Ozone in Medicine

Community Contributed

By Sheila Mohammed, MD, PhD

Ozone is a form of oxygen which possesses unique properties which are applied to clinical practice. It contains a large excess of energy which manifests bactericidal, virucidal and fungicidal actions which make it a treatment of choice in certain conditions. During the First World War, ozone’s bactericidal properties were used to treat infected wounds, mustard gas burns and fistulas. Today, medical ozone generators deliver the purest ozone-oxygen mixtures in precise dosages. Ozone must be freshly generated for immediate use at the treatment site.

Contraindications to ozone treatment include acute alcohol intoxication, recent myocardial infarction, hemorrhage from any organ, pregnancy, hyperthyroidism, thrombocytopenia and ozone allergy.

Ozone was first administered by application to external body surfaces to determine its effects on a variety of lesions. Extremities or portions of the head or torso can be comfortably encased in a bag where ozone is administered at a chosen flow rate. Indication for external ozone application include poorly healing wounds, burns, staphylococcal infections, fungal and radiation lesions, herpes simplex and zoster, and gangrene. Dosage is adjusted to the condition treated. Ozone perfusions may last from three to 20 minutes. The treatment of burns, superficial fungal infection, decubitus ulcers and abscesses is through external (or body cavity) application of ozone which inactivates micro-organisms, bacteria, viruses or fungi, by direct contact.

Ozone-oxygen mixtures are used in rectal insufflation to treat ulcerative colitis, fistulae, proctitis and hemorrhoids. In inflammatory diseases of the bowel, ozone promotes healing and restores the flora balance disturbed by pathogenic organisms. Ozone is a strong germicide. At low concentrations, ozone rapidly inactivates coliform bacteria, staphylococcus aureus and Aeromonas hydrophilia. The inactivation of enteroviruses is rapid. Viruses differ in their susceptibility to destruction by ozone. Ozone damages viral components which prevents them from replicating.

Major autohemotherapy utilizing ozone, has been applied to the treatment of several conditions, including acute and chronic viral infections (hepatitis), some carcinomas, circulatory disturbances (diabetes, arteriosclerosis), and hyperlipidemia. When added to a standard therapeutic regimen for postmenopausal osteoporosis, this technique enhances re-mineralization of bone.

Ozonized olive oil provides long term, low dose exposure of ozone and lipid peroxides to tissues. Decubitus ulcers and mycoses are indications for its use. Ozonized water bubbled in warm baths, provides stimulation of local circulation and disinfectant action to varicosities, peripheral circulatory disorders and dermatological conditions such as eczema and ulcers.
Treatment of whole blood is reported to render it virus-free without injuring any cellular elements. Pulmonary effects from ozone in low doses appear to include metabolic activation of lung cells.

The metabolism of cancer cells is abnormal. Cancer cells produce energy to live in the absence of oxygen. Ozone oxygenates the blood and cancerous tissues and generates peroxides which prevent cancer from doing the necessary chemical reactions to stay alive. Scientific research has shown a 90 percent growth inhibition in breast cancer, lung cancer, and uterine cancer.

On Molokai, please call Lisa Davis at 808-658-0787, or Michi at 808-553-3930 for treatment.