METHOD OF USING STEAM IRONING OF FABRICS AS A WAY OF CAUSING REDUCTION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND/OR SUBJECTIVE REACTIVITY TO STRESS IN HUMANS

Abstract: A method of using steam ironing of fabrics as a way of causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in a human is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a stress reducing composition comprising one or more of a volatile natural essential oil, and water. The composition is adapted to not cause staining of fabrics. The method includes delivering the stress reducing composition into a liquid container of a steam iron and heating the steam iron. The method further includes releasing vapors of the stress reducing composition produced within the liquid container of the steam iron upon heating, into ambient air. The method still further includes the step of causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in the human by one or more of transdermal ingestion or inhalation of the vapors by the human.

Description: METHOD OF USING STEAM IRONING OF FABRICS AS A WAY OF CAUSING REDUCTION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL AND/OR SUBJECTIVE REACTIVITY TO STRESS IN HUMANS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of using steam ironing of fabrics as a way of causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in humans that have been subjected to such stress. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for using steam ironing of fabrics as a way of causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress m humans by employing the beneficial effects of aromatherapy during steam ironing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Human reactivity to stress is insidious because even though it does not directly incapacitate a human, researchers have discovered that stress decreases productivity, and eventually may lead to illness. This reactivity to stress can be brought about by the repetitive or chronic strains of everyday life. Research in this area has shown that the daily hassle, as measured by self-report, is more strongly associated with somatic health than are life event scores. That is, the frequency and intensity of hassles are significantly related to somatic illness (A. Delongis, et al, Health Psychology, 1981, 1 (2), 119-136). Chronic reactivity, as measured by elevated blood pressure, particularly systolic blood pressure, is correlated with disease. By use of a portable blood pressure-measuring device, it has been shown that regularly recurring stress (specifically that occurring in the work place) correlates with the occurrence of left ventricular hypertrophy. In particular, it has been shown that the correlation exists in patients showing elevated systolic blood pressures while actually engaged in their workday tasks (R. B. Devereux, et al, Circulation 68, No. 3, 470-476, 1983). In another study, blood pressures measured every 15 minutes for 24 hours in 25 normal subjects, 25 borderline subjects and 25 established hypertensive subjects showed significantly higher blood pressures at work than at home, at the physician's office or while sleeping. (T. G Pickering, et al, Clinical and Experimental Hypertension, A4(4&5), 675-693 1982). The classical techniques used for controlling reactivity to stress include biofeedback, meditation and drugs. With respect to biofeedback, in one study, researchers used a constant- cuff technique and gave feedback and reinforcement for the lowering of systolic blood pressure in seven patients, five of whom had been diagnosed as having essential hypertension. The five patients with hypertension responded positively, all showing significant decreases in their systolic blood pressures after 30 sessions of training (Benson, H., Shapiro, D., Tursky, B., and Schwartz, G. E., Science, 1971, 173, 740-742). Other physiological parameters used for biofeedback training include pulse transit time, electromyogram activity and skm resistance biofeedback. The type of relaxation training techniques used for the treatment of hypertension are variations of either certain Eastern meditative disciplines, progressive relaxation techniques or autogemc training. These techniques are intended to lower blood pressure by promoting physical and mental relaxation. Specific examples of such techniques are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,670,463 issued on June 2, 1987 to Craig B. Warren et al A review of the use of biofeedback and relaxation techniques for the treatment of hypertension can be found in: Surwit, et al, "Behavioral Approaches to Cardiovascular Disease", Behavoπal Medicine Series, Academic Press, 1982, 139-156. Chemical agents have also been used to modify the effects of stress, tension, anxiety and dysphoπa throughout recorded history, such as ethanol, bromide salts and barbiturates. Again, U.S. Patent No. 4,670,463 issued on June 2, 1987 to Craig B. Warren et al. offers a good account of such other methods. Aromatherapy is another method for reducing physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in humans. In fact, it is currently a burgeoning industry that has led to the commercial success of a vast variety of aromatherapy oils, soaps, perfumes, massage treatments and the like The term "Aromatherapy" is intended herein to mean the use of plant-derived substances; volatile substances derived from plants for the treatment of health problems. Generally, the volatile fraction —the essential oil fraction— of the plant-derived substance is used. The use of the volatile fractions of plants for treatment of various ailments is reviewed in the following three monographs: (1) J. Valnet, "The Practice of Aromatherapy", Destiny Books (Division of Inner Traditions International, Ltd.), New York, N.Y., 1982; (2) R. Tisserand, "The Art of Aromatherapy", Destiny Books (Division of Inner Traditions International, Ltd.), New York, N.Y., 1983; and (3) A. Leung, "Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients", J. Wiley & Sons Publishing Co., New York, N.Y., 1980. A detailed analysis of the aromatherapy folk medicine literature suggested that a number of essential oils commonly used in perfumery might have a multiplicity of medical effects. Some of these oils are employed in the practice of this invention U.S. Patent No. 4,670,463 issued on June 2, 1987 to Craig B. Warren et al. offers a good account of such aromatherapy oils. While different aromatherapy techniques have been used in the past, such as bath gels, bath oils, soaps, aromatherapy perfumes, there has been the need for having some other novel method that exploits the well documented benefits of aromatherapy in stress reduction in a manner that is easy to use and practice on a daily basis. The inventors of the subject invention have discovered that by using plant-derived substances common to the fields of perfumery and aromatherapy m a steam iron along with water, can result in an easy to practice method for reducing stress. The dose levels of the aromatherapy oils and perfumes, however, differ from those normally employed in either perfumery or aromatherapy and the mode of application differs from those normally employed for aromatherapy. But by using selected doses of such oils and perfumes m the steam iron, an individual can experience some degree of stress relaxation while at the same time accomplishing the essential task of ironing fabrics. Thus although the materials employed in the practice of this invention are known in the art and are known to exhibit physiologic activity, insofar as the inventors of the subject invention have been able to ascertain, no suggestion relevant to reducing physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress during the process of steam ironing of fabrics is made m the prior art. It has been desirable to have an easy to use method for causing the reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in a human being subjected to stress conditions (such as the daily hassles of the work place). It has been further desirable to develop a method for causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in a human being subjected to conditions of stress by administering to such a human an effective amount of an aromatherapeutic active material. It has still further been desirable to have a method for causing the reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress m a human being subjected to stress conditions by administering transdermally and/or by means of inhalation an effective amount of an active material in an aesthetically pleasing form, such as, for example, a perfume or an aromatherapeutic oil. The present invention overcomes the problems, as set forth above BACKGROUND ART U S. Patent No. 4,670,463 issued on June 2, 1987 to Craig B. Warren et al. discloses various types of aromatherapy oils and perfumes, and is incorporated herein by reference U.S. Patent No. 5,526,595, issued on June 18, 1996 to Denis Daulasim et al relates to a steam iron equipped with a cartridge for treating water or cloth to be ironed. This patent, which discloses enabling embodiments of steam irons and vaporization chamber mechanisms, is incorporated by reference. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention meets the needs above by providing a method of using steam ironing of fabrics as a way of causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress m a human, a method for promoting aromatherapeutic effect in a human while the human is engaged in a task of steam ironing a fabric, and a method of using aromatheraphy during steam ironing for causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in a human. In one aspect of the present invention, the method of using steam ironing of fabrics as a way of causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress m a human includes the steps of providing a stress reducing composition comprising one or more of a volatile natural essential oil, and water The composition is adapted to not cause stammg of fabrics The method includes delivering the stress reducing composition into a liquid container of a steam iron and heating the steam iron. The method further includes releasing vapors of the stress reducing composition produced withm the liquid container of the steam iron upon heating, into ambient air. The method still further includes the step of causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in the human by one or more of transdermal ingestion or inhalation of the vapors by the human. In another aspect of the present invention, the method for promoting aromatherapeutic effect m a human while the human is engaged m a task of steam ironing a fabric includes the steps of providing an aromatherapeutically active composition comprising one or more of a volatile natural essential oil, and water. The oil is adapted for promoting an aromatherapeutic effect in a human. The composition is also adapted to not cause sta mg of fabrics. The method also includes delivering the aromatherapeutically active composition into a liquid container of an steam iron and heating the steam iron. The method also includes releasing vapors of the aromatherapeutically active composition produced within the liquid container of the steam iron upon heating, into ambient air. The method further includes promoting aromatherapeutic effect in the human by one or more of transdermal ingestion or inhalation of the vapors by the human In yet another aspect of the present invention, the method of using aromatherapy during steam ironing for causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress m a human includes the steps of providing an aromatherapeutically active composition comprising one or more of a volatile natural essential oil, and water The composition is adapted to not cause stammg of fabrics. The method includes delivering the aromatherapeutically active composition into a liquid container of a steam iron and heating the steam iron. The method includes releasing vapors of the aromatherapeutically active composition produced withm the liquid container of the steam iron upon heating, into ambient air. The method also includes causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress m the human by one or more of transdermal ingestion or inhalation of the vapors by the human. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method of using steam ironing of fabrics as a way of causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress m a human includes the steps of providing a stress reducing composition comprising one or more of a volatile natural essential oil, and water Desirably, the stress reducing composition comprises one or more of a volatile natural essential oil present in an amount m a range of from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of said composition, and preferably from about 0.5% to about 2.0%. Volatile natural essential oil In one embodiment, the volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of hops extract, elder flower extract, eucalyptus oil, spearmint oil, clary sage oil, and mixtures thereof In another embodiment, the volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of rosewood oil , jumper oil, and mixtures thereof. In yet another embodiment, the volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of witch hazel, mentha pipeπta oil, orange oil, sweet violet leaf oil, hops extract, elder flower extract, and mixtures thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of nutmeg oil, mace extract, neroh oil, valerian oil, myπsticin, isoelemicin, elemicm, and mixtures thereof. A number of essential oils commonly used m perfumery can also have a multiplicity of medical and aromtherapeutic effects. Some of these oils are employed m the practice of this invention. Neroh oil is the essential oil obtained from orange blossoms. Neroh oil has a folk medicine history as being an anti-depressant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antispasmodic and of having digestive and sedative activity. The anecdotal literature suggests that neroh oil is an effective sedative and anti-depressant and that it may be used for insomnia, hysteria, states of anxiety and depression. Neroh is an effective sedative-antidepressant oils: it may be used for insomnia, hysteria, states of anxiety and depression. It is known to calm and slow down the mmd. It also has a notable action on the heart, diminishing the amplitude of heart muscle contraction, hence its use in palpitations or other types of cardiac spasm. Derived from this is its use in panicky, hysterial, fearful types of people— those who upset themselves unnecessarily, and become over wrought over nothing. Neroh is a valuable remedy for shock, or for disorders caused by sudden shock, or fear, causing a strain on the heart. It is valuable m chronic diarrhoea, when this is related to long-standing stress or fear. Oil of neroh also has a pronounced action on the skm. Like lavender and geranium it can be used with benefit on any type of skm. It is totally non-irritant and may be used where there is irritation or redness. It is said to be useful for dry skm and broken veins It is one of the oils which acts on a cellular level stimulating the elimination of old cells and the growth of new ones. Neroh makes a luxurious, relaxing, and deodorant bath oil. Orange-flower water is soothing, digestive, carminative. It makes a very useful, mild remedy for infants' colic, and its sedative action helps to send them to sleep. Valerian oil is the essential oil obtained from the root of Valeπana officmalis. The folk medicine literature lists the valerian root (fresh or dried) as being useful as an antispasmodic, carminative, stomachic and sedative. It has been used to treat migraine, insomnia, hysteria, fatigue and stomach cramps that cause vomiting Valeπana is known to have a general calming and sedative effect on the central nervous system, to induce sleep and rest, spasms of the stomach, intestines and blood vessels, nervous heart conditions. Further acknowledgment as appetizer, headache relief, hysteria, epilepsy, tape worm, diarrhoea, lose stomach, fever. The chemical constituents, pharmacology and known uses of valerian are reviewed πv "Herbal Remedies Used m Sedative and Antirheumatic Preparations. Part I", Philhpson, et al, The Pharmaceutical Journal, July 21, 1984, pages 80-82. Another potentially interesting plant substance is nutmeg which was important in medicine as well as well as m cooking. It was used as a therapeutic by Arab physicians as early as the 7th Century A.D. for treatment for disorders of the digestive system, kidney disease, pam and lymphatic ailments Nutmeg is a significant item m the Hindu Pharmacopeia wherein it has been prescribed for fever, consumption, asthma and heart disease Nutmeg is employed by folk practitioners m India as an analgesic and sedative. The fraction of nutmeg responsible for the mild hallucinogenic activity is suggested by the literature to be the aromatic fraction of the oil containing safrole, methyleugenol, eugenol, methyhsoeugenol, myπsticm, elemicm, lsoelemicm and methoxyeugenol as the major components. The myπsticm-elemicin fraction of oil of nutmeg produces many of the activities of crude ground nutmeg but lacks adequate potency to explain the nutmeg intoxication syndrome on a quantitative basis. Nutmeg and synthetically-made myπsticm show a mild degree of monoamme oxidase inhibiting activity. The monoamme oxidase activity is found in the volatile component of nutmeg. Nutmeg oil, known as myπstica fragrans, or myπstιcaceae,ιs the essential oil from the kernel of the fruit of the nutmeg tree. The stone of the fruit is enclosed within a husk which, when dried, is known as mace. "Mace Extract" is an aromatic essence extracted from mace. "Nutmeg Butter" is a fixed oil obtained by hot-pressing the nutmeg kernels, and contains myπstme, butyπn, olein, palmitine and steaπne The essence contains 80% p ene and camphene, 8% dipentene, 6% terpenic alcohols, (hnalool, borneol, terpmeol and geraniol), 4% myπsticm and various substances such as eugenol and safrol. Valnet, "The Practice of Aromatherapy", (supra) states that, for external use: (a) "nutmeg butter" is used in liniments for the treatment of rheumatic pains and toothaches; and (b) "nutmeg butter" is used in the form of "nerve balm" for treatment of rheumatic pains, the form being a mixture of the essences of rosemary and clove together with nutmeg butter. A form of nutmeg oil, Myπstica castaneifoha (Myπstacaceae) Fiji is described as possessing biological activity, specifically in the antitumor field, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,797 issued on Oct. 5, 1982, the specification for which is incorporated by reference herein. The essential oils described above are also common perfumery ingredients as described in Arctander, "Perfume and Flavors Materials of Natural Origin", published by the author in 1960. (Mace extract at columns 391-393; neroh oil at columns 435-437; nutmeg oil at columns 442-445; and valerian oil at columns 637-638). Low Foaming Surfactant The stress reducing composition can also include a low foaming surfactant m a range of from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight. The preferred surfactants are low foaming non-ionic surfactants including nomonic alkoxylated surfactants, especially ethoxylates derived from primary alcohols, and blends thereof with more sophisticated surfactants, such as the polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene/ polyoxypropylene reverse block polymers. The PO/EO/PO polymer-type surfactants are well-known to have foam suppressing or defoammg action Various other forms of low foaming surfactants may be used m this application, and such forms are well known to one skilled in the art and thus, need not be listed here. In the preferred embodiment, the stress reducing composition includes a foam suppressant m a range of from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight. Examples of foam suppressants include alkyl phosphomc acid esters and alkyl acid phosphate esters. Other foam suppressants include, for example, the known silicones It must be noted that various other types of foam suppressants, well known to one skilled in the art may be utilized, so long as such foam suppressants do not cause fabric stammg. Optionally, the stress reducing composition may include an anti-dye transfer agent in a range of from about 0.01% to about 0.5% by weight. Examples of anti-dye transfer agents include poly (2-vmylpyπdme-N-oxιde), poly-2-(dιmethylammo)-ethylmethacrylate-N-oxιde, and poly-1-vmylιmιdazole-N-oxιde. Other examples of anti-dye transfer agents include carboxyl containing polymers, N-vmyl-oxazohdone polymers, and copolymers of polyvinylpyrrohdone and acrylic acid nitπle or maleic anhydride. Such dye transfer inhibiting agents are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,633,225 issued on May 27, 1997. Optionally, the stress reducing composition may include a corrosion protection additive for the steam iron in a range of from about 0.1% to about 3% by weight Examples of corrosion protection additives include polyethylene glycol. Other useful corrosion protection additives include cyclohexylamme, diammonium phosphate, dihthium oxalate, dimethylammo methylpropanol, dipotassmm oxalate, dipotassium phosphate, disodium phosphate, disodium pyrophosphate, disodium tetrapropenyl succmate, nitromethane, potassium silicate, sodium alummate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium metasihcate, sodium nitrite, sodium oxalate, sodium silicate, and stearamidopropyl dimethicone. The important point to note is that these corrosion inhibitors are used m dilution with water so that they do not stain the fabric being ironed, desirably in a range of from about 0.1% to about 1% by weight.. One skilled m the art can determine the specific amount in dilution with water without undue experimentation. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition is adapted to not cause stammg of fabrics. This is a critical property of the composition because no matters how good the composition is, from the standpoint of having stress reduction properties, if it stains the fabric being ironed, it will lose its utility value. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method includes delivering the stress reducing composition into a liquid container of a steam iron and heating the steam iron. This is accomplished by simply plugging the steam iron to an electric outlet and allowing the iron to heat to a normal operating temperature suitable for the fabric to be ironed. At the users option, the stress reducing composition may be further diluted with water, so long as the amount of the volatile natural essential oil present in the water-diluted composition is present in an amount m a range of from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight of the total liquid filled into the liquid container of the steam iron. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method includes releasing vapors of the stress reducing composition produced within the liquid container of the steam iron upon heating, into ambient air and causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in the human by one or more of transdermal ingestion or inhalation of the vapors by the human. The following Example A is a representative composition of (a) a stress reducing composition, and (b) an aromatherapeutically active composition, suitable for using in the present invention: Example A Ingredient Weight % Volatile essential oil 2.00 Water 98.00 Total 100.00 The volatile essential oil has the following composition: Ingredient Weight % Nutmeg Oil East Indian 97.10 Mace extract 0.14 Neroli Oil 0.98 diethyl phthalate 0.44 Valerian Oil Indian 0.05 Total 100.00 Accordingly, having thus described the invention in detail, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is described in the specification.

Claims: What is claimed is; 1. A method of using steam ironing of fabrics as a way of causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in a human, characterized by the steps of: providing a stress reducing composition characterized by one or more of a volatile natural essential oil, and water, and said composition being adapted to not cause stammg of fabrics; delivering said stress reducing composition into a liquid container of a steam iron; heating said steam iron; releasing vapors of said stress reducing composition produced within the liquid container of said steam iron upon heating, into ambient air; and causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress in said human by one or more of transdermal ingestion or inhalation of said vapors by said human. 2 A method according to claim 1, wherein said stress reducing composition is characterized by one or more of a volatile natural essential oil present an amount in a range of from 0.05% to 5% by weight of said composition. 3 A method according to claims 1-2, wherein said volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of nutmeg oil, mace extract, neroli oil, valerian oil, myπsticin, isoelemicin, elemicm, and mixtures thereof. 4. A method according to claims 1-3, wherein said volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of hops extract, elder flower extract, eucalyptus oil, spearmint oil, clary sage oil, and mixtures thereof. 5 A method according to claims 1 -4, wherein said volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of rosewood oil , jumper oil, and mixtures thereof. 6. A method according to claims 1-5, wherein said volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of witch hazel, mentha pipeπta oil, orange oil, sweet violet leaf oil, hops extract, elder flower extract, and mixtures thereof. 7. A method for promoting aromatherapeutic effect in a human while the human is engaged in a task of steam ironing a fabric, characteπzed by the steps of: providing an aromatherapeutically active composition characterized by one or more of a volatile natural essential oil, and water, said oil being adapted for promoting an aromatherapeutic effect m a human, and said composition being adapted to not cause staining of fabrics; delivering said aromatherapeutically active composition into a liquid container of an steam iron; heating said steam iron; releasing vapors of said aromatherapeutically active composition produced within the liquid container of said steam iron upon heating, into ambient air; and promoting aromatherapeutic effect in said human by one or more of transdermal ingestion or inhalation of said vapors by said human 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said aromatherapeutically active composition is characterized by one or more of a volatile natural essential oil present m an amount in a range of from 0.05% to 5% by weight of said composition. 9. A method according to claims 7-8, wherein said volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of nutmeg oil, mace extract, neroli oil, valerian oil, myπsticm, lsoelemicm, elemicm, hops extract, elder flower extract, eucalyptus oil, spearmint oil, clary sage oil, rosewood oil jumper oil, witch hazel, mentha pipeπta oil, orange oil, sweet violet leaf oil, elder flower extract, cedar-wood oil, and mixtures thereof. 10 A method of using aromatheraphy during steam ironing for causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress m a human, characterized by the steps of. providing an aromatherapeutically active composition characterized by one or more of a volatile natural essential oil, and water, and said composition being adapted to not cause stammg of fabrics; delivering said aromatherapeutically active composition into a liquid container of a steam iron; heating said steam iron; releasing vapors of said aromatherapeutically active composition produced within the liquid container of said steam iron upon heating, into ambient air; and causing reduction of physiological and/or subjective reactivity to stress m said human by one or more of transdermal ingestion or inhalation of said vapors by said human. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said aromatherapeutically active composition is characterized by one or more of a volatile natural essential oil present in an amount in a range of from 0.05% to 5% by weight of said composition. 12. A method according to claims 10-11, wherein said volatile natural essential oil is selected from the group consisting of nutmeg oil, mace extract, neroh oil, valerian oil, myristicin, isoelemicm, elemicm, hops extract, elder flower extract, eucalyptus oil, spearmint oil, clary sage oil, rosewood oil , juniper oil, witch hazel, mentha pipeπta oil, orange oil, sweet violet leaf oil, elder flower extract, cedar-wood oil, and mixtures thereof

Inventors: FRANCE PAUL AMAAT, RADOMYSELSKIY ARSENIY, FRANCE, PAUL, AMAAT, RADOMYSELSKIY, ARSENIY
Applicants: FRANCE PAUL AMAAT, PROCTER & GAMBLE, RADOMYSELSKIY ARSENIY, FRANCE, PAUL, AMAAT, RADOMYSELSKIY, ARSENIY, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61K35
IPC codes: A61K9, A61K36, A61P25