Health Uses For Hydrogen Peroxide

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First, what is Hydrogen Peroxide?

“Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a clear, colorless, odorless liquid. It’s a combination of hydrogen and oxygen and is available in many strengths (indicated by the percentage of dilution with water).

One dilution of hydrogen peroxide is 35 percent H₂O₂ and 65 percent water. Food producers use 35 percent H₂O₂ for a variety of purposes, including processing cheese and bleaching wheat flour. It’s also used to kill microorganisms in food packaging materials.

This 35 percent dilution is called “food grade” in part because it doesn’t contain certain stabilizers:

• acetanilide
• phenol
• sodium stannate
• tetrasodium pyrophosphate

These stabilizers are found in most other commercially available hydrogen peroxide and should not be ingested.

No matter the dilution — even if food grade 35 percent H₂O₂ — you should never drink any hydrogen peroxide.

Types of hydrogen peroxide

Beyond food-grade, hydrogen peroxide is available in a number of dilutions:

• 3 percent H₂O₂ (“household” hydrogen peroxide): available in supermarkets and drugstores, typically in brown bottles
• 6 to 10 percent H₂O₂ (hair-bleaching hydrogen peroxide)
• 90 percent H₂O₂ (“industrial” hydrogen peroxide): available in various strengths and used for bleaching paper and textiles, producing foam rubber, and as an ingredient in rocket fuel” – By healthline

There are multiple ways in which you can use Hydrogen Peroxide

There are also multiple places.

Hydrogen Peroxide is a better choice when it comes to cleaning because the smell is not toxic nor is it poisonous unless you ingest large amounts.

This is just one example of how you can use this clear but effective liquid. Read on to find out more ways in which you can use Hydrogen Peroxide, a more natural approach, in your home and for your health.

Top Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide

Disinfectant

Have you ever poured peroxide on a cut and watched it fizz? Kind of cool to watch, but more than that it helps clean.

Cleaning a cut with soap and water will do just as well of a job and can be less of an irritant to the skin. Peroxide, however, is a great backup and something you should keep in or by your first aid kit or where soap and water are not available.

Removing Earwax

Wax in your ears can build up over time leaving them clogged. If you prefer to take care of the problem at home, simply apply a few drops and leave in for a day, then rinse out with warm water.

You can also have someone pour hydrogen peroxide in your ear with you lying on your side. The canal will start to bubble as it cleans, so keep a paper towel on hand to catch any loose wax, or when you have sat for a few minutes and are going to drain the side, you are cleaning.

Swollen Gums

This may happen if you don’t brush and floss enough or if your mouth or gums get hit. It might help to treat it with a rinse of half hydrogen peroxide (3%) and half water. Swish it for 30 seconds and then spit. Saltwater is another option. Call your doctor if your sore gums stick around for more than about 7 days.

WebMD

Canker Sores

Canker Sores can get very sore. One way to help get rid of them sooner is to apply peroxide on a cotton ball and dab on the sores. You can also swish peroxide in your mouth for 1 to 2 minutes and then spit it out. Rinse your mouth out afterward.

Helps to Whiten Teeth

You can buy multiple types of toothpaste which have either baking soda or peroxide in them. However, you can also swish straight peroxide or apply a paste of baking soda and water directly to your teeth. The main thing to consider when using these methods is how often you do them.

As these products are great, they can also cause your teeth to be sensitive or eat the protective coating which you don’t want to do. To prevent this, use twice a week, three times at the most. If you feel your teeth getting sensitive, cut back on the amount per week.

Old Time Hair Dye

My husband and I were talking tonight about how his sisters either used lemon juice, lime juice or peroxide to lighten their hair. You can apply lemon or lime juice and then sit in the sun causing a natural bleaching effect, or read the bottle and follow directions to apply peroxide.

However, just like too much use of peroxide on your teeth can cause them to be brittle, the same goes for your hair. Use a conditioner or coconut oil to help restore dry hair.

Acne

I talked about using witch-hazel to help clear up acne a couple of weeks ago; well, peroxide is another clear liquid you can use. After washing your face, use the peroxide as a toner by squirting some on a cotton ball and then applying to face and neck. Avoid eye area and do not ingest it in your mouth or through your nose. Be sure to use a light moisturizer afterward as it can be a little harsh on the skin.

This treatment will work well and has proven to be just as effective as benzoyl peroxide which is found in multiple acne treatment creams and face washes.

Disinfectant

Hospitals use it because it’s especially good at killing a parasite called cryptosporidiosis (crypto) that spreads in human poop. Even bleach can’t seem to easily get rid of these stubborn pathogens. Hydrogen peroxide may also work against the norovirus, which is both hard to kill and very contagious. More research is needed to know how well it works as a decontaminant.

healthline

Other Uses Include

Ending Notes

Although there are multiple ways to use food grade hydrogen peroxide, do not ingest it and be careful when handling it.

-Heather Earles