DMSO

🧪 What is DMSO?

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is an organosulfur compound derived from lignin, a natural component of wood. First synthesized in the 19th century, it became widely studied in the 20th century for its unique ability to penetrate the skin and cellular membranes—carrying other compounds with it.

Though not approved by the FDA for most internal or topical uses in humans, DMSO has long been used in veterinary medicine, laboratory research, and alternative wellness practices, where it is often valued for its dramatic effects and powerful transport capabilities.

My one-hour video from Dec 14, 2024

🌟 Key Features and Fascinating Facts

A Natural Derivative of Trees
DMSO is a byproduct of the paper industry and a metabolite of MSM—its better-behaved cousin. It’s a clear, odorless liquid with remarkable chemical properties.
Exceptional Penetration
One of DMSO’s most striking traits is its ability to pass through skin, tissues, and even the blood-brain barrier—making it a favored “carrier” in transdermal formulations.
Anti-Inflammatory & Antioxidant Actions
DMSO has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation, scavenge free radicals, and protect cells under oxidative stress—particularly in the context of injury and ischemia.
Used in Medicine & Research
It’s FDA-approved for interstitial cystitis and is also used as a cryoprotectant for preserving cells and tissues. In alternative health circles, it has a long history of off-label use.
A Metabolic Bridge to MSM
In the body, DMSO is partially converted to MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), which shares some of its benefits in a milder, more regulatory-friendly form.

Note: Due to its ability to carry substances through the skin, DMSO must be used with care. Only clean, intentional ingredients should ever be combined with it, and application hygiene is essential.

Wondrous Roots DMSO Products

Wondrous Pain Cream w/DSMSO

OUR CLASSIC WONDROUS PAIN OIL, WHIPPED UP INTO A LUXURIOUS CREAM WITH THE ADDITION OF DMSO - now 15%

Grape seed oil, sweet almond oil, extra virgin olive oil, fractioned coconut oil, aloe vera gel, vegetable emulsifying wax, beeswax, DMSO 99.995% at 15% (up from the original 12%) concentration, arnica flowers, boneset herb, calendula flowers, devil's claw root, gravel root, plantain herb, skullcap herb, tumeric root, white oak bark, wormwood herb, yarrow herb & flowers, and yucca root. Tocopherol acetate (vitamin E) and citrus seed extract to preserve.

ALOE VERA GEL - The plant sterols in (Aloe barbadenis) are anti-inflammatory (they're natural steroids). Unlike pharmaceutical steroid drugs, however, which inhibit the healing of tissues, aloe vera does just the opposite. Studies have shown aloe vera to interfere with the inflammatory Cox-2 pathway. Aloe vera also contains salicylic acid, from which aspirin is derived.
GRAPESEED OIL Grapeseed oil has demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects due to its high levels of polyphenols and antioxidants, such as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs).
EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL - Extra virgin olive oil has also been studied for its protective benefits in inflammatory autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Human, animal and lab experiments have shown that the polyphenols in EVOO effectively combat inflammation and improve arthritis symptoms in joints and throughout the body.
FRACTIONATED COCONUT OIL - Applying a coconut extract to human skin may enhance its protective barrier functions and have an anti-inflammatory effect, says a 2017 study
ARNICA MONTANA FLOWERS, also known as leopard's bane, has been used as a topical medicine since at least the sixteenth century. Now modern clinical research shows it to be equal to topical ibuprofen in treating osteoarthritis of the hands.
BONESET HERB (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is a plant, where the dried leafs and flowers are believed to reduce joint pain.
CALENDULA FLOWER (Calendula officinalis)is applied to the skin to reduce pain and swelling (inflammation) and to treat poorly healing wounds and leg ulcers. It is also applied to the skin (used topically) for nosebleeds, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the rectum (proctitis), and inflammation of the lining of the eyelid (conjunctivitis).
DEVIL'S CLAW ROOT (Harpagophytum procumbens) contains chemicals that might decrease inflammation, swelling and resulting pain.
GRAVEL ROOT (Eupatorium purpureum) is diuretic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and febrifuge (reduces fever).
PLANTAIN HERB (Plantago major) contains epidermal growth factor (EGF), which helps with new tissue growth. Plantain is an excellent healer and pain reliever overall.
SKULLCAP HERB EXTRACT (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a natural muscle relaxant, pain reliever, and also promotes mental calm and uplifted mood, which are helpful when experiencing pain.
TURMERIC ROOT (Curcuma longa) is found to be highly anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and contains antioxidant properties.
WHITE OAK BARK (Quercus alba) stops bacterial and viral infections. It constricts tissue to prevent bleeding and also aids in anti-inflammatory response.
WORMWOOD HERB (Artemisia absinthium)is used as a counterirritant to reduce pain.
YARROW HERB & FLOWERS (Achillea millefolium) lower fevers, induces sweating, stops cramps, relieves inflammation, and stimulates the release of stomach acid to digest proteins and fats according to the British Herbal Compendium.
YUCCA ROOT (Yucca schidigera) treats numerous conditions, including skin sores and inflammation, including joint inflammation due to rheumatism and arthritis. Current research suggests that the saponins in yucca are a precursor to cortisone, which prevents the release of toxins from the intestines that restrict the growth of cartilage, making yucca useful in treating arthritis and other soft tissue inflammatory diseases.

DMSO Products Now Available at Wondrous Roots

The DMSO Story

Perhaps perplexing to see a photo of a paper mill featured on a health-related website, but here we have the source of DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), which is naturally sourced from wood. It was discovered as a byproduct of paper-making.

Dimethyl sulfoxide ( DMSO ) was first synthesised by a Russian chemist, Alexander Zaytsev, in 1866.

There was very little interest in DMSO until the 1940s when chemists started investigating its solvent properties. There was also considerable interest, at this time, in ways to use the waste material from products manufactured from trees.

The industrial use of DMSO really began in the 1950s. DMSO came to the fore when the paper

manufacturers required ways to utilise the by products of paper making. Crown Zellerbach, a major American paper manufacturing company, set up a research and development facility in Camas, Washington to concentrate on ways to develop chemicals from tree pulp waste. DMS was made from Kraft black liquor, a sulfur alkylating agent , from one of their paper mills. This was then purified by distillation and oxidised to make dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO.

The medicinal use of DMSO began when Stanley W. Jacob M.D. working for the Oregon Medical School needed a way to preserve transplant organs without the formation of ice crystals. Dr. Jacob discovered that DMSO. with its anti-freeze properties, could achieve this.

While working with DMSO he found it had lots of other interesting properties. DMSO had the ability to pass through the skin and other cellular membranes of the body. It is this facility that enables DMSO to be used for transdermal drug delivery. Applied topically to the skin it caused a garlic like odour on the breath. It also had anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

DMSO was met by BIGPHARMA and got the AXE!

From an article published in Life Extension Magazine back in 2007, The Untapped Healing Potential of DMSO:

"Stanley Jacob, MD, has long fought to make DMSO freely available. Despite evidence supporting the efficacy of DMSO in treating stroke, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, arthritis and other inflammatory disorders, governmental agencies have chosen to deny Americans access to this remarkable, non-patented therapy."

What you need to know

Research on DMSO’s vast healing properties dates back 50+ years, yet it’s only been approved to treat one uncommon condition. DMSO prevents oxidative stress and reduces swelling of the brain to improve its blood supply. Human brains treated with DMSO immediately after a head injury have reduced swelling within as little as five minutes.

Clinical trials have shown significantly extended survival rates in patients with TBI treated with DMSO. In addition, results from numerous studies indicate that DMSO can treat pain and assist with many inflammation driven conditions. An urgent need exists to find better treatment options for those affected by these conditions.

Stanley Jacob, MD

More regarding the uses of DMSO

Dr. Joseph Mercola

Founder and Owner of Mercola.com
Board Certified Family Medicine Osteopathic Physician (DO)
New York Times Bestselling Author
Fellow of the American College of Nutrition
Ultimate Wellness Game Changer Awardee
Philanthropist & Natural Health Advocate

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

DMSO is an organosulfur compound used as a topical pain reliever and anti-in ammatory agent. It activates cellular stress responses at low to moderate levels, boosting resilience against future threats

Research shows DMSO inhibits cancer cell growth and triggers apoptosis in various cancer cell lines, suggesting promise as a targeted therapy for slowing or stopping cancer progression

In a mouse model of Alzheimer's, low-dose DMSO improved visual function, likely due to its antioxidant properties. It may be useful as an early intervention in neurodegenerative diseases

DMSO is related to MSM, which has shown bene ts for joint health. It also exhibits antibacterial properties, inhibiting growth of various bacterial strains at relatively low concentrations

While promising, DMSO has side effects including garlic-like odor and skin irritation. It increases absorption of other substances and may interact with certain medications, necessitating caution in its use SEE FULL ARTICLE

DMSO Transforms The Treatment of Infectious Diseases

DMSO has a variety of unique properties that make it incredibly well suited to addressing microbial infections (e.g., bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites).

These include:

•While non-toxic, it has an antiseptic effect that is harmful to microorganisms, especially the smallest ones (mycobacteria, cell wall deficient bacteria, and viruses). This property appears to be the most beneficial for herpes, shingles, and other complex conditions, which I believe have a microbiological component (e.g., cancer and autoimmunity).

•It can remove the antibiotic resistance of bacteria. This is particularly helpful in widespread problematic infections that have gradually developed a resistance to many existing antibiotics (e.g., tuberculosis) and challenging infections that are not responding to antibiotics (e.g., ones that would otherwise require an amputation).

•It can further increase the sensitivity of already susceptible microorganisms to antimicrobial agents.

•It can deliver antimicrobial agents to areas that are typically difficult to reach (e.g., deep in a bone) and also directly to regions that would otherwise require a systemic application of the medication.

•It can increase circulation to many parts of the body, something which is often critical for resolving illnesses (as a healthy blood supply allows the immune system to enter and heal diseased areas). Likewise, pretreatment with DMSO has been shown to increase the immune system’s ability to resist a subsequent infection.

•Much in the same way DMSO protects cells from a wide variety of lethal stressors, it can also protect them from the harmful effects of bacterial toxins (e.g., with the most pertinent applications studied being for sepsis and clostridium difficile). Likewise, it can also mitigate the toxicity of antimicrobial agents taken for a prolonged period.

Many of these properties are exceedingly unusual and can completely transform the practice of medicine.

How DMSO Cures Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat and Dental Disease

DMSO Could Save Millions from Brain and Spinal Injury

Safe Use & Dosing

This continues from Dr. Mercola's page:

Proper product selection and dosing are key to getting the best results. A Midwestern Doctor recommends looking for DMSO that has at least 99.9% purity and, if liquid, is stored in glass.

For topical dosing, start with 70% and dilute it 50/50 with water. Gradually work your way up to the full-strength product as long as no skin irritation occurs. You can also progress to a 100% DMSO product if you have thick scars or are using it for speci c health conditions.

For oral dosage, a typical starting dose is 0.5 to 1 teaspoon (of 70% or 100%). You may gradually increase the dose as long as you are tolerating it well. The maximum safe dosage is up for debate, but generally 3 teaspoons is considered the upper limit. Keep in mind that since DMSO has an unpleasant taste, you’ll likely want to mix it with milk or juice when consuming it orally. Be sure to mix it well so the DMSO doesn’t settle at the bottom

Precautions - Important!

While DMSO shows promising benefits, it's important to approach its use with caution and awareness.

As with any supplement or treatment, DMSO has side effects and contraindications that you need to be aware of.

The most common side effect is a garlic-like taste or breath odor, which occurs because DMSO breaks down into dimethyl sulfide in your body. (At Wondrous Roots we are using a filtered product, so less of that problem)

Some people may also experience skin irritation when DMSO is applied topically.

DMSO also increases the absorption of other substances through your skin, amplifying the effects of medications. This means you need to be careful about what comes into contact with your skin when using DMSO topically. Rebecca comments: This is super important to understand. Do not apply DMSO to an area and then apply anything else to your skin you do not want penetrating deeply into your body, like perfume or chemical-laden body products/cosmetics, or if you work with chemicals that get on your skin, etc.

It's also important to note that DMSO interacts with certain medications, including blood thinners and steroids. Additionally, high concentrations may cause liver damage if used improperly. Pregnant women and those with liver disease should use caution when considering DMSO. As always, I recommend consulting with a holistic health care practitioner to determine if DMSO is right for you.