what do you mean?
if you have a cyst or a bite you just goop it on and put a bandaid on and it pulls the gunk out.
Ichthyol® or ammonium bituminosulphonate (CAS 8029-68-3) is a product of natural origin obtained in the first step by dry distillation of sulphur-rich oil shale. It is used in medicine as a remedy for treating some forms of skin diseases, such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. It is commonly used in an ointment in 10% or 20% concentrate as a "drawing salve", also called "black ointment". Its dermatological action was discovered by Austrian physician Paul Gerson Unna.
Composition is C28H36S5O6(NH4)2
Chemically, it is a sulphonated shale oil. It can be presented in two forms: pale sulfonated shale oil (PSSO), and dark sulfonated shale oil (DSSO). DSSO is also sometimes called ichthammol®. The last form is a thick reddish brown liquid, possessing a bituminous odor and taste. It is soluble in water and miscible with glycerin, but is nearly insoluble in strong alcohol or concentrated ether. It contains a large percentage of organically combined sulphur. Ichthyol® is incompatible with acids, alkali carbonates or hydrates and alkaloidal salts.
Pharmacologically, PSSO and DSSO have anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and fungicidal properties. In otology, a mixture of glycerol and ichthammol® (G & I) has been used for generations for the topical treatment of ear infections. It is efficient against Gram-positive organisms. The anti-inflammatory action is explained by its influence on the formation, secretion and effect of inflammation mediators. DSSO is well tolerated and no indications of teratogenic, mutagenic or carcinogenic effects have been noted.
The European Medicines Agency recently published a Summary Report on ICHTHYOL®-substances (synonym: bituminosulfonates) in course of the European Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) procedure (see report from June 2005) in veterinary medicine. The committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) decided that because of good tolerance and safety there is no need to establish an MRL for ICHTHYOL®-substances. As a result, ICHTHYOL®-substances can be applied topically in all mammalian food producing species without restriction.
Glycerol and ichthammol: medicinal solution or mythical potion?
* Nilssen E,
* Wormald PJ,
* Oliver S.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, Republic of South Africa.
Glycerol and ichthammol (G & I) has been used for generations by otologists. However, there is a paucity of information on both its mode of action and its anti-bacterial properties. The aim of this paper was to ascertain firstly, what the most common organisms found in discharging ears were and secondly, what antibacterial activity G & I had against these organisms. All ear swabs from 1992-1994 in our unit were reviewed to ascertain the prevalence of the commonly isolated organisms. Fresh isolates of these organisms were collected and plated onto agar with wells of glycerol, ichthammol and a combination of both as used in clinical practice. The diameters of the zones of inhibition observed after incubation were measured in millimetres. Common isolates were: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus mirabalis, Streptococcus pyogenes in descending order of frequency. Pure glycerol showed no significant zones of inhibition against any of the organisms tested. The average zones of inhibition for G & I and ichthammol alone were for Staphylococcus aureus 15 mm and 18 mm and for Streptococcus pyogenes: 16 mm and 23 mm. Ichthammol alone was significantly more effective than G & I (p < 0.001). There was no significant activity against Proteus mirabalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The therapeutic benefit of G & I is due in part to the inherent anti-bacterial activity of ichthammol against the Gram positive organisms as well as its anti-inflammatory action and the dehydrating effect of the glycerol.
the first is wiki and the second is from nih. just google ichthammol and it's there. anyways. i understand skepticism. i also understand practical experience. it works, whether some lab tech has decided to test it or not. maybe it only aids in speeding the natural process of your body repulsing foreign substances, but it does clear up cysts and bites.