What Is Ozone Therapy?
Ozone therapy is a medical treatment that uses ozone (O3) — a molecule composed of three oxygen atoms — to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms, modulate the immune system, and combat infection. While ozone occurs naturally in the atmosphere, medical-grade ozone is produced from pure medical oxygen using specialized ozone generators that allow precise control of concentration and dosage.
At St. George Hospital (Klinik St. Georg) in Bad Aibling, Germany, ozone therapy has been a core component of our integrative treatment protocols for more than three decades. Under the clinical leadership of Dr. Julian Douwes, Chief Medical Officer, we employ multiple forms of ozone therapy — including major autohemotherapy (MAH), 10-pass ozone, rectal insufflation, and local applications — tailored to each patient’s diagnosis and treatment goals.
How Does Ozone Therapy Work?
The therapeutic effects of ozone are not produced by ozone itself persisting in the body. Rather, when ozone contacts blood or tissue, it immediately reacts with organic molecules to generate a cascade of beneficial secondary messengers — including hydrogen peroxide, lipid oxidation products (LOPs), and ozonides. These messengers trigger several physiological responses:
Immune Modulation
Ozone therapy activates the immune system in a balanced, modulatory way. Low-to-moderate doses stimulate white blood cell activity, increase cytokine production (interferon-gamma, interleukins), and enhance the body’s ability to fight infection. In autoimmune conditions, ozone can help rebalance an overactive immune response. This dual capacity — stimulating an underactive immune system while calming an overactive one — is one of ozone’s most valuable properties.
Improved Oxygen Delivery
Ozone increases the release of oxygen from hemoglobin to tissues by stimulating the production of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) in red blood cells. This means that after ozone treatment, blood delivers oxygen more efficiently to every cell in the body. For patients with chronic fatigue, circulatory disorders, or tissue hypoxia, this can produce meaningful clinical improvement.
Antimicrobial Effects
Ozone has direct antimicrobial activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. It disrupts microbial cell membranes and interferes with viral replication. This property makes ozone therapy a valuable adjunct in the treatment of chronic infections, including Lyme disease and its co-infections.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects
Paradoxically, ozone — an oxidant — stimulates the body’s endogenous antioxidant systems. By creating a controlled, mild oxidative stress, ozone upregulates the production of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. This “hormetic” effect strengthens the body’s defenses against chronic inflammation and oxidative damage. Research published in the International Journal of Biological Sciences has documented these antioxidant-inducing mechanisms.
Evidence-Based Benefits of Ozone Therapy
The clinical evidence for ozone therapy continues to grow. Below are the most well-supported applications:
Chronic Infection Support
Ozone therapy is used as an adjunct in treating chronic bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Its immune-stimulating and direct antimicrobial properties make it particularly valuable in:
- Chronic Lyme disease and tick-borne co-infections
- Chronic viral hepatitis
- Herpes simplex and herpes zoster
- Chronic wound infections
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
Circulatory and Cardiovascular Support
- Improved peripheral circulation in patients with diabetic angiopathy
- Enhanced oxygen delivery in chronic ischemic conditions
- Adjunct treatment for peripheral arterial disease
- Support for patients with chronic venous insufficiency
Immune System Modulation
- Support for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and immune dysfunction
- Adjunctive therapy in integrative oncology
- Immune support in post-COVID recovery
- Modulation of autoimmune inflammatory responses
Pain and Musculoskeletal Conditions
- Herniated disc treatment (intradiscal ozone injection)
- Osteoarthritis — intra-articular ozone injections
- Fibromyalgia symptom management
- Chronic back pain
Wound Healing
- Diabetic ulcers and non-healing wounds
- Post-surgical wound support
- Ozone-enriched water and oil for topical application
Methods of Ozone Administration
At St. George Hospital, we use several routes of ozone administration depending on the clinical indication:
Major Autohemotherapy (MAH)
The most common systemic ozone treatment. A measured volume of the patient’s blood (typically 100-200 ml) is drawn into a sterile container, mixed with a precise concentration of ozone, and then reinfused intravenously. This exposes the blood to ozone ex vivo, generating the beneficial secondary messengers before the blood returns to the body.
10-Pass Ozone Therapy (OHT — Ozone High-Dose Therapy)
An advanced form of autohemotherapy developed by Dr. Johann Lahodny. In this technique, 200 ml of blood is drawn, ozonated under hyperbaric pressure, and reinfused — and this cycle is repeated 10 times in a single session. The result is a significantly higher ozone dose than standard MAH, producing more intense immune stimulation and antimicrobial effects. We have a detailed guide to 10-pass ozone therapy on our site.
Rectal Insufflation
Ozone gas is gently introduced into the rectum, where it is absorbed through the intestinal mucosa. This is a well-tolerated, non-invasive systemic treatment that can be used when intravenous access is difficult or as a complement to MAH.
Local and Topical Applications
- Ozone bagging: Enclosing a limb in an ozone-filled bag for wound healing
- Ozonated water: Used for wound irrigation and oral health
- Ozonated olive oil: Applied topically for skin infections and wound care
What to Expect During Ozone Therapy
For patients considering ozone therapy at St. George Hospital, here is what a typical treatment session involves:
- Pre-treatment assessment: Your physician reviews your medical history, current medications, and treatment goals
- Blood draw: For MAH or 10-pass, blood is drawn through an IV line into a sterile ozone-resistant container
- Ozonation: Medical-grade ozone is mixed with the blood at a precisely calibrated concentration
- Reinfusion: The ozonated blood is returned to your body through the same IV line
- Duration: Standard MAH takes approximately 30-45 minutes. 10-pass ozone requires 60-90 minutes
- Post-treatment: Most patients can resume normal activities immediately. Some experience a mild sense of warmth, increased energy, or temporary fatigue
Safety and Side Effects
When administered by trained physicians using medical-grade equipment, ozone therapy has an excellent safety profile. The most common side effects are mild and transient:
- Temporary fatigue (particularly after the first session)
- Mild headache
- A sensation of warmth or flushing
- In patients with active infections, a Herxheimer-like reaction as pathogens are killed
Contraindications for ozone therapy include:
- G6PD deficiency (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency) — an absolute contraindication
- Untreated hyperthyroidism
- Severe cardiovascular instability
- Ozone should never be inhaled directly
The International Scientific Committee of Ozone Therapy has published safety guidelines and treatment protocols that inform clinical practice worldwide.
Ozone Therapy at St. George Hospital
Our hospital has integrated ozone therapy into treatment protocols for a wide range of conditions. As part of our infusion and immune therapy program, ozone is combined with other evidence-based modalities — including hyperthermia, apheresis, and NAD+ infusions — to create comprehensive, individualized treatment plans.
With more than 35 years of clinical experience and patients from over 90 countries, St. George Hospital is one of Europe’s leading centers for integrative ozone therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ozone therapy sessions do I need?
The number of sessions depends on your diagnosis and treatment goals. For acute infections or immune support, a series of 5-10 sessions may be sufficient. For chronic conditions such as Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, or as part of an integrative oncology protocol, ozone therapy is typically administered as part of a multi-week treatment program. Your physician at St. George Hospital will design an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs.
Is ozone therapy scientifically supported?
Yes. While ozone therapy is not universally adopted in all healthcare systems, a substantial body of peer-reviewed literature supports its mechanisms of action and clinical applications. Thousands of studies have been published documenting its immune-modulatory, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and circulatory effects. In Germany, ozone therapy has a long history of medical use and is practiced by physicians across multiple specialties.
Can ozone therapy be combined with other treatments?
Absolutely. In fact, ozone therapy is most effective when used as part of a comprehensive treatment strategy. At St. George Hospital, we routinely combine ozone with hyperthermia, apheresis, IV nutrient therapy, and targeted pharmaceutical protocols. This multimodal approach produces synergistic benefits that exceed what any single therapy can achieve alone.
Is ozone therapy safe for cancer patients?
Ozone therapy is used in integrative oncology settings as a supportive treatment. It is not a standalone cancer treatment and should never replace evidence-based oncological care. However, as an adjunct, ozone can support immune function, improve oxygen delivery to tissues, and enhance quality of life during and after conventional cancer treatment. All oncological applications should be supervised by experienced physicians.
Book Your Consultation
If you are interested in learning how ozone therapy may benefit your specific condition, the medical team at St. George Hospital is available for consultation.
Contact us:
- Phone: +49 (0)8061 398-0
- Email: info@clinicum-stgeorg.de
- Visit: Contact page
St. George Hospital (Klinik St. Georg) — Rosenheimer Str. 6-8, 83043 Bad Aibling, Germany