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DMSO, CDL / CDS / MMS

Reading time 14 minutes

Updated - February 16, 2026

DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide), CDL (Chlorine dioxide solution - identical with CDS (Chlorine Dioxide Solution) and MMS (Master Mineral Solution)), two substances that are both praised and demonized.

This article is intended to give the reader the opportunity to form an opinion that is as objective as possible.
For this reason, the article will be somewhat more detailed than necessary from a purely scientific point of view: both the history, the „common view“ and the scientific side of both substances will be discussed in detail.
As usual, individual statements are provided with references.

DMSO

Basic narratives

DMSO, the medical all-rounder. Years ago, it could be found in every medicine cabinet, a natural remedy with minimal side effects and a holistic effect.

It is described as a transport aid for other substances, promoting penetration through the skin and cell membranes, thus bringing active ingredients directly to the site of action.

DMSO is also said to have anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and antioxidant properties.

Daniel Peter Verlag has published „Das DMSO-Handbuch: Verborgenes Heilwissen aus der Natur Gebundene Ausgabe Deutsch“ by Dr. Hartmut Fischer, chemist and alternative practitioner.
However, to describe DMSO as „healing knowledge from nature“ is misguided, because dimethyl sulfoxide is not available directly from natural sources as a pure, biologically obtained product, but is a synthetic waste product of cellulose production.

history

Alexander Mikhailovich Zaytsev (02.07.1841 - 01.09.1910 - Russian chemist, Kazan University) systematically researched alkyl sulphides obtained from wood distillation products in 1866. He succeeded for the first time in synthesizing dimethyl sulfide oxide (DMSO) by oxidizing dimethyl sulfide with nitric acid. This published he 1867 in Justus Liebig's Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie, volume 144, pages 148 - 156 with the title „Ueber die Einwirkung von Saltpetersäure auf Schwefelmethyl und Schwefeläthyl“. In the 19th century, Liebig's Annalen was regarded as the leading international journal for organic chemistry and the most important publication organ for German and international chemists.

In 1953, DMSO was commercially introduced as a solvent that dissolves both polar and non-polar substances, is miscible with water and has a relatively high boiling point of 189 °C at 1013 hPa.

It was not until 1963 that research into DMSO was revived when Stanley Jacob MD, a renowned surgeon, and Robert John Herschler, both employed at Oregion Health Sciences University, discovered its medicinal properties and in 1964 publishedJacob SW, Bischel M, Herschler RJ. „Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO): a new concept in pharmacotherapy“ Current Therapeutic Research, Clinical and Experimental 1964; Volume 6: Pages 134-135.

Jacob, who earned his medical degree from Ohio State University at the age of 24, was looking for a substance that would enable him to freeze and preserve organs, especially kidneys, without causing damage.
11 years later, he had already published more than 40 articles on medical topics.
He joined the University of Oregon Medical School in 1959 as head of the transplant group and became part of the world's first human kidney transplant.

In a laboratory accident, Herschler discovered that DMSO mixed with a dye was introduced into the skin, just as his DMSO „ink“ was driven into a twig, from which he concluded that it was probably also able to transport antibiotics into the body in a similar way.
He was the industrial chemist who made connections in the industrial world. He gained Crown Zellerbach, manufacturer of DMSO, as a patent partner, which caused media coverage to explode in December 1963.
Crow Zellerbach intended to work with six pharmaceutical companies at the same time, creating a race to be first to market.

Herschler also discovered Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), a DMSO metabolite that is now on the market as a dietary supplement.

He also advanced basic research into understanding the mode of action of DMSO in the human body by developing the alternative sulfur metabolism in mammals discovered.

As early as 1965, the FDA stopped all research on DMSO worldwide due to several incidents in connection with the use of DMSO on animals and humans.

This was prompted by reports in the specialist press about two unexplained deaths after DMSO therapy, one death from Ireland* due to questionable allergic reaction (footnote 4 in the reference).

All of these cases were reported in times before the digitization of content and can therefore only be found in the archived print media.

Further sources:

The rigorous FDA ban was based on the above cases and animal studies in which - at far higher doses than in humans - ophthalmologic damage occurred that was not seen in human subjects.

Application

Permitted medical applications

Human medicine

  • topically for Pain relief**Anti-inflammatory, reduces swelling and promotes circulation, as well as smoothing scar tissue through collagen degradation
  • Penetration enhancement for e.g. antimycotics (warts, nail fungus), if necessary with EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetate) additive
  • Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), a refractory chronic cystitis of unknown origin (RIMSO-50® - approved only in the USA and Japan)
    for patients who are sensitive to pain, the first 2-3 applications should be performed under anesthesia
    Meta-analysis - Conclusion: „Evidence-based statistical analysis of the literature on intravesical DMSO treatment for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome shows that this therapy is both effective and safe.“
    and
    „Warnings: DMSO can initiate the release of histamine, and there have been occasional hypersensitivity reactions with topical application of DMSO; this was reported in a patient receiving intravesical RIMSO-50®.“
  • Cryobiology (preservation of organs, stem cells, bone marrow cells and embryos)
    Organs are placed in higher concentrations of DMSO. The water contained is osmotically displaced by DMSO, thus counteracting the possible formation of ice crystals in the water, before it is stored in liquid nitrogen at -195.8 °C.
    During thawing, the organ is placed in water, which in turn osmotically displaces the DMSO and replaces it with water. If necessary, the organ is also rinsed with water.
  • in interventional radiology (a branch of radiology that performs minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures under imaging control)**.

Veterinary medicine

  • since 1970 - topical use for horses to treat acute swelling due to trauma and musculoskeletal injuries, except in breeding stallions and pregnant mares
    For dogs topically for the treatment of acute swelling due to trauma
    Products: DOMOSO® and SYNOTIC® (Diamond Laboratories Inc., Des Moines, Iowa)
    „Warnings: Changes in the refractive index of the crystalline lens and nuclear cataracts have been observed in animals using this drug; this appears to be related to dosage and duration of therapy.„

Off-label applications

Human medicine

  • „Bubble cocktails“ with additional medication (IC/BPS)

Veterinary medicine

  • Various skin diseases in dogs (calcinosis cutis, lick dermatitis)
  • Post-operative treatments in veterinary medicine
  • Laminitis in horses

Non-evidence-based applications

Human medicine

  • Arthritis
  • Ulcers in scleroderma
  • Muscle strains
  • Bruises
  • Skin infections
  • Burns
  • Wounds
  • Mental illnesses
  • After using DMSO-based eye drops, patients report positive results of dissolving cataracts, disappearing floaters, reversing macular degeneration and improving, actually lifelong, blindness.
    However, these reports have never been clinically investigated and confirmed.

CDL (CDS, MMS)

Jim Humble and the Genesis II Church

That MMS 95% cures all diseases caused by pathogens spread Jim Humble (27.12.1933 Mobile, Alabama - 01.09.2023), a businessman by trade. By his own admission, he worked in a health food store in his fifties, then 20 years in the aerospace industry and 40 years as a gold miner. He was an active member of Scientology © for 25 years. 1956 - 1981).
He founded the „non-religious church“ in 2010“ Genesis II Church.

In seminars held as „church“ events, Humble and other church leaders around the world taught that MMS was a miracle cure, a treatment for virtually any disease, including breast cancer or childhood autism.

„There are certainly times when I have said some things that I probably should have said differently. For lack of a better way to put things at the time - or because others put words in my mouth, I've stated in the past that MMS cures most diseases. Today I say that MMS cures nothing!“ Humble let ABC reporters who tracked him down in Guadalajara, Mexico, after his escape from the US, and confronted him with his earlier statement that it „cures 95% of all diseases caused by pathogens“, know.

Humble also claims to be a billion-year-old god from the Andromeda galaxy who was sent to Earth to save humans. (source)

Dozens of charges were also brought against Stanley Nowak and others in Canada for „charged with unlawfully labeling, packaging, selling, or advertising sodium chlorite in a manner „that was false, misleading, deceptive, or likely to create a false impression as to its nature, value, quantity, composition, merit, or safety.“ (source as before)

FDA - Consumer Update / Warning Letter

Due to reported health hazards, some of them severe, the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) on 30.07.2010 a first Consumer Update and „warns of the serious health risks of MMS, which reacts to form chlorine dioxide - a technical bleaching agent - when used. The FDA emphasizes that the product is not suitable for human consumption and can cause serious side effects such as vomiting, dehydration and life-threatening drops in blood pressure.„

On August 12, 2019, the FDA will issue another consumer update „FDA warns consumers about the dangerous and potentially life threatening side effects of Miracle Mineral Solution„

A warning letter from the FDA dated April 8, 2020 to Genesis II Church „Unapproved and Misbranded Products Related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)“ after Mark Grenon wrote in a letter to his brother John: „The coronavirus is curable, do you believe that? You better... it's damn good stuff Joe,“ and Joseph Grenon responds, „MMS will kill it.“.

Arraignment

On April 17, 2020, a lawsuit was filed against Genesis II Church, Mark, Joseph, Jordan and Jonathan Grenon under Case No. 20-21601-CV-WILLIAMS in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Judge Kathleen M. Williams presiding.
A decision was issued on 11.08.2020 Default judgment with the content „Ban on the sale and distribution of unauthorized or mislabeled products such as Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS).“

Almost simultaneously, on July 8, 2020, Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, filed criminal charges against Mark Grenon and his three sons Jonathan, Jorda and Joseph for manufacturing and distributing it, instructing customers to take it orally and, according to the affidavit, claiming that MMS can treat, prevent and cure COVID-19. (source)

Conviction

Jonathan and Jordan were arrested in Bradenton, Florida in July 2020, Mark and Joseph fled to Colombia and were arrested there in August 2020 and extradited to the US in July 2023.

The Grenons represented themselves at the trial, but refused to provide any information.

Mark Grenon, 66, and Joseph Grenon, 36, were sentenced to 60 months in prison, the maximum statutory sentence for conspiracy to defraud the United States by distributing an unapproved and misbranded drug; Jonathan and Jordan Grenon were sentenced to 151 months.

The „church“ façade

Genesis‘ websites describe Genesis as a „non-religious church,“ and defendant Mark Grenon, the co-founder of Genesis, has repeatedly acknowledged that Genesis „has nothing to do with religion,“ and that he founded Genesis to „legalize the use of MMS“ and avoid „going to jail.“.

Threats

The Grenons threatened the federal judge presiding over the civil case, threatening that if the government tried to enforce the court orders halting their distribution of MMS, they would „take up arms“ and stage „a Waco.“.

„Waco“ refers to the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian complex in Waco, Texas, in which over 70 people died.

Turnover

The Grenons received more than $1 million through the sale of MMS, which could only be purchased in exchange for „donations“ to the church,

While the Grenon family earned $500,000 in the whole of 2019, they earned $123,000 in March 2020 alone.

Production / warehouse

Description from court documents:

  • Dirty, run-down shed in Jonathan Grenon's backyard in Bradenton, Florida
  • Dozens of blue chemical drums
  • Almost 10,000 pounds of sodium chlorite powder
  • Thousands of bottles of finished MMS
  • Warning stickers on the drums: „TOXIC“ and „DANGEROUS IF CONSUMED“

(source)

CDL by Andreas Kalcker

COMUSAV and the parallels to Jim Humble

Andreas Ludwig Kalcker was born on 13 or 16.003.1964 in Wuppertal, an exact date of birth is unknown. He studied business administration and finance. He moved to Spain around 1982 and worked at Banco de Medges / Fibank. Around 2000, he began a distance learning course at the Open University of Advanced Sciences.

In 2007, he fell ill with arthritis and carried out a self-treatment after testing MMS on his dachshund - with success.

From this point on, his collaboration with Jim Humble began and the further development of MMS (sodium chloride and citric acid results in an acidic pH value) to CDL/CDS (chlorine dioxide gas dissolved in water results in a neutral pH value).

He distributes his publications through the Jim Humble Publishing, as well as the Kopp publishing house.

Spirit of Health Congress

Jim Humble then took to the stage at Leo Koehof's first „Spirit of Health“ congress in Hanover to present his discovery to a large audience for the first time MMS.

Andreas Kalker promoted the effects of MMS at the „Spirit of Health“ congress at the Maritim Hotel in Berlin in March 2018.

Controversial academic qualification

Andreas Kalcker studied by distance learning and graduated with a degree in scientific biophysics. He also wrote his doctoral thesis there, but the doctorate was not officially recognized. After an unsuccessful request for appropriate support from the university, he renounced this doctorate and describes himself as a biophysical researcher, an unprotected, arbitrary designation.

COMUSAV

The name is made up of the first letters of Coalición Mundial Satlud y vida / World Health and Life Coalition.

Dr. h.c. Andereas Kalcker (?)

„Nuestra Misión es despertar la conciencia de todas las personas, no solo de los profesionales de la salud, promoviendo el estudio y uso terapeútico responsable del CDS (Solución de Dióxido de Cloro) cuyo creador el Dr. h.c. Andreas Ludwig Kalcker es nuestro miembro honorífico.“

„Our mission The aim is to awaken the conscience of all people, not just medical professionals, and to promote the research and responsible therapeutic use of CDS (chlorine dioxide solution), whose inventor Dr. hc. Andreas Ludwig Kalcker is our honorary member.“

The title „Dr. h.c.“ mentioned here classifies the Dr. title with „h.c.“ (honoris causa) as an honorary doctorate. An honorary academic doctorate is awarded at the discretion of a recognized university or college.

His Biography announces „... In recognition of his important contributions, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the prestigious Executive University of the State of Mexico awarded.“

One „Executive University of the State of Mexico“ does not exist, however, and is therefore neither renowned nor a possible institution for awarding such titles.

The financing

Various training courses are offered, currently ranging from around 30 - 600 euros, as well as books by Andreas Kalcker, such as Gesundheit verboten, Bye Bye Covid von Dr. Andreas Ludwig Kalcker (According to § 132a StGB, the unauthorized use of academic titles, professional titles or insignia is punishable).

Investigating authorities

Argentina - Death of a child

Indictment 2023: The public prosecutor's office in Argentina has now brought charges against Andreas Kalcker in connection with deaths following the ingestion of the bleaching agent chlorine dioxide.

Current status: As Kalcker is also actively campaigning for the use of chlorine dioxide in South America, the public prosecutor's office in Argentina is currently investigating him.

Germany - Consumer advice center

The Consumer advice center NRW has critically assessed Kalcker's activities and warned against his products in order to protect consumers from harm: Via his website he spreads „misleading and dangerous information about the chemical sodium chlorite„; on the Kalckers website „false and misleading claims are made under a pseudo-scientific guise, questionable studies are cited and conspiracies are spread„

The site also has no legal notice and thus violates the transparency obligation in Section 5 of the German Telemedia Act (TMG). .

Austria - Death of a prominent anti-vaccination campaigner

Johann Biacsics was one of Austria's best-known anti-vaccination activists; he treated himself with chlorine dioxide at home in November 2021; he died two days later.

„Scientific“ claims

The prophylaxis study

is only available as a preprint study (not peer reviewed) by Manuel Aparicio-Alonso, Carlos Dominguez-Sanchez (carlos.dominguez-cmj@hotmail.com) and Marina Banuet-Martinez „A Retrospective Observational Study of Chlorine Dioxide Effectiveness to Covid19-like Symptoms Prophylaxis in Relatives Living with COVID19 Patients“ has been published.

She comes to the conclusion:

„Our study has some limitations.
The first of all is that this is a retrospective observational study, which means that conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of the CDS cannot be established because we could only use the information available in the medical records of the relatives, and we could not have any control over the variables.
Second, misinformation bias exists since baseline and clinical information is reported by relatives.
Third, many relatives did not undergo diagnostic or confirmatory tests for SARS-Cov-2 due to the economic situation and the high cost of these in Mexico. Therefore, it was impossible to establish with certainty that the relatives who reported any covid19-like symptoms had COVID19.
Fourth, the studies’ results used to compare our results are obtained from different populations and were collected under other conditions, so these comparisons should be interpreted with caution.
Fifth, the overall interpretation of the findings may be restrained due to the lack of additional information (e.g. personal care, eating habits, proximity and relationship with patients, etc.) ...“

„Our study has some limitations.
First, this is a retrospective observational study, which means that no conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of CDS can be provided, as we could only use the information available in the relatives' medical records and had no control over the variables.
Secondly, there is a misinformation bias as baseline and clinical information is reported by relatives.
Thirdly, due to the economic situation and the high cost of these tests in Mexico, many relatives did not undergo diagnostic or confirmatory tests for SARS-Cov-2. Therefore, it could not be determined with certainty that the relatives who reported Covid19-like symptoms were suffering from COVID19.
Fourthly, the ’study' results used to compare our results come from different populations and were collected under different conditions. Therefore, these comparisons should be interpreted with caution.
Fifth, the overall interpretation of the results may be limited due to the lack of additional information (e.g. personal care, eating habits, proximity and relationship with patients, etc.). ...“

Treatment study

„Chlorine Dioxide as an Alternative Treatment for COVID-19„, also by Manuel Aparicio-Alonso, Carlos Dominguez-Sanchez (carlos.dominguez-cmj@hotmail.com) and Marina Banuet-Martinez 2021 published on OMICS International (Hyderabad, India).

OMICS (OMICS Group Inc., iMedPub LLC, Conference Series LLC, and Srinubabu Gedela) published papers from various submitters as peer reviewed even though they only had review times of a few days instead of the usual months.
The FTC sued OMICS and condemned them on 29.03.2019 for payment of USD 50.1 million.

The study is therefore not peer reviewed and should be considered a preprint.

Mechanism hypothesis

„Chlorine Dioxide in COVID-19: Hypothesis about the Possible Mechanism of Molecular Action in SARS-CoV-2“ was launched in 2020 by Eduardo Insignares-Carrione*, Blanca Bolano Gómez and Andreas Ludwig Kalcker on Hilaris Publisher (similar to OMICS - a predatory publisher) was published.

The study is therefore not peer reviewed and should be considered a preprint.

Predatory Publisher

... present themselves as specialist scientific publishers, but do not carry out any quality assurance measures. Anyone can publish an article for a publication fee. They promise publications within unrealistically short deadlines and may also publish falsified or inferior content, including fictitious editors, e-mail addresses, etc.. Accordingly, there is no inclusion in DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals), Scopus (over 90 million data records) or Web of Science.

There are portals that keep lists of such fraudulent „companies“, which can be used to check the authenticity of a publisher.

OMICS

was taken off the grid due to the FTC intervention.

Hilaris

„Authors who are willing to publish their articles under this mode can make a pre-payment of $99 towards express peer-review and editorial decision. First editorial decision in 3 days and final decision with review comments in 5 days from the date of submission. Galley proof generation will be done in next 2 days from acceptance or maximum 5 days (For manuscripts notified for revision by external reviewer).„

„Authors who are willing to publish their articles in this mode can make an advance payment of 99 US dollars for an express review and an editorial decision. The first editorial decision will be made within 3 days and the final decision with review comments within 5 days of submission. Proofs will be issued within 2 days of acceptance or a maximum of 5 days (for manuscripts rejected for revision by external reviewers).“

Summary Kalcker

  1. Direct student of Jim Humble - Personal cooperation documented
  2. Further developer of Humble's MMS - CDS/CDL as an „improvement“
  3. Published by Jim Humble Verlag - Direct business relationship
  4. Part of the same network - Genesis II Church, COMUSAV, Mark Grenon
  5. Users of the same methods - Unscientific studies, false promises of a cure
  6. Same target group - Desperately ill people, conspiracy theorists, alternative medicine followers
  7. Same substance - Chlorine dioxide (only other production)
  8. Same claims - Heals everything from cancer to COVID

... and its „improvements“

  1. More scientific facade - COMUSAV instead of „church“
  2. Better avoidance of regulation - Switzerland-based, no US jurisdiction
  3. Technical optimization - CDS less aggressive than MMS
  4. Political lobbying - Laws in Bolivia, Honduras

Conclusion

Andreas Kalcker is not just „another“ MMS promoter, but the direct successor and developer of Jim Humble's work.

The parallels are not coincidental - they are the result of a documented mentor-student relationship and one conscious further development of the business model.

While Jim Humble lost credibility with his bizarre claims (God from Andromeda) and the Genesis II Church, Kalcker „professionalized“ the model:

  • More scientific language
  • Doctors„ organization instead of “church"
  • European base instead of US persecution
  • COVID-19 as a new miracle cure target

The result is the same: Dangerous misinformation about a toxic bleaching agent, marketed as a cure - only with better marketing.

Application

Scientifically recognized applications

Drinking water disinfection

Peer-reviewed in PubMed Central, but not in Medline (higher standard)

Systematic review (2022): Out of the 33 included studies, 14 studies focused on the disinfectant efficacy of chlorine dioxide, 8 studies expounded on the safety and toxicity in humans and animals, and 15 studies discussed the impact, such as water treatment disinfection using chlorine dioxide.

Surface disinfection in hospitals

Nature Scientific Reports (2023): Antimicrobial effects of chlorine dioxide in a hospital setting

Peer-reviewed in Journal (Nature):

  • Effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi
  • Safe use for surface disinfection
  • Reduced nosocomial infections

Mouthwashes

Systematic review and meta-analysis (2021): Effects of Chlorine Dioxide on Oral Hygiene - A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis PubMed Central

Peer-reviewed, systematic review - application:

  • Mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide
  • Against plaque and gingivitis
  • Concentrations: 0.1% (100 ppm)
  • Do not swallow!

Food disinfection

Efficacy Study (2017): Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of a Chlorine Dioxide Solution

Peer-reviewed in MDPI (Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health)

  • 98% antimicrobial activity
  • Safe concentrations: 5-20 ppm
  • Application on fruit, vegetables, surfaces

No evidence for oral use

COVID-19 Systematic Review (2021)

Peer-reviewed, PubMed-indexed, published in Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Publica (2021)

„Chlorine dioxide and chlorine derivatives for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19: a systematic review„

„... Neither published nor pre-print studies evaluating the use of chlorine dioxide or derivatives on SARS-CoV-2 infection were identified. The only finding was an unpublished observational study registry which has no results released yet ...

... To date, there are no scientific evidence to uphold the use of chlorine dioxide or derivatives as preventive or therapeutic agents against COVID-19 ...“

„... No published or preprinted studies investigating the use of chlorine dioxide or derivatives in SARS-CoV-2 infections were found. The only finding was an unpublished observational study registry, the results of which have not yet been published ...

... To date, there is no scientific evidence for the use of chlorine dioxide or derivatives as a preventive or therapeutic agent against COVID-19 ...“

Toxicological study

Controlled double-blind study - peer-reviewed, PubMed-indexed, published in Environmental Health Perspectives (1982)

„Controlled clinical evaluations of chlorine dioxide, chlorite and chlorate in man„

„.. Persons with a low level of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase may be expected to be especially susceptible to oxidative stress; therefore, in Phase III, chlorite at a concentration of 5 mg/l. was administered daily for twelve consecutive weeks to a small group of potentially at-risk glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase-deficient subjects ...

... The three phases of this controlled double-blind clinical evaluation of chlorine dioxide and its potential metabolites in human male volunteer subjects were completed uneventfully. There were no obvious undesirable clinical sequellae noted ...“

„... Individuals with low glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase levels are thought to be particularly susceptible to oxidative stress. Therefore, in phase III, a small group of potentially vulnerable subjects with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency were administered chlorite at a concentration of 5 mg/l daily for twelve weeks ...

... The three phases of this controlled double-blind clinical evaluation of chlorine dioxide and its potential metabolites in male volunteers were completed without adverse events. No apparent adverse clinical sequelae were noted ...”

Safe concentration: 5 mg/L (5 ppm) in drinking water over 12 weeks

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