Abstract:
An herbal composition is disclosed comprising as active ingredients chickweed, yarrow, wormwood, motherwort, pennyroyal, and dandelion in a vehicle of olive-oil and beeswax. The composition alleviates cramps, aches and pains, such as those associated with premenstrual syndrome.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an herbal composition for treating the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, including menstrual cramps, aches and pains, and bloating. The invention also relates to a method for treating some of the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome, particularly aches, pains, and cramps using herbal compositions. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The days preceding the onset of the menstrual period involve hormonal changes which can result in symptoms such as cramping, aches, bloating, and inflammation. These symptoms, commonly referred to as premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, are treated by a variety of means. Simple ones include taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen for aches and pains, and various other substances for bloating or water retention. Many over the counter remedies are available for these common symptoms, and in many cases may provide temporary or limited relief. 
     Other approaches involve attempts to correct apparent hormonal imbalances which may be present prior to menstruation. For example, according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,630 (Morrow), the symptoms of PMS and menopause can be treated with an herbal composition including red raspberry, bayberry, blue cohosh, capsicum, cascara sagrada, damiana, ginger, avalcrian administered orally in tablet form using a binding agent. The patentee claims that the foregoing herbal compound alleviates the symptoms associated with PMS and menopause. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,199 (Page) states that phytohormone, such as phytoestrogens and phytoprogesterone, from herbaceous plants provide means for balancing estrogen and progesterone levels in organisms without producing undesirable physiological side effects. According to the patent, herbaceous plants contain many types of regulating substances, some of which are known as phytohormone. These plants assertedly provide a source of natural base steroidal hormones which may provide estrogenic or progesterone hormone activity to enhance or supplement the hormonal levels in biological organisms. 
     The foregoing remedies do not provide complete or even satisfactory relief of cramps, bloating, and inflammation in many patients, and involve ingestion of substances which may introduce other difficulties or side effects. Therefore, there continues to be a need for a safe and effective composition to treat some of the aches and cramps associated with premenstrual syndrome or other ailments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides an herbal composition comprising chickweed, yarrow, wormwood, motherwort, pennyroyal, and dandelion as active ingredients. The invention preferably includes a vehicle comprising olive oil and beeswax, and the vehicle may additionally contain tincture of benzoin or another compatible preservative. Preferably, the active ingredients are present in approximately equal amounts, in a range from about 75 mg to about 150 mg of each herb for every fluid ounce of vehicle. Cayenne may be used to increase absorption. 
     The invention also provides a method for treating menstrual or other cramps comprising applying an effective amount of a composition comprising chickweed, yarrow, wormwood, motherwort, pennyroyal, and dandelion as active ingredients to an affected area, such as a portion of the abdomen of an affected female. In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for relieving an ache or pain, such as a muscle ache, back ache, stomach ache, head ache, neck ache or similar minor ache or pain, which comprises applying an herbal composition comprising chickweed, yarrow, wormwood, motherwort, pennyroyal, and dandelion, preferably in a vehicle containing olive oil and beeswax, to an affected area of a patient. Optionally, the treatment can include application of heat for about five to ten or more minutes. 
     Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed to an herbal compound and method for treatment which uses such a compound to aid in the relief of symptoms such as cramping, bloating, and inflammation caused by premenstrual syndrome. In one preferred embodiment, the herbal compound of the present invention comprises chickweed, yarrow, wormwood, motherwort, pennyroyal, and dandelion, preferably in a vehicle which contains olive oil and beeswax. The composition, usually in the form of an ointment, is rubbed on an affected area, such as the abdomen of a woman suffering from premenstrual cramps. 
     The following herbs are included in the preferred embodiments. Following each is a brief description of its activity: 
     
         ______________________________________Herb   Part Used           Vitamins   Actions  Comments______________________________________Cayenne  Berries  Apsaicine, Aids digestion,                               Also called    capacutin, improves capsicum, hot    capasaicin, circulation, and pepper, red    capsanthine, stops bleeding pepper.    capsico, cobalt, from ulcers.    folic acid, Acts as a    pantothenic catalyst for    acid, para- other herbs.    aminobenzoic Good for the    acid, zinc, heart, kidneys,    vitamins A, B.sub.1, lungs,    B.sub.2, B.sub.3, B.sub.6, and pancreas,    C. spleen, andstomach.Useful forarthritis andrheumatism.Helps to wardoff colds, sinusinfections, andsore throats.Good for painwhen appliedtopically. Usedwith lobelia fornerves.______________________________________ 
    
     
         ______________________________________   Part  Herb Used Vitamins Actions Comments______________________________________Dandelion   Leaves, Bioflavonoids,                      Cleanses the                               The roasted   roots, biotin, calcium, bloodstream root can be   tops. choline, fats, and liver, and used as a    folic acid, increases the coffee    gluten, gum, production of substitute.    inositol, inulin, bile. Used as a    iron, lactupi- diuretic. Also    crine, linolenic reduces serum    acid, magnesi- cholesterol and    um, niacin, uric acid. Im-    pantothenic proves func-    acid, para- tioning of the    aminobenzoic kidneys, pan-    acid, phos- creas, spleen,    phorus, potash, and stomach.    proteins, resin, Useful for ab-    sulfur, zinc, scesses, anem-    vitamins A, B.sub.1, ia, boils, breast    B.sub.2, B.sub.6, B.sub.12, C, tumors, cirrho-    and E. sis of the liver,fluid retention,hepatitis, jaun-dice, and rheu-matism. Mayaid in the pre-vention of agespots andbreast cancer.  Wormwood Leaves, Absinthol, ace- Acts as a mild Often used   tops. tylene, artemis- sedative, expels with black wal-    ia ketone, es- worms, in- nut for removal    sential oils, fla- creases stom- of parasites.    vonoids, lignin, ach acidity, and Caution:    phenolic com- lowers fever. Should not be    pounds, pinene, Useful for vas- used during    thujone. cular disorders, pregnancy, as itincluding mi- can cause spon-graine, and for taneous abor-intestinal tion. Not re-parasites. commended for long-term use, as it can be habit-forming.______________________________________ 
    
     
         ______________________________________Herb  Part Used          Vitamins   Actions   Comments______________________________________Yarrow Berries, Achilleic acid,                     Has healing                               Also called   leaves. achilleine, cale- effects on mucous soldier&#39;s herb.    divain, volatile membranes, re- Caution:    oils, potassium, duces inflamma- Interferes with    tannins, tion, improves absorption of    vitamin C. blood clotting, iron and otherincreases per- minerals.spiration. Agood diuretic.Useful for fever,inflammatorydisorders, colitis,and viralinfections. Helpsto alleviatebleeding problem.______________________________________ 
    
     Chickweed Reduces inflammation and aids in healing. 
     Pennyroyal (Hedeoma pulegioides)--the leaves of the herb are used in remedies; uses include upset stomach and as a gentle stimulant. It is also believed to be useful for menstrual cramps because it stimulates the uterine muscles. 
     Motherwort is believed to strengthen the nervous system, and is asserted to be a tonic for the whole body; it seems to help those who are prone to headaches and helps relieve menstrual discomfort. 
     The following examples are illustrative of the practice of the invention and are not meant to be limiting. 
    
    
     EXAMPLE I 
     The following amounts of each herb were mixed in the olive oil-beeswax vehicle, with tincture of benzoin added as a preservative. All herbs were produced by Frontier Bulk Herbs and Spices, Norway, Iowa. 
     chickweed--1 oz. 
     yarrow--1 oz. 
     wormwood--1 oz. 
     motherwort--1 oz. 
     pennyroyal--1 oz. 
     dandelion--1 oz. 
     2 cups olive oil, 3 oz.-beeswax, 1 tsp. Tincture of benzoin. 
     Yield: 12 2 oz. jars. 
     EXAMPLE II 
     A 45 year old female started menstruation at age 13 and experienced minor cramping and light bleeding until age 30. At age 30, she had her tubes tied and after that came heavier periods and moderate to severe cramping for the first two days of her cycle. 
     Female rubbed ointment (sample from example I) for the first time on her lower abdomen when she experienced her first sign of cramps. Cramps went away in 30 minutes. The second day cramps felt worse from first day, she rubbed ointment on abdomen and applied heat. Relief started to take place in 15 to 20 minutes. Cramps were gone after second treatment. Her period lasted a few more days cramp free. Same female used ointment for cramps in lower back with heat, and after 15 minutes, cramps lessened. She also experienced right hip pain, unrelated to menstruation, rubbed ointment on right hip and used with heat and that pain went away also. 
     EXAMPLE III 
     A woman who felt bad cramps on the first day of her period at 8:00 a.m applied the composition (ointment) to her abdomen. Relief felt in 20-30 minutes. At 3 p.m cramps returned. At 4:30 p.m., she applied more of composition. Relief occurred in 20 minutes. When cramps recurred at 8:30 p.m., she applied more. Second day cramps were severe. She used ointment in a.m. once and in p.m once. Cramps disappeared. On the third day she used ointment in a.m. to prevent cramps and it worked. Period lasted only three days. 
     EXAMPLE IV 
     
         ______________________________________ 25 mg.           Cayenne  105 mg. Chickweed  105 mg Yarrow  105 mg Wormwood  105 mg Dandelion  105 mg Motherwort  105 mg Pennyroyal  105 mg Tincture of benzoin______________________________________ 
    
     The above ingredients were mixed into vehicle of 0.17 fluid ounce beeswax and 0.66 fluid ounce olive oil. One percent vanilla added as fragrance.