Sulfur is a beauty mineral. Discussion on LiveInternet

Micronutrient-rich foods

To ensure a sufficient supply of sulfur to the human body, one must have a balanced diet, which will include both sufficient amounts of protein and products of animal and plant origin. Also don’t forget vitamin B and amino acids. If you wish, you can consult a nutritionist to create a proper diet.

Product	Sulfur content per 100 g	Percentage of daily requirement
Milk (powdered, low-fat)	339 mg	35%
Milk (powdered, 35%)	261 mg	27%
Soybean (grain)	245 mg	25%
Cottage cheese	222 mg	23 %
Chickpeas	200 mg	21 %
Chicken egg (white)	188 mg	20 %
Cottage cheese 9%	182 mg	19%
Almond	200 mg	19%
Chicken egg	178 mg	19 %
Peas	172 mg	18 %
Chicken egg (yolk)	172 mg	18 %
Lentils	163 mg	16 %
Beans	160 mg	17 %
Quail egg	125 mg	13 %
Walnut	102 mg	11 %
Cabbage	200 mg	19 %
Poppy	640 mg	63 %
Beef liver	239 mg	22 %
Mung beans	238.6 mg	24 %
Hot smoked fish	233 mg	24 %
Rabbit meat	225 mg	23 %
Salmon	225 mg	23 %
Brynza	221 mg	21 %

What foods contain sulfur?

Sulfur is one of the most important macronutrients for the body.
Its deficiency has a detrimental effect on the skin, nail plates and hair. It is not for nothing that this chemical element is considered a beauty mineral. Sulfur is a component of all protein compounds, so its lack can undermine even the best health.

Its deficiency can be compensated for in the body in different ways - from diet correction to drug therapy.

From our material you will learn which foods contain a lot of sulfur, what contains the most of it (fish, meat or vegetables), why it is necessary to eat food rich in this element, and why its deficiency is dangerous.

The highest sulfur content in products:

Sulfur: benefits and harms, instructions for use, role in the body

The benefits and harms of sulfur lie in the effects of sulfur-containing drugs on the body.

In order to understand their effect on health and learn how to use it, it will be useful to learn about the role of this substance for our body.

What is sulfur and its role in the body

Sulfur, S (full name sulfur), is a macroelement assigned atomic number 16 in the periodic table.

This substance, known for its fetid odor in compounds and flammable properties, plays an important role in humans, being part of amino acids such as methonine, cystine, vitamins (for example, thiamine), hormones and enzymes (for example, insulin).

In the human body, the proportion of sulfur is 0.25% of the total mass.

Sulfur itself is not toxic, but compounds of the element with other chemical components, such as hydrogen sulfide, are poisonous.

As part of the body's compounds, sulfur has benefits for the growth of hair, nails, skin, and also in protecting the body from aging.

Application of sulfur

Sulfur has been used to treat humans since ancient times. Modern medicine uses a number of medicines containing this element and its compounds. For example:

natural hydrogen sulfide baths have a beneficial effect on the body;
sodium thiosulfate solution is used to treat scabies, neuralgia, arthritis;
streptocide and phthalazole serve as antiseptic drugs.

Sulfur is used to produce medicinal soap, which has an antiseptic and drying effect. Purified, or medical, sulfur is used to fight parasites, intestinal diseases and frequent constipation.

Sulfur is used to treat eczema, furunculosis and demodicosis. Hair and anti-dandruff masks are made from it: the element acts as a hair growth stimulator and also eliminates oiliness.

Advice! Doctors recommend therapy using sulfur two to three times a year.

Indications for use

Doctors prescribe treatment for sulfur when it is deficient in the body. Medicines made on the basis of the element have an antiseptic and antibacterial effect; they are used for the treatment of scabies, fungal diseases, and juvenile acne.

The healing properties of sulfur are recommended for use by people suffering from rheumatism and osteoarthritis. The main thing is to follow the recommendations for use, since an overdose of the drug can cause harmful intoxication.

How to use sulfur

Sulfur-containing drugs are taken simultaneously with food.

You should only buy purified sulfur from the pharmacy.

Feed sulfur preparations for animals are not intended for human consumption.

The optimal course of treatment would be 1 month. If there is no expected benefit, you should stop taking it until you consult your doctor.

Important! Sulfur is used as prescribed by a doctor in the recommended dosage. Self-administration and prescription of the drug is not recommended

Sulfur powder for oral administration

Powder for internal use is prescribed for chronic diseases:

polyarthritis;
sciatica;
haemorrhoids.

Sulfur for oral administration is purified and comes in tightly sealed jars. Taking purified sulfur is also prescribed for the treatment of enterobiasis.

Medical purified sulfur, or sulfuric anhydride, is beneficial in cases of:

restoration of the body's defenses;
for expectorant purposes: hydrogen sulfide is absorbed through the intestines and enters the lungs through the blood;
for constipation, purified sublimated sulfur is prescribed;
to enhance the body’s ability to neutralize weak poisons.

When taking sulfur, you can drink enterosorbents if you wish: they will reduce the harm of frequent gas formation that the drug can cause.

Products containing sulfur

Many organic products contain this useful element. Their daily use can bring benefits comparable to taking sulfur powder orally:

bulb onions;
peas;
a pineapple;
zucchini;
tomatoes;
turnip;
watermelon;
nuts.

Quail and chicken eggs contain the largest amount of the element.

There are also useful organic sulfur supplements on the market, such as chewable Siberian larch gum.

Daily intake of sulfur

The consumption rate for the benefit of the body is from 500 mg to 1 g per day. The dose for athletes due to increased physical activity is increased to 3 g per day, and mineral water containing sulfur is also prescribed in the diet.

Symptoms of lack of sulfur in the body

If the body lacks an element, a person’s immunity decreases, which is manifested by a decrease in vitality, lethargy and fatigue. Disturbances in the functioning of the body are reflected in appearance.

Sulfur-rich foods

Sulfur enters the human body along with food. The body should regularly receive up to 1 g of sulfur, so the diet includes mainly protein foods.

Foods rich in sulfur include:

rabbit meat;
cabbage;
chicken meat;
fish;
eggs;
nuts;
hard cheese;
broccoli;
seafood;
soy products;
onion and garlic;
liver.

Sulfur is also found in products of plant origin, which ensure the normal functioning of the digestive system due to the intake of fiber. They also contain protein, but this time it is vegetable. Foods that are rich in sulfur include: legumes, nuts and various types of cabbage. Fruits include: pineapples, watermelon and bananas. Vegetables that contain sulfur are easy to identify; as a rule, they are green in color with a fibrous structure.

How to properly cook vegetables while preserving the beneficial properties of sulfur

Of course, raw vegetables and fruits will contain the most sulfur. But not everyone will decide to eat unprocessed garlic or onions; most often they are included in salads or after heat treatment.

Onion and garlic

Many people don't like garlic because of the strong smell. Its source is allyl sulfur compounds, the same ones that are specifically aimed at fighting cancer, preventing liver damage, and they also have antioxidant properties. Therefore, it is best to consume raw garlic and onions in small portions. When chopping, the process of additional production of allyl sulfur is launched, which makes vegetables more resistant to heat.

White cabbage

Lightly stewed cabbage contains more bioavailable organosulfur compounds than cabbage that has been stewed over high heat for a long time. To preserve this microelement, the cabbage is chopped and left for 10 minutes. Then useful compounds (myrosinase) begin to be produced. The best option is steaming, but not more than 5 minutes.

Cauliflower

To activate myrosin, the vegetable is cut into small inflorescences and left in this state for 10 minutes. Cook cauliflower by steaming or in the oven.

Brussels sprouts

To better preserve sulfur, Brussels sprouts are baked or steamed. In this case, it is necessary to avoid high temperatures and long quenching times.

Broccoli

Just like with cabbage, it is best to cook broccoli in a double boiler, this way you will be able to retain a larger amount of sulfate, but this also has its own characteristics. A lightly steamed vegetable will contain several times more sulforaphane than one that has undergone prolonged heat treatment. Finish stewing when the broccoli turns bright green. Most often this happens after 4 minutes of heat treatment.

This microelement is popularly called the “beauty mineral” because, thanks to its beneficial properties, it ensures healthy appearance of nails, hair and skin. In addition, sulfur is responsible for many vital processes in our body. Under normal conditions, enough of it comes from food. But if there are signs of deficiency of this element in the body, you can take it additionally in the form of food supplements or mineral water.

Instructions for taking sulfur

Sulfur is very useful for the human body, so to use the mineral for therapy you need to buy it in pharmacies. Purified or precipitated sulfur is intended for internal use by humans. There will be no adverse reactions when using them. The maximum that can happen is increased gas formation from purified sulfur.

To use sulfur internally, as a food additive, as mentioned above, it must be purchased purified in pharmacies. Sulfur powder should be taken no more than 0.45 g per day. The substance can be divided into 3 parts, and also washed down with water during meals.

Sulfur can be added to dishes and drinks - this method is applicable to small children, as if the powder is accidentally inhaled, a choking attack may occur. Sulfur powder is an excellent remedy for getting rid of acne and inflammation on the skin because it has a drying property. You should take no more than 1 g of the mineral per day; doctors advise sticking to a dosage of 0.5 g.

When using ointment, it should be applied in a very thin layer only to clean areas of the skin, previously washed with soap, so as not to disturb the fatty film. If it is damaged, air exchange with the environment will be disrupted. The action of sulfur ointment is aimed at restoring the epidermis. The substance is applied for a day, after which it is washed off with plain water.

Brewer's yeast with sulfur is used to treat acne, furunculosis and hair loss. The substance is taken orally in the form of tablets or granules. Masks for the face and scalp are prepared using sulfur brewer's yeast.

Chewable sulfur

Chewable sulfur is a larch resin that has a positive effect on the oral cavity and the entire body as a whole. The properties of this type of mineral will help get rid of premature tooth decay and loss. In case of inflammation of the gums, the drug must be kneaded like plasticine and begin to chew, and then placed on the “damaged” area.

It is strictly forbidden to use chewing resin for periodontal disease, as it promotes a strong flow of blood to the gums, thereby contributing to the development of the disease. Doctors recommend chewing sulfur in stressful situations and for people who live in unfavorable environmental conditions, for example, in conditions of radiation.

Vitamin-mineral complexes with the inclusion of sulfur are in great demand in pharmacies; when they are used, skin cells are renewed, collagen synthesis is enhanced, and hair growth improves.

Sulfur is an essential element for young, beautiful skin and healthy, silky hair. It is part of the amino acids responsible for the processes of collagen synthesis and keratin activity.

With the complex use of the mineral, skin turgor is strengthened, facial wrinkles are smoothed out, and the process of skin cell renewal begins. Sulfur helps reduce inflammation, cleanse pores, and block pathogenic flora.

When treating shingles, sulfur is often used in combination with glycerin. This tandem will completely relieve pain during illness. Glycerin and sulfur are mixed in proportions 2:1. The first has a moisturizing effect on the skin, and the second suppresses the spread of the virus and relieves inflammation.

When you start using such a compress, you may feel a slight itching - this means that the skin is healing successfully. For greater effect, you can add boric acid to the mixture, which promotes an antibacterial effect and prevents other bacteria from being introduced into the wound.

Sulfur has its own derivatives, which are often used in medicine to block symptoms or completely eliminate them:

sulfur color - used for diseases of the scalp (scabies, eczema, seborrhea);
sulfur milk is an antiparasitic agent that acts on certain microorganisms and harmful bacteria.
purified sulfur - used as a laxative for diarrhea, it should be taken several times a day.

Hydrogen sulfide baths are very common in medicine. They are prescribed to people who have problems with the nervous system, spine, or suffer from hypertension. Hydrogen sulfide baths also have a positive effect on patients with varicose veins, diabetes and slow metabolism. This procedure is also common in the field of urology and gynecology.

Hydrogen sulfide baths are contraindicated for people:

with heart disease;
kidney;
liver;
patients with ischemia and oncology.

Hydrogen sulfide baths are also prohibited if patients have:

bronchial asthma;
chronic stomach ulcer;
oncology;
hyperthyroidism.

Excess sulfur

Complications from excess, as well as from sulfur deficiency, are rare. A deficiency can be caused by low protein intake, while an excess indicates a metabolic disorder.

Signs of excess sulfur are:

oily skin;
acne, itching;
fear of light;
frequent conjunctivitis;
migraine;
poor appetite;
increased lacrimation;
nausea;
bronchitis;
asthma;
decreased hemoglobin;
disruption of the digestive system.

Accumulation does not occur with chronic consumption of sulfur-containing foods. You can only get poisoned through prolonged contact with hydrogen sulfide or sulfur dioxide. Then an excess of sulfur causes convulsions and contributes to the development of mental disorders. In severe poisoning, loss of consciousness is often observed.

Oversupply

Sulfur is very useful for the human body, but in nature there are also mineral compounds that are highly toxic - these are hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide and various sulfur oxides. They are produced in hazardous industries, fires or chemical warehouses when environmental conditions are violated.

Some researchers believe that the use of sulfur-containing preservatives contributes to the development of bronchial asthma.

To avoid high levels of sulfur in the human body, it is recommended to consume raw, fatty poultry meat and fresh eggs in your diet.

Precautions and possible harm

Some people are sensitive to sulfides, so it is best not to buy products that contain them.
When interacting with volatile sulfur substances, it is necessary to have personal protective equipment. If you do not follow safety precautions, poisoning will occur. It is accompanied by diarrhea, inflammation of the intestines, disruption of the nervous system, and psychosis.

Diarrhea

Water with a high concentration of sulfur compounds has a specific odor and unpleasant taste. It has a laxative effect. To avoid stool disturbances, it is necessary to check the liquid for the presence of sulfur using a rapid test.

Medicines made from sulfur

In its pure form, sulfur is sold in pharmacies in the form of sulfur powder, but it is rarely recommended for severe skin diseases.

More often, sulfur ointment is used for dermatological problems. In addition to the main substance, it contains water and petroleum jelly, which form an emulsion. The ointment has an antimicrobial effect and restores damaged skin epidermis. In addition, it is recommended to combat acne and pimples. It also has an antifungal effect.

Sulfur soap is used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Soap with a sulfur content of 10% or more has a healing effect on the skin. And soap containing about 3% of the substance is used for prevention, cleansing the skin, fighting acne, etc.

Sulfur is included in medicinal plasters for calluses.

Used as part of laxatives to treat constipation. Natural mineral water often contains dissolved hydrogen sulfide.

Hydrogen sulfide water is used in various diets and health procedures; hydrogen sulfide baths are beneficial for the skin. They are also recommended for joint diseases - arthritis, rheumatism, etc. Hydrogen sulfide water has a healing effect on the musculoskeletal system and lowers blood pressure.

Finally, sulfur is included in many dietary supplements, along with other macro- and microelements.

Food sources of sulfur. What products can you get sulfur from?

To replenish sulfur reserves in the body, you need to eat a varied diet. You can get a macronutrient from food, both plant and animal origin. Sulfur is found in meat products and fish. Turkey, beef, rabbit and pork are rich in it. Chicken also contains this component. There is slightly less sulfur in turkey liver than in the meat itself.

Among seafood, you should pay attention to flounder, sardines, perch and catfish. Sulfur is contained in quail and chicken eggs. It is rich in cheese, cereals and legumes. Vegetables include cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, turnips and lettuce as sulfur-rich foods. Spinach, asparagus, radishes and horseradish also contain sulfur. Nuts are rich in it. Sulfur is found in chili peppers, nettles and mustard. A small percentage of it can be obtained from bread. Vegetarians are at risk of sulfur deficiency because food of animal origin contains more of the component.

How much sulfur does a person need? Daily norm of sulfur

Scientists have different opinions when discussing the norm of sulfur for humans. Most of them believe that a regular diet consisting of products of plant and animal origin will be sufficient. Others argue that an adult should receive from 4 to 6 grams of sulfur per day. To replenish this amount of the component, you should drink mineral water with sulfates.

History - brief information

The first mentions of the use of sulfur date back long before the birth of Jesus Christ. So, even the ancient Greek poet Homer, who lived in 9-8 centuries. BC. described the use of sulfur in warfare - as incendiary mixtures. The Chinese also used sulfur to make gunpowder and other pyrotechnic flammable mixtures, and already in the 8th century after Christmas.

Sulfur was also used by ancient priests for various religious rituals.

In the second millennium, S found widespread use in alchemy; it was also considered one of the essential bases of any metal.

The natural nature of sulfur and its properties through various experiments and combustion had already been established by the French naturalist chemist Antoine Laurent Lavoisier (1743-1794).

Useful properties of sulfur

Sulfur has many beneficial properties:

takes part in tissue metabolism; Sulfur is important for the human body as it performs a number of functions.

is part of amino acids; maintains oxygen balance in the human body. promotes active activity of the nervous system; maintains normal sugar balance; is one of the powerful antiallergens; Great for boosting immunity. Humans need sulfur no less than vitamin D; participates in the proper formation of bones (which is especially important during the development of a child); improves the performance of ligaments and joints; responsible for collagen synthesis; has a healing effect; removes toxins and waste from the liver; synthesizes melanin and keratin; participates in the formation of vitamins, including biotin and lipoic acid; prevents cramps and joint pain.

Symptoms of lack of sulfur in the body

There are often cases when a lack of sulfur occurs in the human body; its deficiency is immediately visible, indicated by the following symptoms:

joint pain;
liver diseases and pathologies are activated;
tachycardia;
increased skin oiliness;
metabolic processes are disrupted;
chronic fatigue appears;
allergic reactions appear;
hair falls out and becomes dull;
immunity decreases;
constipation appears.

Advantages and disadvantages

If you carefully study the reviews of consumers who managed to test the effects of the drugs on their sites, then in these comments you can find both positive and negative responses. After all, the product has a number of disadvantages.

Pros and cons of colloidal suspension

Advantages Disadvantages has an effective, long-lasting effect; the drug has acaricidal properties; mixing of the working mass with other substances is allowed; sulfur vapors do not harm plants; can be used as a soil fertilizer; inexpensive product available in convenient dosage forms

is a toxic chemical, which requires the use of protective equipment and precautions; restriction of use near bee farms; crops cannot be processed at high air temperatures; not suitable for spraying balcony and indoor plants

The described disadvantages relate more to the inconvenience of using the drug than to its effectiveness in combating diseases and pests. Therefore, you can count on the maximum benefits of colloidal sulfur when growing garden crops.

How to take sulfur and for what purpose?

Sulfur is mainly used externally as part of emulsions for acne, eczema and other skin diseases. However, taking it orally is also useful in some cases:

metabolic disorders;
sluggish functioning of the digestive tract;
too oily skin, prone to excessive acne;
inflammatory processes on the skin, psoriasis, eczema;
decreased immunity;
increased fatigue;
weak, brittle nails and hair;
diabetes, liver disease;
allergies accompanied by skin rashes.

If you find yourself with a lack of sulfur, it can be replenished not only with pharmaceutical drugs. This trace element is found naturally in foods, especially of animal origin. Its quantity is high in meat and eggs. In plant products, it is found in cabbage, sprouted wheat, seeds, onions, and garlic. The presence of these products in the daily diet will help compensate for the deficiency of sulfur and other microelements.

The general approximate dosage for a person weighing about 70 kg is 0.25 g. The daily dose is divided by the number of meals and taken with food. For children, the dose is measured according to their weight and added to their food. Taking the drug in dry form, a child can inhale sulfur powder, which can lead to suffocation.

Food sulfur can be used either in its pure form or as part of tablets, dietary supplements, or in combination with nutritional yeast (in this form it is usually prescribed for acne). As part of the tablets, sulfur is easier to swallow and is better absorbed.

Use of MSM

Indications for the use of MSM are a wide variety of diseases. Let's take a closer look at some of them.

Sulfur for arthritis

Sulfur for arthritis
When studying MSM for its healing effect in arthrosis-arthritis and other complications of joint inflammation, it was found that the concentration of sulfur in the cartilage tissue of patients is only a third of the norm. In addition, people with arthritis have been found to have lower than normal levels of cystine (cystine is a sulfur-containing amino acid involved in the repair of important cellular components of DNA and RNA). Researchers say that MSM, when taken in the right dosage, can help:

improve joint flexibility
reduce swelling and stiffness
improve blood circulation and cell viability
relieve pain associated with inflammatory processes
destroy calcium deposits.

To improve joint mobility and eliminate damage to the ligamentous apparatus, you can also use Ever Flex Body Cream (cream with MSM).

Sulfur for allergies

Sulfur plays an important role in easing allergies and many forms of pulmonary dysfunction by detoxifying and scavenging free radicals. Scientific studies have shown that supplemental MSM intake improves lung function and controls various allergic responses to pollen and food. MSM suppresses hidden food allergic reactions that underlie many somatic, mental and skin diseases.

Attention! MSM should not be confused with sulfites (food preservatives), sulfates (sulfuric acid salts added to cosmetics and household chemicals as a cleansing and foaming component) and sulfur-containing medications. Sulfur-containing drugs (sulfonamides), used as antibiotics, belong to a group of compounds with high molecular weight. They are known to cause serious allergic reactions. In contrast, MSM not only does not cause allergies, but is also an antiallergic agent.

Instructions for use

When working with fungicides, it is important to follow the rules. Therefore, the instructions for using colloidal sulfur must be strictly followed.

Solution recipe

To obtain a working composition for plant protection, the procedure is divided into 2 stages:

powder or sulfur granules are diluted with a small amount of water;
Having mixed the mass until smooth, add liquid to the required volume (according to Table 1).

Before pouring the suspension into the sprayer, stir it for 5-7 minutes. The concentration in solutions is maintained taking into account the crops being treated and the diseases being combated.

Preparation and use of colloidal fungicide

Disease	Cultures	Amount of sulfur per 10 liters of water (g)	How to apply
Powdery mildew	Greenhouse vegetables	20	Treat plants when infection is detected
Zucchini and cucumbers in open beds	40
Melons	30
Blackleg	Seedlings of cabbage, peppers, tomatoes	40	Water the holes 3 days before transplanting into open ground
Kila	Cabbage
Oidium	Grape	30-60	Treat the vine 3-4 times per season

To protect fruit trees from most diseases, 80 g of suspension is used per bucket of water. For mites attacking plants, the concentration is higher - 100 g per 10 liters of water.

Without sulfur, adding other elements is useless

“The Spirit of the Universe works like a sculptor, wetting his fingers in sulfur.” So poetically, 100 years ago, Rudolf Steiner, the founder of biodynamic farming, spoke about a seemingly inconspicuous trace element. Then they reacted to his statements with a grin (after all, he is a philosopher, not an agronomist). Time has passed and everything has changed. Modern scientists have proven that sulfur is a vital mineral, without which many biochemical processes are impossible. It all starts with him! And only then other macro- and microelements come into play. And even if there are many more of them, without sulfur the plants will not be able to absorb them.

The spouses Olga and Nikolai Bykov, whom I met at one of the organic schools organized at the Center for Environmental Solutions, told me about this. Nikolay is an agronomist, an expert in organic agriculture, Olga is a soil scientist, head of a production laboratory for soil analysis.

Nikolay:
Until recently, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were considered the main elements necessary for plant nutrition. But research by the world's leading experts in the field of agrochemistry has shown that sulfur must also be included in this series. It was not for nothing that Steiner compared it to a starter that starts the entire mechanism of microbiology.

Microelements are closely related to each other. If one doesn't work, the other won't work either. Sulfur must be added to the soil first so that it activates all other elements. It is best to do this in the spring - 10 - 20 kg per 1 hectare is enough (or 100 - 200 g per 1 hundred square meters). This small dose will not change the acidity of the soil, but will start the process of availability of other microelements.

Sulfur is a unique element. The plant cannot directly absorb it through its roots. Only with the help of fungi and bacteria that feed on it. This creates the rhizosphere—the connection between the roots and seromobilizing bacteria.

There is little sulfur in plants - about 0.2 - 1 percent of dry weight. But in terms of its biochemical effects, it is equal to macroelements. And it is simply impossible to replace it with something else. According to the latest classification, sulfur is classified as a primary element along with hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus, which are part of the protein molecules DNA and RNA.

Sulfur deficiency causes the plant to poorly absorb nitrogen. And even in fields fed with nitrogen fertilizers, during sulfur starvation, it is simply washed into the soil, contaminating it. The environment also suffers from this.

German researchers have calculated that due to a lack of sulfur in the soil, up to 300 million kg of nitrogen are lost annually, or about 10 percent of the nitrogen fertilizers used.

If we disrupt the biological cycle and introduce, for example, a lot of active nitrogen or some other easily soluble element, we get the opposite effect.
Microelements become unavailable - plants simply do not absorb them. Sulfur restores biological cycles. Therefore, it must always be in the soil and must always be active. Sulfur improves the use of nitrogen and phosphorus by plants, participates in the formation of chlorophyll, in nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolism, in respiration processes and fat synthesis, and increases resistance to drought and disease. It enhances the growth and development of plants, stimulates the formation of nodule bacteria on the roots of legumes. Sulfur deficiency reduces not only photosynthesis, but also productivity by 40 percent. Sulfur is the main element of vegetable oils (mustard, garlic, etc.) and vitamins. The taste and aroma of many crops, in particular onions, horseradish and garlic, depend on it. Sulfur is contained in cucumber, tomato, pepper, eggplant, pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, beets, cabbage, beans, lettuce, and spinach.

And sulfur is very important for humans. It is responsible for blood clotting, helps the body fight harmful bacteria, protects against radiation exposure and slows down aging.

Olga:
In order for a plant to grow and develop well, it is necessary to ensure an optimal ratio of microelements. Nitrogen - sulfur must have a ratio of 10:1, that is, for 10 kg of nitrogen we must give 1 kg of sulfur. The ratio of carbon and sulfur is 60:1, phosphorus (in terms of P) and sulfur is 1:1.

— Why has interest in sulfur suddenly increased? Haven't we used it before?

Olga:

Used. But now agriculture is more intensive, the area under perennial grasses and fallows has decreased, and the volume of cultivation of high-yielding varieties of profitable crops has increased. Accordingly, the removal of elements by crops has also increased. The volume of application of organic fertilizers has also decreased.

In the past, there was a lot of sulfur in the atmosphere in the form of sulfur dioxide. This was explained by the intensive use of coal in industry, the combustion of which released gases containing sulfur into the atmosphere. Subsequently, they mixed with water and fell to the ground in so-called acid rain. And since such precipitation was recognized as one of the global environmental problems, the world industry reoriented itself to other energy sources.

And the mineral fertilizers themselves, 30-40 years ago, were not subjected to such a high degree of purification during production as they are now. But many fossil materials used to make fertilizers contained various types of impurities, including sulfur compounds.

In the last century, fungicides (Copper Sulfate, Bordeaux mixture) and insecticides (sulfur dust, colloidal sulfur) based on sulfur were more actively used. Nowadays in agriculture there are more and more chemical pesticides rather than natural ones. Accordingly, the supply of sulfur to agrocenoses decreases.

The structure of crop rotations has also changed. Previously, there were areas in it where the field could rest: black and occupied fallows; perennial leguminous grasses were grown, which, through their root system, could pull up elements washed from the upper layers of the soil to the lower ones. And thanks to this, the soil was again saturated with calcium, sulfur and boron.

Granular and colloidal sulfur
- How can you determine that a plant lacks sulfur?
Olga:

It is difficult to visually diagnose its deficiency, since it looks similar to nitrogen starvation: yellowing of leaves, elongation and thinning of stems, slow development. The difference is that nitrogen deficiency, since it is very mobile in the plant, first appears on older leaves. Sulfur deficiency, on the contrary, puts its first marks on young growing foliage or growth points. Hence yellowing, necrosis, small leaves, elongated petioles, growth arrest, and delayed ripening. This is due to the fact that sulfur, unlike nitrogen, almost does not move from the lower tiers to young leaves and is not re-absorbed (that is, not reutilized) by crops. Typical visual signs of sulfur deficiency are listed in Table No. 1.

Table No. 1

It is known that the maximum amount of sulfur is concentrated in seeds and leaves, and the minimum in stems and roots. Therefore, in order to eliminate the consequences of sulfur starvation as soon as possible (in 4 - 5 days), it is best to carry out foliar feeding of plants.

— Which crops need sulfur the most?
Olga:
Rapeseed, turnip, radish, garlic, onion, cabbage, broccoli, mustard. Less dependent on sulfur-containing substances are beets, corn, flax, cotton, tobacco and legumes (soybeans, peas, alfalfa, clover), potatoes, grains (wheat, rye, barley, triticale), sunflower and many herbs.

Also, sulfur consumption varies depending on the phase of plant development. For example, rapeseed needs it most during the period of flowering and pod formation. For wheat, the deficiency is most noticeable during tillering and at the time of milky ripeness of the grain. Corn needs sulfur throughout the growing season. Moreover, more than 50 percent of it accumulates in grain.

As a rule, from 10 to 30 kg of sulfur per hectare is removed with the harvest.
This depends on the cultivated crop, as well as on the level of yield (Table No. 2). But there are also record holders: cruciferous crops can absorb up to 70 kg/ha. Table No. 2

“But sulfur is used not only as a fertilizer.
Nikolay:

It is primarily known as a fungicide. 2000 BC e. The ancient Greeks burned it and used it for disinfection. Even Homer wrote about this. And today we use a sulfur bomb to disinfect greenhouses and greenhouses. You can also use sulfur itself. To do this, you need to wrap it in cotton cloth and set it on fire. Acrid smoke kills pests. But this should not be done in aluminum greenhouses: the frame may be damaged. If it is made of wood, then the benefit will be double - both the fungus that is in the tree and the mites will die. As well as aphids, scale insects and scale insects. Here sulfur already acts as an acaricide and insecticide. Once on the leaf surface, it begins to evaporate, releasing sulfuric acid. It kills (or rather, burns out) fungal spores, pathogens and pests.

For more than 200 years, sulfur has been used in vineyards to combat oidium.
Plants are also sprayed with its solution at the first signs of fungal diseases (powdery mildew, scab, anthracnose, gray rot and various root rots, including “black leg” on tomatoes, cabbage and peppers). —Are our soils rich in sulfur?
Olga:

Soil is the main source of sulfur compounds for crops. Typically they are contained in the range of 0.005 to 0.04 percent. On average, for every 77 kg of soil organic matter there is just under 0.5 kg of sulfur. It is important not only its quantity, but also the form in which this substance is located. It is known that sulfur becomes available to plants only in the process of its mineralization by microorganisms.

In the earth, sulfur is found in the form of sulfate anions - ions with a negative charge. Soils mainly attract and retain positively charged cations - calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium - in the surface root layer. Everything that is negatively charged will be washed into the lower layers. Calcium can retain sulfur and other microelements in the surface layer of soil. But it is not omnipotent, especially if large doses of nitrogen fertilizers are applied. You need to understand that nitrogen alone is unlikely to increase productivity. Some of it will be absorbed by plants, but most of it will be unclaimed and, having turned into acids, will begin to acidify the soil, transforming calcium into a more mobile state. After this, it will begin to wash out into the lower layers. Calcium will go away, and sulfur will go down with it. Other elements, say boron and nitrogen, will be washed out.

It seems that all the elements remain in the soil. But, having gone to a depth of 80 - 100 cm, they become inaccessible to plants. Therefore, it is best to add sulfur, boron and nitrogen fractionally, without leaving, as they say, in reserve.

Another important nuance is that when sulfur enters the soil, it turns into a sulfate ion, which acidifies it. Therefore, it is necessary to control the pH level. And if it is determined that the soil is acidic, then first of all it must be limed with materials containing calcium (lime, chalk) and magnesium (dolomite). If, at the same time, there is a deficiency of phosphorus in the soil, then phosphate rock can be a good helper.

It must be remembered that most crops prefer soil close to a neutral environment. In acidic (and uncomfortable) conditions they grow very slowly, the root system develops poorly, and soil bacteria also work poorly.

Nikolay:

It has been proven that the use of sulfur-containing fertilizers on soils with low sulfur content increases the utilization rate of phosphorus, calcium, and manganese compounds and increases productivity. A noticeable sulfur deficiency is observed in soils with low humus content. On soils rich in organic matter, the ratio between nitrogen and sulfur remains at approximately the same level - from 8:1 to 12:1.

On the one hand, sulfur, dissolving in water, is washed into the lower layers of the soil beyond the active root zone of crops. On the other hand, when there is a lack of water, high doses of sulfur-containing fertilizers accumulate in the upper layers of the soil, forming sulfate salinity and causing sulfate toxicity of crops.

— Is there some percentage of sulfur in manure?

Nikolay:

Sulfur, found together with other elements in animal feed, also ends up in manure, just like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and trace elements. Usually in manure and compost it is no more than 0.3 - 1 percent. The real percentage depends not only on farm animals, but also on what they are fed and in what conditions they are kept. There will be sulfur in manure if the animals' diet is balanced.

— Many crops prefer acidic soils.

Olga:

Yes, and here sulfur acts as a soil acidifier. Therefore, before planting, say, blueberries, we first add sulfur in the fall, and then sow green manure in the spring. For example, mustard, which accumulates a lot of sulfur. This is how the desired acidity is achieved.

— A separate topic is the choice of sulfur fertilizer.
Olga:

There are many sulfur-containing fertilizers: “Ammonium sulfate”, “Magnesium sulfate”, “Calcium sulfate” (gypsum), “Polymagnesia”, “Potassium sulfate”, colloidal sulfur. They all contain different amounts of sulfur and other elements and have different effects on the intensity of soil acidification. Pay attention to table No. 3.

Table
№ 3

Today the most common is “Ammonium Sulfate”. It contains 24 percent sulfur and 21 percent nitrogen. But it greatly acidifies the soil. Yes, we will eliminate the sulfur deficiency, but at the same time calcium will be washed into the lower layers. It is necessary to monitor the acidity of the soil by adjusting the pH. If necessary, it is better to add dolomite, chalk or lime before Ammonium Sulfate.

The plants that need sulfur the most are peas, soybeans, rapeseed and cruciferous crops.
Wheat, millet and corn also need a lot of it. Smaller amounts of sulfur are needed by alfalfa, perennial grasses, potatoes and sugar beets. It is best to apply it to rapeseed and wheat in the fall, and to corn and potatoes in the spring. - But sulfur itself can be of different types.

Nikolay:

Yes, granular or colloidal. They have the same properties. But still there are a number of differences. Granulated does not cake and is stored for a long time, does not generate dust. As for the effect of application itself, in the case of granules it will have to wait longer. They will work for many months, or even years, but they are easy to make. Powdered sulfur will work much faster, but it is very difficult to add it: it is very dusty. Yes, and increased precautions must be taken and not used during dry and hot periods due to its possible fire. To get a double and accelerated effect, you can add granular sulfur in the fall, and crushed colloidal sulfur in early spring.

Of course, it is best to spray colloidal sulfur on the plants. But this is very difficult to do: it will scatter like dust. You can mix it 1:1 with wet sand or soap, or simply dilute it in water and then spray the plantings. You can also water from a watering can, but it is more difficult to maintain the dose. To prepare an aqueous solution, pour the required amount of powder into a container and fill with a small amount (50 - 70 ml) of clean warm water. Rub thoroughly and mix well. Then add another 0.5 - 1 liter of water. Mix well again and pour into a bucket with 8 - 9 liters of water.

And I also want to warn you. If you have granulated sulfur, don’t even think about grinding it yourself - you can’t avoid poisoning!

— What can you say about the “Bordeaux mixture”?
Indeed, in its composition, in addition to calcium and copper, there is also sulfur. Nikolay:

This is an excellent fungicide! And you can (and should!) use it not only in the garden, but also in the vegetable garden. I always recommend treating future beds with Bordeaux mixture (if there is no sulfur) in early spring on the soil. Sulfur will act as an activator of soil biota.

In early spring, to treat the garden, we take a 3% solution of “Bordeaux mixture” - 300 g of “Copper sulfate” and 400 g of lime per 10 liters of water. For beds, a 1% solution is suitable - 100 g of “Copper sulfate” and 100 - 150 g of lime per 10 liters of water. It is best to apply Bordeaux mixture with a sprayer to cover the ground with a thick fog. This will be both safer and better quality. The main thing is to prepare the composition correctly. Treatments can be carried out as soon as the daytime temperature rises to plus 5 degrees, no more.

Olga:

In intensive crop rotations, I recommend planning a small amount of sulfur for all crops for which you apply mineral nitrogen fertilizers. The calculation is very simple: per 100 kg of mineral nitrogen, 10 kg of sulfur for wheat and barley. For corn, rapeseed, mustard and all garden crops, the norm can be safely increased by 2 times. You can also apply fertilizer leaf by leaf. Then the doses will be less: 2 - 3 kg/ha (or 20 - 30 g per 1 hundred square meters) of "Magnesium Sulfate" or "Ammonium Sulfate" 1 - 2 times per growing season.

— When and how is it best to add sulfur?
Nikolay:

The effect of sulfur directly depends on the ambient temperature. For a 100% result, the air temperature must be above plus 20 degrees. At a lower temperature, the drug will work, but not to its full potential. It is best to carry out treatment in the morning, when there is no heat. But you can use the drug in the evening. Plants need to be sprayed from all sides so that the substance is distributed evenly.

Attention: sulfur is not used during active flowering. And one more thing: the solution must be put into use immediately after diluting it. Sulfur, if not used immediately, loses its properties.

Be sure to follow the dosage rules and do not forget about your own safety. Work only in protective clothing, a mask and gloves.

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In upcoming issues we will talk about the importance of sulfur for the heather family crops - blueberries, cranberries, lingonberries, rhododendrons, azaleas.

What is sulfur and its role in the body

Sulfur, S (full name sulfur), is a macroelement assigned atomic number 16 in the periodic table.

In the human body, the proportion of sulfur is 0.25% of the total mass.

Sulfur itself is not toxic, but compounds of the element with other chemical components, such as hydrogen sulfide, are poisonous.

It plays a key role in blood clotting. Its beneficial properties include protecting protoplasm from bacteria.

As part of the body's compounds, sulfur has benefits for the growth of hair, nails, skin, and also in protecting the body from aging.

Purified sulfur – application, instructions

Purified sulfur is available in the form of ointments, pastes and powder:

sulfuric ointment – from 10 to 50 g;
sulfur-zinc-naphthalan paste – 40g;
purified sulfur powder – 10 g;

Sulfur, purified indications

Purified sulfur is used:

For pyrogenic therapy for: progressive paralysis; schizophrenia and others.
In the treatment of skin diseases: seborrhea; psoriasis; scabies; sycosis.
As an anthelmintic when infected with pinworms (enterobiasis).

Purified sulfur is also used to treat hemorrhoids, constipation, and so on.

Sulfur, purified instructions for use

Fully purified sulfur is used for various skin conditions and in 20%, 10% and 5% powders and ointments.

In addition, purified sulfur is used internally as a mild expectorant and laxative, 2.0; 1.0; 0.5 grams each.

For the treatment of enterobiasis, this drug is prescribed for consumption three times a day, but for 5 days, for adults - 1.0-0.8 g and for children - about 0.05 g, and for children aged 5 or 6 years - exactly 0.25 g.

After this, a four-day break is taken during the treatment process, during which enemas with the addition of sodium bicarbonate or sodium chloride are given every day at night. After the break, there is again a five-day cycle for taking sulfur, after which there is again a break of four days. This five-day cycle of sulfur treatment is carried out mainly from 3 to 5 times.

Application of purified sulfur internally and externally

It is worth noting that this drug does not work in dry form. In the presence of moisture, organic substances and alkalis, hydrogen sulfide, sulfur dioxide, various sulfur alkalis and oxygen are formed, which have a positive effect.

When used topically, the skin has an irritating, keratolytic effect (this is the process of formation of hydrogen sulfide and disulfides deep in the epidermis itself). It has a fairly weak but stable antimicrobial effect. In addition, the basis for a complete antiparasitic effect is the complete formation of hydrogen sulfide and anhydride.

After using this drug internally, sodium sulfite, sodium hydrosulfite and hydrogen sulfide are formed, which strongly irritate the receptors inside the intestines and act as a laxative.

To hydrogen sulfide, sulfur is able to be restored in the large intestine under the strict influence of bacteria and, of course, protein substances of the mucous membranes within an alkaline environment with the participation of glutathione and cysteine. About 10 percent of the sulfur introduced inside is restored, and the rest will be excreted along with the feces.

In addition, sulfur, precipitated in a finely dispersed state, is quickly reduced directly into hydrogen sulfide, then absorbed and after that may well cause poisoning in a person, since a laxative is not used. Sublimated purified sulfur is used as a laxative.

In addition, hydrogen sulfide can be partially absorbed from the intestines and, when released through the lungs, has an expectorant effect. Immediately after parenteral administration of this drug, sulfur causes a number of reactions in the body that are characteristic of nonspecific medical therapy by the appearance of irritation.

Because of this, the tone directly in the autonomic innervation significantly increases, then the protective forces in the human body are strengthened, the formation of a number of antibodies increases, and the ability of the human body to completely neutralize the poison also increases.

The needs of animals in the environment are met thanks to amino acids - L-methionine, L-cysteine and L-cystine, as well as heterocyclic compounds - thiamine and biotin.

Cystine and cysteine are found in the general composition of proteins, enzymes and certain hormones; These amino acids are also necessary to accelerate the rapid growth of animal fur, horns and hair.

In dermatology, it is used to treat eczema, scabies, furunculosis, dermatitis, trichophytosis and other lesions of the skin and body as ointments (10-30%), dusts and liniments.

This drug is prescribed as a mild laxative (but quite rarely), as well as an antidote for very acute chronic diseases with drugs, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, but at the same time all insoluble sulfur beneficial compounds with some heavy metal salts are formed inside the intestine.

Sulfur is also used to fully improve the metabolism of all substances, to accelerate growth, significantly enhance fermentation (bacterial) in the forestomach in ruminants, accelerate the growth of wool in sheep, hooves and horns in various animals.

Indications for use

Sulfur can be recommended as an auxiliary component for various diseases and pathological conditions of the body as part of complex therapy, for example:

diseases of bones and joints;
diabetes;
nervous pathologies;
psychoses;
food and other types of poisoning.

More recently, scientists were able to establish that sulfur is a building material for endocrine tissue , which affects all vital organs: stomach, intestines, heart, skin, brain.

For this reason, the mineral can be used for diseases of these organs if its intake from food is insufficient.

Sulfur also has anti-allergenic properties , so it can be used in case of allergic pathologies.

How to use sulfur

Sulfur-containing drugs are taken simultaneously with food.

You should only buy purified sulfur from the pharmacy.

Feed sulfur preparations for animals are not intended for human consumption.

The optimal course of treatment would be 1 month. If there is no expected benefit, you should stop taking it until you consult your doctor.

Important! Sulfur is used as prescribed by a doctor in the recommended dosage. Self-administration and prescription of the drug is not recommended

Sulfur powder for oral administration

Powder for internal use is prescribed for chronic diseases:

polyarthritis;
sciatica;
haemorrhoids.

Sulfur for oral administration is purified and comes in tightly sealed jars. Taking purified sulfur is also prescribed for the treatment of enterobiasis.

Medical purified sulfur, or sulfuric anhydride, is beneficial in cases of:

restoration of the body's defenses;
for expectorant purposes: hydrogen sulfide is absorbed through the intestines and enters the lungs through the blood;
for constipation, purified sublimated sulfur is prescribed;
to enhance the body’s ability to neutralize weak poisons.

When taking sulfur, you can drink enterosorbents if you wish: they will reduce the harm of frequent gas formation that the drug can cause.

Sulfuric ointment

In addition to oral administration, medical purified sulfur is used externally in the form of ointments to treat:

scabies;
eczema;
dermatitis;
depriving;
acne.

For dermatitis, medicinal sulfur ointment is recommended to be applied twice a day. The sulfur concentration in the preparation is 5%.

The sulfur concentration in acne ointment is 33%. It is applied to clean skin and dry skin. It is advisable to do the procedure in the evening and not rinse off immediately after applying the product.

During treatment of scabies, do not wash off the ointment from the skin. You should also not shower during therapy. Only after a 5-day course of treatment should you wash everything off thoroughly and put on clean clothes. Bed linen also needs to be changed.

Attention! Sulfur ointment smells unpleasant and leaves greasy marks

Signs of overdose

Excess sulfur in the body can occur due to excessive intake of foods containing this element. This is facilitated by the fact that most food products are produced using sulfites (preservatives).

To prevent this from happening, you should know which foods you should be especially careful about consuming.

This is first of all:

beer and wine (containing dyes);
cider;
cold or hot smoked products;
ready-made confectionery and salads;
vegetables (especially out-of-season);
vinegar;
potato.

Attention! Sulfur, which is contained in food products, does not have a toxic effect on the body, but sulfur-containing compounds can pose a mortal danger to humans, so you need to be very careful when consuming foods with large amounts of preservatives.

Signs that may indicate excess sulfur in the body include:

skin pathologies (itching, rashes, furunculosis);
visual disturbances (“floaters” before the eyes, changes in the cornea of the eye, photophobia, lacrimation, conjunctivitis);
weakness, dizziness, migraine;
anemia;
pathologies and diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
hearing loss (decreased auditory perception);
weight loss;
disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system;
decrease in intellectual abilities.

These pathologies can be very serious if measures are not taken to eliminate them in time, so you cannot ignore any changes in the body that indicate excess sulfur.

You should consult a specialist for laboratory diagnostics and prescribing adequate therapy.

Total information

Location on the periodic table D.I. Mendeleev: in the old version - III period, III row, VI group, in the new version of the table - 16 group, 3rd period.

Physicochemical characteristics. Pure sulfur is yellow transparent and translucent crystals that can be easily crushed into a powder without much difficulty. In the presence of impurities, it can have orange, yellow-brown, brown and even black colors. Usually it contains additives of clay, sulfates, carbonates, bitumen and other substances. The shine is oily and greasy.

In nature it is presented in 2 forms - α-sulfur and β-sulfur. Alpha is characterized by a rhombic crystal appearance and a stable structure at temperatures up to 96 °C. When exposed to higher temperatures, alpha sulfur degenerates into beta sulfur, which already has monoclinic crystals and becomes resistant to higher temperatures. The density of the mineral is 2.05 -2.08 g/cm3.

Due to its hydrophobic properties, sulfur does not sink in water, although this mineral is heavier than H2O. However, when you add some alcohol or acetone, it sinks to the bottom. By the way, due to the fact that sulfur is found in many salts and acids, they are also poorly soluble in water. Sulfur is highly soluble in kerosene, turpentine, carbon disulfide and Canada balsam.

When heated, S gradually melts, transforming into a yellow mobile liquid, and with a further increase in the heating temperature to 160 ° C, the yellow color gives way to orange, then dark red, then, at 190 ° C, it thickens a little and after a while, at 300 ° C, it becomes again mobile.