Dr Rathna Alwa brings to India the controversial ozone therapy, which has even been used in treating AIDS and cancer, as well as other systems from the cutting edge of medical science and stirs a hornets' nest

Alwa's futuristic treasure box

Ozone therapy is merely one in a large spectrum of therapies that Dr Alwa practices. She says: "We offer the patient complete evaluation, detoxification, desensitization, nutritional and diet counseling, and appropriate treatment which may include chelation, ozone treatment, craniosacral therapy, orthomolecular therapy, acupuncture, hypnosis, heavy doses of vitamins-all based on the patient's unique needs."

Here's how Dr Alwa's treatment works:

When a new patient enters her clinic, he is put through a thorough examination. This includes checking reflexes, heartbeat, pulse rate, and noting down personal history. The patient is then put through the biotron, a rectangular box with two cathodes, one of which is held by the patient. Dr Alwa takes the other and gently uses its tips to probe various acupressure points on hands and feet. This gives a good picture of the state of your organs, and therefore, health.

The next step is to check out toxins within the system. Tiny vials of mercury, lead, etc are placed on the biotron. Your body's reaction to these substances is then registered via the cathode into a calibrated meter.

The same technique is used to identify allergies within the system. According to Dr Alwa, almost everyone is allergic to something or the other. These allergies, when neglected, cause toxins to build up within the system, eventually leading to ill-health.

Finally, a few drops of blood are analyzed on a fiber optic neutron microscope. This is known as live cell analysis, for the blood is analyzed while it is still 'alive,' rather than after being contaminated through preservatives. The microscope is connected to a TV monitor which presents a blown-up picture of the state of your blood. The sight is fascinating, as Dr Alwa points out red blood corpuscles and white blood corpuscles. My RBCs were slightly elongated, a sure sign of exhaustion, and clumped, which meant poor circulation. Dr Alwa traces these shadowy images with an expert's ease, building up an accurate and detailed picture of the patient's health. The treatment is outlined on this basis.

An elderly couple were sitting in the main hall, with what seemed to be a drip-like device attached to one arm each. This is the chelation-a treatment that involves being fed intravenously with a solution of EDTA (a synthetically produced amino acid), minerals, vitamin and longevity supplements. "Chelation rids blood vessels of plaque and prevents aging," says Dr Alwa. "It also neutralizes free radical damage."

The husband, M.V. Nath (62) is here seeking relief from a 70 per cent blockage of arteries. On to his sixth chelation, Nath's nightly chest pains have ceased and he feels more active. However, he hasn't as yet had a medical test to determine any actual reduction in the blockages.

Nath's wife Gita (52), an amateur singer, suffered from a damaged voice and ulcer after taking an antibiotic. That she is at all audible is thanks to chelation treatments and the simultaneous detoxification.

Other treatments that Dr Alwa specializes in are oracular therapy, acupuncture on the ear, hypnosis, and cranio-vascular therapy. This last involves manipulating bones of the cranium to treat autism and attention-span disorders.

The crux of Dr Alwa's treatment, however, lies in detoxifying and desensitizing: she administers drops to rid the body of accumulated toxins as well as to desensitize it from allergies. Her recipe for healthy living is: "Detoxification, nutrition, hydration, oxygenation and exercise." Her idea of a nutritive diet is free of processed food, cola, pork and beef.