Natural Selections

Sulphur (Sulfur)

“Every body  consists of 3 ingredients. The names of these 3 are Sulphur, Mercury and salt.” ~ Paracelsus

Sulphur has been used for centuries as a treatment for many skin conditions, such as fungal infections, scabies, psoriasis, eczema and acne.
It has also been used extensively in cosmetic preparations and by cosmetic dermatologists treating conditions such as seborrheic eczema.
Sulfur helps dry out the surface of your skin to help absorb excess oil (sebum) that may contribute to acne breakouts. It also dries out dead skin cells to help unclog your pores.
Sulfur is applied to the skin for acne, hay-fever, skin redness (rosacea), dandruff, scaly and red skin patches (seborrheic dermatitis), an itchy skin infection caused by mites (scabies), lice, cold sores, warts, and poison oak, ivy, and sumac infections. Sulfur offers many skin benefits, like treating acne and dandruff. 

Sulphur has natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, meaning it can clear bacteria from the pores that would otherwise lead to acne and also help to prevent new bacteria from manifesting on the skin’s surface. It also reduces the production of sebum in the skin, which leads to oiliness.
Sulphur also has anti-aging and antimicrobial properties.

Contrary to belief, Sulphur is low in toxicity to people. However, ingesting too much Sulphur may cause a burning sensation or diarrhea. Breathing in Sulphur dust can irritate the airways or cause coughing. It can also be irritating to the skin and eyes.

Most of the body’s Sulphur is found in the Sulphur-containing amino acids Methionine, Cystine and Cysteine. Vitamin B1, Biotin, and Pantothenic Acid contain small amounts of Sulphur. Our cells need Sulphur to make Methionine. Without Sulphur (and methionine) our cells would not be able to make new proteins because they couldn’t start translation.

Why Sulphur is good for hair:

Sulphur is found within amino acids, which are components of protein. Proteins (especially keratin, which is known to be sulfur-rich) are needed for growing strong hair.

The sulphur from onions may also help promote collagen production. Collagen in turn helps the production of healthy skin cells and hair growth.

Sulphur as a Skin Lightener:
Although skin lightening products can reduce dark skin hyperpigmentation, they can also create light spots, and they can darken dark acne scars. Sulfur can help because it clears the dead skin and encourages new skin cells growth, and it is not as harsh as most skin lighteners.

Foods and beverages rich in Sulphur:

Meat and poultry: especially beef, ham, chicken, duck, turkey, and organ meats like heart and liver.

Fish and seafood: most types of fish, as well as shrimp, scallops, mussels, and prawns.

Legumes: especially soybeans, black beans, kidney beans, split peas, and white beans.

Veggies Grains & Beverages containing Sulphur:

Vegetables: particularly asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, leeks, onion, radishes, turnip tops, and watercress.
Grains: especially pearl barley, oats, wheat, and flour made from these grains.
Beverages: particularly beer, cider, wine, coconut milk, and grape and tomato juice.

Garlic: Garlic contains approximately 33 Sulphur compounds (aliin, allicin, ajoene, allylpropyl disulfide, diallyl trisulfide, sallylcysteine, vinyldithiines, S-allylmercaptocystein, and others), several enzymes (allinase, peroxidases, myrosinase, and others), 17 amino acids (arginine and others), and minerals.

Sulphur as a preservative: Sulphur acts as anti-microbial agent for preventing bacteria, fungus etc

Sulphur Treatment for Ringworm: Of all available topical therapies, Lime Sulphur solution is the most effective as it sterilizes the coat to prevent further growth of ringworm. It is relatively easy to apply rapidly to a number of cats, and has been documented to work well in a shelter setting.

In Summing Up:
Sulphur is an essential element for all life, but almost always in the form of organosulphur compounds or metal sulfides. Three amino acids (cysteine, cystine, and methionine) and two vitamins (biotin and thiamine) are organosulphur compounds

Many cofactors also contain sulphur, including glutathione, thioredoxin, and iron–sulphur proteins. Disulfides, S–S bonds, confer mechanical strength and insolubility of the protein keratin, found in outer skin, hair, and feathers. Sulphur is one of the core chemical elements needed for biochemical functioning and is an elemental macronutrient for all living organisms.