by Jonte Rhodes

Created on: May 14, 2008

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is most commonly thought of as a means to bleach your hair. But it also has hundreds of other applications that a lot of people aren't aware of. Most people don't know for example that it is used in the process of making paper, or that it can also be used as a component ingredient in rocket fuel. In high enough concentrations it is also very corrosive and can potentially be harmful to the skin and internal organs. However in lower concentrations, such as the widely sold 3% concentration it has been reported to have a multitude of health benefits by various sources.

The first and most common use is as an antiseptic. Because it kills nearly all types of harmful cells it touches it is widely regarded as one of the best things that you can use for cleaning cuts and wounds. It will also act as an anticoagulant and help to slow any bleeding the wound might have. Some people also use solutions of hydrogen peroxide to help with fungal and ear infections as well, and it is even used as a mouthwash in some parts of the world.

Cleaning your face with diluted hydrogen peroxide is also thought to be a good way of treating greasy skin and acne. The germs are killed because they are basically not as tough as skin cells, so although the germs and bacteria are killed the skin cells aren't damaged because of their more robust composition.

Basically hydrogen peroxide when applied to most surfaces and exposed to the air begins to break down, releasing oxygen free radicals (highly reactive molecules often containing oxygen that have one or more unpaired electrons). These then oxidize things like bacteria that they come into contact with them which kills them, leaving a wound clean and uninfected.

Similarly dilute hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a cleaner for many household surfaces. Many cleaners contain either this or chlorine based bleach which is used to kill germs. However hydrogen peroxide is generally thought of as being less harmful to the environment than chlorine based products, although both are equally effective.

The growth system for many types of plants known as hydroponics is also derived from hydrogen peroxide. The spontaneous release of oxygen when the peroxide is mixed into the plants water is what helps the plants. Which means that the plant is able to absorb a lot more oxygen than it would be able to normally, meaning it can grow faster and larger. Although somewhat popularized in recent times for being associated with the growth of illegal flora, (I'm sure everyone knows which I'm referring to here). Hydroponics is also used in the growth of many vegetables and exotic species of plants that could not otherwise be grown in certain climates.

There are many people that also claim that hydrogen peroxide is a wonder cure that can help to treat clogged arteries, cancer and even aids. It has been suggested that the only reason the drug companies deny this is because they cannot patent the chemical because of the fact that it occurs naturally. And so cant make any money from people using it.

Whether there is any truth in this remains to be seen, as the government and most drug companies deny that it has any benefit in the treatment of these diseases. Although there are certainly doctors who use the compound for all manner of treatments.

So the main health benefits of hydrogen peroxide are as a means of killing bacteria and for general use as a disinfectant. However there could be more profound uses that are simply being kept under wraps for the most part because of the fact that the chemical is so cheap and freely available.

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