by Ali Holden
5 years ago
What is DMSO?
Put simply, DMSO is the real answer to treating pain, inflammation and more…naturally.
What if there was a simple solution to the daily misery of pain – that was affordable, easy to use and had no detrimental side effects. Sounds like another quack-pot right?
And yet you couldn’t be more wrong, it really is as miraculous as people claim – I’ve tested it out – and seen the results first hand. It works. Which is why I’ve made DMSO top of my list as a natural alternative to NSAIDs, painkillers and more.
Does DMSO really work?
Let’s take a closer look at DMSO as imagine you want to know if it works and how it works. And believe me, I want to get you through this quickly so you can just get on with using it.
Perhaps it’s my northern blood because I don’t do BS. When it comes to natural health protocols I have one simple question…..does it work? (Like, does it really help people get well without doing any harm)!
And I have to say, I’ve used DMSO on myself and in my practice – and the answer is an astonishing YES.
In a clinical setting – (which also includes individuals on my detox retreats and my nutrition diploma students)…..the results have ranged from nothing less than helpful to nothing short of miraculous.
As part of a nutritional healing wellness program, I’ve seen great results with my own eyes: individuals who came to us IN a wheelchair, literally walking out the door by the end of just one week; debilitating tinnitus gone in 1 week; pain medications drastically reduced; mobility drastically improved…….rapid wound healing; speedy tissue repair (e.g. frozen shoulders); elimination of headaches; reduced arthritic pain; cured back pain; reduced oedema; improved memory.
Even Pets
I’ve even used DMSO as part of my dog’s rehab protocol for a shoulder injury. And by the way, her physio also treats horses and reports knowing many vets who use DMSO routinely in the treatment of equine muscle or joint injury.
I could go on. This is the tip of the iceberg…..
Why haven’t I heard of DMSO
Same old story I’m afraid – profits before health. DMSO has a mighty range of clinical uses but it can’t be patented (owned and sold for profit), this is why you probably haven’t heard of it.
DMSO vs NSAIDS
Question: Why should you bother with DMSO?
Answer: Because there’s a really dark side to painkillers
Millions and millions of people in the U.K. and across the world now rely on a class of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Many who take this type of drug are unaware that they often cause more harm than good. Especially the older you get.
According to Dr Mercola, compared to people who don’t use NSAIDs, there are some shocking risks associated with their use:
- 40-60% increased risk of cardiovascular problems
- Gastrointestinal disturbance
- 80% increased risk of miscarriage
- 10-30% increased risk of allergic reactions
- 60% increased risk of heart failure.
And more…..including death.
We are paying a high price for corporate greed.
Ironically, the discovery of DMSO may even be responsible for the explosion in the number of non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs and painkillers on the market today.
Terry Bristol, PhD believes that:
“it was the DMSO discovery that spurred pharmaceutical companies on to the development of other varieties of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. Pharmaceutical companies were saying that if DMSO can do this, so can other compounds,” says Mr Bristol. The shame is that DMSO is less toxic and has less in the way of side effects than any of them”.
Of course, anyone suffering from pain caused by back issues, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, headaches, menstrual cramps etc…..knows that pain is no laughing matter.
Chronic pain can be crippling, affecting mood, relationships, work and family life. It’s natural for people to seek ways to relieve it.
And the pharmaceutical companies rely on us treating the symptoms of a condition (i.e. Pain), with their drugs.
Millions of pain riddled ‘customers’ bring massive profits in pursuit of some relief – believing NSAIDs to be one (if not the only) way to get some respite from daily suffering.
DMSO is an effective analgesic (without the side effects of death or suffering).
On the up side, I’m telling you about it now…….and it’s brilliant.
About DMSO
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), is an organic sulphur compound. It contains a high concentration of naturally occurring, bioavailable organic sulphur – this means that it contains sulphur molecules that your body can easily use – at a cellular level.
This is important because most forms of sulphur found in nature are toxic to the human body. Organic sulphur is a crucial way to deliver sulphur to our cells, which in turn, delivers some stunning health benefits.
Many of its medical properties were discovered in 1963 by a research team headed by Stanley W. Jacob, MD.
Why is organic sulphur so important?
Sulphur: The Stuff of Life
Every living cell, plant or animal, contains sulphur. Given that the human body is a collection of trillions and trillions of cells, if we want to have a happy body – we first have to have happy cells.
Since organic sulphur plays an essential role in the oxygenation and detoxification of all living things…..you could say without fear of contradiction, that it is the key to life.
Sulphur is the unsung hero in our quest for great health
Can I get organic sulphur from my diet?
As a Naturopathic Nutritionist, I would prefer to get what I need to keep me well by eating real food, including high sulphur foods, such as:
Fish, grass-fed beef, free-range poultry, nuts, legumes, eggs and Cruciferous Vegetables (Watercress, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, turnips, bok choy. radish).
It can also be found in Allium group (garlic, onions, leeks and chives).
Do I need to supplement with organic sulphur?
We get sulphur by eating the plants, in turn, they get sulphur from the soil via the ‘sulphur cycle’.
A generation ago, we switched from manure as a fertiliser to chemical based fertilisers…..this has led to the mass destruction of the ‘sulphur cycle’ in agriculture. We now know that this has created one of the biggest global deficiencies ever known – a sulphur deficiency.
The situation is chronic, so I’m sad to admit that it isn’t always possible to get what we need from diet alone – which is especially the case the sicker you are.
Supplementing with organic sulphur is not only a good idea…..I think it’s pretty crucial for most of us.
MSM – Most people will have heard of the nutritional supplement, MSM. Well, MSM is made from (and is a less pure version of) DMSO.
Both DMSO and MSM contain organic sulphur molecules – in recent years, MSM has become one of the hottest selling nutritional supplements as swarms of people with health problems report fantastic results, some that borderline on the miraculous.
Benefits of DMSO (Organic Sulphur)
There are literally thousands of documents relating to the efficacy of organic sulphur……the list of benefits is longer than an orangutans arm.
Take a look at the list below – these are just some of the conditions it can help – it gives you a clue as to how powerful it is.
What Health Conditions can DMSO (Organic Sulphur) Be Used For?
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint inflammation, any chronic pain, bursitis, tendonitis, musculoskeletal pain, muscle cramps, leg cramps, migraine headaches, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hangover, allergies, parasitic infections of the intestinal and urogenital tracts, scleroderma, scar tissue, stretch marks, sun/wind burn, eye inflammation, oral hygiene, periodontal disease, wounds, cuts and abrasions, chronic constipation, sour stomach, ulcers, diverticulosis, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), mood elevation, obesity, poor circulation, type 2 diabetes, liver problems, Alzheimer’s disease, lung disorders including emphysema and pneumonia, autoimmune disorders, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and just about any other ailment you can name.
There are 2 MAJOR BENEFITS of DMSO that I want to highlight:
1. It’s a Cellular warrior: helping us to Detox and Re-Nourish at a cellular level.
Those who have met me, know I’m a great advocate of cleansing techniques, as much as I’m a massive fan of good nutrition. So I’m all over anything I find that helps detox or nourish our body (cells).
DMSO does both. Cleanses and nourishes.
There is no other mineral or nutrient that works as well for protecting, building and restoring health…..because of its capacity to detox and repair…..all in one.
Since this article is specifically about pain and natural alternatives to pain management – we have to firstly acknowledge pain is a symptom of another problem.
To eliminate, reduce or manage pain, we have to get to the underlying cause of it.
The cause of all disease is toxicity.
The temple of ALL disease is held up because cells are full of toxins (waste that the cells cannot get rid of).
A toxic cell is also a cell that cannot fully repair itself. Leaving it undernourshed, lacking the materials urgently needed to repair itself – leaving us sick and tired.
The solution to all disease is cleansing.
Organic sulphur demolishes the temple of disease by detoxifying cells (including heavy metals and waste molecules built up over decades of poor living).
Simultaneously, it increases your cells ability to access and use all the good nutrients needed for growth and repair. A win-win.
2. DMSO reduces Inflammation
Naturopaths know that excessive inflammation is at the heart of nearly all disease.
There two primary ways DMSO reduces inflammation.
- As a free radical scavenger: this powerful antioxidant aids repair at the site of injury by removing the build up of free radicals that gather there.
- It stabilises membranes: slowing or stopping leakage from injured cells.
Clinical backing
“We use DMSO intravenously as well as locally,” says Stephen Edelson, MD, F.A.A.F.P., F.A.A.E.M., “We use it for all sorts of inflammatory conditions, from people with rheumatoid arthritis to people with chronic low back inflammatory-type symptoms, silicon immune toxicity syndromes, any kind of autoimmune process…..
It really is a dramatic treatment.”
(Environmental and Preventive Health centre of Atlanta),
How to use DMSO
Organic sulphur is either taken orally (usually as MSM), or via the skin – transdermal, which is how I use it.
Note: you cannot overdose on organic Sulphur
Transdermal (via skin)
By rubbing or wiping DMSO onto your skin, it will rapidly be absorbed into your blood. Effectively, your skin eats it for you (bypassing the digestive system).
Prepare DMSO solution:
You will need:
- 1 x Glass spray bottle
- 1 x bottle of 99.9% pure DMSO solution
- 1 x bottle of Distilled water
For general use, in the glass spray bottle, mix a pure solution of DMSO (99.9%) to distilled water in a concentration of 70:30 (70% DMSO to 30% distilled water e.g. 350mls DMSO to 150mls distilled water).
Method:
- Prepare the skin. The skin site, as well as the applying hand, should be cleaned before application.
- Use 5+ ‘sprays’ and apply liberally to clean skin by rubbing it all over your body (focussing on and around any injury or over a ‘problem area).
Frequency
Use once daily (often before you shower is practical) – or use it as often as gives relief.
(My mum leaves her DMSO spray bottle by the loo – each time she spends a penny, she wipes the DMSO solution over her arthritic knee)!
DMSO can be rubbed onto the skin then immediately washed/wiped off, or left on the skin for 10 minutes or longer.
Top ideas
1) Prevention: Immediately use DMSO if you experience the onset of any ‘acute’ symptoms, such as headaches, colds or stomach ache etc by rubbing DMSO over the area.
2) Be Chemical free: only use natural hair and skin products: DMSO will penetrate the skin, the blood-brain barrier, and other parts of the body very fast. It’s properties allow contaminants to be absorbed through the skin and transported into the bloodstream. For this reason – do not apply anything that is not natural to the skin, including shampoo, gels, creams or lotions….not that you’d want to anyway.
Contra-indications:
DMSO is a carrier and it opens cell membranes.
In short – it will enhance the performance of any medication or natural therapeutics (e.g. Nutritional supplements, herbal remedies etc) you currently take.
This is not a down side if your goal is to reduce or stop any dependency on drugs, but it is something you (and your health professional) should be aware of and understand before embarking on its use.
It may be especially important to monitor blood sugar levels, liver/kidney function or hormone levels (e.g thyroxin) more frequently if you have any pre-known conditions.
People taking blood thinners should not use DMSO.
Allergic reactions are rare. Introduce DMSO with a skin test on a small portion of skin to make sure it’s safe for you to use.
DMSO also causes a garlic-like taste in the mouth – this is quickly remedied by brushing your teeth after use.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.
Conclusion
Both in prevention and cure, DMSO (organic sulphur) is a hero in our armoury against all of the toxic contaminants we are exposed to daily – as well as being an effective alternative to pain killers and NSAIDS.
By supplying one of the foundation minerals your body needs to build, repair and cleanse, you not only need to learn more about organic sulphur, you should start using it – daily.
To better health through nutritional healing,
Alison Holden
Become a Nutritional Therapist: Study From Home
RECOMMENDED READING: The DMSO handbook: A New Paradigm In Healthcare by Hartmut nP.A. Fischer
U.K. SUPPLIER: http://www.regencyorganics.co.uk
U.S.A and Rest of the World SUPPLIER – We receive a lot of enquiries from abroad and are very glad to recommend Herbalmana. Please quote the Code NUTRIHEAL10 at checkout to receive your 10% discount on purchases
ADVICE: Unfortunately, we cannot reply to any personal questions about the use of DMSO. We do, however, strongly recommend that you seek individual guidance from a trained naturopathic practitioner.
Important Disclaimer: this article is based upon the opinion of Nutritional Therapist, Alison Holden (unless otherwise noted). The information is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified therapist or health care professional. It is not intended as medical advice, rather a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Alison Holden and her community. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.
