Iodine
Health Benefits

Benefits of Iodine for Health

Skin Ailments
Posted by Christiane (Los Angeles, CA) on 10/31/2007
★★★★★

I'have been experimenting with several remedies. I have been doing the HP inhalation for a few weeks now but only when fatigued. I use a throat spray bottle and spray a few times until I cough while inhaling, that seems to be the only way that I can determine that it's not just coating the back of my throat. I notice that it works almost immediately to get me out of that "desperately need more sleep" haze. It lifts that "heavy" feeling. I tried it again 2 days ago when I only got 4 hours of sleep with the intent that if I did the HP inhalation and it worked AGAIN then I would be convinced. I'm completely convinced for fatigue purposes at this time. I intend to increase my usage soon.

Also, I read where someone mentioned using iodine on cysts. I am using it on a cyst (may be caused by an ingrown hair or not!)on my shin, about the size of the circumferance of a sharpie marker. I started this a few weeks ago and was applying the iodine once a day for about 3 days straight. Then I forgot about it. I just happened to look this morning and it has shrunk by about half and the skin on top just peeled off. I will be starting up again today to see if I can get rid of it completely over the next week or so.

I have Candida but no insurance and I was trying a product that has been rated as the number 1 recommended product. Unfortunately, it felt like my kidneys were not happy about it so I had to get off of it. I am going to try some other methods to see if it helps. I'll post when I know more.


Skin Ailments
Posted by Diane (Burbank, California) on 08/15/2007
★★★★★

I read here something about iodine curing skin tags, so I decided what the heck. I used the iodine twice a day on a skin tag on my underarm, and nothing much happened for a while, other than the skin around it getting red and irritated, but then this morning, the skin tag was black. Later on, when I went to check it, it was gone!! Wow - it really works. Thank you for this informative and fun website.


Skin Ailments
Posted by Steve (Metairie, Louisiana) on 04/12/2007
★★★★★

I have had at least 10 moles removed by my dermatologist, and after they were burned off (they usually burn, or freeze them), It took about 2 weeks for the cuts to heal (depending on the depth of the cut). Then, once the skin was basically healed, a pink mark was left behind. After a while (usually a month or two), my color would return and blend in with the surrounding area. Some of the areas that my dermatologist cut left a hole in my skin, which has never filled in. So far, Iodine has removed moles from my skin, but never left any holes (depressions) in my skin.


Ovarian Cysts
Posted by Alyssainfinity (Austin, Texas) on 03/15/2010
★★★★★

I have had two relatively large ovarian cysts for years, and would freqently find myself curled up in the fetal position, having taken a couple over-the-counter or prescription pain killers, but nothing worked. The pain would radiate through my entire body as a dull ache, while extemely intense cramps would concentrate between my legs.

After doing a little research between Earth Clinic and the rest of the web, I decided to try Iodine Painting. Simply use a cotton swab to 'paint' a two inch square on the soft skin of your wrist, upper arms, stomach or inner legs. Your body absorbs the iodine through the skin. The first thing I noticed was a slight jittery sensation, and very soon my cramps subsided. I have been painting the iodine on for over a week now... I have not had any pain, I have not taken any pain-relievers, I have more energy, I have clearer skin, and I have a greater sex-drive.

I felt as though half of my life was being devoted to my cysts, and now I simply paint on a two inch square of iodine in the morning, and I'm free to live my life. I feel that iodine has already improved my quality of life significantly, where traditional doctors constantly told me that what I was experiencing was 'normal'.

It was quick and easy to try, and a fairly large bottle was only $6 at my local grocery store. I've been telling everyone I know in an effort to help anyone that may be sufferng. I wish I would have run across this information years ago. Thanks to EarthClinic for improving my life significantly.


Skin Ailments
Posted by Diane (Chesapeake, VA) on 02/26/2007
★★★★★

I use tincture of iodine (everyday) on skin ulcers which refuse to heal. Sometimes I apply iodine 2 to 3 times a day. I never miss a day when treating squamous cell carcinoma. The area being treated by the tincture of iodine often becomes very sensitive or itchy...don't discontinue the iodine...keep applying iodine on the ulcer. The itchy skin will scab up...it's just the healing process. Scrape off the skin if it again develops a white flaky patch or a brown scab...then, apply more iodine. Use the iodine for at least one to two months until the skin ulcer has completely disappeared. Then, use Retin-A cream to complete the skin rejuvenation process. Use Raw Organic Palm Fruit Oil along with the iodine to promote deep healing and also use Raw Organic Palm Fruit Oil along with sun block to prevent future skin damage. The ulcer patches have developed on my hands and lower arms. One skin damaged area shows my skin separating on crease lines on top of my wrist. The day after I applied the tincture of iodine to the separating skin, the crease lines showed signs of healing, as blood circulation appeared in the area. The areas I treat are all about the size of a quarter, which is larger than the freckle-sized spot. I figure the underlying skin damage takes in a larger area and it may only show up on the skin as a small freckle-sized spot. Last, everyone will ask you why you are using iodine on your skin...it's orange...it's sooo old fashioned. Don't let the embarrassment of orangey skin stop your self-treatment...it beats having a doctor remove the cancer and leaving you with holes where the carcinoma or melanoma used to be. I use this treatment on all skin problems, to include possible melanoma. In addition to the topical treatment, I plan to add a daily dose of Lugol's Iodine in my drinking water. I want to treat all cancers and other health problems from within. I have red hair and white skin with lots of freckles, and I am very sun sensitive. I have been terribly burned year after year while growing up in California. I am now 56 years old, and the skin cancer is just starting to appear. That's why I feel it necessary to add the Lugol's Iodine daily to my drinking water.


Anxiety Attacks
Posted by Anne-Marie (Palm Coast, FL) on 02/04/2007
★★★★☆

While I would not consider myself "cured" of anything, I have found that Iodine..or the lack thereof...causes me to have panic and anxiety attacks. This is a recent (within 3 months) development for me as I have never had panic and anxiety attacks prior. And although I now take Kelp in a Thyroid supplement (for my newly developed Hypothyroidism), My Iodine test (painting a 2x2 in sq on my abdomen) still shows a regular Iodine insufficiency. Interestingly, I also drink protein shakes that contain 30% FDA Iodine each. I drink 2-3 of these each day. Yet, my Iodine is consistently depleted.

Thyroid Issues
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 01/21/2007 391 posts

Actually, the T3 method to measure iodine deficiency is not accurate. Another way is your body temperature.

I have seen instances that body temperature is low while T3 is good. In other instances I have seen none of these but a severity of fibrosis to occur. Fibrosis is actually a condition of iodine deficiency but the T3 is o.k. while the conditions was cured after taking iodine. So present medical practice in my humble opinion is primitive. Iodine quenches glycation of protein involved in aging and arthritis and this doesn't show on T3 but is a wonderful way to reduce arthritic pain by allowing the healing to process. Skin pores opening up too large is also cured with an iodine as it stimulates skin regeneration reducing the size of skin pores. I know, I have a huge one on my face and it is mostly cured that most people cannot see it.

So we really have to be practical about it. Analysis is just that, it won't cure your conditions and you will be lost forever in trying to figure out how the T3 is related to oversized pores, arthritic pains, fibrosis, asthma, clogged eustachian tubes, fallopian tubes (preventing pregnancy), where such fibrosis formation are due to abnormalities in skin metabolism. Figuring out why is one thing, getting yourself cured is what we all seek.


Burns
Posted by Carolyn (Woodlawn, IL) on 03/08/2006
★★★★★

I got a large burn from a motorcycle exhaust. I did not blister or scar with iodine on it. I keep a bottle in the kitchen by the stove, and in bathroom for curling iron burn. And ammonia for insect bites, stings.

Thyroid Issues
Posted by Ted (Port Orchard, WA) on 02/10/2006
★★★★★

I use pH Testing tape to test my pH of my saliva. What I read is your saliva should be 7.35 and when I am real close to that, I don't have any shoulder pain at night when I sleep on that side. I learned about 8 months ago that if you're low on iodine, your thyroid doesn't function properly. It affects your mental attitude, like stress, depression and emotional feelings. I was with a lot of stress from my was sent home Aug 18th with 2 weeks to live because all the drugs they had given her the last year had almost destroyed her liver. Also, my mother of 102 years old was in an assisted living place and didn't like it. She was having leg pains, upset stomach and headache. I gave her colloidal silver, change her calcium to EZSORB powder and started putting clear iodine on her throat and in not time she was happy and not having leg pain. To test your iodine level, you put a 1" ring of the brown iodine on your stomach and if it is gone in 24 hours, you're low. I get the clear iodine from Albertson Gro for $1.29 plus tax. I put it on my thyroid under my chin. In 30 minutes the stress feeling is gone. You won't over dose as your body won't take it in if it doesn't need it. Thanks for sharing your experiences.


Multiple Cures
Posted by Brenda (Bear, DE) on 01/18/2006
★★★★★

Iodine is excellent for toenail fungus, ringworm, fever blisters, moles and skin tags, hangnails, etc. Just a few drops on a q-tip is all it takes. Use daily until the "boo-boo" is gone.


Multiple Cures
Posted by Anonymous (Tallahassee, FL)
★★★★★

Iodine is my drug of choice. I use it for EVERYTHING. I raise my kids and now my grandkids on iodine. My son was due to have his tonsils removed and I decided to paint his tonsils and he has never been had any more problems with his throat. I took a spray bottle and poured some iodine into the bottle and sprayed his tonsils. As you may know iodine dries quickly, so he didn't really swallow any. It worked within 24 hours after spraying the throat. I have done it for my sore throat and it clears it right up.

Sore Throat
Posted by Greg (Atlanta, GA)
★★★★★

Painting Iodine on my wrist gets rid of my sore throat everytime!


Acne
Posted by Ophelia (Cebu, Philippines) on 11/10/2020

Seafood like shells, clamps are rich with iodine.


Menstrual Issues
Posted by Donna (USA)

Glad you are so interested. Yes! The iodine dyes the skin--sort of-- it is suposed to, so you can see when it's gone. Your skin isn't really dyed--as it absorbs into the skin. If it absorbs (disappears) before 24 hours then you are iodine deficient. If you buy the colorless iodine then you will never know if you are iodine deficient or not.

As 80% of us in the U.S. are iodine deficient, it's a good guess you are one of us! I painted a friend visiting from Europe--her painting lasted 75 hours!!! There's no fluoride, chlorine or bromade in their water or bread. So, her thyroid is working, her body did not absorb it because she had sufficient iodine in her, and she is 67 years old.

The thyroid cleans the blood every 17 minutes and sends out messages in the blood to care for the hormones and all of your glands and organs. If the thyroid is iodine deficient then it cannot work properly. The good news is that you can abuse your throid for 10 years or more before it just cannot do it's job, and then it slowly goes out. It starts by depriving something- whatever it feels is least important to your well being, your face may break out, your hair may get thin or dry, you may get dark circles under your eyes, you may feel dizzy or slow. It's not something you really even notice for years, and then something bad happens.....cancer, diabetes, heart attack (impurities in the blood cause the vessels to clog), etc.

The good news is it only takes the thyroid 3 months to be strong again with feeding it iodine. However, I will paint every day because our society is so busy depleting iodine in our food. It used to be in our soils, it raines down on us from the sky, now we pesticide and chemicalize our soil to death. Just don't forget that the thyroid regulates how much oxygen gets into the blood. So, take another simplistic step back & go to "iodine" and cure your thyroid.

More regarding your thyroid: your thyroid is 65% iodine. It also regulates the oxygen that gets into your cells. Lack of sufficient oxygen in your cells is the root of all cancers. And, everyone who has died from cancer is found to have a deficient thyroid gland. A low body temperature (under 97.6) is also caused by low thyroid function, this is your first signal that something is wrong.

Sea Kelp pills also supply iodine......painting though, w/ iodine, is always there for your thyroid to feed on!

Lugols is a stronger iodine, it is 6%, so just doing the math-- if 2% should stay on for 24 hours then Lugols should stay on 72 hours. Just go with the drug store 2% variety, mine is Swan brand, and watch it absorb, if yours disappears really quickly then as a daily painting you could use the stronger Lugols. Or you can buy Iodoral tablets on the web. They are 12% iodine. I take one every other day. However your thyroid can only absorb a very small amount everyday, you cannot force it to drink more than it can absorb naturally. The excess isn't wasted though, it uses the excess that you feed it daily to help regulate the organs and blood. But I feel that painting is the best, I will paint every day the rest of my life.

Hope your iodine stays on for days!


Detox Bromides
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 03/21/2023 461 posts

I've been doing doses of iodine every once in a while but I REALLY don't like that bromine backlash. They gave me valium when I was in the hospital so I'd be rested for surgery and it is NOTHING like that. The valium was more like a happy sleep and drowsiness but that bromine crap - crikeys. It's just plain horrid.

I'd kinda like to get my hands on whomever decided it's okay to spread such monstrous concoctions all over the place...which makes me even more angry because I'm not that sort of person and the very idea that I can be made to feel that way is extremely unsettling.


Sore Throat
Posted by Cindy (Illinois, USA) on 01/20/2023 461 posts
★★★★★

I've been taking/using iodine for about a month and didn't get a detox reaction, initially, but I upped my intake to about 160mg per day and have finally been getting some pains, lumps and rashes BUT, I've also awakened with a sore throat several times and decided, this morning, to put some iodine on my wrists (that's what you do for a sore throat) and it worked! I didn't think it would since I'm already taking so much of it but it did! And instantly! It was the darnedest thing!

For context - I've been "cleansing" for years but this is my first actual detox so I'm sort of surprised that so much is happening. It is expected that iodine takes about 3 months to both detox and restore the body's iodine stores so we'll see what happens!!

I got onto iodine due to a sore, swollen and lumpy breast which was very quickly dealt with by painting the breast with povidone iodine solution (betadine) several times over the course of a couple of days at which point a small lump moved outward toward my armpit then around where it settled right on top and it has been busy! Sometimes smaller, sometimes larger, sometime hard and sometimes soft. It seems to be swelling and then sort of coming apart and then what remains is smaller. It's very interesting.

Anyway, I couldn't believe the sore throat trick worked! It's like there's a direct line from the wrist to the throat!


Iodoral Iodine
Posted by GertJr (Madison ) on 10/27/2021

I started ioderal because I am always cold and, looking at my diet, figured I didn't get iodine otherwise. I'm still always cold. I still don't sleep. but my skin is no longer dry and flaky, so go figure.


Iodoral Iodine
Posted by MissM (NY) on 10/29/2021

You should get your thyroid checked, and see what your levels are. You can find out more at stopthethyroidmadness.com. They have a list of symptoms, which tests, how to interpret. It's best not to treat Willy Nilly.

There are a number of natural thyroid replacements available. You can use iodoral but best to be thorough and get a reading if you are very depleted or mildly depleted.


Hypothyroid
Posted by Maria (Hertfordshire ) on 06/26/2020
★★★★★

About twenty years ago I went to my doctor because I was putting on weight and feeling tired, she told me that I may have an under active thyroid, so she sent me for a blood test, and said if l do l would be on tablets for the rest of my life. So when l went home I checked my green pharmacy book and read about kelp for an under active thyroid. One week later I went back to my doctor for my results which she confirmed that I had an under active thyroid. I told her I did not want to take the tablets and I was going to try kelp, she suggested that after a month or so I would need another blood test to see how it went. So I went to my local herbal shop and bought powdered kelp, and I really enjoyed it on my avocados. When I went back for another blood test, my doctor said my thyroid had gone back to normal. And I don't take kelp very often.


Nascent Iodine
Posted by Bill (San Fernando, Philippines) on 10/15/2014

Hi Silversurfer...Thanks very much for your kind praise which I'm sure I don't deserve. None of the anti-candida protocols that I advise have been discovered or invented by me -- these remedies mostly belong to other people. And alot of these remedies have been around for hundreds of years. All I tried to do was just use some logic and connect the dots.

My favourite candida/pathogen kill combination now consists of Ted's alkalizing remedies, Lugols Iodine, Borax and Turpentine/castor oil. These protocols seem to be the most consistently effective against candida/other pathogens/parasites.

I've also been working with and advising a parents autism group for the last year or so and I've seen up-close how efficient the Turpentine/CO remedy is at killing candida, parasites and removing biofilms. Some of the results and photos have been pretty astounding using just this one protocol together with Kerri Rivera's MMS/Hulda Clark PP/GcMAF approach against ASD. Many of the parents who had hit a brick wall with Kerri's protocol(which is very good, by the way) with no improvement for months suddenly found accelerated improvements all around with their autistic kids when they added just the turpentine/CO protocol. I'm also happy to report that many of the parents in this group have also moved on and also added borax, alkalizing and LI to there protocols as well.

I'm also glad that you will be using the protocols in your nutritionist work. That pleases me no end. The whole point of my book, apart from helping people cure their own candida issues, was to get that important information out there and let other people, who are far more qualified and cleverer than I am, run with it.


General Feedback
Posted by Oscar (Syracuse, New York) on 06/02/2014

The element BROMINE is very bad for you. It is in many, if not most, breads, soft drinks, and more. Bromine displaces iodine in a very many biological processes and causes: Cancer, mental disorders, skin disorders and more. It very much screws up your entire endocrine system. This is NOT news but few are aware of just how dangerous BROMINE is to so many aspects of human health. These very real dangers have been well documented for over 30 years now.

Be wary of sea salt and seaweed foodstuffs also because they contain bromine. Using iodized salt is best. Iodine is the element you need. The element bromine readily displaces it and thereby screws up all the many biological processes involved. Ignorance is NOT bliss....Oscar


Iodine Interactions
Posted by Bill (San Fenando, Philippines) on 03/12/2014

Hi Lin...Your friend Jackie can take liquid kelp extract if she prefers. Just ensure that the kelp extract is organic and make sure that it has not been chemically standardized. If it has, then other chemicals will have been added to it and the synergicity of its natural nutrients will have been altered for the worst.

On the good side, liquid kelp extract will also contain many other beneficial minerals and vitamins for the body. The other thing is that if Jackie is taking kelp just for its health giving aspects then thats fine. But if she is taking it for a specific reason like low thyroid or candida then kelp may not be as effective as lugol's iodine because it contains far less iodine as an extract. It takes about 3 months, at a higher dosage of 50 mgs iodine/iodide per day, to bring back proper levels of iodine in the thyroid gland and the rest of the body. This is why I prefer lugol's iodine at 50 mgs a day.


Iodine Interactions
Posted by Anne (OK) on 10/01/2022

I know this is old, but others may need this answer.

Acid converts elemental iodine into potassium iodide. Your thyroid and several other organs need iodide. Your breasts and several other organs need elemental iodine. If you need elemental, you want to eat/drink acids like orange juice away from lugols/idoral/nascent/etc..., that is elemental supplements. If those aren't your concern, then it's no problem.


Margarita
Posted by V (Mt Grove Mo) on 11/26/2013
★★★★★

One word to all suffering from Lyme: Margaritas.... Not kidding. Something about the combination of lime salt and tequilla works against parasitic infections. Think about it. Mexico, Margaritas, and the worst parasitic water ever but the Mexicans aren't suffering from Lyme. I tried it 3 times a day and no more Lyme.

Skin Cancer
Posted by Lp (Catskills) on 09/28/2013
★★★★★

Iodine for Skin Cancer:

Started out with 3 spots of face, one close to eye, one hiding in eyebrow and a beauty on side of nose, that derm said beginnings of melanoma. She blasted the frozen stuff, but still present and hurt like hell. Decided to use regular tincture of iodine, applied with q tip 3 times a day. Within a month they are completely gone! Worst was on nose, which burned and got worse, before it got better. Burned, scabbed about 5 times, but don't give up!! I would put a spot bandage on if going out but removed when home. Keep it dry, and don't pull off scab. NO scarring, just nice new clear skin now!!! Swabbed sore throat that just won't quit last night and is better today. Fantastic stuff this iodine. Also, Lugol's iodine won't sting and you can use it to purify water if need be.

Iodine Deficiency
Posted by Mms (Somewhere, Europe) on 07/24/2012

Bjornbjorn, first try adding water to your menu. More than you usually drink, up to 2 liters daily.


Skin Ailments
Posted by Sophie (Dayton, Ohio, Usa) on 02/16/2012

I had a skin tag last spring that fell off from applying ACV. What you are describing, with the skin tags becoming hard and dark, is exactly what happened to mine right before it fell off. You are almost done! They will sting when you apply the treatment, and that means it's working. Stick with it. Have him take a nice hot shower and gently scrub the hardened skin tags to encourage them to come off. Mine came off in the shower. When they are ready they will just fall off. They will be really annoying the harder they get, and they will become a little uncomfortable, but they will fall off! Hang in there!



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