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Hydrogen Peroxide Cures
Traditionally, hydrogen peroxide has been used to help clean wounds, remove earwax, and whiten teeth. It is also commonly used in mouthwashes, mostly to loosen and remove damaged tissue.
Hydrogen peroxide is sometimes claimed to be a "wonder drug," capable of curing or treating many different conditions. However, some of its uses are more legitimate than others. For example, in some branches of alternative medicine, healthcare providers claim that the following conditions can be cured with hydrogen peroxide:
- Cancer
- Cerebrovascular disease (such as strokes)
- Chronic pain
- Cirrhosis of the liver
- Cold sores
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Digestion problems
- Emphysema
- Gum disease
- Headaches
- HIV
- Insect bites
- Lupus erythematosus
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson's disease
- Prostatitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis.
It's important to note that there is very little real scientific evidence to suggest that hydrogen peroxide works for most uses, even for wound cleansing.
(To learn more about cures associated with this product, click Hydrogen Peroxide Uses. This article takes a closer look at the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide for the uses listed here, as well as other uses.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD