Soufre
Related Terms
- Balneotherapy, brimstone, Dead Sea, mineral water, shiliuhuang (Chinese), sulfur water, sulphur, sulpur, thion, Toto.
- Combination products: BHI Cold (sulfur and pulsatilla); Luffa comp-HeelT nasal spray (Luffa operculata, Galphimia glauca, histamine, sulfur); Engystol? (swallow-wort, sulfur); Zeel comp? (Rhus toxicodendron, sulphur, radix Arnica montana, Sanguinaria canadensis, and dulcamara).
- Note: This monograph focuses on elemental sulfur used to treat human medical conditions. The following items were excluded from this monograph: sulfur mustard, iron-sulfur clusters, sulfur dioxide, sulfur accumulation in plants, sulfur-containing antioxidants, sulfur-containing amino acids, volatile sulfur compounds, sulfur nutrition in plants, sulfur-containing compounds in garlic, and organosulfur compounds.
Background
- Sulfur is a tasteless, yellow crystalline solid. In nature, it can be found as the pure element or in sulfide and sulfate minerals. Sulfur is a constituent of petroleum, sulfuric acid, and natural gas. Its commercial uses are primarily in fertilizers, but it is also widely used in gunpowder, matches, insecticides, and fungicides.
- Elemental sulfur is present in all living tissues. After calcium and phosphorus, it is the third most abundant mineral element in the human body. It is essential for life and is found in two amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Sulfur is found in foods such as meat, garlic, onion, dates, and broccoli. Dietary sulfur supplementation may be indicated for vegan athletes, children, the elderly, or patients with HIV, as these populations are at an increased risk for sulfur deficiency.
- Sulfur is commonly used in homeopathic medicine to treat acne, rosacea (facial inflammation), scabies, seborrheic dermatitis (skin inflammation), tinea versicolor (fungal skin infection), recurrent upper respiratory tract infection, and dandruff. Sulfur, used alone or in combination with other agents, has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of many skin conditions.
- Balneotherapy (mineral baths) is one of the oldest forms of therapy for patients with arthritis. There is evidence supporting the use of sulfur baths for the treatment of rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis. While is not enough clinical evidence to recommend sulfur baths in replacement of standard modes of therapy for osteoarthritis, it may be safely added to standard regimens.
- Sulfur preparations have been studied for use in allergic rhinitis, ankylosing spondylitis (a form of arthritis), arthritis (psoriatic), atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), the common cold, dandruff, deafness (rhinogenic), fibromyalgia (muscle and soft tissue pain), inflammation (rhinopharyngotubaric phlogoses), pain (rheumatic disease), rheumatoid arthritis, rosacea (facial inflammation), scabies, and skin disorders. High-quality human trials supporting the use of sulfur for conditions other than osteoarthritis are lacking at this time.
Evidence Table
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * |
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * |
Some evidence suggests that shampoo containing sulfur may be useful for dandruff control. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results.
|
B |
Some evidence suggests that shampoo containing sulfur may be useful for dandruff control. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results.
|
B |
Some evidence suggests that sulfur bath therapy may have an effect on osteoarthritis when added to standard therapy. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results.
|
B |
Some evidence suggests that sulfur bath therapy may have an effect on osteoarthritis when added to standard therapy. Additional studies are needed to confirm these results.
|
B |
Limited evidence suggests that a homeopathic nasal spray containing Luffa operculata, Galphimia glauca, histamine, and sulfur may have an effect on allergic rhinitis. Further research is needed to examine the effects of sulfur alone.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that a homeopathic nasal spray containing Luffa operculata, Galphimia glauca, histamine, and sulfur may have an effect on allergic rhinitis. Further research is needed to examine the effects of sulfur alone.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that a combination of climatic therapy, mud packs, and sulfur baths at the Dead Sea improved the condition of patients suffering from long-standing ankylosing spondylitis (a form of arthritis). Additional studies are needed to examine the effects of sulfur therapy alone.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that a combination of climatic therapy, mud packs, and sulfur baths at the Dead Sea improved the condition of patients suffering from long-standing ankylosing spondylitis (a form of arthritis). Additional studies are needed to examine the effects of sulfur therapy alone.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that addition of mud packs and sulfur baths to ultraviolet exposure from the sun and Dead Sea baths may have additive effects on reducing inflammatory back pain. Additional studies are needed to examine the effects of sulfur therapy alone.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that addition of mud packs and sulfur baths to ultraviolet exposure from the sun and Dead Sea baths may have additive effects on reducing inflammatory back pain. Additional studies are needed to examine the effects of sulfur therapy alone.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfur water from the Wieslaw spring in Busko-Solec, Poland, improved fat and cholesterol levels and clotting profiles in patients with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Further studies need to be performed to determine if sulfur was indeed the active agent in this spring water.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfur water from the Wieslaw spring in Busko-Solec, Poland, improved fat and cholesterol levels and clotting profiles in patients with atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Further studies need to be performed to determine if sulfur was indeed the active agent in this spring water.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that Engystol? (a homeopathic combination formula of swallow-wort and sulfur) may be a useful component of an integrated symptomatic therapy for the common cold. Studies on sulfur therapy alone need to be performed.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that Engystol? (a homeopathic combination formula of swallow-wort and sulfur) may be a useful component of an integrated symptomatic therapy for the common cold. Studies on sulfur therapy alone need to be performed.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfur inhalation therapy using endotympanic ventilation or the Politzer method may improve middle ear function in children. Further studies in this area are needed.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfur inhalation therapy using endotympanic ventilation or the Politzer method may improve middle ear function in children. Further studies in this area are needed.
|
C |
There is preliminary evidence suggesting that treatment of fibromyalgia (muscle and soft tissue pain) at the Dead Sea is effective and safe. Further research is needed in this area.
|
C |
There is preliminary evidence suggesting that treatment of fibromyalgia (muscle and soft tissue pain) at the Dead Sea is effective and safe. Further research is needed in this area.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfurous, salty, bromic, iodic thermal waters may improve IgA and albumin concentrations in nasal secretions. It is unclear if sulfur is the active agent in this treatment.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfurous, salty, bromic, iodic thermal waters may improve IgA and albumin concentrations in nasal secretions. It is unclear if sulfur is the active agent in this treatment.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfur baths may lower pain sensitivity in patients with rheumatic diseases of the soft tissues. Further research in this area is warranted.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfur baths may lower pain sensitivity in patients with rheumatic diseases of the soft tissues. Further research in this area is warranted.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfur baths may have beneficial effects in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients similar to that of Dead Sea bathing and mud pack therapy. Better-designed studies are needed in this area.
|
C |
Limited evidence suggests that sulfur baths may have beneficial effects in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients similar to that of Dead Sea bathing and mud pack therapy. Better-designed studies are needed in this area.
|
C |
Preliminary evidence suggests that a 10% sodium sulfacetamide/5% sulfur emollient (SSSE) may have potential to improve rosacea (facial inflammation). Further research in this area is warranted.
|
C |
Preliminary evidence suggests that a 10% sodium sulfacetamide/5% sulfur emollient (SSSE) may have potential to improve rosacea (facial inflammation). Further research in this area is warranted.
|
C |
Preliminary evidence suggests that a mixture of 2-8% precipitated sulfur petrolatum may effectively treat scabies in children under five years of age, as well as in pregnant and lactating women and the elderly, in whom other drugs are not recommended. Better-designed studies are warranted.
|
C |
Preliminary evidence suggests that a mixture of 2-8% precipitated sulfur petrolatum may effectively treat scabies in children under five years of age, as well as in pregnant and lactating women and the elderly, in whom other drugs are not recommended. Better-designed studies are warranted.
|
C |
Studies of lesser quality suggest that sulfur may be useful in treating skin disorders. Better-designed studies are warranted.
|
C |
Studies of lesser quality suggest that sulfur may be useful in treating skin disorders. Better-designed studies are warranted.
|
C | * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| Tradition / Theory
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Dosing
Adults (18 years and older)
- For acne, lotions, ointments, creams, or soaps containing 1-10% sulfur have been applied to affected areas. Manufacturers usually recommend applying creams or ointments to the entire affected area, 1-3 times daily.
- For atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), 50 milliliters of undiluted sulfur spring water has been taken by mouth three times daily for four weeks.
- For chronic lichen simplex (long-term itching and thickening of the skin), 200 milliliters of a homeopathic preparation has been taken by mouth once daily for one year.
- For dandruff, a shampoo containing 2% sulfur has been used. Manufacturers recommend shampooing as often as once daily until flakes are under control.
- For fibromyalgia (muscle and soft tissue pain), sulfur baths have been used for 10 days.
- For osteoarthritis, bathing in a sulfur pool for 2-3 weeks or twice weekly for six consecutive weeks has been used.
- For rheumatoid arthritis, daily sulfur baths for 12-14 days have been used.
- For rosacea (facial inflammation), the manufacturer of Rosula? recommends using an ointment containing 10% sulfur applied every night for three weeks or a lotion containing 10% sulfacetamide with 5% sulfur applied 1-3 times daily.
- For scabies, an ointment containing 2-8% precipitated sulfur in petrolatum has been applied once daily for six days, followed by a one-week rest period, application for two days, thoroughly washing off with neutral soap, and application of lubricant cream.
- For seborrheic dermatitis, a manufacturer recommends using a shampoo containing 2% sulfur and salicylic acid daily or every other day until noticeable improvement, then once or twice per week. Alternatively, a lotion containing 10% sulfacetamide with 5% sulfur may be applied 1-3 times daily.
Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.
Interactions
Interactions with Drugs
- Sulfur may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
- Sulfur may also interact with anti-inflammatory drugs, cholesterol-lowering drugs, isotretinoin, laxatives, and retinoids.
Attribution
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This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).
Bibliography
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