Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide
If you are familiar with food grade hydrogen peroxide, you'll notice that the bottles of hydrogen peroxide or H2O2 bear labels such as 3%, 8% and 35% food grade H2O2. The percentage indicates the concentration of hydrogen peroxide compared to water. In other words 35% means that there is 35% of hydrogen peroxide and 65% of water in the solution.
If you see a food grade H2O2, what it also means is that the United States Department of Agriculture has approved it as not contaminated, does not contain harmful stabilizers, the concentration level is as stated and is safe for usage in food processing.
A French chemist discovered pure hydrogen peroxide in 1818. At that time, it was known as oxygenated water. But it was Dr. Edward Rosenow who discovered that hydrogen peroxide was a safe and effective antimicrobial and antiviral agent. He was a physician and research scientist associated with the Mayo Clinic for over forty years. After Dr. Rosenow's death, a Catholic priest and chemistry teacher by the name of Father Wilhelm and a retired postmaster Walter Grotz who was healed from his arthritic pain after taking hydrogen peroxide orally for several months took over to spread the benefits and uses for hydrogen peroxide.
In the early 19th century until the early 20th century, hydrogen peroxide was used in the treatment of diseases such as asthma, cholera, syphilis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, ulcers and whooping cough. Hydrogen peroxide medical uses lost in popularity when the pharmaceutical industry developed. But as more people are aware of the side effects of drugs, they are turning back to herbal remedies and alternative medicine. More people are now using hydrogen peroxide therapy to treat various conditions and illness.
Hydrogen peroxide therapy is also known as oxygen therapy. It is a process whereby a person either ingests or drinks a solution of food grade hydrogen peroxide or the H2O2 is injected or through intravenous injection or IV.
But is drinking hydrogen safe? The FDA warns consumers against drinking hydrogen peroxide. The FDA stated that ingestion can lead to serious health risks. A layman would think the same. Hydrogen peroxide to most of us is a bleaching agent. It's your prerogative if you wish to try the oral H2O2 therapy but it's wise to avoid ingesting it. As for intravenous injection, William Campbell Douglas MD who wrote Hydrogen Peroxide: Medical Miracle stated that intravenous hydrogen peroxide can rapidly relieve allergic reactions, influenza symptoms and acute viral infections.
Benefits of Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide
As an acne home remedy
If you wish to try it to treat blackhead, acne, pimples or whitehead, use the 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak a cotton ball in the solution and dab it on the spot. When applied on cyst, it will help dry or shrink it. If it is applied on popped spots, it may help disinfect and heal faster. After it dries, wash it off. Avoid contact with eyes and eyebrows.
As a mouthwash to rid of bad breath caused by bacteria
One of the causes of bad breath is due the presence of bacteria in your mouth. Since hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial and oxygenating properties, it may help treat halitosis in addition to brushing and flossing.
Treatment for gingivitis
Gingivitis is a mild gum disease. The Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine in Boston USA did a randomized clinical trial to determine the efficacy of a fluoridated hydrogen peroxide-based mouth rinse for the treatment of gingivitis in 2004. The conclusion was not only did the mouth rinse reduced gingivitis but it also whitened teeth.
Teeth whitening
As mentioned above, rinsing with hydrogen peroxide has shown to be able to whiten teeth. Here's how to do it at home. Fill your mouth with just the right amount of hydrogen peroxide so that you won't gag. Swish it in your mouth for about 20 minutes as you do some chores so that you won't get bored standing and swishing the liquid. When the time is up, spit it out and rinse your mouth. Do not swallow it.
Removing ear wax
Hydrogen peroxide is a common home remedy used in removing hard ear wax as well as for swimmer's ear which is an ear infection caused by microorganisms in the pool. To use it, dilute the food grade hydrogen peroxide with water in a paper cup. Squeeze it like a funnel so that you can easily and carefully pour the liquid into your ear. When you do this, tilt your head to the side. You will hear of feel a bubbling sensation. Tilt back your head on the opposite direction to let the solution drain out of your ear.
Genital herpes treatment
Because of its oxidation, disinfectant and antiseptic properties, hydrogen peroxide may help speed up the healing process of genital herpes. Soak or wet a cotton ball or gauze in hydrogen peroxide and dab it after you have gently cleaned and dried the affected area. It may also help treat other viral infections such as cold sores or fever blisters.
Remedy for yeast infection
Yeast infection is a fungus infection and so are athlete's foot and nail fungus. To use it for yeast infection, mix the food grade hydrogen peroxide with water and douche. For toe nail fungus and athlete's foot, mix equal parts of H2O2 and water and soak your feet or toes.
Other food grade hydrogen medicinal uses include as a first aid to treat minor burns, cuts and scrapes. A gargle or rinse for cold sore or mouth ulcer may help numb the pain.
Besides its benefits as an alternative healing agent, food grade hydrogen peroxide is also useful at home and in the garden. Among the home uses for hydrogen peroxide are as follows:
- Instead of using chlorine bleach to whiten your white laundry, use hydrogen peroxide. It also acts as a stain remover.
- Use it as a sanitizer to clean kitchen table tops and cutting boards.
- Dilute the food grade hydrogen peroxide and use it to soak and wash your vegetables to get rid of critters and bacteria.
- It is a useful disinfectant to use in the bathroom and toilet.
- Watering your plant with a diluted hydrogen peroxide will supply extra oxygen to the soil.
- It is a cheap and easy solution to bleach your hair.
- If any of your family members is infected with scabies, soak combs, brushes and so on in hydrogen peroxide with hot water.
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