This is an old herbal formula that has been tried and tested literally thousands of times, with good success. I've personally seen "Indian Dirt," also known as "Black Salve," used successfully to remove a nasty skin cancer on a dear friend. Use this salve carefully. . . it is like doing "herbal surgery." I do not know how it works, only that it does work! First, I'll give you the formula and tell you how to make it for yourself. You will use the following ingredients:

Zinc Chloride looks like a brick of rock salt. It appears to act as a "carrier" for the two herbs. Some pharmacies carry it, about $30/lb. The two herb powders are available from Penn Herb Company 1-800-523-9971.

Place a small quanty of zinc chloride in a saucer or porcelin dish. Set the dish in a clean place for 24-48 hours. During this time, the chunks of zinc chloride will liquify by pulling moisture out of the air. Alternately, you can add a tiny amount of distilled water and let set. Once all the crystals are completely dissolved, you will have what looks like a puddle of clear water in the dish.

Next, get the two herb powders out and have two small spoons of identical size ready. The spoons can be 1/2 teaspoon size. Use one spoon for bloodroot, the other for galangal root. With each spoon, measure carefully equal quantities of each powder, 1 spoonful at a time, then stir the powder into the liquified zinc chloride using a match stick. Add more of each powder and stir again. Keep adding equal quantities of each powder and stirring with the match stick until you have a thick, black paste. Once you have the consistency you desire (not runny), scrape the salve into your storage jar (glass or plastic, with lid). Store at room temperature. Shelf life is indefinite.

For a black mole or other skin abnormality, dip a very small amount of salve from your storage container, using the tip of a stainless steel knife or other stainless steel utensil. Smear the salve on the area to be treated, taking care not to cover an area of skin larger than the size of a nickel at any one time. Cover with a bandage and leave for 24 hours. (If you desire to treat a larger area, then, use multiple applications later). The skin you treat, if cancerous or pre-cancerous, will usually begin to sting, and then it will go numb after a few minutes. Leave the bandage on for 24 hours, then remove. Using a cotton ball and 3% hydrogen peroxide, wash away any remaining salve and cleanse the area. The area treated will usually be creamy white in color, and will be numb to touch. Clean the area well, and apply Vitamin E to moisten, then cover with a clean bandage. Repeat the cleaning process daily, cleaning with 3% hydrogen peroxide, applying Vitamin E to moisten, and cover with a clean bandage. Repeat the process daily.

After a few days, depending on the depth of the dead tissue, the core can be lifted out like a large pimple, using a sterile knife point or tweezers. You will now see an open sore, a crater, sometimes pretty deep. Continue to clean the sore with hydrogen peroxide, moisten with Vitamin E and cover with a clean bandage daily, until the sore has completely filled in and healed. To minimize scarring, keep the area moist with Vitamin E and covered with a bandage until the wound is completely healed and no longer weeping.