Hydrogen Peroxide Uses And Therapy

An explanation of the uses of hydrogen peroxide, it's natural state in the body, medical benefits and ingestion warnings.

Think you know what peroxide is all about? Think again. Most people have no idea the different ways that peroxide is used in our world. Although hydrogen peroxide was discovered in the early 1800's, it is still used today for many medical and social reasons. Hydrogen peroxide boils the infection out of cuts and abrasions, usually without stinging, and is found in many brands of hair bleach, but did you know it's used to treat wastewater and hazardous waste? And did you also know that hydrogen peroxide makes a great rocket propellant and was used freely during World War II as a torpedo and rocket fuel? Although the concentrations of hydrogen peroxide found at the local drug store is about 3 percent, it would take 90 percent to send a rocket into the air.

Hydrogen peroxide is found naturally in the body and is necessary to our immune systems, its function being to fight infections as they occur.

Farmers use diluted hydrogen peroxide to help crops grow, and the same can be done for houseplants. It's also great as a wash for fruits and vegetables before consumption. Fight bacteria in your kitchen or bathroom by spraying counters and cooking surfaces with a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, and its safer and cheaper than most household chemicals. It's also a natural insecticide, toothpaste and foot soak.

Bloodstains on clothes, upholstery and carpeting can be removed by treating with hydrogen peroxide. Allow the peroxide to bubble for a few minutes on the bloodstain, then wipe away with a dry cloth.

Medically, hydrogen peroxide is used to treat wounds and remove dead tissue, but since it's also dangerous to new cells, peroxide is not recommended to clean every wound.

Textile mills use hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent for fabrics, and it's also used as a treatment in paper mills. Hydrogen peroxide is also used to clean some electronic parts.

Peroxide can, however, be used to rinse out the mouth and may help heal gingivitis, gum ulcers, some toothaches, and mouth sores. It also kills germs, bacteria, viruses, fungus, mold and mildew.

A food grade containing 35 percent hydrogen peroxide is used in the production of cheese, eggs and other edibles. It's sometimes sprayed on the lining of aseptic packages containing substances such as milk or fruit juices.

Keep a squirt bottle of peroxide handy for disinfecting kitchen and bath, a bottle beside the tub to use as a soak, and another bottle close to the sink for brushing teeth and gargling.

Some studies are even looking into treating colds and flu with hydrogen peroxide. It's thought by some that the flu virus enters through the ear canal. Hydrogen peroxide, in these studies, is poured and held in the ear for 5 to 10 minutes. The study hopes to prove that hydrogen peroxide can help cure the flu in less time than modern medications. It is also being examined as a possible treatment for emphysema, cancer, diabetes, asthma and other serious conditions, it's strongly advised not to take hydrogen peroxide internally. Studies to this effect are not complete, so in the meanwhile, hydrogen peroxide should only be used as an external treatment.

Trending Now

© Demand Media 2011