Black Salve Treatment for Leishmaniasis

There are no photos from José's first visit to Dee's; this picture shows when the dressing was removed
in Cerro Azul. As you can see, not all of the parasite and affected flesh came out, plus the black salve
on the second, smaller leision closer to his nose was still attached.

Cerro Azul: José—An Amazing Success Story

In March, 2007 José came to Dee's with Jimmy for his initial black salve application, but since then we've treated him at Jimmy's house in Cerro Azul. The leishmaniasis lesion on José's cheek was huge, one of, if not the worst facial sore we've seen, and he had another one between it and his nose. We were concerned about their long-term affect on his face, but he was so calm and stoic that we quickly stopped worrying and left it to providence.

It was one of the few times that the whole parasite and affected flesh didn't come out with the removal of the initial dressing. We knew it was very painful, but José sat peacefully as we used tooth picks to remove as much as possible and to remove the salve and parasite from his second sore. But, since his third visit, José's improvement has been truly amazing, considering the extent and location of the leishmaniasis.

Some of that improvement is due to José's continuing use of cacao butter. He applies it on a regular basis, and his sore has vastly improved. It's too soon to tell, but we hope that even the scar from his lesion will be gone in time. Here are photos documenting José's remarkable progress [click smaller images for larger versions.]:

Second Visit:

This picture shows the application of the Redmond clay to the area where the affected flesh came out, after the removal of the first dressing. The center area, where some of the parasite remained, received a fresh application of black salve.

Vaseline was smeared over everything and a dressing applied. We hoped for better results at José's third treatment session.

Third Visit:

When the dressing came off during José's third treatment, most of the remaining parasitic area came out. That which didn't was coaxed with a tooth pick until, eventually, it was all removed.

The wound was then cleaned extensively, packed with the Redmond clay, which acts like a natural antibiotic, and smeared with vaseline before the new dressing was applied.

Fourth Visit: José's wound looked remarkly well by his fourth visit, a truly amazing recovery from what promised to be a disfiguring wound.

It was then that he started applying the cacao butter. He also continued to attend the Wednesday clinic so he could help and learn.

May 16, 2007:

By the time this photo was taken José no longer came to the clinic for treatment. He came every Wednesday to help others experience the wonderful results he did. If you click on the small picture, you can see on the larger version that all that remains of his lesion is a quickly disappearing scar.

August 1, 2007:

Our last picture of José illustrates why we were all so amazed. Click on the photo to see how complete his healing has been.

Black Salve Treatment for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Case

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	Second Visit: This picture shows the application of the Redmond clay to the area where the affected flesh came out, after the removal of the first dressing. The center area, where some of the parasite remained, received a fresh application of black salve. Vaseline was smeared over everything and a dressing applied. We hoped for better results at José's third treatment session.
	Third Visit: When the dressing came off during José's third treatment, most of the remaining parasitic area came out. That which didn't was coaxed with a tooth pick until, eventually, it was all removed. The wound was then cleaned extensively, packed with the Redmond clay, which acts like a natural antibiotic, and smeared with vaseline before the new dressing was applied.
	Fourth Visit: José's wound looked remarkly well by his fourth visit, a truly amazing recovery from what promised to be a disfiguring wound. It was then that he started applying the cacao butter. He also continued to attend the Wednesday clinic so he could help and learn.
	May 16, 2007: By the time this photo was taken José no longer came to the clinic for treatment. He came every Wednesday to help others experience the wonderful results he did. If you click on the small picture, you can see on the larger version that all that remains of his lesion is a quickly disappearing scar.
	August 1, 2007: Our last picture of José illustrates why we were all so amazed. Click on the photo to see how complete his healing has been.