Ozokerite

Ozokerite is a natural fossil substance, the hydrocarbon relating to oil group. The word "ozokerite" in translation from Ancient Greek means "odorous wax", in some places of production this substance is known under the names "black wax" and "earth tears". It is got in the Ukrainian and Polish Carpathians, Great Britain, North America, on the peninsula Cheleken in the Caspian Sea. Ozokerite is used in technical needs, the scientific purposes, and also in medicine, namely in physical therapy.

Chemical composition and properties

On the structure ozokerite is complex mix as a part of which solid saturated high-molecular hydrocarbons (ceresins, paraffin), mineral oils, resinous substances. Depending on amount of oils and resinous and asphalt substances in structure, the consistence of ozokerite can change: from soft mazeobrazny to firm and brittle as gypsum, however most often it is wax-like. Color of mountain wax which varies from light yellow to black also depends on a percentage ratio of components also green ozokerite meets also brown, and sometimes. Possesses a characteristic smell of kerosene.

This substance not растворимо in water, alcohol, alkalis, растворимо in gasoline, kerosene, chloroform and some other chemical compounds. Ozokerite easily ignites and therefore its contact with naked flame is inadmissible.

Ozokerite use

Mountain wax is applied in the industry, in particular, from it extract paraffin and ceresin, but also the whole ozokerite which underwent processing and purified finds application.

For a long time almost everywhere in places of extraction of this substance practice treatment by ozokerite. At some states it is so efficient that did not lose the relevance and today. For use in the medical purposes ozokerite is in addition purified, and before use sterilized.

Treatment by ozokerite

Ozokerite is widely used in physical therapy as the warming compresses at musculoskeletal system diseases, and also at chronic inflammatory diseases in which pathogeny the important role is played by disturbance of peripheric circulation. At the heart of medical effect of its mountain wax it is unique low heat conductivity at big heat capacity thanks to what this substance quickly accumulates in itself warmly and slowly gives it. Also thanks to chemical composition medical ozokerite at direct contact with skin has superficial irritant action that causes rush of blood. It stimulates blood circulation in hypodermic capillaries and improves a metabolism in an influence zone.

Reviews of ozokerite from pharmacologists and physiotherapists indicate its resorptional, analgeziruyushchy, antiinflammatory and antiseptic action.

As remedy apply not only medical ozokerite, but also drugs, from it made: озокерамин, озопарафин, озокерафин and ready ozokerafinovy napkins.

Indications to treatment by ozokerite

The ozoceritotherapy is carried out usually in a complex of sanatorium treatment, or as rehabilitation actions in polyclinic conditions.

Indications to treatment by ozokerite the following:

• Arthritises;
• Arthroses;
• Contractures of inflammatory and traumatic genesis;
• Miozita;
• Radiculitis;
• Neuritis;
• Trophic ulcers of a shin;
• Decubituses;
• The general chronic diseases during remission (pyelonephritis, prostatitis, an urethritis, cystitis, cholecystitis, gastritis, gastroduodenit, pleurisy, etc.) as a part of complex rehabilitation;
• Female and male infertility, as the balneoterapiya making a course;
• Posttraumatic rehabilitation.

Application instruction of ozokerite

According to the instruction ozokerite is applied in the form of compresses, or method of cuvette application, or so-called flat cakes. Both compresses, and flat cakes are imposed on clean dry skin if there is plentiful vegetation, it needs to be shaved before the procedure. Patients are recommended to carry out the procedure of an ozoceritotherapy in a prone position.

• Compresses from ozokerite. The gauze or wide bandage are put in 8 layers, making so-called laying. Ozokerite is melted on the water bath or in the special device. Attention! The direct contact of ozokerite with a source of high temperature in view of its easy inflammability is strictly forbidden! Dip laying in liquid ozokerite, wring out, cool up to the temperature of 45-50 °C then impose on an affected area. Prepare by the same way the second laying except that its temperature has to be higher than the first. Admissible temperature of the second laying is 70-80 °C. The second laying is imposed over the first, without touching the patient's skin. Over it wax paper or an oilcloth, from above – a quilted jacket keeps within.
• Ozokeritovy flat cakes (cuvette and application method). Liquid hot ozokerite is spilled on the ditches which are previously covered by wax paper. The size ditches depends on the required area of impact of application. To means allow to cool down up to the temperature of 45-50 °C then take from ditches by means of wax paper. The received flat cake is imposed on a defeat zone paper up, over it stack a quilted jacket or a wadded gauze bandage.

The difference between two methods generally consists in the operating means temperature – at a cuvette and application method it lower.

According to the instruction ozokerite is applied for a period of up to one hour, but on average for 30-40 minutes then it is removed, and the place of influence is covered with a blanket or wrapped up with a scarf for 40 minutes. The procedure is repeated every day or every other day, the course of treatment ozokerite consists of 15-20 procedures.

Side effects

According to reviews ozokerite very seldom causes side effects in case of use it according to indications and according to the instruction. As a rule, undesirable effects are connected with individual intolerance or hypersensitivity of skin. In this case treatment by ozokerite is stopped, appointing instead of it other warming procedures, for example, a paraffinotherapy.

In order to avoid corrosive burns use in the medical purposes of this substance of an unknown origin is not allowed, only medical ozokerite is allowed to use.

Contraindications to ozokerite

Ozokerite a contraindication has any diseases in an acute stage, and also chronic diseases in the period of an aggravation. All diseases which are followed by bleedings, or having threat of bleeding – a contraindication to ozokerite. Also this list includes tumors (both high-quality, and malignant), peptic ulcers of bodies of a digestive tract, tuberculosis, heavy pathology of cardiovascular system, an urolithiasis, damages of a liver and especially a pancreas. Epilepsy, a thyrotoxicosis, a diabetes mellitus are also contraindications to ozokerite.

Do not appoint this type of treatment at the available diseases of skin of inflammatory character. According to reviews ozokerite can be undesirable and at some gynecologic diseases, especially where there is a threat of suppuration, for example, adnexites therefore in similar cases especially careful preliminary survey is required.

According to the instruction ozokerite is not used at pregnancy.