The Germans have been using ozone in medicine for over 100 years, but it was only recently that I was introduced to the multiple uses of this amazing substance. Skeptical at first, I was unsure of its application, safety and the results. No more. I have seen too many excellent results, and I have been convinced by the studies and the science backing it up.

Ozone is a highly reactive gas made of 3 oxygen atoms joined together. There is a ozone layer 10-30 miles above the earth. It creates a protective shield that filters out harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. Closer to the earth, you’ll come in contact with ozone on the beach, as waves crash on the beach. Besides the rhythmic sound of the waves, it’s the ozone-rich air on the beach that has that calming effect on the body. Ozone is also present after a lightening strike. That distinctive smell after a storm is ozone. My wife says it’s the smell of “clean”.

It was in the mid 1800′s that the Germans realized that ozone had medical uses. No virus, mold or pathological bacteria can live in the presence of ozone. That is why ozone is used to disinfect hospital operating rooms, and over 7,000 cities use it to clean their water. Chlorine is used locally to kill E-coli. E-coli is a common bacteria which, if ingested, can cause severe diarrhea. Chlorine kills this organism in 31 seconds. Ozone can kill it in less than a second!

Let me introduce you to some of the uses of ozone in medicine: Ozone can make the immune system more effective. This is especially important in patients with chronic infections and patients with auto-immune diseases such as Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Ozone works on joints. Patients with meniscal tears can benefit from the use of ozone because ozone causes cartilage cells to regenerate. Patients whose knees are so-called, bone-on-bone, can also benefit from this procedure. Ozone has been shown to reverse severe macular degeneration in rabbits. Human studies are likely to be started soon in the US. The Germans have used ozone for years in their treatment of macular degeneration. Their results are impressive.

However, unless you have access to a doctor who practices with ozone, this discussion is purely academic. How can the average person access the benefits of ozone for medical purposes? The good news is, there as a way to get ozone for home use. There are ozone products available in the form of salves and soaps. Using a special machine, ozone is bubbled through an oil, such as olive oil, for 36 hours. The oil develops a salve consistency. In essence, the ozone is trapped in the oil. Ozonated oil salves are available in health food stores and from companies on the internet. I have been using ozonated olive oil salve for about a year now for a number of conditions and my patients have been reporting some impressive results. Here are some examples:

After unsuccessfully using a number of pharmaceutical treatments, a patient with chronic toenail fungus started on the salve. Within 5 days there was a noticeable difference. After a number of months, using it twice daily, his nail came off and he has since grown a new healthy nail. Ozone kills fungus.

One infant patient had an extremely severe diaper rash. Standard diaper rash creams were not making much of a difference, and the baby’s skin was breaking down and bleeding. The parent used the ozonated olive oil slave and within an hour there was marked improvement. The next day, most of the rash was gone!

Another patient used the salve on her acne. It took 2 days to see a noticeable improvement in the acne. An added bonus was the compliments she received on her glowing skin.

I had a patient who was coming down with a sinus infection. He took a Q-tip, dipped in the salve, and put some up each nostril twice a day. By the next morning, he was significantly better. Once again, evidence of ozone’s ability to kill viruses and harmful bacteria.

Many of my patients have experienced muscle strain relief by merely massaging the ozonated oil into their sore muscles. Within minutes of the ozone penetrating the muscle layers, they feel an easing of the muscle pain. My wife swears a timely massage of her tennis arm keeps her tennis elbow at bay.

Cuts, sprains? A little ozonated salve on the injured site invariably leads to relief.

Harnessing the power of ozone has proven to be an exciting development in medicine. It’s natural and powerful. Do not be surprised if you hear more about this in the future. It’s old news in Europe but we’re catching up!