Fact Check: Radiation is good for you and black salve is safe to put in your eyes

The Claim: "Radiation is good for you and black salve is safe to put in your eyes"

Introduction

The claim that "radiation is good for you and black salve is safe to put in your eyes" presents two controversial assertions. The first part suggests a positive health benefit from radiation exposure, while the second part advocates for the safety of black salve, particularly its application in the sensitive area of the eyes. Both claims warrant careful scrutiny, as they touch on topics that have significant implications for public health and safety.

What We Know

Radiation

1. Radiation Exposure: While certain types of radiation, such as low doses of ionizing radiation, have been studied for potential therapeutic effects (e.g., in cancer treatment), excessive exposure is widely recognized as harmful and can lead to serious health issues, including cancer 5. The context of "good" radiation is crucial, as it typically refers to controlled medical applications rather than general exposure.

Black Salve

2. Black Salve Composition: Black salve is an unregulated topical preparation that often contains bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) and other corrosive agents like zinc chloride 3. It is marketed as a treatment for skin cancer, but there is substantial evidence indicating that it is not safe or effective. Reports have documented severe tissue damage and infections resulting from its use 12.

3. FDA Warnings: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings against the use of black salve, labeling it dangerous and potentially life-threatening due to its corrosive properties 5.

4. Historical Context: Black salve gained popularity in the mid-20th century as an alternative cancer treatment, but it has since been discredited by medical authorities due to a lack of scientific support and documented adverse effects 6.

Analysis

Evaluating Radiation Claims

• Source Reliability: Claims about the benefits of radiation often come from specific studies or anecdotal evidence. For instance, while some research indicates that low-dose radiation can have therapeutic effects, these studies are typically conducted under controlled conditions and do not imply that radiation exposure is universally beneficial 5.

• Potential Bias: Sources promoting the benefits of radiation may have conflicts of interest, particularly if they are associated with industries that benefit from radiation technologies (e.g., medical imaging or radiation therapy).

Evaluating Black Salve Claims

• Source Credibility: The majority of scientific literature, including peer-reviewed articles, supports the view that black salve is harmful. For example, a review article highlights the significant risks associated with its use, including extensive tissue necrosis 23.

• Conflicting Information: Some alternative health websites may promote black salve as a miracle cure, but these sources often lack rigorous scientific backing and may be biased due to financial interests in selling such products 10.

• Methodological Concerns: Many claims regarding the efficacy of black salve are based on anecdotal evidence rather than controlled clinical trials. This raises questions about the reliability of such claims and the potential for confirmation bias among proponents of alternative medicine.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that "radiation is good for you and black salve is safe to put in your eyes" is false based on the available evidence. While certain controlled applications of radiation may have therapeutic benefits, general exposure to radiation is widely recognized as harmful. Furthermore, black salve has been shown to cause severe tissue damage and is not considered safe for any use, particularly in sensitive areas like the eyes. The FDA has explicitly warned against its use, reinforcing the consensus among medical professionals regarding its dangers.

It is important to note that while some studies suggest potential benefits of low-dose radiation in specific medical contexts, these findings do not support the claim that radiation is broadly beneficial. Additionally, the promotion of black salve often stems from anecdotal reports rather than rigorous scientific validation, highlighting the need for caution when evaluating such claims.

Limitations in the available evidence include the potential for bias in sources that advocate for these treatments, as well as the lack of comprehensive studies on the long-term effects of low-dose radiation outside of controlled environments. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consult reliable sources when considering health-related claims.

Sources

1. Black Salve: A Dangerous Corrosive Disguised as an Alternative Medicine. PMC
2. A Review of Black Salve: Cancer Specificity, Cure, and Cosmesis. PMC
3. Black salve: risky escharotic - PMC - PubMed Central. PMC
4. Salves and silver bullets - PMC. PMC
5. Do Not Use: Black Salve is Dangerous and Called by Many Names. FDA
6. Science or Snake Oil: what is black salve? - Faculty of Medicine. UQ
7. The safety profile of Bald's eyesalve for the treatment of infections. Nature
8. RACGP - Black salve in a nutshell. RACGP
9. Does Black Drawing Salve Treat Cancer? - WebMD. WebMD
10. Black Salve Side Effects & Black Salve Benefits for Cancer - Dr. Axe. Dr. Axe