Ozone therapy gives a mixture of medical oxygen and ozone to the body by different routes, and major ozone therapy is its most widely known form. Its medical name is major autohemotherapy, and it is sometimes called ozonated blood therapy.

Ozone is a gas made of three oxygen atoms that also occurs in nature. Medical ozone is produced from pure medical oxygen by a medical generator, the ozone device, which lets the ozone concentration be adjusted for each person.

In major treatment, some of your own blood is drawn, exposed to a set dose of oxygen-ozone mixture and returned through the same vein line. In Türkiye, ozone therapy is one of the traditional and complementary medicine practices regulated by the Ministry of Health. For this reason, it may only be performed by physicians authorized in this field.

Ozone that meets blood breaks down quickly and triggers certain biological signals, which are thought to influence how cells use oxygen and the body’s antioxidant defenses. These effects are still being researched.

Major ozone therapy is usually considered for:

• Circulation: Aims to support tissue blood flow and oxygen use.
• Immunity: As support within a holistic immune system support plan.
• Allergy: As support alongside allergy treatment.
• Skin: As an addition to dermatological treatment for some skin problems.

Scientific data on its effects are limited, and the response varies from person to person. Ozone therapy does not replace the standard treatment of any disease. If you have a diagnosed illness, its care stays with the relevant doctor, and medicines should not be stopped without consulting them.

At Dr. Sevgi Ekiyor’s clinic in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, major ozone therapy is considered as part of a holistic plan with nutrition, lifestyle changes and, if needed, other supportive treatments, decided after an examination, blood tests and a discussion of your expectations.

Treatment is planned with a medical examination and blood tests chosen by the doctor. Your health history and medicines are reviewed; your G6PD enzyme level, blood count and clotting status are important here.

1. A needle is placed in a vein in your arm.
2. A quantity of your own blood, usually between 50 and 200 ml, is drawn into a sterile, closed system.
3. The blood is gently mixed for a few minutes with an oxygen-ozone mixture at a dose set by the doctor.
4. The ozonated blood is returned drop by drop through the same vein line.

An anticoagulant keeps the blood from clotting, and all materials are sterile and single-use. Because ozone is harmful to the lungs if inhaled, a closed system is used. Session length depends on the amount of blood and your veins. You sit in a comfortable chair with a healthcare professional beside you and can return to your daily routine afterward.

No special preparation is needed; a light meal, enough water and sleeves that roll up easily are recommended. If you have ever fainted during a blood draw, tell the team in advance.

Major ozone therapy is usually planned as a course rather than a single session, starting with a low dose that is adjusted gradually to your response. For example, for allergy complaints, the course at the clinic is usually planned as at least 12 sessions.

Changes in your symptoms and any side effects are reviewed at each session, and the dose or interval is adjusted if needed; noting how you feel between sessions helps. Maintenance sessions may follow the course if needed. The number of sessions, interval and dose are set by the doctor based on your health, test results and response.

Ozone therapy is not a solution on its own but one part of a healthy-living plan alongside proper nutrition, regular sleep and exercise.

When given in suitable doses by a doctor, side effects are usually mild and temporary:

• Needle site: Bruising, tenderness or mild pain.
• Tiredness: Feeling tired for a few hours after treatment.
• Dizziness: Dizziness or feeling faint, especially if treatment is given on an empty stomach.
• Along the vein: Rarely, redness or tenderness along the vein.

A drop in blood pressure may rarely occur while blood is drawn and returned, so you are monitored throughout. As with any intravenous procedure, infection or an allergic reaction may rarely occur, so treatment must be given where emergency equipment is available.

If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath or palpitations during treatment, tell the team immediately. Bruising usually clears within a few days; if swelling, redness or pain increases, contact your doctor.