The Power of O3

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Written by Marilize Nel

Ozone Therapy – The History, Benefits, Administration and Side Effects

History
Ozone was first discovered in 1840, but was used for the first time in 1856 to sterilise medical equipment and disinfect hospital rooms. By the end of the 19th century, it was used to purify drinking water and during World War I it was used on open wounds and gushes because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Ozone (O3) is a tri-atomic molecule that consists of three oxygen atoms. It could be described as energised Oxygen, and it exists in low concentrations in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Say what?
The therapeutic use of medical ozone is said to kill viruses, yeast, bacteria and abnormal tissue cells. The medical value of this treatment has been the subject of many controversial discussions and numerous countries still prohibit the use of ozone therapy as treatment. There are several variations of administration, depending on your personal preference, illness or state of health.

Administration
The first, most comfortable and most popular administration of ozone is through the ozone sauna. It is a soothing and relaxing steam treatment that increases your body temperature in order to make the body perspire profusely. It has a detoxifying effect and stimulates your immune system. The ozone is easily absorbed into the skin and lymphatic system, oxygenising the body’s tissue, cells and organs. The ozone sauna stimulates the release of anti-cancer substances and enhances blood and oxygen delivery through the body.
Another method is vaginal insufflation. A vaginal cannula introduces ozone to the body, with no danger of pressure build-up. This method of treatment can be performed two to three times weekly, and participants have reported relief of yeast infections and STDs. Through this method, the ozone also enters your general circulation system thereby increasing blood flow. It is recommended that you do not use this method of treatment during or before menstruation.

Using a body suit for ozone therapy is an easy and pleasurable method of administering the treatment. It has mostly the same effects as that of the sauna.

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Clients first take a hot shower to open pores, so the ozone enters the body easily, and then they put on the body suit. The suit is sealed at the ankles, wrists and neck to avoid leakage and inhalation. The ozone has to be humidified before it can run through the body suit. Other forms of administration include ozonated olive oil, which can be swallowed or used topically; auricular insufflation – treatment through the ear canal; rectal insufflation – ozone through the rectum via catheter; “Bagging” – the isolation and treatment of separate body parts; and major autohemotherapy – ozone infused into your bloodstream.

Benefits
The reported benefits of ozone therapy are endless. It is said to improve blood circulation, mental stability, mineral and vitamin absorption, metabolism, brain functionality and reaction, digestion, cellular respiration, toxin elimination and heart functionality. The therapy could relieve tension and muscle aches, neutralise lactic acid build-up, stomach acid, uric acid build-up, it may prevent constipation, allergies, colds and flu, tumours, alzheimer’s and asthma. In addition, it could eliminate worms, parasites and fungi, boost general vitality, immunity and blood flow, combat depression, infections, bronchial problems, fatigue, and also help with softening and purifying of the skin, as well as burning fat and sugar in the body, to name just a few.

What about AIDS?
“Ozone May Help Victims of AIDS” - this was the headline of a 1988 New England Medical Journal. AIDS is a virus, and ozone has virucidal, fungicidal and bactericidal possibilities. There has been growing evidence that O3 can destroy lipid-enveloped viruses inside and outside the body. This includes cancer, herpes, hepatitis and HIV. Research suggests that ozone is effective in eradicating AIDS in a test tube and in vivo (in the body).
The treatment is said to revitalise the immune system and reduce the viral load. Ozone therapy does not cure AIDS; it could simply decrease some symptoms and lower HIV-related infections. The sooner you are diagnosed, the better your chances of seeing changes in your immunity.

Healthy bodies
Healthy people can also make use of ozone therapy because healthy cells also need oxygen. Most infections occur because viruses and bacteria thrive in areas deprived of oxygen. Air pollution, some unhealthy food options and other harmful human habits cause cell deterioration, and oxygen is required for the elimination of toxins in order for cells not to mutate or die. Another reason why healthy people use ozone is for cell rejuvenation and, in turn, to stay younger for longer.

Side effects
Some say ozone therapy has no side effects or contra-indications, but signs of headaches, numbing of the fingers and slightly impaired vision have occurred. It is advised that you do not administer ozone shortly after a heart attack, during pregnancy, during alcoholic intoxication, or if you have allergic reactions to ozone. The treatment should only be carried out by a physician or therapist. As with every medical innovation, some sceptics have crawled out of the woodwork. These people reckon ozone therapy is non-scientific and has never shown any medical benefits. They claim that it is just another expensive alternative medicine scam. The practise of ozone therapy has even been banned in some countries. Many health organisations have announced that ozone is toxic and not a remedy of any sorts.

What the therapist says…
Christi*, a therapist from a salon in Cape Town administers ozone through a sauna. She has been treating people with ozone therapy for over two years and while there is no intensive training involved, the suppliers of the machine trained them on how to use the machines to the benefit of their clients.
The effectiveness of this type of alternative treatment has been questioned by many traditional healthcare professionals. “Honestly, it depends from person to person exactly how effective it is. You get people that say it’s beneficial, and some say they do not feel any changes. I think it’s a state of mind,” Christi comments. “Although, the ozone molecule takes out the free radicals of the body and it has a detoxifying effect, and that is always good.”

Ozone therapy can be effective against many different conditions and illnesses. At their salon in Cape Town, Christi has mostly seen clients who use ozone therapy to aid in weight loss. “Some people come in with skin problems like psoriasis; they’ve had improvements with that,” says Christi. “Everybody has their own reasons.”
While ozone therapy is effective in supporting the body to fight the infection, Christi hasn’t had any clients come in suffering from AIDS or other infectious diseases.

According to Christi, some clients are happier than others. “The people that believe in it walk out with no problem, they are as happy as can be,” says Christi. “I must say, it does have an effect on the softness of the skin, and I noticed that the clients who do not know much about ozone therapy commented on that first.”

What the future holds
Through the years, ozone therapy has contributed to several individuals’ improved health. The treatment is an exciting concept, despite its controversial nature. Ozone may benefit, or even cure, more and more people in the future. Ozone is neither a drug nor a magic bullet - it is a therapeutic tool of great power which can aid the body in regaining health. With the many methods of administration, everyone is sure to find a comfortable solution that would suit their needs.