I write this post for those who do not believe that the ‘traditional’ medical system holds the cure for their cancers.

Unfortunately, they may be right.

As far as I can tell, our fight against Cancer has been an almost complete failure if achieving long term ‘cures’ is used as the definition of success.

We may not kill as many with our therapies as they used to, but I do not believe that we can claim significant across-the-board cure rate improvements either.

Frankly, we have not gotten our money’s worth from the research that we have been funding.

These beliefs did not come easily. But, hard analysis of what I have known but refused to admit and what I have seen but refused to see has led me to consider all possibilities in my search for a way to extend my family member’s life.

Thus, I have found myself having to read and consider proposals and claims that are difficult to wrap my head around.

The contents of this book – ‘Cancer Salves – A Botanical Approach To Treatment’ –  is a good example of what I am talking about.

The author, Ingrid Naiman, is a rich source for information about alternative medicine’s cancer treatment techniques and the history behind them.

She details one thread of that history in this book – the history of the use of escharotic salves and pastes and tonics to treat cancers.

It is an extremely interesting book, and an amazing series of stories and information that she shares.

Although these techniques are probably most effective when used to treat non-metastatic tumors that are close to the surface, I cannot guarantee that this is the limit of their utility.

I assure you, this is information you will not find being provided to you in your doctor’s office.

She provides a historical backdrop for the reader while explaining in great detail how the salves and tonics are believed to work, and how to use them. A wealth of practical advice and information relative to the strengths and weaknesses of the various products and techniques is also woven into the book’s narrative. Additionally, there are recipes for different versions of these salves, pastes and tonics in the back of the book – information that it would be difficult for most people to track down in time.

Now for a caveat. These salves can be dangerous in the hands of someone who does not know what he/she is doing. You can see the results of not knowing what is going on and how to properly apply them at this web address: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Cancer/eschar.html .

I have exchanged several e-mails with the author. She is an amazing fountain of information – and I would encourage anyone looking for alternative paths to go to her website, read the information that is posted there, establish communications with her.

The link to one of her websites is http://www.cancersalves.com/ .

It is possible that what you are looking for is there.

As always, Pharmacists Pharmacist. Doctors Doctor. Don’t try to deal with these salves on your own. Get your physician involved – and be very, very careful.