When working with transdermal substances like DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide), it’s crucial to understand how they function on the skin and interact with other ingredients. DMSO is a powerful transdermal carrier, meaning it can transport other substances directly through the skin into the bloodstream.
Many recipes in Herb Roi Richards’ DMSO Dimethylsulfoxide for Humans: Recipes and Treatments book utilize DMSO in liquid form, so knowing proper application techniques and safety tips can maximize effectiveness and minimize risks.
1. Preparation and Precautions
- Cleanliness: Ensure the skin area where you’ll apply DMSO is thoroughly clean. Avoid using soaps or cleansers with chemicals, as DMSO can carry these unwanted substances into your body. Use warm water or natural soaps and rinse well.
- Application Tools: Use clean, non-reactive materials like glass or medical-grade plastic for mixing or handling DMSO solutions. Avoid retail plastics, like those used in drinking water bottles, as DMSO can react with them and potentially introduce unwanted contaminants.
2. Applying DMSO Solutions
- Dilution and Recipes: Follow specific dilutions as provided in your recipe. For beginners, starting with a lower concentration (e.g., 50% DMSO mixed with 50% distilled water) is recommended to reduce skin sensitivity. Higher concentrations can cause skin irritation, especially in sensitive areas.
- Using DMSO with Silver Water: Silver Water, also known as musical colloidal silver, is often combined with DMSO for its antimicrobial properties. Mix according to recipe instructions, ensuring proper ratios, as each ingredient has potent effects. Silver Water does not require dilution but should be used as directed.
- Application Technique: Use a glass dropper or apply with clean fingers. Gently rub the mixture onto the skin in small, circular motions to ensure even coverage. A thin layer is usually sufficient; excess application isn’t necessary due to the potency of DMSO’s absorption.
3. Handling Liquid-Based Recipes
- Storing Liquid Remedies: Keep DMSO-based solutions in dark glass containers in a cool, dark place. This helps maintain the potency and purity of both DMSO and Silver Water.
- Know Your Ingredients: Some ingredients mix better than others with DMSO, like chlorine dioxide. Chlorine dioxide mixes well with DMSO but has little or no shelf life once mixed, so it must be combined and used immediately; this mixture is not recommended for storage as they cancel each other out over time. Make a new batch for the next application.
- Sensitive Areas: Be cautious when applying DMSO near sensitive skin, mucous membranes, or eyes, as it can cause stinging or irritation. Some users recommend applying petroleum jelly to nearby areas to prevent spread.
- Timing and Frequency: Many recipes suggest once-daily applications but follow the specific guidance in Richard’s book. Overuse can irritate the skin, so start slow and monitor your body’s response.
4. Additional Considerations for Safety
- Patch Testing: Before completing the application, always do a patch test on a small area, such as the forearm. Observe for any redness, tingling, or discomfort.
- Avoid Contaminants: Keep your hands clean when working with DMSO, as it can carry residues from lotions, perfumes, or chemicals on the skin.
- Using Gloves (Optional): If you’re sensitive to DMSO, consider wearing medical-grade nitrile gloves when applying to prevent it from absorbing into your hands.
Using DMSO and Silver Water or chlorine dioxide effectively requires careful preparation and precise handling, especially given DMSO’s transdermal abilities. By following Richard’s recipes and these safety practices, you can maximize the benefits while minimizing potential risks associated with transdermal applications.