Sulfur
S
16
32.065
1s22s22p63s23p4
Biological significance

➤ An element-organogen.

➤ Contained in amino acids, proteins, hormone - insulin, vitamin B1, hair keratin, bone and nervous tissue.

➤ Enzymatic action during biochemical reactions.

Excess in the body

➤ Causes cephalgia, pharyngeal reflex, vertigo, and a characteristic sulfur odor from the mouth.

➤ Causes anemia, conjunctivitis, photophobia, central nervous system diseases, dementia and weight loss.

Deficiency in the body

➤ Weakening of the structure of nails, hair follicles and bone tissue, weakness of the body, gastrointestinal diseases, involuntary muscle contractions, mental disorder, pruritus, adipositis, cardiovascular diseases (CVD).

Drugs/dose

➤ S (purified) - 20% ointment - antimicrobial, antiparasitic effect

➤ Plaster dressings are made from alabaster 2CaSO4 * H2O

➤ Na2SO4 * 10H2O - glauber's salt

➤ KAl(SO₄)₂-12H₂O - alum potassium alum, hemostatic effect

➤ MgSO₄ - bitter salt, for cleansing the stomach, intestines

➤ Sulphomide preparations - antimicrobial agents

➤ Na₂S₂O₃ - 30% solution for injection, used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antimicrobial agent, is an antidote for heavy metal poisoning.

Conventional medicine

➤ It is used to treat dermatoses - acne, eczema, psoriasis.

➤ Therapy of respiratory diseases.

➤ In case of pigmented epidermis or freckles, it is used as a cleansing and exfoliating agent, as well as in case of constipation, it has a laxative effect.

➤ They are also prescribed as anthelmintic drugs.


Unconventional medicine

➤ Ointments with Sulfur for the treatment of acne, boils and scabies.

➤ To reduce the outbreak and kill cholera vibrios on surfaces.

Toxic effect/antidote

➤ Poisoning can occur through contact with the substance through the eyes, skin, or respiratory tract, with symptoms including cephalgia, insomnia, weakness, weight loss, gastritis, nephropathy, dermatosis, and decreased sexual activity.

➤ H₂S interacts with hemoglobin iron, which causes hypoxia and death.


➤ No specific antidotes are available.

Interesting facts

➤ Sulfur has been known to mankind for several thousand years.

➤ Sulfur dioxide SO3 forms the polymer (SO3)n with a fibrous structure.

➤ Radioactive 35S is introduced into medicines and their mechanism of action in the body is studied.

➤ Polypeptide (SN)n is an electrically conductive polymer.

Chemist Guillam Gilders
on how he discovered Sulfur


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