Hydrogen peroxide is a clear liquid resembling water (when diluted), and is closely related to water in its chemical composition. Whereas water’s formula is H2O, hydrogen peroxide adds an additional oxygen molecule to form H2O2. This process of adding an additional oxygen molecule happens naturally when sunlight shines on water. Hydrogen peroxide is found in tissues and cells as part of normal cellular metabolism. It is also found in saliva, causing foaming when it contacts various substances.
The additional oxygen molecule turns water into a powerful oxidizer, capable of reacting strongly with a number of substances. The strong oxidizing properties also give hydrogen peroxide a number of desirable traits.
Types of Hydrogen Peroxide
Most of us are familiar with the brown plastic bottles of hydrogen peroxide we get at the grocery store or pharmacy, called Pharmaceutical Grade. This is generally diluted with various stabilizers so the concentration is approximately 3%. This form of hydrogen peroxide is used for cleaning wounds, disinfecting surfaces, laundry, and other household uses.
Additional concentrations include: 6% Beautician Grade for coloring hair; 30% Reagent Grade for scientific experiments; 30% – 35% Electronic Grade to clean electronic equipment; 35% Technical Grade, which has phosphorus added to neutralize any tap water added to dilute it; 35% Food Grade, used in food preparation processes, and also used in diluted form for various health purposes; 90% for use as an oxygen source in rocket fuel.
It is imperative to note that Food Grade hydrogen peroxide is the only grade suitable for ingestion when it is diluted to very low concentrations. The other forms of hydrogen peroxide are not suitable for internal use due to the stabilizers and other added ingredients.
Medical Uses
As with many other natural products, employing hydrogen peroxide for medical and health-related uses can sometimes be controversial. Mainstream medical and scientific experts urge caution. They point out the lack of controlled studies to establish the viability of many home-grown treatments using hydrogen peroxide. On the other hand, there are numerous proponents of hydrogen peroxide use who recommend it for a very broad array of ailments, often without conveying adequate cautions concerning its use. As usual, the truth lies somewhere in between. Alternative medicine advocates suggest that it could replace many expensive and potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals, a fact that causes controversy between the alternative-medicine and traditional-medicine camps.
A number of physicians state they have used hydrogen peroxide therapy for years to eliminate infections and other diseases, including effective treatments for cancer, arthritis, heart disease, colitis, gum diseases, and other ailments. These often utilize intravenous methods to introduce diluted solutions of food grade hydrogen peroxide into the circulatory system. Of course, this must be carefully prepared and monitored by a physician with experience in this treatment process.
More common uses include tilting your head to one side and putting a few drops into each ear to clean earwax; rinsing with a diluted (or full strength, but be careful) solution to kill germs in the mouth and help keep teeth white; cleaning wounds, although this is not always recommended because it can be harsh on tissue; and using it as a rinse to bring out highlights in hair.
Be careful about letting hydrogen peroxide contact mucus membranes directly. Some natural therapy advocates suggest spraying diluted solutions directly into the nose and onto other mucus membranes, but this is likely to cause irritation. Apply with caution.
Other Uses
Hydrogen peroxide’s natural ability to kill germs makes it a favored substitute for harsher disinfectants such as chlorine bleach. Many people use hydrogen peroxide either full strength (at 3%) or diluted with water to wipe down counter tops, soak toothbrushes, whiten clothes in the laundry, clean refrigerators and dishwashers, and disinfect bathroom surfaces (usually diluted in a spray bottle).
Summary
There is no question that hydrogen peroxide is an amazingly versatile substance that just happens to be found in rainwater and our own bodies. There is also no doubt that it can serve as an effective disinfectant and, more controversially, an effective treatment for many diseases, some serious. There are many sources of information on hydrogen peroxide that can help the reader decide whether to pursue some of the more intriguing uses for what’s in that familiar brown bottle.
References:
http://h2o2-4u.com/
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies/hydrogen_peroxide.html
http://educate-yourself.org/cancer/benefitsofhydrogenperozide17jul03.shtml
http://web1.caryacademy.org/chemistry/rushin/studentprojects/compoundwebsites/2000/hydrogenperoxide/home.htm
http://www.garynull.com/Documents/Arthritis/Hydrogen_Peroxide_Therapy.htm
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