The Many Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide             By Dr. David G. Williams
http://educate-yourself.org/cancer/benefitsofhydrogenperozide17jul03.shtml
Posted July 17, 2003         
      (Original title: Hydrogen Peroxide - Curse or Cure?)
When it comes to hydrogen peroxide therapy there seems to be only two points        of view. Supporters consider it one of the greatest healing miracles of        all time. Those opposed feel its ingestion is exceptionally dangerous, and        only the foolhardy could think of engaging in such behavior. Before either        condemning or endorsing hydrogen peroxide, let's take a real close look        at what we're dealing with.
If any substance is interesting, it's hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide        should really be called hydrogen dioxide. Its chemical formula is H2O2.        It contains one more atom of oxygen that does water (H20). By now everyone's        aware of the ozone layer that surrounds the earth. Ozone consists of three        atoms of oxygen (03). This protective layer of ozone is created when ultraviolet        light from the sun splits an atmospheric oxygen molecule (02) into two single,        unstable oxygen atoms. These single molecules combine with others to form        ozone (03). Ozone isn't very stable. In fact, it will quickly give up that        extra atom of oxygen to falling rainwater to form hydrogen peroxide (H202).        (Bear with me: all this chemistry mumbo jumbo I'm going through actually        will help you understand the importance of hydrogen peroxide.) 
Helps Plants
It is this hydrogen peroxide in rainwater that makes it so much more effective        than tap water when given to plants. With the increased levels of atmospheric        pollution, however, greater amounts of H202 react with air-borne toxins        and never reach the ground. To compensate for this, many farmers have been        increasing crop yields by spraying them with diluted hydrogen peroxide (5        to 16 ounces of 35% mixed with 20 gallons of water per acre). You can achieve        the same beneficial effect with your house plants by adding 1 ounce of 3%        hydrogen peroxide (or 16 drops of 35% solution) to every quart of water        you give your plants. (It can also be made into an excellent safe insecticide.        Simply spray your plants with 8 ounces of 3% peroxide mixed with 8 ounces        of white sugar and one gallon of water.)      
 Hydrogen peroxide is odorless and colorless, but not tasteless.        When stored under the proper conditions, it is a very stable compound. When        kept in the absence of light and contaminants, it dismutates (breaks down)        very slowly at the rate of about 10% a year. (This can be slowed even further        by storing the liquid in the freezer.) It boils at 152 degrees C and freezes        at minus 2 degrees C.
When exposed to other compounds hydrogen peroxide dismutates readily. The        extra oxygen atom is released leaving H20 (water). In nature oxygen (02)        consists of two atoms--a very stable combination. A single atom of oxygen,        however, is very reactive and is referred to as a free radical. Over the        past several years, we've continually read that these free radicals are        responsible for all types of ailments and even premature aging. What many        writers seem to forget, however, is that our bodies create and use free        radicals to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi. In fact, the cells        responsible for fighting infection and foreign invaders in the body (your        white blood cells) make hydrogen peroxide and use it to oxidize any offending        culprits. The intense bubbling you see when hydrogen peroxide comes in contact        with a bacteria-laden cut or wound is the oxygen being released and bacteria        being destroyed. The ability of our cells to produce hydrogen peroxide is        essential for life. H202 is not some undesirable by-product or toxin, but        instead a basic requirement for good health.      
Newer research indicates we need hydrogen peroxide for a multitude        of other chemical reactions that take place throughout the body. For example,        we now know that vitamin C helps fight infections by producing hydrogen        peroxide, which in turn stimulates the production of prostaglandins. Also        lactobacillus found in the colon and vagina produce hydrogen peroxide. This        destroys harmful bacteria and viruses, preventing colon disease, vaginitis,        bladder infections and a host of other common ailments. (Infect Dis News        Aug.8,91:5). When lactobacillus in the colon or vaginal tract have been        overrun with harmful viruses, yeast, or bacteria, an effective douche or        enema solution can be made using 3 tablespoons of 3% H202 in 1 quart of        distilled water. Keep in mind, however, that a good bacterial flora must        always be re-established in theses areas to achieve lasting results.      
 Aerobic versus Anerobic
While we are discussing enemas and douches, there is another misconception        about H202 I need to address. The friendly bacteria in the colon and vagina        are aerobic. In other words, they flourish in high oxygen environments and        thrive in the presence of oxygen rich H202. On the other hand, most strains        of harmful bacteria (and cancer cells) are anaerobic and cannot survive        in the presence of oxygen or H202. We can agree that hydrogen peroxide        produced within individual body cells is essential for life. And no one        doubts its effectiveness when it comes to treating infections topically.        The controversy deals with ingesting the substance orally or introducing        it into the body intravenously. The dispute has been going on for decades,        and considering the attitude of our medical community, it will continue        for many more decades to come.      
 I'll admit I was skeptical when I first learned about using        H202 orally or intravenously. This healthy dose of skepticism, however,        lead to a great deal of investigation, clinical work and experimentation.        And while I realize a large majority of readers will probably never be convinced        that H202 is a safe and effective compound, I am. Hydrogen peroxide is safe,        readily available and dirt cheap. And best of all, it works! No one yet        fully understands the complete workings of hydrogen peroxide. We do know        that it is loaded with oxygen. (A pint of the food-grade 35% solution contains        the equivalent of 130 pints of oxygen. A pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide found        at the local drugstore contains 10 pints of oxygen. And a pint of the 6%        solution used to bleach hair contains 20 pints of oxygen.) We also know        that when H202 is taken into the body (orally or intravenously) the oxygen        content of the blood and body tissues increases dramatically. Early researchers        felt these increases were simply due to the extra oxygen molecule being        released. This doesn't however, appear to be the case.      
 Only very diluted amounts of H202 are ever introduced into        the body. The small amount of oxygen present couldn't be solely responsible        for the dramatic changes that take place. Dr. Charles Farr,        a strong proponent of intravenous use, has discovered another possible answer.        Dr. Farr has shown that hydrogen peroxide stimulates enzyme systems throughout        the body. This triggers an increase in the metabolic rate, causes small        arteries to dilate and increase blood flow, enhances the body's distribution        and consumption of oxygen and raises body temperature (Proceedings of the        International Conference on Bio-Oxidative Medicine 1989, 1990, 1991).      
 Father Richard Willhelm
We are just beginning to learn exactly how H202 works. It was reported to        work as far back as 1920. The English medical journal, Lancet, then reported        that intravenous infusion was used successfully to treat pneumonia in the        epidemic following World War I. In the 1940's Father Richard Willhelm, the        pioneer in promoting peroxide use, reported on the compound being used extensively        to treat everything from bacterial-related mental illness to skin disease        and polio. Father Willhelm is the founder of "Educational Concern for        Hydrogen Peroxide" (ECHO, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating        the public on the safe use and therapeutic benefits of hydrogen peroxide.)        Much of the interest in hydrogen peroxide waned in the 1940's when prescription        medications came on the scene. Since that time there has been little economic        interest in funding peroxide research. After all, it is dirt cheap and non-patentable.        Even still, in the last 25 years, over 7,700 articles relating to hydrogen        peroxide have been written in the standard medical journals. Thousands more,        involving its therapeutic use, have appeared in alternative health publications.        The number of conditions helped by hydrogen peroxide is astounding. The        reported dangers and side effects are few and often conflicting.      
Emphysema
Let's look at several conditions that seem to respond especially well to        H202 therapy. First, keep in mind that there are two methods of administering        the peroxide-1) orally and 2) intravenously. While most conditions respond        remarkably to oral ingestion, emphysema is one condition in which intravenous        infusion can be a godsend. Emphysema involves destruction of the alveoli        (the small air sacs in the lungs). Although chemical fumes and other irritants        can cause the destruction, it is most often the result of smoking. As the        disease progresses, the patient finds it more and more difficult to breathe.        A wheel chair and supplemental oxygen become necessary as the disease progresses.        Lack of adequate oxygen reaching the tissues forces the heart to pump more        forcefully. This leads to high blood pressure, enlargement of the heart        itself and eventually heart failure. Conventional medicine offers little        help for emphysema. There is no cure. The best that can be hoped for is        symptomatic relief and the prevention of any serious complications that        might result in death. H202 therapy can offer more. Using 1 ounce of 35%        peroxide per 1 gallon of non-chlorinated water in a vaporizer improves nighttime        breathing tremendously. But intravenous infusion holds the real key to relief.        It has the ability to cleanse the inner lining of the lungs and restore        the ability to breathe.     
We continue to hear the same story from Dr. Farr and others        who use intravenous infusion for emphysema and congestive lung problems.        Within minutes oxygen from hydrogen peroxide begins to bubble up between        the membrane lining the lungs sacs and the accumulated mucus. (Dr. Farr        refers to this as the "Alka-Seltzer effect.") The patient begins        to cough and expel the material that has accumulated in the lungs. The amount        of bubbling, coughing, and cleansing can be regulated by simply turning        the H202 on and off. As the peroxide clears the lung surface and destroys        the bacterial infections, the patient regains the ability to breath more        normally. We continue to receive reports from patients for whom the technique        has improved breathing so much that a wheelchair and supplemental oxygen        are no longer needed. If you would like to find a doctor in your area trained        in the use of intravenous H202 infusion, contact the International        Bio-Oxidative Medicine Foundation (IBOM), P.O. Box 13205, Oklahoma City,        OK 73113 at (405) 478-4266. They can provide names and addresses        of doctors using the procedure in your area.
 If emphysema were the only ailment successfully treated with        H202 therapy, it would still rank as one of the top health discoveries of        all time. Fortunately, H202 works wonders on a multitude of health problems.        It does so by increasing tissue oxygen levels. A closer look at how we have        decreased the availability of external and internal oxygen, will show you        just how important this can be. If you were not too occupied with trying        to hide dissection specimens in the other student's desks, you might remember        from elementary science courses that our atmosphere contains about 20% oxygen.        That is under ideal circumstances. It has recently been reported that in        many of our more polluted cities, there levels have dropped to around 10%!        (I have already mentioned how less hydrogen peroxide-containing rain is        reaching the earth's surface. With increased pollution it is reacting with        airborne toxins before it even reaches the ground.) And everyone, by now,        knows the oxygen-generating rain forests are being destroyed worldwide,        which further reduces available oxygen. Internal oxygen availability is        also under attack.
 Chlorination of drinking water removes oxygen. Cooking and        over-processing of our foods lowers their oxygen content. Unrestrained antibiotic        use destroys beneficial oxygen-creating bacteria in the intestinal tract.        Dr. Johanna Budwig of Germany has shown that for proper cellular utilization        of oxygen to take place, our diets must contain adequate amounts of unsaturated        fatty acids. Unfortunately, the oils rich in these fatty acids have become        less and less popular with the food industry. Their very nature makes them        more biologically active, which requires more careful processing and gives        them a shorter shelf-life. Rather than deal with these challenges, the food        industry has turned to the use of synthetic fats and dangerous processes        like hydrogenation.
 It's obvious that our oxygen needs are not being met. Several        of the most common ailments now affecting our population are directly related        to oxygen starvation. Asthma, emphysema, and lung disease are on the rise,        especially in the polluted metropolitan areas. Cases of constipation, diarrhea,        intestinal parasites and bowel cancer are all on the upswing. Periodontal        disease is endemic in the adult population of this country. Cancer of all        forms continues to increase. Immune system disorders are sweeping the globe.        Chronic fatigue, "Yuppie Flu" and hundreds of other strange viral        diseases have begun to surface. Ironically, many of the new "miracle"        drugs and nutritional supplements used to treat these conditions work by        increasing cellular oxygen (oftentimes through H202 formation). For example,        the miracle nutrient, Coenzyme Q10, helps regulate intercellular oxidation.        Organic germanium, which received considerable publicity not too long ago,        also increases oxygen levels at the cellular level. And even substances        like niacin and vitamin E promote tissue oxidation through their dilation        of blood vessels.
 Hydrogen peroxide is only one of the many components that        help regulate the amount of oxygen getting to your cells. Its presence is        vital for many other functions as well. It is required for the production        of thyroid hormone and sexual hormones. (Mol Cell Endocrinol 86;46(2): 149-154)        (Steroids 82;40(5):5690579). It stimulates the production of interferon        (J Immunol 85;134(4):24492455). It dilates blood vessels in the heart and        brain (Am J Physiol 86;250 (5 pt 2): H815-821 and (2 pt 2):H157-162). It        improves glucose utilization in diabetics (Proceedings of the IBOM Conference        1989, 1990, 1991). The closer you look at hydrogen peroxide, the less surprising        it becomes that it can help such a wide variety of conditions.
 The following is only a partial listing of conditions in        which H202 therapy has been used successfully. (Many of these conditions        are serious, if not life-threatening. As always, I would highly recommend        seeking the advice and guidance of a doctor experienced in the use of these        techniques.) 
        Allergies Headaches
Altitude Sickness Herpes Simplex
Alzheimer's Herpes Zoster
Anemia HIV Infection
Arrhythmia Influenza
Asthma Insect Bites
Bacterial Infections Liver Cirrhosis
Bronchitis Lupus Erythematosis
Cancer Multiple Sclerosis
Candida Parasitic Infections
Cardiovascular Disease Parkinsonism
Cerebral Vascular Disease Periodontal Disease
Chronic Pain Prostatitis
Diabetes Type 11 Rheumatoid Arthritis
Diabetic Gangrene Shingles
Diabetic Retinopahty Sinusitis
Digestion Problems Sore Throat
Epstein-Barr Infection Ulcers
Emphysema Viral Infections
Food Allergies Warts
Fungal Infections Yeast Infections
Gingivitis
 Grades of Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is available in various strengths and grades.
         A) 3.5% Pharmaceutical Grade: This is          the grade sold at your local drugstore or supermarket. This product is          not recommended for internal use. It contains an assortment of stabilizers          which shouldn't be ingested. Various stabilizers include: acetanilide,          phenol, sodium stanate and tertrasodium phosphate.
B) 6% Beautician Grade: This is used in beauty shops          to color hair and is not recommended for internal use.
C) 30% Reagent Grade: This is used for          various scientific experimentation and also contains stabilizers. It is          also not for internal use.
D) 30% to 32% Electronic Grade: This is          used to clean electronic parts and not for internal use.
E) 35% Technical Grade: This is a more          concentrated product than the Reagent Grade and differs slightly in that          phosphorus is added to help neutralize any chlorine from the water used          to dilute it.
F) 35% Food Grade: This is used in the          production of foods like cheese, eggs, and whey-containing products. It          is also sprayed on the foil lining of aseptic packages containing fruit          juices and milk products. THIS IS THE ONLY GRADE RECOMMENDED FOR INTERNAL          USE. It is available in pints, quarts, gallons or even drums. Various          suppliers are mentioned later in this article.
G) 90%: This is used as an oxygen source          for rocket fuel.
 Only 35% Food Grade hydrogen peroxide is recommended for        internal use. At this concentration, however, hydrogen peroxide is a        very strong oxidizer and if not diluted, it can be extremely dangerous or        even fatal. Any concentrations over 10% can cause neurological reactions        and damage to the upper gastrointestinal tract. There have been two known        fatalities in children who ingested 27% and 40% concentrations of H202.        Recently, a 26 month old female swallowed one mouthful of 35% H202. She        immediately began vomiting, followed by fainting and respiratory arrest.        Fortunately, she was under emergency room care and although she experienced        erosion and bleeding of the stomach and esophagus, she survived the incident.        When she was re-examined 12 days later, the areas involved had healed (J        Toxicol Clin Toxicol 90;28(1):95-100).     
 35% Food Grade H202 must be     
         1) handled carefully (direct contact will burn the skin--immediate          flushing with water is recommended). 
2) diluted properly before use. 3) stored safely and properly          (after making a dilution the remainder should be stored tightly sealed          in the freezer).
 One of the most convenient methods of dispensing 35% H202        is from a small glass eye dropper bottle. These can be purchased at your        local drugstore. Fill this with the 35% H202 and store the larger container        in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator until more is needed. Store        the eye dropper bottle in the refrigerator. The generally recommended dosage        is outlined in the chart below. The drops are mixed with either 6 to 8 ounces        of distilled water, juice, milk or even aloe vera juice or gel. (Don't use        chlorinated tap water to dilute the peroxide!)     
Suggested Protocol
The program outlined is only a suggestion, but it is based on years        of experience, and reports from thousands of users. Those who choose to        go at a slower pace can expect to progress more slowly, but that certainly        is an option. The program is not carved in stone and keep in mind that it        can be adapted to fit individual needs. Individuals who have had transplants        should not undertake an H202 program. H202 stimulates the immune system        and could possibly cause a rejection of the organ.     
 Day # -Number of Drops/ Times Per Day
1 - 3 / 3
2 - 4 / 3
3 - 5 / 3
4 - 6 / 3
5 - 7 / 3
6 - 8 / 3
7 - 9 / 3
8 - 10 / 3
9 - 12 / 3
10 - 14 / 3
11 - 16 / 3
12 - 18 / 3
13 - 20 / 3
14 - 22 / 3
15 - 24 / 3
16 - 25 / 3     
 Maintenance Dosage
In most situations after the above 21 day program, the amount of H202 can        be tapered off gradually as follows:
25 drops once every other day for 1 week
25 drops once every third day for 2 weeks
25 drops once every fourth day for 3 weeks     
 This can then be reduced to between 5 and 15 drops per week        based on how one feels. Those with more serious problems will often benefit        from staying on 25 drops three times a day for one to three weeks, then        tapering down to 25 drops two times daily until the problem is resolved        (possibly as long as six months). Those with chronic systemic Candidiasis        may need to start with 1 drop three times a day, then 2 drops three times        a day before starting the above schedule. It is important that H202        be taken on an empty stomach. This is best accomplished by taking        it either one hour before meals or three hours after meals. If there is        food in the stomach, the reaction of H202 on any bacteria present may cause        excess foaming, indigestion, and possibly even vomiting. Additionally, some        animal research indicates that when H202 given orally combines with iron        and small amounts of vitamin C in the stomach, hydroxyl radicals are created        (J Inorg Biochem 89;35(1):55-69). The bleach-like aftertaste of H202 can        be lessened by chewing one of the sugar-free cinnamon gums. Some individuals        taking H202 immediately before bedtime have a difficult time getting to        sleep. This is probably due to a sense of alertness triggered by an increase        of oxygen at the cellular level. The oral dosage schedule is basically the        same for all conditions. There are several points to keep in mind, however.     
 Some individuals may experience upset stomach. If this occurs        it is recommended that one not stop the program, but rather remain at the        current dosage level or reduce it to the previous level until the problem        stops. (Some patients have been able to solve the nausea problem by taking        three or four lecithin capsules at the same time they take the H202.) During        the program it's not uncommon to experience what is known as a healing crisis.        As dead bacteria and toxins are released from your body it may temporarily        exceed your capacity to eliminate them quickly enough. In some individuals        this overload may cause fatigue, diarrhea, headaches, skin eruptions, cold        or flu-like symptoms, and/or nausea. One should not discontinue using the        peroxide to stop this cleansing. By continuing the program, toxins will        clear the body sooner and this healing crisis will pass rather quickly.     
 If you are not already taking vitamin E and an acidophilus        product, I recommend starting them before going on H202. Vitamin E can make        more efficient use of any oxygen available and acidophilus will help re-establish        the beneficial bacterial flora in the lower bowel and also help in the internal        production of hydrogen peroxide.     
Making and Using 3% Solutions of H202
A 3.5% solution can be made quite easily by first pouring 1 ounce of 35%        H202 into a pint jar. To this add 11 ounces of distilled water. This will        make 12 ounces of 3.5% H202. 3.5% H202 has a variety of medicinal uses.
 1. Three tablespoons mixed with a quart of non-chlorinated        water makes a good enema or douche formula.
2. It can be used full strength as a mouthwash or mixed with baking soda        for toothpaste.
3. It can be used full strength as a foot bath for athlete's foot. (Diabetics        have found relief from circulation problems by soaking their feet in 1 pint        of 3% peroxide mixed with 1 gallon of warm, non-chlorinated water for 30        minutes nightly.)
4. A tablespoon added to 1 cup of non-chlorinated water can be used as a        nasal spray. Depending on the degree of sinus involvement, one will have        to adjust the amount of peroxide used. I have seen some who can use it at        the full 3% strength and others who had difficulty with using a few drops        and mixed with a cup of water.
5. 3.5% H202 can be added to pets drinking water at the rate of 1 ounce        per quart of non-chlorinated water. Sick cattle reportedly benefit from        1 pint (of 3%) to each 5 gallons of water. (Chickens and cows have remained        healthy by using 8 ounces of 35% H202 per 1,000 gallons of drinking water.)
 Additional Information
There are two sources you should contact if you have an interest in using        hydrogen peroxide therapy. The first, ECHO, was founded by Father Richard        Willhelm and is run by Walter Grotz. Their information packet includes a        sample newsletter, a list of H202 distributors and several other items.        The packet is being made available to interested ALTERNATIVES readers for        only $3. Their address is
ECHO Box 126
Delano, MN 55328
 If you have an interest in contacting doctors who provide        intravenous hydrogen peroxide therapy you can write to the International        Bio-Oxidative Medicine Foundation (IBOM) at the address listed earlier in        this article. You should also be aware that there are now numerous hydrogen        peroxide products on the market. Some are simply peroxide that has been        flavored and mixed with sea minerals, aloe vera, inner tree bark or other        ingredients to make the peroxide more palatable (Superoxy, Oxy Toddy, etc.).
 Others claim to have developed products that deliver more        oxygen than does simple hydrogen peroxide (Aerox, Anti-Oxid-10,        Di-Oxychloride, Aerobic 07, Aqua Pure, etc.).        Basically you'll end up paying a small fortune and at best achieving the        same results you can get for pennies by using hydrogen peroxide.
 Conclusion
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the few simple miracle substances still available        to the public. Its safety and multiple uses ranks it right up there with        DMSO. If you've never used either of these compounds you are overlooking        two of the most powerful healing tools ever discovered. Most of us started        on hydrogen peroxide shortly after birth. Not only does mother's milk contain        high amounts of H202, the amount contained in the first milk (colostrum)        is even higher. This seems only reasonable now that we know one of its main        functions is to activate and stimulate the immune system. Although I am        a strong supporter of H202 therapy, I am not suggesting that everyone needs        to be using it. There are probably some individuals whose health and well-being        would not be enhanced with hydrogen peroxide. But there are also millions        of others who are suffering needlessly because they either do not know about        hydrogen peroxide or they have been misinformed about its use.
 ~ Afterword ~
The above copyrighted article has been reprinted with permission from Mountain        House Publishing, P.O. Box 829, Ingram, TX 78025. It appeared in a recent        issue of the health newsletter, ALTERNATIVES ($39.00/yr. 12 issues). Subscription        information and/or a sample issue can be obtained by writing to the above        address.
Source: Family Health News