Unlocking Natural Medicine — The Power of Therapeutic DMSO Combinations
Over the last year, I’ve worked to bring the public’s attention to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a forgotten natural therapy which rapidly treats a wide range of conditions and that many studies have shown is extremely safe (provided it’s used correctly). Most importantly (thanks to the 1994 DSHEA act which ended decades of FDA persecution against natural therapies) DMSO is now readily available.
Since I believe DMSO has immense potential to offer the medical community and individual patients, I’ve diligently worked to compile evidence that best supports its rediscovery. As such, throughout this series, I’ve presented thousands of studies that DMSO effectively treats:
• Strokes, paralysis, and many other neurological or circulatory disorders (discussed here).
• Chronic pain and tissue injuries, such as sprains, burns, and non-healing wounds (discussed here).
• Numerous autoimmune and contractile disorders (discussed here).
• Head conditions, such as tinnitus, vision loss, dental problems, and sinusitis (discussed here).
• Internal organ diseases, such as pancreatitis, infertility, liver cirrhosis, and endometriosis (discussed here).
• Skin conditions, such as varicose veins, acne, hair loss, ulcers and skin cancer (discussed here).
• Many different cancers (discussed here).
• Lung disorders, including asthma, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis (discussed here).
• Infections, including chronic bacterial infections, herpes, and shingles (discussed here).
DMSO Combination Therapies
DMSO’s ability to treat a wide range of illnesses results from its having a variety of highly unusual properties that appear to address the root causes of disease (e.g., it dramatically improves circulation). One of DMSO’s most noteworthy properties is its ability to enhance the effects of other substances, which in many cases makes it possible to surmount major dilemmas traditionally seen with those therapies.
DMSO’s unique ability to function as a vehicle is due to the fact that it can pass through biological membranes without damaging them,1 so once it contacts the skin, it rapidly spreads throughout the body.2 At the same time, simultaneously it readily dissolves most substances and is able to bring them with it into the body. This is very useful as it allows you to:
• Apply a medication topically or orally that would typically require an IV or injection.
• Make drugs become much more potent and able to treat conditions that otherwise will not respond to (e.g., these mixtures can penetrate and treat antibiotic resistant bacteria or chemotherapy resistant cancers).
• Allow lower doses of a drug to be used, which are often much less toxic and in many cases, counteract the toxicity of the blended medication (as DMSO protects tissue from injury) — all of which make it incredibly useful for reducing the harm of chemotherapy.
Note: While DMSO cannot be patented, combinations can. As such, while DMSO alone is “unsafe” “ineffective” and “unproven” many “safe and effective” DMSO pharmaceutical combinations exist, including many approved by the FDA.
Likewise, when DMSO is combined with a variety of natural therapies, as:
• In many cases where DMSO alone does not work for a condition (which DMSO is known to improve), a combination therapy will.
• While DMSO has a variety of positive pharmaceutical synergies, it appears to work best when combined with natural therapies.
Note: Natural substances tend to be less toxic than pharmaceuticals and thus much less likely to be harmful once potentiated with DMSO. Nonetheless, it is still critical to understand how to prepare these mixtures (discussed here) safely.
• Many have found that combining DMSO with their favorite natural therapies has allowed them to take medical care into their own hands and “be their own doctor.”
Natural Combination Studies
An extensive body of literature exists that corroborates DMSO’s therapeutic synergy with pharmaceuticals. Many studies have also shown the therapeutic benefit of natural DMSO combinations.
Note: Many approved DMSO preparations also contain natural substances that enhance DMSO’s effects (such as dexpanthenol, menthol, camphor, lavandin, lavender oil, coriander oil, arnica, potassium iodide, and capsicum).
• Chinese herbs — In China, many promising DMSO herbal preparations have been studied (e.g., one effectively treated post-herpetic neuralgia in 31 patients).3 These include:
◦In rats with Alzheimer’s disease, DMSO and Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE), administered for 14 days, improved learning and memory.4
◦DMSO and purple gromwell effectively treated viral warts.5
◦In mice with cervical carcinoma, treatment with 50 mg/kg DMSO combined with 20 mg/kg Zhenhuang injection extended survival by 65.81% to 69.83% in ascitic tumors and inhibited solid tumor growth by 60.83% to 68.33%, significantly outperforming either alone.6
◦DMSO in combination with a knotweed herbal ointment, demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory effects in rats.7
Note: Many studies have shown DMSO enhances the absorption of plant extracts and the penetration of herbal ointments (e.g., for ginseng8,9,10).
• Nutraceuticals — Vitamin C has been combined with DMSO to treat a variety of conditions:
◦A 2022 randomized trial of 25 patients (with 28 confirmed basal cell cancers), investigators found when it was combined with 95% DMSO and applied topically twice a day, after 8 weeks, 86.7% of the cancers had disappeared entirely.11 In contrast, after 8 weeks of 5% imiquimod (standard treatment), only 57.1% had disappeared.
Antioxidants have also been repeatedly used with DMSO to protect tissue from injury:
◦DMSO, ascorbic acid, glutamine, hydrocortisone succinate, and pentoxifylline protected the jejunal (intestinal) lining of horses from its blood supply being temporarily cut off.12
◦In rabbits, IV DMSO protected their kidneys from having their blood supply cut off, with an even greater effect seen when N-Acetylcysteine was infused concurrently.13
◦A 1983 study showed that the increase in blood flow DMSO created for scleroderma patients was greatly enhanced with vitamin B3.14
• Natural antimicrobials — Topical DMSO with iodine has been shown to treat a variety of infections:
◦In 58 patients, negative pressure wound therapy, DMSO, and povidone iodine (PVP-I) was found to be an effective therapy for chronic purulent wounds, trophic ulcers with atherosclerotic lesions of the vessels of the extremities, and diabetic angiopathy.15
◦DMSO and PVP-I, without side effects, have successfully treated molluscum contagiosum (e.g., in the groin of a 14-month old boy16 and a 63-year old man17).
◦A DMSO, silver ion, and iodine formulation had a 90% to 95% success rate in treating purulent-septic diseases, hoof damage, and mastitis (where it did not impair milk production and had no toxicity).18
Note: DMSO, and silver nanoparticles were also found to be an effective treatment for serous mastitis in cows.19,20
Fungal infections also respond to these combinations:
◦DMSO mixed with a variety of different plant extracts was highly effective at inhibiting the growth of resistant Candida infections isolated from patients with mouth cancers.21
◦DMSO with food grade vinegar was found to be an effective treatment for 406 patients with fungal athlete’s foot (59% DMSO and 41% vinegar given 3 to 4 times a day for 3 to 5 days)22 and 100 patients with jock itch (40% DMSO 60% vinegar).23
Many other infections also respond to these combinations:
◦A 2023 clinical trial gave an oral DMSO spray containing zinc iodide, ginger extract, propolis extract, and xylitol to patients with mild or moderate COVID-19.24 Compared to placebo, this treatment caused significant improvements in clinical symptoms, recovery time, and viral clearance.
◦DMSO has also been combined with enzymes to treat actinomycosis, meningitis or meningoencephalitis (from a viral respiratory infection) or suppurative wounds,25,26,27 and with a (harmless) antiparasitic fungus to treat ear infections.28
Note: DMSO also significantly increased the ability of Annona muricata seed extracts to eliminate mosquitoes in the water.29
• Natural dental treatments — In dentistry, DMSO reduces inflammation within teeth (pulpitis) and gums (periodontitis), helps eliminate the bacteria causing that inflammation, improves blood flow to teeth, and assists with healing teeth. Many natural substances have been used for this:
◦50% DMSO and 1 mg/ml oleanolic acid (which is found in many plants including olives30) in 30 extracted human teeth with enterococcus faecalis infections rapidly reduced bacteria levels, within 24 hours completely eliminating them, with the combination being more potent than either alone.31,32,33
◦DMSO, alone or combined with lysozyme (an antimicrobial activity), effectively treated acute serous limited pulpitis in 95.6% of 120 teeth immediately after treatment, with 93.1% success at 3 months and 82.9% at 24 months.34
Note: 15% DMSO mixed with a herbal extract also treated periodontal disease.35
◦In patients with deep caries and early pulpitis, a 20% DMSO and calcium hydroxide combination used as a pulp-capping treatment significantly reduced inflammation and improved outcomes compared to traditional methods.36
◦DMSO in a gel with 10% glucosamine hydrochloride, nettle juice, and Kalanchoe juice effectively treated periodontitis in animals, reducing inflammation and speeding tissue repair.37
• Other head conditions:
◦DMSO plus short-acting insulin and 5% calcium pantothenate (B5) safely treated 42 patients ages 23 to 62 with chronic parenchymatous parotitis (inflammation of the parotid gland).38
◦Sjögren’s syndrome is quite difficult to treat. In one study, DMSO alone provided significant improvement which was further enhanced by vitamin C.39
◦A variety of DMSO applications improve tinnitus and in one study, a combination spray containing circulation promoting agents like capsicum (and lidocaine) treated tinnitus.
• Wound healing:
◦In mice with second-degree burn wounds, DMSO, collagen, and dextran accelerated healing and reduced inflammation.40
◦DMSO mixed with linethol (a flaxseed concentrate with anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and wound-healing properties) treated burns.41
◦DMSO and Brazilian green propolis effectively reduced inflammation and accelerated surgical wound healing in animals and eliminated the need for oral medications.42
Note: As mentioned above, DMSO silver combinations also enhance wound healing.
• Other natural cancer combinations — Many other natural therapies have been combined with DMSO to treat cancer. For example, many studies have found that infusing it with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is very helpful for reducing cancer symptoms:
◦A 2011 study found it significantly benefited patients with metastatic prostate cancer:43
◦A 2014 study of 9 patients with advanced biliary adenocarcinomas found the same:44
◦A 2011 study of 26 patients with severe refractory pain from advanced cancers found it was an effective method of pain control that also improved the patients’ quality of life, reduced the side effects of chemotherapy, and possibly increased their length of survival.45
DMSO has been extensively shown to suppress cancer growth and cause cancer cells to differentiate (revert back to normal cells). A few studies have assessed this with DMSO combinations:
◦Alpha-lipoic acid was found to significantly enhance DMSO’s ability to differentiate mouse embryonic carcinoma P19 cells, but not to induce differentiation without DMSO.46
◦Retinoic acid (a vitamin A metabolite) has also shown promise for inducing cancer differentiation, works synergistically with DMSO47,48,49 and uses a different differentiating pathway than DMSO.50,51
◦In human ovarian cancer cells (COC1), DMSO and retinoic acid significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced differentiation.52
◦A 1969 study found that DMSO, when combined with heat and vitamin A, selectively targeted cancer cells (and facilitated the release of lysosomal enzymes).53
◦In mice with skin cancer grafts, topical DMSO and vitamin E mixed with cabazitaxel suppressed tumor growth by 50% compared to controls.54
◦A 2023 study found that fatty acids isolated from the urine of healthy cows and mixed with DMSO were an effective therapy against breast cancer cells.55
◦A 2018 study found that DMSO and a plant extract selectively arrested cell growth and induced cell death of colon cancer cells.56
Lastly, in some of the cancer studies that demonstrated DMSO enhanced chemotherapy success, natural therapies were also incorporated. For example, a 1975 study of 65 patients with incurable cancers (most of whom had received conventional therapies) found that a low dose of cyclophosphamide mixed in DMSO with GABA, GABOB, and acetylglutamine cured 57 of them.57
• Other natural combinations:
◦In rabbits, DMSO protects heart tissue that has lost its blood supply from dying, and this protection was enhanced with the simultaneous administration of hydrogen peroxide.58 In devascularized skin flaps, DMSO alone prevented carbon dioxide levels from increasing, and when hydrogen peroxide was added, tissue oxygen levels then increased.59
◦A 1980 study gave 129 newborns with osteomyelitis (bone infections) DMSO and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which improved their general condition, normalized serum laboratory values, reduced bone destruction, and accelerated bone regeneration.60 Identical results were achieved in a 1978 study of acute and chronic osteomyelitis,61 a 1979 study of 43 children with chronic osteomyelitis,62 and a 1981 study of 54 children with acute septic osteomyelitis.63
◦In 38 patients with strong body odors, in addition to a DMSO aluminum chloride combination, 40% urea in 70% DMSO solution effectively reduced underarm odor.64
Note: Individuals have also reported using DMSO (alone) as a highly effective deodorant.
Common Natural DMSO Combinations
The safety and efficacy of DMSO have inspired a large do-it-yourself community, particularly within Germany, to explore a wide range of natural DMSO combinations. Presently, I know of around 120 combinations that have repeatedly benefited patients. Still, as an almost infinite number exists (that could be tested on diseases throughout the body), many remarkable ones remain undiscovered.
As a result, many different combinations have been extensively explored, which have been successfully used to treat a wide range of conditions. These include:
• Carrier oils (e.g., coconut oil) — When DMSO is chronically used, it can sometimes dehydrate the skin. Many individuals find they have a better response to DMSO within a carrier oil or aloe vera, particularly when making natural cosmetics.
• Essential oils (e.g., lavender or tea tree) — These topical combinations greatly enhance the known effects of the oils, many of which are used for infections, pain, or other musculoskeletal conditions.
• Botanicals (e.g., arnica, CBD oil, or turmeric) — These combinations have a wide range of uses, particularly healing injury and pain, skin conditions, and treating neurological or cardiovascular issues.
• Nutraceuticals (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin B12, or MSM) — DMSO’s potentiation and bypassing of requiring injection greatly enhances the known functions of many supplements. These combinations are frequently used to cure osteoarthritis, hearing loss, loss of smell, and tinnitus, and for specific diseases like prostate enlargement, Parkinson’s, cataracts, glaucoma, COPD, and asthma, and stubborn infections.
• Minerals (e.g., iodine and magnesium) — Most commonly used for musculoskeletal applications, eliminating infections throughout the body, and treating glandular issues in the thyroid, prostate, and breast.
• Natural metabolites (e.g., hyaluronic or lactic acid) — Many have remarkable restorative capacity and are commonly used for cosmetic applications (e.g., scars, varicose veins, cellulite or skin rejuvenation) along with many complex disorders (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, cancer or insulin resistance).
• Amino acids and neurotransmitters (e.g., GABA) — These are most known for treating Down Syndrome and developmental delays, and are used for insomnia, anxiety, neurological health, eye health, tissue repair, and joint issues.
• Oxidative therapies (e.g., chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide or Artemisia Annua) — These are extremely popular for treating local infections (e.g., dental ones), chronic infections (e.g., Lyme or EBV) and cancer.
• Dyes — DMSO combined with hematoxylin is a remarkably effective (and harmless) cancer treatment, leading to the identification of other dyes that are also potent cancer treatments in combination with DMSO.
• Chelating and detoxifying agents (e.g., EDTA or cilantro) — DMSO dramatically increases the efficacy of chelating agents (by allowing them to reach deeper in the body) while simultaneously reducing the detoxification reactions more sensitive patients experience.
Note: Many other therapies (e.g., acupuncture, hypnosis, physical therapy, osteopathy, and meditation) have been reported to become much more effective in combination with DMSO, in many cases allowing healing breakthroughs to happen.
Conclusion
The remarkable potential of DMSO alone or in combination with other therapies represents a paradigm shift in how we approach natural healing and wellness. What we’ve discovered through thousands of studies and countless patient experiences is that DMSO doesn’t just treat symptoms — it appears to address fundamental healing mechanisms at the cellular level, creating a foundation for the body’s own restorative processes to flourish.
The beauty of these natural combinations lies not only in their therapeutic efficacy but in their accessibility. Unlike complex pharmaceutical interventions that require specialized medical facilities and extensive oversight, many of these DMSO combinations can be safely prepared and used at home, empowering individuals to reclaim their health.
In short, the integration of DMSO combination therapies into healthcare holds tremendous promise, and due to MAHA, we are fortunate to be at a time in history where these forgotten therapies can finally flourish. The future of medicine may well be found in this remarkable solvent’s ability to unlock the healing potential that has always existed within nature — we simply needed the right key to access it.
Author’s Note: This is an abridged version of a longer article which goes into much greater detail on what each of the natural DMSO combinations can do and how to prepare them at home. That article, along with resources and protocols for obtaining and using DMSO can be read here. Additionally, a companion article explaining how DMSO interacts with a wide range of substances and the synergistic pharmaceutical combinations which have been discovered can be read here.
A Note from Dr. Mercola About the Author
A Midwestern Doctor (AMD) is a board-certified physician from the Midwest and a longtime reader of Mercola.com. I appreciate AMD’s exceptional insight on a wide range of topics and am grateful to share it. I also respect AMD’s desire to remain anonymous since AMD is still on the front lines treating patients. To find more of AMD’s work, be sure to check out The Forgotten Side of Medicine on Substack.
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