DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide)
What is DMSO?
DMSO properties
DMSO remedies
DMSO side effects
What is DMSO?
DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is a simple organic compound found in most animals and plants. Most DMSO is produced as a by-product of the wood and paper manufacturing industry. It has been in use as a commercial solvent since 1953.
You can buy it as a liquid. It is cheap, cannot be patented, and has many healing and therapeutic properties. Approximately 10,000 articles have been written on its medical and clinical properties.
DMSO properties
- It can quickly penetrate the skin and other membranes without damaging them. This ability to pass through membranes seems to be most effective at a concentration of 70 - 90% DMSO in water.
- DMSO stimulates blood flow.
- It can carry other compounds into a biological system. This ability to penetrate the skin or membranes enables it to rapidly and conveniently carry a wide variety of substances into the body, particularly the blood vessels and bloodstream. Vitamins, supplements, pharmaceuticals can all be taken in this way. Harmful substances can also be carried into the blood, so if your skin is dirty, or is covered with skin cream, sun cream, cosmetics, oil etc, and you rub DMSO on top of it, you can feel very ill as these products quickly enter your body.
- Smell. Within a minute of rubbing it on the skin, an odd garlic / spirit odour emanates from the mouth. The social problems caused by this smell may be a reason why it has not been widely marketed and used. This odour has also made double blind studies almost impossible, as the testers can smell exactly which subjects are using the DMSO.
- Sulphur. It is a means of taking supplementary sulphur, and in this respect is similar to MSM.
- It is a low-toxicity solvent.
DMSO remedies
In Australia, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, and Japan, doctors and health professionals prescribe it for a variety of ailments. In the USA its only approved uses are for interstitial cystitis and the preservation of organ transplant tissue.
- arthritis. Rheumatoid and other forms of arthritis.
- Burns.
- Topical analgesic. Apply to the skin for rapid pain relief. It is widely used by athletes for sprains and sore muscles. It is a useful first aid for burns, cuts and sprains, providing almost immediate relief for up to six hours.
- Inflammation. DMSO is an antioxidant, free radical scavenger, and reduces inflammation. It is particularly effective for inflammation in the genital and urinary tracts.
- Auto-immune ailments. Relief of many such ailments.
- Scleroderma.
- Interstitial cystitis.
- Nervous system trauma.
- Raised intercranial pressure.
- Head trauma.
- Anti-bacterial.
- Nail fungus. It is often combined with antifungal medications, enabling them to penetrate not just skin but also toe and fingernails.
DMSO side effects
- Smell. A slightly garlic spirit smell on the breath within seconds of applying DMSO.
- On high doses, it may cause a slight headache.
- Can cause redness, itching or stinging in the area where it is applied to the skin. Apply gently. Test first, don't use too much.