Sulfur: An Essential Element in Homeopathy

Bubbling under the Earth’s crust is sulfur, a foul-smelling substance that’s a driving force behind the explosive eruptions of volcanos and geysers. Surprisingly enough, it also has the power to quell eruptions on the skin. In homeopathy, sulfur is transformed into an active ingredient for ailments affecting the skin.

Facts about Sulfur

As one of the 10 most common elements in the universe, sulfur is found in all living organisms and is abundant in the human body, mostly originating in our diet. Foods rich in sulfur include meat and poultry, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, and vegetables in the allium family such as garlic and onions. It’s also an essential component of vitamins, hormones, and proteins. If you have curly hair, you can thank sulfur for that, too. Hair is made of a protein called keratin that contains sulfur atoms. The further apart the atoms, the more the protein molecules bend, and the curlier your hair is.

Sulfur for Health

This bright, yellow element, known in the Bible as brimstone, was first identified by French chemist Antoine Lavoisier in the late 1700s. However, it’s been used by humankind for thousands of years. Ancient and medieval physicians relied on sulfur’s antimicrobial properties to treat fungal infections of the skin; Victorians had a cure-all tonic made from sulfur and molasses called “brimstone and treacle”; and Native Americans soaked in the healing waters of sulfur-rich hot springs for centuries.

Today, sulfur can be found in over-the-counter skin products to zap zits and acne or contained in prescription topicals for psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. Its use in homeopathy is aimed similarly at addressing skin ailments.

Homeopathic Sulphur is prepared from finely powdered sulfur. “It’s particularly well-known for relieving itchy skin rashes, especially those made worse with heat, water, or from contact with certain fabrics like wool,” says Gary Kracoff, NMD, a registered pharmacist at Johnson Compounding & Wellness in Waltham, Mass. “Skilled homeopathic practitioners will also prescribe Sulphur to measles patients to help relieve itching aggravated by scratching.”

As a first aid medicine for itchy, burning rashes, take 5 pellets of Sulphur 6C three times a day. Decrease frequency to twice then once a day as symptoms resolve.

You can learn more from Dr. Kracoff about Boiron Sulphur homeopathic medicine in this video.

*Claims based on traditional homeopathic practice, not accepted medical evidence. Not FDA evaluated.