What is crema de caracol?

What to call it ?
Crema de caracol - Bava de caracol - Baba de caracol
Conch cream - Helix cream
Snail cream - Snail slime cream - Snail slaver.
It's also used in a gel and in soaps.

What Wikapedia says:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helix_aspersa

What is it supposed to do?
In Medieval times snail slime was used to aid the healing of burns.

There is a medieval recipe for collecting the slime. It involved putting snails into a pot. Pouring sugar on them and they left their slime behind as they 'hurried' up the sides of the pot to escape.
To find out more visit Kentwell www.kentwell.co.uk during a Tudor recreation and visit the Still Room. Thank you to Mistress Alice for the recipe.

In other countries claims can be made that cannot be made in the EU so please treat the following with caution.
In South America it is said crema de caracol reduces wrinkles, fades scars and stretch marks. Some brands make further claims such as it can help reduce the scarring of acne or aleviate the symptoms of excema and psoriasis.

If anyone knows of any scientific tests that have been done on it I would be interested to know. Contact anne@littlechile.co.uk

Does it work?
Opinions are varied -
http://www.webhealthanswers.com/CaracolCream/
http://www.beautifulreview.com/CaracolCream.html
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Body-and-Soul/Beauty/Question542941.html
http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/index.php/chatroom/topic/28405

"I was given some when I went to Chile. I think I'm looking younger - but it could be because of the fabulous time I had there and the friendship of all the lovely people I met."
Anne of Little Chile

"I had dry peeling skin around my fingernails and used the caracol cream on it and they look perfect now."
Anne's sister.

"Can you get me another pot? It worked on my flaking skin and my sister in law would like to try some."
A lady at a fair.