Balm ingredients

I recently came across a product at the drugstore that I’ve been meaning to try out. But before I decided to buy it, I did some research. Some of you may have heard of “Bag Balm”. It comes in a little green tin and runs for about $10, claiming to heal chapped skin and fight infection. Although I can attest to neither, I’ve heard people say that it works. The ingredients list read: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: 8-HYDROXYQUINOLINE SULFATE 0.3% in a PETROLATUM, LANOLIN BASE. Thanks to orgo, I know how to picture 8-hydroxyquinoline! It’s function is very interesting as well. Apparently, it binds to the surface of bacteria and fungi and creates a toxic compound, poisoning and thus killing the organisms. Related structures are being tested as potential antibiotics against drug-resistant bacteria.

However, it seems that you may get more than what you bargained for, with Bag Balm. Up until a few decades ago, mercury was one of its active ingredients. I know back when science wasn’t as advanced, people even used mercury to treat syphilis, or some similar disease. These pharmaceutical mishaps make me question whether there has been enough research done on some of the products we use everyday and their long-term effects.