Radium weed sap can treat sun spots and skin cancer

Human trials have shown that the gel effectively treats sun spots and lesions in two days,Peplin’s General Manager Peter Welburn was quoted as saying in a media report.

Over 125 patients involved in the trial applied the gel once a day for two days. Welburn said it successively removed every sun spot on 27 per cent of patients,with 44 per cent having partial success.

“This is the first product that has demonstrated benefit in treating sun spots on the face,neck and difficult areas to treat like the arms and back of hands,” Welburn said adding that the gel has no major side effects apart from temporary redness and flaking skin. The gel,however,does not treat Melanomas.

Peplin founder Jim Aylward said it all started when his job was on the line at the CSIRO more than 10 years ago.

“My mother knew radium weed had some great effects on skin cancer. I said one day when I lose my job I will find the active (ingredient),and that’s what I did,” Aylward said.

The gel is expected to hit the market in the United States by 2011 and in Australia soon after.