DMSO: A Hidden Treasure

Most of us who have veered off the conventional medicine track have compiled a list of our favorite teachers we’ve discovered along the way. One of my favorite teachers is Dr. Amandha Vollmer, naturopathic physician and natural medicine maker. Dr. Vollmer introduced me to dimethyl sulfoxide, or what’s more commonly referred to as DMSO. She made a video several years ago, titled All About DMSO – A Miracle Healer and released a book last year titled Healing with DMSO, the Complete Guide to Safe and Natural Treatment for Managing Pain, Inflammation, and Other Chronic Ailments with Dimethyl Sulfoxide.

Dimethyl sulfoxide comes from tree lignin which is found in plant cell walls. It is the by-product of pulp and paper production. DMSO was first discovered in 1866 by a Russian doctor, but it wasn’t until the 1950s that British scientists understood its ability to protect cells from the harmful effects of freezing. DMSO is a solvent, a colorless liquid that can dissolve a solute to make a solution. It can penetrate skin and other tissue and carry medication where it’s needed. It is sold in two forms, pharmaceutical and industrial grade. 

DMSO is well known by veterinarians for the treatment of injuries and disease in horses. Tractor Supply carries DMSO for this purpose. It is popular for the treatment of brain and spinal cord inflammation, bacterial blood infections, and a foot disease called laminitis. It can be taken orally, intravenously, and topically. 

Sixty Minutes introduced DMSO to an American audience during a segment back in 1980. It was during this airing that the work of Dr. Stanley Jacob, Associate professor of Surgery at University of Oregon, was highlighted. Dr. Jacob had spent the previous fifteen years understanding and experimenting with the healing properties of DMSO and even opening his own clinic where he treated people with ailments ranging from chronic pain to spinal cord injuries. 

There is much to learn about DMSO and its healing benefits along with the FDA’s relentless campaign to demonize it. I’ve had the opportunity to utilize DMSO in several ways and have shared this healing agent with family and friends. I’ve seen amazing results along the way! I suffer from cold sores, and anytime I start to feel a tingle on my lip I immediately apply DMSO gel with a Q-Tip. I repeat this process every few hours until I no longer feel the tingle. The key here is to treat the cold sore early. I never go on a trip without it in my medicine bag. I’ve also used DMSO mixed with arnica oil and aloe vera on bruises and sprains. It has an amazing positive effect on swelling and pain and shortens the healing time. I’ve witnessed it helping several people with arthritis pain and other joint pain.

There are other uses that I have yet to experience firsthand, but DMSO has been known to help with burns, headaches, head trauma, glaucoma, hair growth, and even spinal cord injuries.

Despite these known benefits the FDA has only approved the use of DMSO to treat one illness, a bladder disease called interstitial cystitis. It is also approved to be used to preserve organs before transplant surgery and preserve stem cells. According to Dr. Jacob, a large pharmaceutical executive told him, “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.”

It is important to understand that whatever you mix with the DMSO will be transdermally carried with it. You want to make sure your hands are clean and the skin area you apply it to are also clear of any dangerous chemicals. DMSO should also be diluted when applied to the skin as it can cause a burning sensation and mild irritation. Aloe vera is a good choice to dilute the liquid. Again, I highly recommend reading Dr. Vollmer’s book before utilizing DMSO. Her book is easy to read and provides you with the necessary information to know before getting started and with many easy recipes for therapeutic use.

You can purchase DMSO as a liquid and a gel. I have found a DMSO/Aloe roll-on, at a ratio of 70/30 in my local natural health store. You can also purchase DMSO with Aloe Gel online on Amazon and at Keavy's Corner. I’ve also purchased some of Amandha Vollmer's DMSO products. One of my favorites is her Peace Cream to help with pain and inflammation.