It is also used internally in veterinary medicine as an antiparasitic agent. Zinc chloride, however, reacts exothermically -- producing heat -- when mixed with water, and is the likely cause of skin burns, notes MSKCC.

Zinc Chloride Risks

Zinc chloride is a caustic chemical used in black salves. It penetrates the keratin layer of the skin weakly, making it necessary to debride cancerous skin before application. It is believed to cause more damage to cancerous cells than healthy cells, a major reason for the resurgence of interest in black salves. The concentration of zinc chloride, however, is a significant factor in the severity of chemical burns caused by the salve. According to Michael Tierra, co-founder of the American School of Botanical Medicine, salves containing zinc chloride in concentrations of greater than 40 percent are known to cause chemical burns, scarring and occasionally permanent disfigurement. Black salves containing only 30 percent zinc chloride are arguably equally effective, but significantly less dangerous, says Tierra. Salves containing a high concentration of oils from plants like neem or olive are believed to improve skin healing and reduce scarring, although they require an additional two to five days of treatment.

Self-Treatment Risks

One of the greatest risks associated with escharotic therapy is self-treatment. It is difficult to find a medical professional who is willing to administer black salve as a cancer treatment. Attempting to use black salve without medical supervision has resulted in several cases of serious injury, disfigurement and death. Pain management is also challenging when self-treating with black salve; the first three days of treatment are excruciating for a minority of patients, making the use of prescription-only painkillers desirable. As with most treatments for skin cancer, there is a possible need for reconstructive surgery after treatment.

Diagnostic Risks

Folk medical recommendations for concluding the course of treatment include ceasing treatment after the escharotic scab has sloughed off naturally. It is critical that you work with your health care professional and perform tests to see if cancerous cells remain after the conclusion of treatment. As with any cancer, remission is a significant risk. For this reason, regular health monitoring is needed.

References

Article reviewed by Christine Brncik Last updated on: May 24, 2011

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