Claims are sometimes made that chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) can help the body heal by eliminating microbes and supporting detoxification, often attributing this to its release of oxygen.

Because infections are thought to play a role in many illnesses, some proponents claim that chlorine dioxide could have broad applications. It is also described by them as relatively low-cost and generally well tolerated. They further suggest that it needs to be freshly prepared each day, and for transdermal use, freshly made for every application.