REPORT

OZONE THERAPY
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
COMPLEMENTARY AND

PREPARED BY:
1. IBADULLAH MAT DAUD
01200605 1771
2. ALIFF LUKMAN ABD GHAPOR
01200605 1652
3. NIK AHMAD SAFWAN
01200605 1777
4. MOHD SHAKKIR MOHD JAMAL
01200605 1779
5. SITI HASMAH MOHD HUSIN
DTU 0673

01200605 1778

PREPARED FOR:
MR ACHSANUDDIN KAMALUDDIN

DATE OF SUBMISSION:
AUGUST 1ST 2008
 SUMMARY

Introduction
Ozone is the unstable gas, having powerful oxidizing properties. However, it still had
been used as therapy for decades. Nowadays, it is broadly used but yet is still
controversial.

Applications
First revealed by the German chemist Christian Frederick Schonbein (1840), ozone
breaks down to oxygen very quickly. It cannot be bottled so must be freshly generated
when it is needed. The usual ways to produce it, are including ultraviolet radiation,
corona discharge, cold plasma and electromagnetic.

Currently, there are nine methods of practical ozone therapy namely direct intra-
arterial and intravenous application, rectal insufflations, intramuscular injections,
major and minor autohemotherapy, ozonated water, intra-articular injection, ozone
bagging, ozonated oil and inhalation of ozone.

Safety Issues
However, there are some reported cases relating with ozone therapy such as air
embolism, blood borne infections and bilateral visual field loss after receiving ozone
therapy. Normally, these were happened when the treatment is done by unqualified
personal and also might be due to the contraindication of using this therapy.

Effectiveness
It is stated that this ozone therapy can be used to treat up to 300 diseases and
syndromes for example, ischaemia, skin disorders, obstetric and gynaecology
problems, and cancers. Though, there are very little evidences to show that patients
are having complete resolutions after experiencing ozone therapy.

Advantages
Ozone therapy applied relaxing and non-invasive approach to the patient. It also will
cleanse the skin, pores and lymphatic system. Besides, the users will take advantage
of 2 therapies all at once namely sweat therapy and ozone therapy.
Disadvantages
Only the trained physicians can performed this therapy. The concentration of ozone
used must be put under the firm eyes as the ozone has potent oxidant properties. If it
was handled improperly, it can be toxic to the pulmonary system and causing the side
effects such as epiphora and upper respiratory irritation, rhinitis, cough, headache,
occasional nausea, and vomiting.

Conclusion
The therapeutic use of ozone has an exceptional safety record have been observed
from the view of the clinical use. But still, there is not enough evidence to suggest that
the usage of ozone therapy as alternative medicine has real advantages over the
available conventional treatment.
INTRODUCTION

What is ozone?
Ozone is a triatomic allotrope of oxygen formed by recombination of oxygen atoms. It
is a colourless gas with characteristic pungent odour and can easily be detected at low
level of 0.05 ppm. It is a very strong oxidant and is over 3000 times more powerful
disinfectant than chlorine. It disinfects, oxidizes, deodorizes, and decolorizes.

Ozone in nature is being produced through action of the flashes of lighting and the
photochemical reaction of the UV light of the sun on atmospheric oxygen. Nature
produces ozone for the purpose of purifying the air and to destroy all organic decay
upon which disease germ and bacteria thrive.

Background/History
Ozone was first revealed by the German chemist Christian Frederick Schonbein in the
year 1840 in the University of Basel in Switzerland. Ozone was used for the first time
to disinfect operating rooms in 1856 and subsequently for water treatment in 1860
(Foundation for alternative science & Technology). The German Army used ozone to
treat battle wounds and other infections during World War I.

However, it was not until 1932 that ozone was seriously studied by the scientific
community. Ozonated water was used as a disinfectant by Dr. E.A. Fisch, a German
dentist. One of his patients was the surgeon Erwin Payr, who immediately saw the
therapeutic possibilities of ozone in medical therapy. Dr. Payr, along with the French
physician P. Aubourg, was the first medical doctor to apply ozone gas through rectal
insufflations to treat mucous colitis and Fistulae.

After 135 years of usage, medical ozone therapy is a recognized modality in many
nations in Europe and the USA, and recently in Malaysia.
Theory
The different modes of action of ozone on a living organism are now well understood
and involve the production of peroxides. The peroxides are responsible for the
remarkable bactericidal and fungicidal effects of ozone. The virus inactivation is
enhanced by a peroxide intolerance of weakened infected cells. Normal cells are
protected from the effects of ozone by enzymes in the cell wall - glutathione
peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase. Ozone stimulates the production of
these enzymes, thus enhancing the cell wall resistance to invasion.

In addition, ozone has been shown to have a measurable benefit on the uptake and
utilization of oxygen through improved glycolysis in red blood cells through the
abolition of harmful red blood cell stacking. In addition, ozone stimulates and
activates mitochondria respiration and metabolic pathways.

All mammalian tissues depend for their survival and health on an adequate oxygen
uptake and therefore ozone would benefit every person through optimizing tissue
oxygenation. Thus ozone has a preventative as well as remedial role. The application
for prevention would include increasing longevity, enhancing performance,
rejuvenating seniors, optimizing the healing of wounds, and stimulating immunity

APPLICATIONS

How is it produced?
Ozone (O3) is an unstable gas, which breaks down into oxygen very quickly. Because
of that, it cannot be bottled, but must be generated fresh when it is needed. The half-
life of ozone at 68° F., in approximately 40 minutes, which means that in 40 minutes,
half of the ozone will have dissipated.

Ozone is generated mostly in four ways:

1. Ultraviolet radiation
Ozone is created naturally when ultraviolet radiation from the sun contacts the oxygen
in the earth's atmosphere. In industry an ultraviolet bulb is used, which produces low
concentrations compared with other methods. Ultraviolet generation produces about
one third less ozone than plasma generation per watt of power. The bulb also loses its
efficacy rather quickly. However, this method has the advantage of producing almost
no nitric oxide if the input air is clean and free of pollutants. Ultraviolet radiation
from the sun passing through the polluted atmosphere of the urban environment
breaks down any of the nitrogen compounds and hydrocarbon exhausts into nitric
oxide and various other toxic components, with ozone as a byproduct. The ozone
itself is not toxic in these low concentrations, only the gases with which it is
combined. Unfortunately, because it is used as an indicator gas of overall pollution, it
has been labelled by much of the media as a toxic gas synonymous with smog.

2. Corona discharge
Electrical sparks are passed through an oxygen-rich environment for example,
lightning or any electrical device, which produces sparks. This method is often
misleadingly called, cold spark, as the sparks are far from cold. Many room air
purifiers frequently use this method. Sparks are discharged between two metallic
electrodes, through which a fan passes air. This method is not suitable for medical
ozone generation because first: in ambient air, nitric oxide is formed, and second;
minute amounts of metal ions, produced by sparks arcing between the electrodes, are
released into the oxygen flow, making it unsuitable for medical purposes. For room
air purification, however, these units may be suitable for the nitric oxide breaks down
rapidly within several feet and the metal ions dissipate rapidly. To avoid this problem,
some units use plasma tubes.

3. Cold plasma
It is an electrostatic approach to ozone generation which uses voltage as the
energizing medium, rather than current. The cathode is a glass tube with a noble gas,
and the anode is a similar glass tube. An electrostatic voltage field is generated
between these elements, and the oxygen is passed through this field, with a percentage
becoming ozone. No metal of any sort is used in the all-glass tube. This approach was
invented by Nikola Tesla over 100 years ago, and results in an ozone generator that
does not produce heat, and requires no fan for cooling. This superior design
eliminates contamination of the gas stream, and has the longest lifespan of any ozone
generation method.
 4. Electromagnetic
This method uses quartz glass tubes through which the oxygen flows, with copper
wire wound around the inner and outer tubes. A high frequency voltage is passed
through the coils, producing a strong electromagnetic field (EMF). A fan or heat sink
is needed to dissipate the heat, as heat destroys ozone. Quartz glass is required due to
the possible contamination caused by heating regular glass to high temperatures.
Possible EMF side effects need to be further investigated

Methods of Application
There are nine methods; eight simple methods and one highly complex method of
ozone therapy that are used in medical practice.

1. Direct intra-arterial and intravenous application

An ozone mixture is slowly injected into an artery or vein with a hypodermic syringe.
This method is used primarily for arterial circulatory disorders. According to Gerard
V. Sunnen, M.D., due to accidents produced by too rapid introduction of the gas
mixture into the circulation, this technique is now rarely used.

2. Rectal insufflations
First pioneered by Payr and Aubourg in the 1930’s, a mixture of ozone and oxygen is
introduced through the rectum and absorbed into the body through the intestine. Used
for a wide variety of health problems, this method is considered one of the safest. In a
typical treatment for ulcerative colitis, for example, 75 micrograms of ozone per
milliliter of oxygen are used. The treatment begins with 50ml of oxygen which can be
increased slowly to 500 ml per treatment. While administered under medical
supervision in Germany, Russia and Cuba, a growing number of private individuals in
the United States use this method for self-treatment for cancer, HIV-related problems
and other diseases.
 3. Intramuscular injection
A small amount of an ozone and oxygen mixture up to 10 ml is injected into the
patient usually in the buttocks like a normal injection would be. This method is
usually used to treat allergies and inflammatory diseases. Intramuscular injections are
sometimes utilized as an optional to cancer therapies in Europe.

4. Major and minor autohaemotherapy

Used since the 1960’s, minor autohaemotherapy involves removing a small amount
usually 10 ml of the patient’s blood from a vein with a hypodermic syringe. The blood
is then treated with ozone and oxygen, and given back to the patient with an
intramuscular injection. Thus, the blood and ozone becomes a type of autovaccine
given to the patient that is derived from their own cells, thus forming a unique vaccine
that can be very specific and effective in treating the patient’s health problem. Major
autohaemotherapy calls for the removal of between 50-100 ml of the patient’s blood.
Ozone and oxygen are then bubbled into the blood for several minutes, and then the
ozonated blood is re-introduced into a vein. These methods have been used to treat a
wide variety of health problems, including herpes, arthritis, cancer, heart disease and
HIV-infection.

5. Ozonated water
This method calls for ozone gas to be bubbled through water, and the water is used
externally to bathe wounds, burns and slow-healing skin infections. It is also used as a
disinfectant by dentists who perform dental surgery. In Russia, physicians are using
ozonated water to irrigate body cavities during surgery. In both Russia and Cuba,
ozonated water is used to treat a wide variety of intestinal and gynecological
problems, including ulcerative colitis, duodenal ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea and
vulvovaginitis.

6. Intra-articular injection
In this method, ozone gas is bubbled through water and the mixture is injected
directly between the joints. It is used primarily by physicians in Germany, Russia and
Cuba to treat arthritis, rheumatism and other joint diseases.
 7. Ozone bagging
This non-invasive method uses a specially made plastic bag that is placed around the
area to be treated. An ozone and oxygen mixture is pumped into the bag and the
mixture is absorbed into the body through the skin. Ozone bagging is primarily
recommended for treating leg ulcers, gangrene, fungal infections, burns and slow-
healing wounds.

8. Ozonated oil
Used primarily to treat skin problems, ozone gas is added to olive oil and applied as a
balm or salve for longterm, low-dose exposure.

9. Inhalation of ozone
The lungs are the organs which are the most sensitive to ozone. Physicians who use
medical ozone notify that inhaling ozone into the lungs can bring about alterations in
the density of the lung tissue, can damage delicate lung membranes, irritate the
epithelium in the trachea and bronchi, and can lead to emphysema. They caution users
that no ozone should escape into the room in which it is being used. Modern medical
ozone generators are particularly designed so that the accidental escape of ozone gas
cannot take place.
Dr. Stephen A. Levine, the co-author of Antioxidant Adaptation, cautions people
against using commercial air purifiers which generate small amounts of ozone to
clean the air, since ozone should not be inhaled.

SAFETY ISSUES
• There has been a reported case of death due to air embolism during the use of
ozone in the treatment of psoriasis (Marchetti & Monaca, 2000).
• Hepatitis C and HIV infections have also been reported following ozone
autohaemotherapy (Daschner, 1997).
• A more recent cross sectional study demonstrated that transmission of HCV
infection due to cross contamination occurred amongst 6 out of 31 patients
who were exposed to autohaemotherapy or intramuscular injection in an
outpatient department of a hospital in Italy (Faustini et al 2005).
 • It has been reported that a 45-year-old woman complained of acute bilateral
visual loss after intra-discal and peri-ganglionic injection of ozone-oxygen gas
mixture for lumbar disk herniation (Lo Giudice, 2004). Corea (2004) also
reported a case of vertebrobasilar stroke after treatement with ozone-oxygen
for lumbar disc herniation.

EFFECTIVENESS
Proven Cases

HIV and Infectious Diseases

• An anonymous report claimed that ozone together with oxygen can inactivate
the HIV virus. In 1993, Carpendale et al reported the efficacy of ozone in the
treatment of AIDS related diarrhoea. In this treatment, three out of the four
patients with diarrhoea of unknown etiology treated with daily insufflations of
medical ozone, experienced complete resolution, while the other patient had
marked improvement.

• A non-randomized controlled study in patients suffering from Hepatitis A, B

or C demonstrated that all 40 patients who received ozone were totally cured
of hepatitis, and the rate of healing was faster in this group, but there was no
mention of the breakdown of patients infected with hepatitis in the respective
groups (Betancourt et al)

Ischaemia
• While there have been a number of reports on the effectiveness of ozone in the
treatment of limb ischemia (Sroczynski et al, 1992; Turczynski et al, 1991;
Maslennikov et al, 1997; Tylicki et al, 2001; Tylicki et al, 2003;
Biedunkiewicz et al, 2004), these were small non-randomized clinical trials,
from a few centers mainly in Poland and Russia. Tafil-Klawe et al (2002)
study involving 62 patients with lower limb ischaemia, of whom 32 patients
were treated with ozone whereas the remainder were treated with traditional
balneology, found better results with ozone.
 • A study of 85 patients with ischaemic, conducted by Kotov et al, treated with
ozone demonstrated a decrease in the intra-cerebral blood circulation
asymmetry, increased cerebral circulation reactivity and a functional
restoration in the circle of Willis.

• Another cross sectional study of ozone therapy in patients with progressive

angina pectoris resulted in elimination of non-stable conditions with
significant reduction of coronary insufficiency symptoms (Shaarov et al).

Ophthalmology
• A double blind RCT involving 123 subjects suffering from retinitis
pigmentosa demonstrated that ozone treatment was effective, although its
action is temporary (Moreno et al). A cross sectional study by Mapolon et al
reported diminution of photophobia and phototopsia in all 50 patients with
retinitis pigmentosa treated with ozone.

• Likewise, another study by Diaz et al comprising of 180 patients with different

ophthalmologic diseases like retinitis pigmentosa, myopia, chronic open angle
glaucoma, optic atrophy and diabetic retinopathy were treated with daily rectal
ozone therapy, demonstrated improvement ranging from 23%- 63% at follow-
up over one year.

Ortholaryngology
• In a small randomized controlled trial by Basabe it was demonstrated that
there was improvement in audiometry, electrophysiological threshold and the
latency of the wave V to 90 DB for the same ear, in a great percentage of
children that received ozone therapy.

• A cross sectional study of patients with chronic purulent mesotympanitis

treated with ozone in Russia, observed inflammation control of mucous
membrane, discharge reduction and restoration of auditory tube function
(Shakov & Edeleva 1996)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Two unpublished non-randomized controlled trials demonstrated that the
patients with caesarian sections treated with ozone had less infectious
complications compared to controls (Kovalev & Clemente-Apumayta,
Kovalev).

• An unpublished cross sectional study by Kachlina reported that the maximum

positive effect of ozone was seen in those patients with intrauterine infections
without signs of inflammation compared to those with signs of inflammatory
process.

• Similarly, another unpublished non-randomized controlled trial noted benefits

in patients with various puerperal diseases in postnatal period treated with
ozone compared with the control group (Kachalina et al )

• Two cross sectional studies using ozone therapy in the treatment of female
infertility and for endometritis showed improvement. However, these studies
had small sample sizes (Mello & ‘Mello;, Gretchkanev et al - unpublished
article)

ADVANTAGES
• It is a relaxing and non-invasive approach to ozone therapy
• It cleanses the skin, pores, and lymphatic system
• The user will take advantage of 2 therapies at the same time: sweat therapy
and ozone therapy (both individually with their own health benefits)
• Users feel clean, refreshed, and rejuvenated
• The therapeutic use of ozone has an excellent safety record and no toxic
effects have been observed from clinical use
DISADVANTAGES
• Ozone therapy should be performed only by physicians after an appropriate
training in ozone therapy using a precise ozone generator equipped with a
well-calibrated photometer
• Ozone therapy is not a panacea although it looks like it because it is mostly
based on the use of ozonated autohemotherapy (O3-AHT) that consists in
exposing the patient’s blood to precise concentrations of ozone ex-vivo
• The concentration of ozone should be taken into account seriously as the
excessive exposure of the ozone to the patient will result in undesirable
conditions.
• The uses of PVC bags for ozone therapy is prohibited by Ministry of Health
because ozone can withdraw a huge release of plastic microparticles and
phthalates
• Ozone inhalation can be toxic to the pulmonary system and other organs.
Known side-effects are epiphora and upper respiratory irritation, rhinitis,
cough, headache, occasional nausea, and vomiting. However, complications
caused by ozone therapy are infrequent at 0.0007 per application

CONTRAINDICATION
Caution against the use of ozone therapy in the following conditions:
1. acute alcohol intoxication
2. recent myocardial infarction
3. hemorrhage from any organ
4. pregnancy
5. hyperthyroidism
6. thrombocytopenia
7. ozone allergy
8. Severe anemia
9. Cramping or spasms
10. After recent heart attack
If at any time during the use of ozone pressure is felt in the chest, indicating the
change in hydrostatic pressure in the lungs, treatment should be discontinued
instantaneously. The pressure dissipates shortly without harm. Ozone amplifies the
effect of drugs and supplements due to increased cellular absorption. Hence, the
dosage of other medications may need to be dramatically reduced to avoid
overdosage. Moreover, ozone should never be used in the presence of ether, as the
combination of these two compounds is explosive.

CONCLUSION
Records said that the therapeutic use of ozone has excellent safety to the users from
the view of the clinical use. However, it is still cannot be suggested that the ozone
therapy has an upper hand compared to the available conventional therapeutic
modalities.
REFERENCES
1. Ozone Therapy Clinic, Lot 182, Tingkat 1, PKNS Complex, Shah Alam,
Selangor Darul Ehsan
2. http://www.malaysiayellowpages.net/medicalozone/index.htm
3. http://www.creativeozone.com/index.html#whatisozone
4. http://www.silvermedicine.org/ozone-therapy.html
5. http://www.ozontip.com/home.php?do=hekimlericin
6. http://www.ozonetherapy.biz/
7. http://www.ozone.com.my/
8. http://www.ozonehospital.net/
9. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com
10. http://www.tuberose.com/Ozone_Therapy.html
11. http://www.garynull.com/Documents/ozone.htm
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14. http://altmed.creighton.edu/O2tx/ozone_therapy.htm