Sulfur was known in ancient times and referred to in Genesis as brimstone. Its name is from the Sanskrit word "sulvere" meaning "sulphur"; also from the Latin word "sulphurium" meaning "sulphur." The spelling of sulphur is "sulfur" in the USA. Assyrian texts dated around 700-600 BC refer to it as the "product of the riverside," where deposits could be found. In the 9th century BC, Homer mentioned "pest-averting sulphur." In 424 BC, the tribe of Bootier destroyed a city's walls using a burning mixture of coal, sulphur, and tar. Around the 12th century, the Chinese, probably, discovered gun powder (a mixture of potassium nitrate, KNO3, carbon, and sulphur).

Sulfur, which is given a bad reputation because of its odor, can make a very beautiful mineral specimen, and fine quality examples are much sought after. The unmistakable deep yellow color is not matched by any other mineral and the nicely shaped crystal forms of sulfur add to its attractiveness. As for the odor, this occurs when water mixes with the sulfur and a small amount of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas is produced. Although only small amounts of H₂S form from just moisture in the air, it is a powerful odor producer and is the dominating contributor to the odor of rotten eggs. Rest assured, though, that most specimens of sulfur, when kept dry, do not emit a strong odor and this is not difficult for collectors of fine sulfur specimens to ensure.

Sulfur is a pale yellow, odourless, brittle solid, which is insoluble in water but soluble in carbon disulphide. sulfur is essential to life. It is a minor constituent of fats, body fluids, and skeletal minerals. Carbon disulphide, hydrogen sulphide, and sulfur dioxide should be handled extremely carefully. Hydrogen sulphide in very small concentrations can be metabolized, but in higher concentrations it can cause death quickly by respiratory paralysis. It is insidious in that it quickly deadens the sense of smell. sulfur dioxide is a dangerous component in atmospheric air pollution and is one of the factors responsible for acid rain.

Sulfur, an acid-forming, non-metallic element, is not treated as an essential mineral, since there are no specific deficiency symptoms. It is the hydrogen sulfate in onions that causes us to weep when cutting or peeling them. It is found in the hair, nails and skin, and as much sulfur as potassium is normally found in the body. Sulfur is used to detoxify the body, assist the immune system and fight the effects of aging, as well as age related illnesses such as arthritis. Although sulfur might not be an essential mineral, it is an essential element of protein, biotin, as well as vitamin B1. It is part of the chemical structure of the amino acids methionine, cysteine, taurine and glutathione. It is further needed in the synthesis of collagen, which is needed for good skin integrity.

Sulfur is also present in two B vitamins, thiamine and biotin; interestingly, thiamine is important to skin and biotin to hair. Sulfur is also available as various sulfates or sulfides. But overall, sulfur is most important as part of protein.

Deficiencies will only really happen if a diet is deprived of protein, or a poorly planned vegan diet, and a protein shortage is more likely to happen than a sulfur deficiency. Sulfur is said to clean the blood and to help protect us against toxic build-up

Sulfur is normally found in protein foods, such as eggs, garlic, lettuce, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.