DMSO: The Real Miracle Solution

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Due to the nuclear alert in Japan and its likelihood to affect the United States and other parts of the world, I decided to carry this article which I wrote for the Dot Connector Magazine‘s issue N. 12.

First, a little bit of background.

Radiation produces free-radicals (“inflammatory molecules”) that damage cells that make up tissues such as organs, glands, muscles, and bones. Besides causing the cells to age more quickly they also become distorted, or mutated, creating cancers such as leukemia, anemia, birth defects, and other diseases.

Sulfur has a long history of use as an antidote for acute exposure to radioactive material. DMSO is the classical sulfur compound. A Japanese study showed that even low concentrations of DMSO had radio-protective effects through the facilitation of DNA double-strand break repair, providing protection against radiation damage at all cellular levels in the whole body.

Remember that boosting your body’s detox capabilities and overall anti-oxidants levels is a key to survive in these stressful times. Being on a detox diet is crucial to regain health in a toxic environment. Our extensive experience and research shows that those on a no grain/low carb (no gluten) and non dairy diet fare MUCH better.

For more information on how to protect yourself from nuclear radiation, see:

Treatments for Nuclear Contamination

Iodine Treatments for Radiation Exposure

Greenmedinfo.com – Radioprotective

DMSO is an effective pain killer, blocking nerve conduction fibers that produce pain. It reduces inflammation and swelling by reducing inflammatory chemicals. It improves blood supply to an area of injury by dilating blood vessels and increasing delivery of oxygen and by reducing blood platelet stickiness. It stimulates healing, which is a key to its usefulness in any condition. It is among the most potent free radical scavengers known to man, if not the most potent one.

In 1866, Russian scientist Alexander Saytzeff isolated a most curious and peculiar chemical compound. It was crystalline, odor-less, non-toxic and had a garlic-like taste when consumed. At the time, Saytzeff had no way to predict that his discovery was going to prove highly controversial throughout its entire medical history, that it was going to be tested in thousands of studies, providing miraculous relief in numerous patients.

I’m talking here about dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), an organic sulfur compound which was used only as an industrial solvent, that is, until its medical properties were discovered in 1963 by a research team headed by Stanley W. Jacob, MD.
DMSO is a by-product of kraft pulping (the “sulfate process”) which converts wood into wood pulp consisting of almost pure cellulose fibers. As industrial as it may sound, the process simply entails a treatment of wood chips with a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfide, known as white liquor, breaking the bonds which link lignin (from the Latin word lignum, meaning wood) to the cellulose.

DMSO is useful as a pain reliever, in burns, acne, arthritis, mental retardation, strokes, amyloidosis, head injury, scleroderma, it soothes toothaches, eases headaches, hemorroids, muscle strains, it prevents paralysis from spinal-chord injuries, it softens scar tissues. In fact, it is useful in well over 300 ailments and it is safe to use. You would think that a compound that has so many alleged uses and benefits will be automatically suspect, but careful examination of its properties and the data available will shed some light in this miraculous chemical.

Sulfur: The Stuff of Life

DMSO is an intermediate product of the global Sulfur Cycle which distributes bioavailable sulfur for all animal and plant life (Parcell, 2002). Sulfur compounds are found in all body cells and are indispensable for life, they are needed for a number of chemical reactions involved in the detoxification of drugs and other harmful toxins, and they have potential clinical applications in the treatment of a number of conditions such as depression, fibromyalgia, arthritis, intersticial cystitis, athletic injuries, congestive heart failure, diabetes, cancer, and AIDS (Parcell, 2002). Among the sulfur compounds, DMSO is probably the one that has the widest range and greatest number of therapeutic applications ever shown for any other single chemical. It has around 40 pharmacological properties that may be beneficial in the prevention, relief or reversal of numerous diseases (Morton, 1993).

Someone complained to Dr. Jacob of a splitting headache and gave him permission to apply some DMSO after hearing of its capabilities. The headache was gone in minutes, came back in four hours, and left for good after DMSO was applied a second time. Used for one purpose, sometimes it did another; put on a cold sore, within a few hours it cleared up a woman’s sinusitis. A woman who had had a stroke found after DMSO was painted on her painful jaw that she could now write with her paralyzed hand and could walk better. (Haley, 2000)

Therapeutic Properties

DMSO is an effective pain killer, blocking nerve conduction fibers that produce pain. It reduces inflammation and swelling by reducing inflammatory chemicals. It improves blood supply to an area of injury by dilating blood vessels and increasing delivery of oxygen and by reducing blood platelet stickiness. It stimulates healing, which is a key to its usefulness in any condition. It is among the most potent free radical scavengers known to man, if not the most potent one. This is a crucial mechanism since some molecules in our bodies produce an unequal number of electrons and the instability of the number causes them to destroy other cells. DMSO hooks on to those molecules and they are then expelled from the body with the DMSO.

 

 


DMSO also penetrates the skin and the blood-brain barrier with ease, penetrating tissues, and entering the bloodstream. Furthermore, DMSO protects the cells from mechanical damage and less of it is needed to achieve results as time passes as oppossed to most pharmaceuticals where increasing doses are required. It has a calming effect in the central nervous system and it reaches all areas of the body, when absorbed through the skin, including the brain. That is, DMSO applied to one area often leads to pain relief in some other location due to its systemic effect.

It acts as a carrier for other substances or drugs and it also potentiates their effect. In fact, certain drugs dissolved in DMSO, such as corticoids, antibiotics and insulin, may be used in a lower dose than usual without reducing their therapeutic efficacy and in addition, their undesirable side effects are greatly diminished. Also, drugs are able to pass through the blood-brain barrier which is usually impenetrable.

DMSO promotes the excretion of urine and functions as a muscle relaxant. It boosts the immune system, increasing the production of white cells and macrophages that destroy foreign material and pathogens in the body. It also has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. DMSO also increases the permeability of cell membranes, allowing a flushing of toxins from the cell.

DMSO has radioprotective properties against lethal and mutagenic effects of X-rays in cells, cellular systems and whole animals. It also has cryoprotective properties, meaning that it is capable of protecting against injury due to freezing.
DMSO has also been shown to have anti-cholinesterase properties (Sams, 1967), in other words, it inhibits an enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine, increasing both the level and duration of action of this important neurotransmitter. Acetylcholine is responsible for learning and memory and is also calming and relaxing. Acetylcholine is also a major factor in regulating the immune system, acting as a major brake on inflammation in the body.

As a source of sulfur, DMSO aids in heavy metal detoxification. Sulfur binds with toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, aluminum, cadmium, arsenic, nickel) and eliminates them via urination, defecation and sweating.

FDA and Big Pharma Obstacles

DMSO is sold in health food stores, mail-order outlets, on the Internet, and in most countries around the world. It is used by millions for its health benefits yet in the U.S., DMSO has FDA approval only as a preservative of stem cells, bone marrow cells, and organs for transplant, and for interstitial cystitis – a painful inflammatory condition of the bladder which is very difficult to treat with other therapies.

That DMSO has not found favor as a remedy for other medical conditions is partly due to the inability to test it in double-blind experiments. Blind studies, as the name suggests, requires that a study be done without knowing which patient is taking the placebo or the drug. In the case of the DMSO, a blind study is impossible since the peculiar garlic-like taste and smell (no matter the route of application) gives it away and no satisfactory placebo could be devised that would mimic this particular effect of DMSO (Steinberg, 1967).

The FDA and big pharma would prefer we remain dependent on their drugs.


If you search for DMSO on the U.S. National Library of Medicine (pubmed.gov), you’ll get almost 30,000 indexed results, making it one of the most studied compounds of our time. Yet, we are led to believe that DMSO can’t pass the required regulations for its approval in other medical conditions even though its effectiveness and low toxicity profile is unquestionable.

You see, DMSO is a common chemical that can be manufactured cheaply. No drug company can get an exclusive patent since it is also a natural compound, therefore there is no significant financial return. In fact, an executive of a major drug company is quoted as saying, “I don’t care if DMSO is the major drug of our century and we all know it is, it isn’t worth it to us” [CBS TV show 60 minutes with Mike Wallace, The Riddle of DMSO]. If DMSO were to be approved by the FDA, it would be competetive and drug companies would be unable to hold the patents. In the words of the director of the Bureau of Drugs of the FDA, J. Richard Crout, M.D., “DMSO is a low toxicity and safe compound (…) I think that it is a fact of life that drug companies are not going to invest in something unless they think there is some financial return” [CBS TV show 60 minutes with Mike Wallace, The Riddle of DMSO].

Despite restrictions on the use of DMSO, thousands of Americans purchase it on the ‘black market’ each year, its popularity due not to publicity, but rather ‘word of mouth’. When you have something that relieves all kinds of ailments, including some life-threatening ones, people naturally recommend it to friends and family!

In Perspective

In the 1960s, research with DMSO on humans was temporarily halted after certain animals treated with DMSO were found to have changes in the eye lens. Some of these changes resembled those seen in aging dogs (Gordon, 1967), but nevertheless, research was gradually restarted after no evidence was found of eye changes in humans. As Daniel Haley reports in his book Politics in Healing: “Tests in rabbits, dogs, and pigs (but not humans) had shown some problems. When quantities of DMSO equal to about ten times the maximum human dose were given every day over a period of six months, slight changes in the lenses of the animals’ eyes would result, enough to produce a slight nearsightedness. The lens changes were not enough to cause dogs difficulty when running – they didn’t bump into things – and in some cases, the changes disappeared after the massive DMSO doses were stopped. In no test at that time or since has DMSO ever caused cataracts, either in animals or in humans” (Haley, 2000).

In fact, DMSO is effective for macular degeneration and retinal disease, both diseases of the eye. This effectiveness was first discovered when patients with retinitis pigmentosa, a retinal disease, were taking DMSO for certain musculoskeleteal disorders. They sensed that their vision had improved and some had remarkable results (Morton, 1993).

As far as eyes are concerned, the evidence on DMSO is quite to the contrary. When several patients treated with DMSO for muscular problems reported to Dr. Jacob that their vision had improved, he sent them to Dr. Robert O. Hill, ophthalmologist at the University of Oregon Medical School. Confirming the favorable changes, Dr. Hill began his own experiments with DMSO (after it was known that the lens changes did not happen in humans). His research showed drops of 50% DMSO to be effective in retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, and presented a report on this at the New York Academy of Sciences symposium in 1971. (Haley, 2000)

In contrast, the number of medication-related deaths in the U.S. is estimated at over 200,000 a year, making medications the third or fourth leading cause of death (Pezzalla, 2005). Even common pain relievers called NSAIDs, examples of which include Advil, Motrin, Aleve and aspirin, account for an estimated 7,600 deaths and 76,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. every year (Tamblyn et al, 1997). Taking this into consideration, it is safe to declare that DMSO is among the safest substances in the world today. In fact, the classic test for toxicity -the LD-50 test – measures the lethal dose (LD) at which half of a group of test animals is killed. The LD-50 tests for aspirin and DMSO show that aspirin is seven times more toxic than DMSO (Haley, 2000).

Quick Guide and Ailments

DMSO is generally applied to the skin in a gel, cream, or liquid. It can be taken by mouth or as an intravenous injection, in many cases along with other drugs. It has also been administered subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intraperitoneally, intrathecally, by inhalation, instilled into the eye, on the mucous membranes, and into the urinary bladder. Strenghs and dosages vary widely.
If you are just dealing with pain or an injury, use a topical application. Don’t drink it. Drinking it is for serious detoxing and other internal necessities. If you use a rose scented DMSO cream, chances are that nobody will be able to smell DMSO’s garlic-like smell.

DMSO being distilled.

 

The usual oral dose of DMSO is one teaspoon per day of DMSO 70% (Morton, 1993). But since it can trigger detoxification reactions and DMSO’s total excretion from the body can take several days, it is best to do it only once a week. Start with half a teaspoon of DMSO 50% and increase to a teaspoon of DMSO 70% only if any possible detoxification reaction is well tolerated.

When you use liquid DMSO in the skin, let it dry for over 20 to 30 minutes before wiping the rest out. The skin must be clean, dry, and unbroken for any topical use of DMSO. The face and the neck are more sensitive to DMSO and no higher concenrations than 50% should be applied there. Topical concentrations of DMSO should be kept below 70% in areas where there is a reduction of circulation. When 60 to 90% DMSO is applied to the skin, warmth, redness, itching, and somtimes local hives may occur. This usually disappears within a couple of hours and using natural aloe vera, gel or cream, will help counteract or prevent this effect. When 60 to 90% DMSO is applied to the palm on the hand, the skin may wrinkle and stay that way for several days.

“My brother put some DMSO gel (70% dmso, 30% aloe vera) on his shoulders and lower part of neck because he had muscle pain/soreness in that area, and it caused skin redness/irritation for a few hours, although it did diminish the muscle soreness as well…my grandma has rheumatoid arthritis that made her legs swell up and hurt continuously, and I had her apply the same DMSO gel, and after about 2-3 days of applying it once a day, the swelling was 90% gone, and I think within 4-5 days it was 100% gone, and she said the pain diminished as well.” – Michael Shatskiy, Los Angeles, California, United States

Chronic pain patients often have to apply the substance for 6 weeks before a change occurs, but many report relief to a degree that had not been able to obtain from any other source. In general, the greater the chronicity of the disorder, the longer the treatment with DMSO must be employed in order to achieve palliation (Steinberg , 1967).

Common health problems for which people will apply topical DMSO at home include acute musculoskeletal injuries and inflammations. The earlier DMSO is used, the more dramatic the result. A 70% concentration of DMSO mixed with water in volumes ranging from 8 to 12 ml, applied on and around the injury in a wide area at least three times daily, will have a healing affect in 4 out ot 5 people.

Arthritis, Sprains, Strains

It provides rapid amelioriation of pain and increased mobility and reduction of inflammation when used topically. You can see a positive response within 5 to 20 minutes and usually lasting for 4 to 6 hours. (Steinberg, 1967).

“Applying DMSO where it hurt to a six-year-old wasted from rheumatoid arthritis, in a half hour the child could move her shoulder and turn her head for the first time in two years. Persuaded to try walking, she managed a few steps and then burst into tears. “Why are you crying?” Dr Jacob asked her. “Because it doesn’t hurt anymore”, she replied. (Haley, 2000)

“My brother has arthritis of the spine. He is in pain and bedridden more than half the time. When he is treated with DMSO, he is able to lead a normal, active life… Just one application of this cheap, safe DMSO changed my brother from a grimacing patient into an active, pain-free man in exactly 30 minutes!” (Haley, 2000)

June Jones, once quarterback and later coach of the Atlanta Falcons pro-football team, had a bursitis calcification in his right shoulder. His career almost didn’t happen as he could hardly lift his arm, let alone throw a football. But he was aware of DMSO and had used DMSO for sprains, like thousands of others. He received a shot of DMSO in the shoulder and after using DMSO for 30 days straight, the calcification disappeared. (Haley, 2000)

Stroke

Given soon after a stroke, DMSO can dissolve the clot that causes the stroke, restoring circulation and avoiding paralysis. Once DMSO gets into the body either daubed on the skin, given in I.V., or by mouth, it permeates the body and crosses the brain barrier, so even taken orally it can improve circulation. Ideally it should be I.V.

DMSO products

DMSO is available in various formats.

 

Even though DMSO 40% causes a prolongation of bleeding time, it is still indicated for use in treating embolic or hemorrhagic stroke. DMSO is superior to any other treatment for wounds to the brain where a great deal of bleeding is present (Morton, 1993).

One man who had a stroke at 7:30 AM refused to go to the hospital until after his wife had spoken with Dr. Stanley Jacob, which didn’t happen until 6:30 PM. Starting at 7 PM the day of the stroke, she gave him one ounce of 50% DMSO in a little orange juice every 15 minutes for two hours and then every half hour for two hours. The next day, her husband was better and soon returned to normal. A substance that can stop a stroke as it’s happening is something many might want in their home medicine chest .(Haley, 2000)

Angina, Heart Attacks, Injuries of the Brain and Spinal Chord

DMSO may help neutralize harmful effects on the heart and brain in medical disorders involving the head and spinal chord injury, stroke, memory dysfunction, and ischemic heart disease (Jacob, de la Torre, 2009). A 40% DMSO solution should be administered within four hours to be effective, within ninety minutes is best.

After I.V. administration of DMSO, there is an elevation in the amount of spinal cord blood flow to the region of trauma. One of the first things that happens after spinal cord trauma is that a reduction of oxygen and blood flow sets in, inasmuch as the blood vessels constrict or shut down… Without some treatment, the tissue swells. Eventually, this leads to paralysis. In a cerebral stroke, the animal will either become comatose or lethargic or die. With DMSO infusion immediately after injury (or stroke) all this is prevented. – Dr. Jack de Ia Torre, professor of physiology and neurosurgery at the University of New Mexico

Dr. Stanley Jacob has even given DMSO intravenously to people who were already paralyzed – paraplegics – and some regained use of limbs. One man, quadraplegic, recovered enough to go through college and then to work in a bank. (Haley, 2000)

Infections

When combined with antibiotics, DMSO will convert bacteria which are resistant to a given antibiotic to being sensitive to that same antibiotic and probably a 80 to 90 per cent solution of DMSO will be required in order to be clinically useful ( Pottz, Rampey, Benjamin,1967). DMSO has been used to transport antibiotics to hard-to-reach areas of the body with excellent results, such as the bone marrow and brain (Sanders, 1967).

DMSO can dissolve a virus protein coating, leaving the virus core unprotected with its nucleic acid exposed to the immune system. Applied topically, it alleviates the lesions that occur as a result of Herpes Zoster, shingles (Morton, 1993).
Placed into the nostrils or topically in the face, DMSO can open blocked sinuses within a few minutes and it has been used with sucess in patients with polyps (Marvin, 1967).

DMSO can clear up gum disease and reduce tooth decay and their pain by painting it on the involved areas.

“I have some pharmaceutical grade DMSO and I pour about two teaspoons in a glass in the evening, put my 20 mg of doxycycline in it, add about 2 teaspoons of distilled water, and then swish it around in my mouth for about 2 or 3 minutes and then swallow it. So I guess it is about 50% solution. It’s really working on my mouth. That inflamed area of my jaw has calmed down about 70% in just a couple of days. Or more, actually. I expect it to be completely soothed by tomorrow after tonight’s dose of DMSO.” – Laura, Toulouse, France

Keloids, Scars, Burns, Bruises

A concentration of 50 to 80% put on two or three times a day will flatten a raised scar after several months. It is of considerable value in superficial burns (Goldman, 1967) and when applied quickly to an injury, it can eliminate any bruising.

“I have been applying it to my face for two weeks… I had a bout of acne in March, and this healed the damage pretty well but what amazed me is that my hyperpigmentation (melasma) has also faded very noticeably. In fact, it’s amazing!” – HG, United States

“I diluted a 50% solution and applied it topically to the inflamed lymph node. I applied it again this evening. I am totally amazed! There is a noticeable decrease in the size of the node, in just two applications! And it no longer feels matted. This node has been swollen for over 20 years!!! – Melissa Medlock, Coldwater, Michigan, USA

Podiatry

DMSO can be effective in the treatment of painful corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, bunions, hammertoes, heel spurs, and the inflammation of gouty big toes.

Varicose veins and thrombophlebitis

Topical DMSO can whiten telangiectasias, small dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin. It can also decrease the size of varicosities in the legs and the inflammation that goes with it, along with a relief of their cramping discomfort (Marvin, 1967. Blumenthal, Fuchs, 1967).

Eye problems

One drop of a 25% DMSO solution (diluted in sterile physiologic or saline solution) once or twice per day is useful for eye problems, including cataracts or glaucoma.

“DMSO is amazing, I’ve also read various good results with using it in the eyes. Being the adventurous type myself, today I diluted DMSO down to 30% and put 2 drops in one of my eyes that has been having red spots around the iris. The red spots diminished drastically. The only side effect was a slight burning sensation, similar to those drops you get when one goes for a glaucoma test, without the side effect of dilated pupils.” – DZ, United States

Headaches

DMSO is highly effective in vascular headaches and in muscular tension which so often goes with headaches. It may be used on hairy areas such as the scalp and it also may be used near the eyes. A 90% solution is more effective (Ogden, 1967).

Mental Disorders

DMSO has been useful in the treatment of patients with the following diagnoses: (1) overexcited states (acute schizophrenic reactions, manic phase of the manic-depressive psychoses, alcoholic psychoses, symptomatic psychoses); (2) some symptoms of the chronic psychoses (autism, stereotypia, negativism, abnormal behavior or delusional states) ; (3) severe neuroses (anxiety reactions, obsessives)( Ramírez, Luza, 1967).

McGrady called special attention to an extraordinary paper presented by Dr. Eduardo Ramirez and Dr. Segisfredo Luza of the Ayetano Heredia University in Lima, Peru. After extensive tests on animals and then on normal humans, Dr. Ramirez reported “injecting 50% or 80% DMSO intramuscularly into patients with acute and chronic schizophrenia” and that “of the 14 acute cases, every single one was discharged from the hospital within 45 days after the start of DMSO treatment… He said that 4 of the 11 chronic cases, one of whom has been ill for 14 years, were discharged eventually, and the other 7 improved a great deal and were given occupational therapy… He observed rapid decrease in agitation… recession of persecution feeling, a relatively sudden tendency to communicate and to stay clean.., the wane of obsessions, return to alertness, and a calmness where there had been restlessness and anxiety”. (Haley, 2000)

Genitourinary disorders

DMSO has been used in the treatment of a number of patients with various genitourinary disorders, including Peyronie’s disease, interstitial cystitis, acute epididymitis. Some have obtained dramatic and gratifying relief of symptoms (Persky, Steeart, 1967).

Miscellaneous

DMSO in conjunction with other treatments has shown to regress cancer in a very effective way (Ayre, 1967). Intravenous administration of DMSO markedly reduces pathological intestinal permeability while preserving the gut’s absorption capacities (Wang et al, 1996). Considering that gut permeability (‘leaky gut’) has a fundamental role in chronic degenerative diseases, this is of great clinical importance.

DMSO also has excellent results in the skin of people afflicted with scleroderma, results which have never been observed with any other method of therapy (Scherbel et al, 1967).

Mrs. Jean Puccio of Washington, DC testified at hearings of Senator Edward Kennedy’s sub-committee on health in 1980 on her recovery from scleroderma. Diagnosed in 1971, she was told that no medication would help, and that she would probably soon face a wheelchair and early death. By the time she found Dr. Jacob (through word of mouth), she told the Senators, “I was having difficulty breathing, walking, and eating”. The disease “thickens the tissue and makes your skin so tight you cannot move. It was difficult for me to drive, to turn the ignition in my car or turn my body”. Her dentist could not work on her for awhile because she could not open her mouth. “Now I can open my mouth like anybody”, she said. After her sensitized skin burned from topical application of DMSO, Dr. Jacob suggested taking it orally. “Within six months”, she testified, “my condition reversed almost immediately. I can do anything anybody else can do now” (Haley, 2000).

Hopefully, this brief overview of DMSO’s great capabilities has helped to illustrate how it is indeed, the cure of our times. I’m convinced of its therapeutic power, both by my own experience and that one of scores of people, not to mention the back-up of published scientific literature. Its uses and applications make it a very handy compound to have on your medical shelf. In pure form, the life of DMSO is indefinite, so it may be used for years.

 

Several books have been published on the benefits of DMSO.

 

Troubleshooting

The garlic-like body odor and taste in the mouth that some experience is attributable to a specific DMSO metabolite: dimethyl sulfide (DMS), a component of natural onion and garlic flavors (McKim, Strub, 2008). This can last for one or two days and in a small number of people, especially men, the odor can be very pungent. Drinking enough water will help diffuse the smell. Other side effects – such as stomach upset, headaches, dizziness, and sedation – are very likely related to detoxification reactions prompted by the DMSO.

Only purified and properly diluted DMSO should be used. When you dilute a pure DMSO solution, always do it in distilled water. When it is applied, the skin site as well as the applying hand should be thoroughly cleaned before application. This is of utmost importance as DMSO’s properties allow contaminants to be absorbed through the skin and transported into the bloodstream.
DMSO is known to be one of the least toxic substances in biology (Parcell, 2002), so any serious side effects should come from potential contaminants or the intake of concomintant drugs that DMSO will carry into the body. Worth repeating again, DMSO and any substance dissolved in it, will penetrate the skin, the blood-brain barrier, and other parts of the body very fast.

Remember also that DMSO increases the effects of drugs like blood thinners, steroids, heart medicines, sedatives, etc. In addition to that, acetone or acid contamination of DMSO can lead to serious medical consequences. Be aware of this problem when buying unreliable DMSO. A pure DMSO solution will turn solid (like ice) in the refigerator within 2 hours. If, when the frozen bottle is turned upside down, little rivulets of water flow through the ice, you probably possess the veterinary grade DMSO. This is a 90% concentration. Ten percent is distilled water (Morton, 1993).

Women are discouraged from using DMSO during pregnancy or breastfeeding, even though DMSO is used to preserve frozen human embryos. DMSO can interfere with liver function tests and give a false reading. That problem is easily solved by waiting a week after DMSO usage before taking the test.

Long-term use has been documented as safe. Eye damage, reported in laboratory animals, has not been confirmed. Side effects such as skin rash and itching after topical application, breaking up of blood elements after intravenous infusion, can be avoided in large part by employing more dilute solutions. Despite these side effects, DMSO is used as a preservative for blood elements and stem cells (McKim, Strub, 2008).

When DMSO is diluted with water, heat is released. The bottle will be warm to the touch. This is a temporary, harmless reaction.
Since DMSO causes dryness and scaling of the outer layer of the skin, skin diseases characterized by scaling (psoriasis) could be aggravated by the use of DMSO. But DMSO applied topically for only a few days has been useful in psoriasis. Prolonged use of DMSO for the treatment of psoriasis is not advised however, as it can worsen the psoriatic condition (Engel, 1967), only DMSO taken orally is suggested.

“I’m happy to say that taking DMSO in conjunction with implementing the detoxification suggestions that were given is starting to take care of many of my remaining psoriasis problems. A couple areas are still being stubborn, but I’ve noticed a lot of general improvement. Using DMSO topically also helped improve a patch of eczema that my wife has been bothered by for quite a while.” – Peter Norquest, Tucson, Arizona, United States

DMSO2, a derivative of DMSO, is better tolerated and doesn’t have the odor and irritation side effects. Despite this positive aspect, it hasn’t surpassed the effectiveness, fascination and popularity of DMSO. It is also known as methylsufonlmethane or MSM, an entire topic for another article by itself!

Sulfur is an element of the earth and it is essential to life, it as among the most prevalent elemenents in the human body. Allergic reactions to sulfur are not possible because sulfur has no protein component. When people are ‘allergic to sulfur’, what they really mean is that they are allergic or sensitive mainly to certain sulfur-containing drugs or proteins, most notably sulfa antibiotics (sulfonamides) or to sulfites (preservatives used in wines and some foods), or to foods with a high sulfur content (broccoli, cauliflower, garlic, onions, etc). Many individuals with allergies to sulfa drugs, sulfites, or high sulfur containing foods (like the author) do not experience problems taking DMSO, because apart from sulfur, DMSO bears no relation to these substances.

As always, proceed with caution, do your homework, and consult a health care provider in case of doubts.

References

Ayre JE, LeGuerrier J. Some (regressive) effects of DMSO dexamethasone upon cervical cells in cervical dysplasia and carcinoma in situ. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):414-22.
Blumenthal LS, Fuchs M. The clinical use of dimethyl sulfoxide on various headaches, musculoskeletal, and other general medical disorders. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):572-85.
Engel MF. Indications and contraindications for the use of DMSO in clinical dermatology. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):638-45.
Goldman J. A brief resume of clinical observations in the treatment of superficial burns, trigeminal neuralgia, acute bursitis, and acute musculo-skeletal trauma with dimethyl sulfoxide. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):653-4.
Gordon DM. Dimethyl sulfoxide in ophthalmology, with especial reference to possible toxic effects. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):392-401.
Haley Daniel. Politics in Healing. Potomac Valley Press, 2000.
Jacob SW, de la Torre JC. Pharmacology of dimethyl sulfoxide in cardiac and CNS damage. Pharmacol Rep. 2009 Mar-Apr;61(2):225-35.
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Pottz GE, Rampey JH, Benjamin F.Ann- The effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on antibiotic sensitivity of a group of medically important microorganisms: preliminary report. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):261-72.
Ramírez E, Luza S. Dimethyl sulfoxide in the treatment of mental patients. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):655-67.
Sams WM Jr. The effects of dimethyl sulfoxide on nerve conduction. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):242-7.
Sanders M. Discussion. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Volume 141, Biological Actions of Dimethyl Sulfoxide pages 649 – 652, March 1967.
Scherbel AL, McCormack LJ, Layle JK. Further observations on the effect of dimethyl sulfoxide in patients with generalized scleroderma. (Progressive systemic sclerosis). Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):613-29.
Steinberg A. The employment of dimethyl sulfoxide as an antiinflammatory agent and steroid-transporter in diversified clinical diseases. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1967 Mar 15;141(1):532-50.
Tamblyn R, Berkson L, Dauphinee WD, Gayton D, Grad R, Huang A, Isaac L, McLeod P, Snell L. Unnecessary prescribing of NSAIDs and the management of NSAID-related gastropathy in medical practice. Ann Intern Med. 1997 Sep 15;127(6):429-38.
Walker Morton. DMSO Nature’s Healer. New York: Avery, 1993.
Wang XD, Wang Q, Andersson R, Ihse I. Alterations in intestinal function in acute pancreatitis in an experimental model. Br J Surg. 1996 Nov;83(11):1537-43.

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Comments

  1. catherine  November 21, 2016

    Can I just rub this on my bladder?
    I have a ton of doctors with a ton of different diagnosis’s
    Tired of the take this and that, when they are in doubt
    When eat yogurt, potato’s, squash,,,anything high in potassium seems to burn like a 5 alarm fire..
    I was fine until 4 years ago , I had hernia surgery and after that, I burned 24-7 down there..
    I know they used the catheter on my and after an MRI from one doctor, he said I had soft tissue damage on the urethra … (Least he found something)
    He said it would heal in time,,,what time??? I already had it for 4 years!
    As I said, it does get worse when eating veggies & yogurt.
    So can I just rub this on and get any type of relief?

    reply
    • Gabriela Segura, MD  November 21, 2016

      I would try D-mannose too. You can use DMSO topically, but I’m not sure you’ll find the relief you need. Even though the initial trigger was traumatic, I would work on several anti-inflammatory approaches at once: diet, saunas, topical DMSO and supplements such as vitamin C and D-mannose.

      reply
    • Edward Staniszewski  February 14, 2017

      I have severe tennis elbow pain. After researching i bought 16oz DMSO on Ebay, and 100% organic cold pressed castor oil. I was going to mix these 50/50 with distilled water and use for topical solution.
      But after reading, would it be more beneficial to drink?

      reply
  2. shell  November 21, 2016

    Will this help heal my bladder if I use it topically ?

    reply
  3. Frank Johnson  November 26, 2016

    Will topical applications of DMSO help trigger finger?

    reply
  4. Kamila  November 28, 2016

    I am wondering why there isn’t concern about buying DMSO in plastic bottles, it being a solvent? Should it only be purchased in glass? Thank you!

    reply
  5. jay blaut  December 2, 2016

    I have a blood clot in my r leg, arterial & the vein, the extreme pain is only in the lower calf on down. no pulse so far but colour looks good. Im unable to take blood thinners as in the past they raised hell with me.
    I am taking DSMO1/2 tablespoon 3 x’s a day orally & 3x’s on the leg. 1 week into the clot now & applying the DSMO.
    Its been 2 years or more of no clots, happened after having to take antibiotics after food poisoning.
    I feel DSMO is a true God sent as its the only thing I have found that helps break up the clots after several weeks or more depending on the size.
    My question is as I do well with DSMO, If I continue to take a daily does after this orally for ever to keep the fribrin from getting sticky & keep the blood clean, I feel it may pervent new clots, I was looking at taking 1/2 oz per day at 100% strength. Does this sound ok & if so should there ever be any time off on taking it.
    Thank you in advance for your efforts to help, its great to have someone like you who cares. Jay

    reply
    • Gabriela Segura, MD  December 2, 2016

      Jay, is great to hear that DMSO has helped you so much. Modifying your protocol will depend on your improvement. You can try vitamin E, omega 3s (6-10 capsules/day), magnesium and other blood thinning supplements before you decrease the DMSO dose. Some frankincense oil should help too. When you take these supplements, you can try decreasing the DMSO dose. Hope you recover succesfully, best!

      reply
      • jay blaut  December 2, 2016

        Thanks so much for the reply.
        I do take a tablespoon or more everyday now of a good wheat germ oil, I was taking the vit e caps earlier but the oil seems to work a bit better for me, as it seems more natural. I also do take a very good full omega 3 made of quality squid, I also eat lots of seafood as I live in the Philippines where we have lots of good fish. I do take the highest quality natural vitamin & mineral powder I could find, it has magnesium but I am considering a quality spray on magnesium for better absorption.
        I will look into the Frankincense oil as I have no experiance so far.
        I will do as you suggest on the balancing.
        Do you feel that taking the 1/2 oz per day of DSMO is the right amount, along with your suggestions may do the trick on the long hall on keeping the blood cleaner, to keep the fibrin level low or blood platelet stickeyness down, to prevent future or new clots.
        I was not able to confirm how much DSMO Dr Stanley jaboc took per day but I believe it was 1 oz per day.
        Again thank you so much, you’ve been very helpful, Jay

      • Gabriela Segura, MD  December 2, 2016

        Jay, the problem is that there are so many factors that there is no cut and dry dose for everyone. Specially considering that you are aiming to block clot formation. In the testimonials quoted in the article, some used a teaspoon every day. Others who were having a stroke, used DMSO every few minutes or so. I think it is reasonable to aim for one or two teaspoons of DMSO per day. I think that is what most people used or suggest.

        Hope you get better!

    • Argery  February 9, 2017

      What brand do you use that you ingest it. I know it can be ingested but I have also read that you have to be careful doing so. Great that you are having relief with it!

      reply
    • Argery  February 9, 2017

      I have a liquid form of DMSO. It just says 99.995% pure but it doesn’t tell me if it’s mixed with anything. Is DMSO typically mixed with something like water?

      reply
  6. Kamila  December 2, 2016

    Hi Gabriela,

    I’m not sure if you missed my comment above, but what are your thoughts on glass vs plastic?:) thx!

    reply
    • Gabriela Segura, MD  December 2, 2016

      Kamila, the aim is to use DMSO from glass. However, keep in mind that DMSO that comes in glass was once in a plastic container. I was told once by a chemist that it didn’t matter though. Best!

      reply
      • Kamila  December 2, 2016

        Thank you!!

  7. Bob Postal  February 7, 2017

    Can DMSO be used in conjunction with Hydrogen Peroxide to enhance teeth whitening?

    reply
  8. Mukhtar Ahmed  February 9, 2017

    Injesting DMSO should this be done neet or diluted to say 50% or 25% in disstilled water?

    reply
  9. Bob Postal  February 14, 2017

    Bob Postal February 7, 2017

    Hi Gabriela,

    Please reply to my question.

    Can DMSO be used in conjunction with Hydrogen Peroxide to enhance teeth whitening?

    I have been in the dental products business for 46 years and hold 37 patents in the healthcare field so I’m sure we would have a lot to talk about sometime.
    Thanks,
    Bob

    reply
    • Gabriela Segura, MD  February 14, 2017

      Hi Bob,

      I’m unaware of this combination. I don’t have time to do some research about it. Hope you find your answer.

      reply
  10. george  February 20, 2017

    Will it eliminate nail fungus on a Thumb & athletes foot , Fungal etc

    reply
    • george  February 20, 2017

      Thanks I’ll check back after my bike ride 1hr George

      reply
    • george  February 20, 2017

      I wanted to to say Nailfungus on my thumbnail & athletes foot fungal rash on thumb. No where else though.Will it eliminate nail fungus on a Thumb & athletes foot , Fungal etc

      reply
      • Gabriela Segura, MD  February 20, 2017

        Instead of DMSO, do a search on potassium permanganate.

      • Brett Donovan  February 23, 2017

        My own experience which was successful was to paint the affected nails with DMSO 70/30 wait 20 mins,then apply clove oil and cover it with a band aid. Took six weeks but it has gone.

    • george  February 20, 2017

      What do you think Your comment is awaiting moderation.
      Will it eliminate nail fungus on a Thumb & athletes foot ,HELP , GEORGE

      reply
  11. Brad  February 23, 2017

    I finally got my DMSO and diluted it down to %70, but it doesn’t mix with oil. I think I have to use emulsifier (vegetable glycerin?)
    Any tips?

    reply
    • Brett Donovan  February 23, 2017

      perhaps the way to dilute it would be with the oil not the water?

      reply
    • Gabriela Segura, MD  February 28, 2017

      DMSO doesn’t combine well with oil. Some people mix DMSO cream with oils though.

      reply
      • Mr Richard Spurr  December 9, 2020

        A Poultice of DMSO (50% ) with cornflour/gelatin delivers some benefits but a simple spray seems better.

  12. joy  March 2, 2017

    How do you determine if DMSO is pharma grade? I have a bottle that looks much like the white one in your picture (99% purity), but the text has slightly different information. It was purchased from a Tractor Supply company (does that suggest that it might not be pharma grade?). The back of the container lists a caution to avoid contact with the eyes. I was going to use it in the eyes.

    reply
    • Mark Butler  March 3, 2017

      DMSO freezes at about 20 degrees celsius so to test it for purity, put it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. If it’s 99% pure there should be no liquid in the bottle. I have used this 99% grade in my eyes (diluted to 30% with distilled water).

      reply
      • joy  March 4, 2017

        Thank you for your reply. I noticed that test in an earlier comment and I didn’t know that the 99% was necessarily the same thing as being appropriate for human eyes. When I saw the caution to avoid the eyes, it made me nervous. Many thanks, again!

      • joy  March 29, 2017

        I did put it in the refrigerator and it was not completely frozen after a couple of hours though it was partially frozen. I didn’t leave it in for more than three hours and maybe I should have. I thought maybe I needed to look for 99.9% purity or something since it wasn’t frozen through. But I returned it and now after the reminder from you that 99% is safe, I’m wondering if what I had was safe. That caution to keep away from eyes really made nervous. Does your bottle have a statement of caution with eyes? Do you use it with a physicians guidance? Thank you again.

    • clyde mcwhorter  March 20, 2017

      think that is industrial, that is what I use, but just found pharma grade on Amazon, but at twice the cost.

      reply
    • Keith  March 24, 2017

      Look online at http://www.kvlab.com

      reply
  13. John  March 3, 2017

    Hey there Y’all. Does ne one know if dmso spoils goes bad or looses it potency over time. Say after six months or so of shelf life…

    reply
    • Mukhtar Ahmed  March 4, 2017

      You need to specify Gel or Liquid and percentage it is.

      reply
  14. Johnny  March 5, 2017

    Hey Gabriela, I just had bilateral TKR 7 weeks ago and have used DMSO 99.9% a few time since. But i stopped because i did not know if it would have a detrimental effect on the plastic parts or the glue that was used to attach the metal implant to the bone? I have Dr. Walkers book and i read your article (same info). But dont see this subject addressed. But the fact that it would help with swelling, scar tissue, pain etc. seems like it would be exactly what would help greatly with recovery?

    reply
    • Gabriela Segura, MD  March 5, 2017

      It’s not addressed, but I know of people who have used DMSO in prosthetic surgeries. So far, no major problems.

      reply
  15. Johnny Sharpe  March 16, 2017

    I have peripheral neuropathy (numbness and pain) in my toes and bottom of my feet. Will DMSO help, and in what proportion? I also have a dark reddish skin condition near my ankle probably blood congealing from poor circulation.

    reply
    • Brad  March 17, 2017

      Didn’t help me much, but I can’t say it won’t work for you. It’s worth a try.
      I benefited from Andy Cutler chelation.
      Lecithin and benfothiamin are also useful.
      ALA is both dangerous and beneficial (see cutler’s protocol)

      reply
  16. Mike  March 21, 2017

    Can I use DMSO to heal bone spurs. I have bone spurs in both of my heels. I would like to begin running again, but my feet hurt too much because of the spurs. I was wondering if DMSO will help, which kind or concentrate version, and if there is something else I should take along with it.

    reply
  17. Keith  March 24, 2017

    I’m thinking of making a topical solution of 50% DMSO (99.9% purity, professional formula) and 50% CBD oil to apply to my wife’s cancer site. Is there any reason not to try this? Would 70% DMSO be better? I want the DMSO to be the carrier to transport the CBD oil toward the tumor. I’m thinking about a solution that can be applied with a roller ball.

    reply
    • Mark Butler  March 24, 2017

      I don’t know anything about using CBD but usually DMSO on the skin is used at a 70% mixture, i.e., 70% DMSO diluted with 30% distilled water. Using 100% DMSO on the skin can cause some irritation.

      reply
  18. Dr Robin Mitchell  March 28, 2017

    What is the process or formula to make DMSO ?
    Can i make this at Home in its purity without compromising or loss on a moleculier level ?
    I am also a Veteran who has been Exposed to many forms of manmade elememts of destruction or WOMD, NBCI&G Warfare Agents…ie DU, Agents Orange…VX, DM..
    We were told our Equitmt and Training would protect us…wrong.
    Many Holistic Healers, Doctors, Herbalists, Shaman are missing, murdered, assaulted by Big Pharma, Corporations and Monsanto..

    Blessed be we are thee that know and can see..

    Crone “Robins”
    NorCal

    reply
  19. Mark Butler  March 28, 2017

    I doubt you could make it yourself, and given that it is inexpensive it would not be worth even trying. DMSO is a by-product from the pulp and paper industry. It’s what is left over after wood fibres are treated with sodium sulfide, sodium sulfite and sodium carbonate to remove the lignin that holds the fibres together. The leftovers are further processed to get varying degrees of purity. You can purchase 99% pure DMSO on line, which is fine to use as long as it is actually 99% pure.

    reply
  20. Stan Uy  April 9, 2017

    Gabriela,

    I have eye pain due to Trigeminal neuraglia. I don’t want to apply it on or near my eye. Where can I apply it to ease the pain? Thanks.

    Stan

    reply
    • Gabriela Segura, MD  April 9, 2017

      Just nearby the main trigeminal ganglia and around the eye would do. Best.

      reply
      • Stan uy  April 19, 2017

        Pain has subsided and now more tolerable. Thanks.

  21. Chris  April 15, 2017

    How about tinnitus, mine has acted up again and I am wondering if there is a treatment that has been used that may help?

    Thanks
    Chris

    reply
    • Gabriela Segura, MD  April 17, 2017

      I’ve heard of more positive results with melatonin, zinc, taurine and iodine therapy.

      reply
      • Chris  April 19, 2017

        Thank you .

  22. MARY ANN  April 17, 2017

    I have a macular pucker, scar tussue, which is causing blurred vision after cataract surger. Can I dilute my 99,98% pharma grade DMSO to use in my eye to reduce the scaring?

    reply
  23. Margaret  April 17, 2017

    I have a spinal cord injury that I got in 2015. have been in and out of spinal injury hospital but not much progress. how can I use dmso to alleviate my condition and how long may it take me considering I have a c6 injury?

    reply
    • Gabriela Segura, MD  April 17, 2017

      The research done a few decades ago called for parenteral use of DMSO. This is not done in conventional medicine anymore, although you can use topical DMSO to alleviate inflammation in the area.

      reply
  24. Margaret  April 17, 2017

    I have a spinal injury i sustained in 2015.I have tried all treatments but they’re not really working. How can I apply dmso i. e how much, oral or topical and where?

    reply

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