Historical Highlights of Ozone Therapy

Abstract

Ozone therapy evolved from a chemically intriguing 18^th-century observation to an increasingly standardized medical modality globally. Initially recognized for its powerful antimicrobial function, ozone was introduced into industrial water treatment and subsequently into many clinical uses, including wound healing, infections, and adjuvant cancer therapy. Early innovators Christian Friedrich Schönbein, Nikola Tesla, and Dr. Joachim Hänsler opened up the way for therapeutic applications, which led to inventions like ozone generators and autohemotherapy. Formal attempts at 20^th-century development of ozone therapy as associations, academic publications, and research work followed. Major highlights include wartime application, dental and surgical procedure integration, and publication of landmark works. For the 21^st century, establishment of the International Scientific Committee of Ozone Therapy (ISCO3) and the Madrid Declaration have marked progress in global standardization and ethical regulation. India's latest steps, like including ozone therapy in the education and government-sanctioned training programs of naturopathy, are in line with its increasing legitimacy. The known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects of the therapy have widened its scope in integrative and complementary medicine. A background check on ozone therapy shows a transition from experimental fringes to evidence-based, internationally used modality with sustainable use in modern healthcare.

Keywords: Historical review; ISCO3; Madrid declaration; naturopathy; ozone therapy.