For Integrative Healthcare Practitioners

Why do essential oil protocols so often underdeliver — even with high-quality oils? Usually it's not the oil. It's that a volatile, oxidation-prone compound degrades or fails to reach target tissue before it can act. The active ingredient isn't the weak link. The delivery is. 

That’s the challenge that guided the work of Dr. Gerhard Steidl, whose research into ozonated oils and long-chain ozonides helped establish what remains a unique category of botanical delivery systems. 

What he found is that instead of a better essential oil, we need a better carrier — a stable, ozonide-rich oil capable of holding essential oils and other lipophilic compounds in a way that supports absorption, stability, and tissue distribution. 

Solving the Carrier Problem

Steidl produced ozonides through controlled ozonation of unsaturated plant oils. His key insight: ozonated oils aren't just antimicrobial agents — they can be carrier systems for botanical actives. The oil matrix itself, not just what it carries, was the hurdle. 

Ozonation modifies the fatty acids in an oil, forming stable ozonides and related oxygen-containing compounds. That changes the oil's physical and biochemical properties, creating a lipid environment that can solubilize and stabilize volatile botanical constituents. 

Although many of Steidl’s clinical hypotheses require further validation through large-scale human studies, his work helped shift attention toward ozonated oils as functional delivery vehicles rather than simply oxygen-based therapies.

Today, that foundation lives on in Rizol — a category of oil blends based on Steidl's original recipes. These formulations combine ozonated olive and castor oils with carefully selected botanical extracts and essential oils. While research on ozonides remains an evolving field, this approach represents an intriguing intersection of lipid delivery science, botanical formulation science, and ozone chemistry. 

Why Ozonated Oils Are Different

Ozonated oils are created by introducing medical-grade ozone into unsaturated organic vegetable oils under controlled conditions. This process generates ozonides, peroxides, and other oxygen-containing lipid compounds. 

Researchers studying ozonated oils have identified several properties that may explain their growing interest among integrative practitioners:

Lipid-based delivery. Because ozonides remain embedded within a lipid matrix, they may help support the delivery of fat-soluble botanical compounds. Essential oils are highly volatile and can be challenging to stabilize. Incorporating them into ozonated oil matrices may improve formulation stability and reduce rapid degradation.

Tissue affinity. Ozonated oils possess lipophilic characteristics that allow interaction with biological membranes. Researchers have suggested that this may support distribution within tissues where lipid-soluble compounds naturally localize.

Stability. Unlike ozone gas, which is highly reactive and short-lived, ozonides can remain stable for extended periods when properly manufactured and stored. This allows oxygen-containing compounds to be incorporated into practical oral and topical formulations.

Formulation design. Modern Rizol-type formulations combine ozonated olive oil and ozonated castor oil with specific essential oils selected for their traditional uses and emerging scientific interest. According to practitioner education materials, the ozonated oils function as the delivery architecture that supports the stability and dispersion of the botanical ingredients. 

Two current formulations put Steidl's carrier concept into practice. Both pair ozonated olive and castor oil with essential oils chosen for a specific clinical focus.

Practitioner Applications of Biopure Health Rizol Gamma

Rizol Gamma applies that carrier approach to a five-ingredient profile used in cases involving environmental mold exposure and mycotoxin-related concerns.

The ozonated olive and castor oil base is what holds the volatile clove and sweet wormwood oils in a stable, lipid-soluble form long enough for them to reach the tissue they're intended to support. 

The formula contains:

• Organic Ozonated Olive Oil (Olea europaea), fruit

• Organic Ozonated Castor Oil (Ricinus communis), bean

• Organic Walnut Oil (Juglans sp.), nut

• Organic Clove Essential Oil (Eugenia caryophyllata), bud

• Sweet Wormwood Essential Oil (Artemisia annua), leaf and flower

Healthcare Professionals commonly use Rizol Gamma when supporting microbial balance and gastrointestinal wellness protocols. The formulation emphasizes botanical ingredients that have been studied for their effects on fungal ecology and biofilm formation. 

Practitioner Applications of Biopure Health Rizol Myrrh

Rizol Myrrh extends the same carrier approach across nine botanicals, chosen for their traditional use in gastrointestinal health, microbial balance, and immune function. The same ozonated oil base does the work here too — stabilizing a larger and more diverse set of volatile compounds than a single-oil formulation could manage on its own.

Together, they contribute a broader spectrum of bioactive phytochemicals than the Gamma formula.

The formula contains:

• Organic Ozonated Castor Oil (Ricinus communis), bean

• Organic Ozonated Olive Oil (Olea europaea), fruit

• Organic Black Cumin Oil (Nigella sativa), seed

• Organic Clove Essential Oil (Eugenia caryophyllata), bud

• Green Myrtle Essential Oil (Myrtus communis), leaf

• Organic Marjoram Essential Oil (Origanum majorana), leaf

• Myrrh Essential Oil (Commiphora myrrha), resin

• Sweet Wormwood Essential Oil (Artemisia annua L.), leaf and flower

• Organic Thyme Essential Oil (Thymus vulgaris), flower and leaf

This broader botanical profile is often incorporated into gastrointestinal support, microbial resilience, and wellness-focused protocols where practitioners seek a wider spectrum of botanical constituents.  

Protecting Ozonide Integrity: Why Packaging Matters

One of the lesser-discussed aspects of ozonide science is product stability. Because both ozonides and essential oils are sensitive to environmental exposure, Biopure Health has adopted biophotonic violet glass packaging to help protect formula integrity.

This specialized glass selectively filters portions of the light spectrum associated with oxidation and degradation while allowing transmission of wavelengths believed to support product preservation.

The pump delivery system provides an additional layer of protection by minimizing repeated exposure to air during use, helping maintain formula consistency over time. Together, these packaging technologies help preserve the quality and stability of the ozonated oils and botanical ingredients from the first serving to the last.

Clinical Perspective for Integrative Practitioners

The emerging evidence suggests that ozonated oils occupy a distinct niche within integrative healthcare:

• As lipid-based carriers for botanical compounds

• As stable reservoirs of oxygen-containing ozonides

• As components of wellness-focused protocols supporting microbial balance

• As adjuncts within broader nutritional and lifestyle strategies

Current evidence is strongest in areas involving topical applications and formulation science. While many practitioners report positive clinical experiences using ozonated oil formulations, larger human clinical trials remain needed to establish efficacy for specific health conditions. For this reason, practitioners should present ozonated oils as supportive wellness tools rather than disease-treatment interventions.

Ultimately, Steidl's lasting contribution may not be a specific therapeutic claim but a formulation concept — one that Biopure Health's Rizol line continues to build on today, at a genuine intersection of ozone chemistry, botanical formulation, and integrative wellness.    

Supporting Research Beyond Steidl

Several researchers have expanded the scientific understanding of ozonated oils.

Elena Ugazio, PhD. Ugazio and colleagues have published extensively on the chemistry, stability, and topical applications of ozonated oils. Their work highlights the importance of controlled manufacturing and characterization of ozonides to ensure product consistency.

Gregorio Martínez-Sánchez, PhD. Martínez-Sánchez has contributed significantly to understanding the biochemical mechanisms of ozonated oils and their role as reservoirs of stable oxygen-containing compounds. His work has helped clarify how ozone reacts with unsaturated fatty acids to produce biologically active ozonides.

De Angelis and Colleagues. More recent research has investigated ozonated olive oil derivatives in tissue support and wound-healing applications, helping to advance understanding of how ozonides interact with biological systems.

References

Ozonides, Ozonated Oils, and Ozone Research

1. Steidl G. Historical Rizol® formulation and practitioner education materials.

2. Bocci V. Ozone: A New Medical Drug. Springer; 2011.

3. Ugazio E, Tullio V, Binello A, Tagliapietra S, Dosio F. Ozonated Oils as Antimicrobial Systems in Topical Applications: Characterization, Current Applications and Advances in Improved Delivery Techniques. Molecules. 2020;25(2):334.

4. Martínez-Sánchez G. Scientific Rationale for the Medical Application of Ozonized Oils. Ozone Therapy Global Journal. 2021.

5. De Angelis B, et al. Research on stable ozonides derived from olive oil and tissue support applications.

6. Huth KC, et al. Ozone has not only bactericidal capacity but may also promote rapid epithelial cell turnover. Kurume Medical Journal. Available at:
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/kurumemedj/64/4/64_MS644002/_pdf/-char/en

Ozonated Oils

Ozonated Castor Oil (Ricinus communis)

7. Tunaru S, et al. Castor oil induces laxation through activation of EP3 prostanoid receptors. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2012.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3384204/

8. Badaró MM, et al. Evaluation of Ricinus communis solution for denture cleansing and oral hygiene applications. Journal of Applied Oral Science. 2017.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5482256/

Ozonated Olive Oil (Olea europaea)

9. Scoditti E, et al. Olive oil components modulate adiponectin expression and inflammatory pathways. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2015.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4452359/

10. Cicerale S, et al. Extra virgin olive oil polyphenols and oxidative stress protection. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2015.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4606102/

11. Romani A, Ieri F, Urciuoli S, et al. Health Effects of Phenolic Compounds Found in Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, By-Products, and Leaf of Olea europaea L. Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1776.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6724211/

12. Martínez-González MA, et al. Olive oil and cardiovascular health. Nutrición Hospitalaria.
http://www.aulamedica.es/nh/pdf/8400.pdf

Botanical Oils

Black Walnut Oil (Juglans sp.)

13. Taha NA, Al-Wadaan MA. Utility and importance of walnut (Juglans regia) fruits. African Journal of Microbiology Research.
https://academicjournals.org/article/article1380793578_Taha%20and%20Al-wadaan.pdf

14. Recent advances in walnut phytochemistry and bioactivity.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2025/ra/d0ra05714b

Black Cumin Oil (Nigella sativa)

15. Ahmad A, Husain A, Mujeeb M, et al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 2013.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4575498/

16. Mariod AA, et al. Biological activities of black cumin (Nigella sativa) oil. Food Science and Nutrition. 2015.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4573164/

17. Tavakkoli A, Mahdian V, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. Review of the protective effects of Nigella sativa and thymoquinone against natural and chemical toxicities. Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences. 2017.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5963642/

Essential Oils and Botanical Ingredients

Sweet Wormwood (Artemisia annua)

18. Bilia AR, Santomauro F, Sacco C, Bergonzi MC, Donato R. Essential Oil of Artemisia annua L.: An Extraordinary Component with Numerous Antimicrobial Properties. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4705302/

19. Chebbac K, et al. Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Chemically Analyzed Essential Oil of Artemisia annua. Life (Basel). 2023;13(3):807.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10055474/

20. Islamuddin M, et al. Leishmanicidal Activities of Artemisia annua Leaf Essential Oil. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2014;5:626.
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2014.00626/full

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum / Eugenia caryophyllata)

21. Cortés-Rojas DF, et al. Clove and eugenol: pharmacological activities and mechanisms of action. Molecules. 2020.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7072209/

22. Kwiatkowski P, et al. Effect of clove and thyme essential oils on Candida biofilm formation. Pathogens. 2019.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572016/

Green Myrtle (Myrtus communis)

23. Alipour G, Dashti S, Hosseinzadeh H. Review of Pharmacological Effects of Myrtus communis L. and Its Active Constituents. Phytotherapy Research. 2014;28:1125-1136.

24. Shaapan RM, et al. Myrtus communis Essential Oil: Effects on Innate Immune Function in Experimental Models. Molecules. 2021;26(4):819.
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/4/819

25. Bouzabata A, et al. Myrtus communis L. as a source of a bioactive and safe essential oil. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2015;75:166-172.

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)

26. Batiha GES, Wasef L, Teibo JO, et al. Commiphora myrrha: A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Update. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology. 2023;396:405-420.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9672555/

27. Marongiu B, et al. Chemical composition of Commiphora myrrha essential oil. Journal of Essential Oil Research. 2003.

Marjoram (Origanum majorana)

28. Kayamkani A, et al. An Updated Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of Origanum majorana.

29. Anti-protozoal effects of Origanum majorana in experimental models.
https://vetmed.agriculturejournals.cz/pdfs/vet/2020/11/05.pdf

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

30. The Anti-Parasitic Activity of Thymus vulgaris: A Review of Experimental Evidence.
https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/117444307/IJSRA-2024-0302-libre.pdf

Safety References

31. Bouzabata A, et al. Myrtus communis L. as a source of a bioactive and safe essential oil. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2015;75:166-172.

32. Tunaru S, et al. Castor oil induces laxation through activation of EP3 prostanoid receptors. PNAS. 2012.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3384204/

Regulatory Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for educational purposes for healthcare professionals. The information discussed herein has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Ozonated oils and Rizol formulations are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Practitioners should exercise professional judgment and comply with all applicable regulatory guidelines when discussing nutritional and wellness products with patients.