Background
- Sulfur is a tasteless, yellow crystalline solid. In nature, it can be found as the pure element or in sulfide and sulfate minerals. Sulfur is a constituent of petroleum, sulfuric acid, and natural gas. Its commercial uses are primarily in fertilizers, but it is also widely used in gunpowder, matches, insecticides, and fungicides.
- Elemental sulfur is present in all living tissues. After calcium and phosphorus, it is the third most abundant mineral element in the human body. It is essential for life and is found in two amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Sulfur is found in foods such as meat, garlic, onion, dates, and broccoli. Dietary sulfur supplementation may be indicated for vegan athletes, children, the elderly, or patients with HIV, as these populations are at an increased risk for sulfur deficiency.
- Sulfur is commonly used in homeopathic medicine to treat acne, rosacea (facial inflammation), scabies, seborrheic dermatitis (skin inflammation), tinea versicolor (fungal skin infection), recurrent upper respiratory tract infection, and dandruff. Sulfur, used alone or in combination with other agents, has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of many skin conditions.
- Balneotherapy (mineral baths) is one of the oldest forms of therapy for patients with arthritis. There is evidence supporting the use of sulfur baths for the treatment of rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. While is not enough clinical evidence to recommend sulfur baths in replacement of standard modes of therapy for osteoarthritis, it may be safely added to standard regimens.
- Sulfur preparations have been studied for use in allergic rhinitis, ankylosing spondylitis (a form of arthritis), arthritis (psoriatic), atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), the common cold, dandruff, deafness (rhinogenic), fibromyalgia (muscle and soft tissue pain), inflammation (rhinopharyngotubaric phlogoses), pain (rheumatic disease), rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea (facial inflammation), scabies, and skin disorders. High-quality human trials supporting the use of sulfur for conditions other than osteoarthritis are lacking at this time.
References
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.
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- de Souza, R. F., de Freitas Oliveira, Paranhos H., et al. Interventions for cleaning dentures in adults. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev 2009;(4):CD007395. View Abstract
- Diaz, M., Cazorla, D., and Acosta, M. [Efficacy, safety and acceptability of precipitated sulphur petrolatum for topical treatment of scabies at the city of Coro, Falcon State, Venezuela]. Rev Invest Clin 2004;56(5):615-622. View Abstract
- Dibbern, D. A., Jr. and Montanaro, A. Allergies to sulfonamide antibiotics and sulfur-containing drugs. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008;100(2):91-100. View Abstract
- Gupta, A. K. and Nicol, K. The use of sulfur in dermatology. J Drugs Dermatol. 2004;3(4):427-431. View Abstract
- Gupta, R., Manchanda, R. K., and Arya, B. S. Homoeopathy for the treatment of lichen simplex chronicus: a case series. Homeopathy. 2006;95(4):245-247. View Abstract
- Leibetseder, V., Strauss-Blasche, G., Holzer, F., et al. Improving homocysteine levels through balneotherapy: effects of sulphur baths. Clin Chim.Acta 2004;343(1-2):105-111. View Abstract
- Leonard, T., Eady, A., and Leonardi-Bee, J. Complementary therapies for acne vulgaris. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2006;(4)
- Nimni, M. E., Han, B., and Cordoba, F. Are we getting enough sulfur in our diet? Nutr Metab (Lond) 2007;4:24. View Abstract
- Scheinfeld, N. Controlling scabies in institutional settings: a review of medications, treatment models, and implementation. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2004;5(1):31-37. View Abstract
- Sherman, G., Zeller, L., Avriel, A., et al. Intermittent balneotherapy at the Dead Sea area for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Isr.Med Assoc.J 2009;11(2):88-93. View Abstract
- Tiwari, N. L. Scope of homoeopathy in diabetic coma. National Journal of Homoeopathy 2006;8(6):420-421.
- Trumbore, M. W., Goldstein, J. A., and Gurge, R. M. Treatment of papulopustular rosacea with sodium sulfacetamide 10%/sulfur 5% emollient foam. J Drugs Dermatol. 2009;8(3):299-304. View Abstract
- Verhagen, A. P., Bierma-Zeinstra, S. M., Boers, M., et al. Balneotherapy for osteoarthritis. Cochrane.Database.Syst.Rev 2007;(4):CD006864. View Abstract