The Many Uses of Lugol's Iodine...

Lugol’s is more than an iodine supplement to support thyroid function and overall good health.

Named after French physician Jean Lugol who first made the solution in 1829, Lugol’s iodine has become a staple for natural healthcare and first aid. Lugol’s simple formula of elemental iodine, potassium iodide, and water is still recognised as one of the world's most safe and effective medicines nearly two hundred years later.

Iodine deficiency has become rampant in our modern world. This is in part due to the fact that it's no longer in our soils. Modern farming methods have depleted the nutrients in our soil to such an extent that it's now estimated that we only have around sixty harvests left in the U.K.. As a result, the most common use of iodine nowadays is to either avoid or to recover from an iodine deficiency. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), goiter, and cretinism are often the results of an iodine deficiency.

One country that has so far managed to swerve an epidemic in iodine deficiency that's gripping most of the rest of the world is Japan. The Japanese famously eat a diet rich in iodine. Seaweed and sushi are often on the menu. Here's an interesting fact for you: there is no direct translation for the word menopause in Japanese. Menopausal symptoms are extremely rare in Japan because of their high iodine intake. Iodine is always my first recommendation for the menopause.

An overactive thyroid gland, or hyperthyroidism, can also be helped by iodine by shrinking the thyroid down to normal size.

Food poisoning is an extremely unpleasant experience and occasionally life threatening as I once discovered on a family holiday in Corfu when I was 17. Foods prepared in unsanitary conditions can make you very sick. Always keep in mind that Lugol’s iodine offers digestive support and defense against foodborne pathogens. At the first sign of digestive trouble, mix 12 drops of Lugol’s iodine in ¼ cup of water. After 1 hour drink another dose if needed. Take up to 4 doses per day. You may start to feel better within minutes!

If upset stomach or discomfort becomes severe or persists for more than 24 hours, consult your healthcare professional.

Don’t let an upset stomach caused by questionable food run its course. Don’t let H pylori bacteria and other unwelcome guests cause more damage.

Iodine diluted in filtered or distilled water can also be used to wash inorganic fruits and vegetables: Place 2 quarts (2L) of water in a bowl and add 1 dropper full of Lugol’s to make an approximately 12 ½ ppm iodine solution. Add 2 droppers full of Lugol’s to make an approximately 25 ppm iodine solution.

Completely submerge produce for 1 minute or more. Agitate food well. Rinsing is optional. DO NOT SAVE the water for later use. It will lose its potency and color. Add more Lugol’s once the water turns clear.

After exposure to radiation, supplemental iodine blocks the thyroid from absorbing radioactive iodine. This protects the thyroid from damage and reduces the risk of thyroid cancer caused by radiation. We're all bathed in radiation these days because of WiFi and countless other electro magnetic frequencies, so it's vital that we add iodine to our supplement regime.

Perhaps most famously, iodine is used to disinfect wounds and cuts and is a great material to have in your medicine cupboard and first aid kit.

Disclaimer: if you've never used iodine before, I would recommend doing the skin test before using it to make sure that you are not that one person in three or so thousand who are allergic. Simply squeeze one drop onto your wrist. If it burns or irritates, you're probably allergic.

Iodine is one of my essentials and having tested hundreds of people in the past, I've only ever come across a couple of people who had sufficient levels. It's an escalating problem, but it can be resolved by supplementing with Lugol's iodine.

Paul Simon Smith