The coal tar treatment thread

[Caroline]

Coal tar is a by product from the production of "Coke (fuel)" discovered in 1665 and first used for medical purposes in the 1800s.

The exact mechanism of action is unknown. It is a complex mixture of phenols, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heterocyclic compounds. It demonstrates antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, and antiparasitic properties. It is a keratolytic agent, which reduces the growth rate of skin cells and softens the skin's keratin.

It is on the World Health Organization's List of essential medicines and is mostly used to treat dandruff, psoriasis and head lice.

Side effects include skin irritation, sun sensitivity, allergic reactions, and skin discoloration. And as already mentioned it can be flammable.

It can also be used to seal roads (Tarmac) (Sealcoat). To fire a boiler, to manufacture paints, synthetic dyes, and photographic materials. It was also distilled to make creosote.

That was fun.

Good answer and excellent example of just trying something and finding out that it appears to work, without knowing the mechanism, only looking at the results. So different for what came after that. But in that times they did not have the opportunity to research the “why”. And apparently, nobody in this current scientific times, reaches the idea that it may be worth to research it.    It might open the road to new treatments.

Another example I have recently read, in another forum, is a guy who treated his plaques with honey. And he was very successfully with that. His plaques disappeared and the skin under it repaired.
Now The exact mechanism of action is unknown. It is a complex mixture of nutrients that are gathered by the bees.  It demonstrates antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-itch, and antiparasitic properties. It is apparently an agent, which reduces the growth rate of skin cells and softens the skin's keratin.
The advantage also is that the plaques stick to it.
Side effects are virtually zero and it has the big advantage over coal tar, that it is not inflammable.

So.... If I had to choose between coal tar and honey, I think I know the answer.

What.... !! I think I am just gonna try to cover my body with honey !!