Abstract:
An extract made from peppers extracted with acetic acid under heat and pressure has been found effective for treatment of arthritic symptoms.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Ser. No. 08/378,791 filed Mar. 20, 1995. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of topically applied formulation for treatment of arthritic pain. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many sufferers of arthritis experience intense pain in their joints, some of which can be of a debilitating nature. Solutions to the problem have included rubbing ointments or creams on the affected area or ingesting pharmaceuticals to help with the swelling which may occur. 
     Despite advances in medical science, many persons still suffer from such maladies as gout, joint and muscle aches, cramps, swelling, bursitis, and joint pain. 
     It has now been found that a new formulation for arthritis relief based on natural extracts from peppers can be topically applied to an affected area and provide relief to the patient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An extract is made by selecting hot peppers and treating them with apple cider vinegar. Under heat and pressure, peppers are cooked in the apple cider vinegar, cooled to room temperature and the extract is filtered until free of all sediment. In another embodiment, the formula is topically applied to the skin of a patient in need of treatment. The area affected need be only lightly moistened with the composition. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The formulation of the invention utilizes hot peppers extracted under certain conditions with apple cider vinegar. The peppers may be selected from the following types: Cayenne, Jalapeno, Serrano, and/or Habanero. 
     The solvent used in this invention is preferably apple cider vinegar of four or five percent acidity. While other vinegars may be used, it has been found that apple cider vinegar produces the most consistent extract in final formulation. A formulation of pure acetic acid of the appropriate strength may also be used. What is desired is that an effective amount of solvent be used to extract the peppers and to also serve as a carrier. 
     In manufacturing the pepper extract, approximately one gallon of apple cider vinegar is added to one pound of Cayenne, Jalapeno, or Serrano peppers. The peppers and vinegar are placed in a pressure cooker, allowed to boil for about one hour, and then cooled to room temperature. After cooling, the cooked peppers are removed and discarded. The remaining liquid is strained until it is free of all sediment. 
     With regard to Habanero peppers, it is most preferred that a half pound of peppers to a gallon of vinegar is utilized and boiled under pressure for approximately one hour. At this time the peppers are removed and the mixture allowed to cool to room temperature. The liquid is strained until it is free of all sediment, at which point the formulation is ready to be used or bottled as desired. 
     The amount of peppers to be used can vary depending on the potency of the final product desired. While it has been found that a ratio of one pound of Cayenne, Jalapeno or Serrano peppers is most effective to one gallon of Apple cider vinegar, the strength of the mixture can be decreased by using a lesser amount of peppers, or increased by using a greater amount of peppers. 
     It has been found that a ratio of one-half pound of Habanero peppers is most effective to approximately one gallon of apple cider vinegar. Again, however, the potency of the final solution can be varied by varying the amount of peppers to be used. 
     The extracted pepper solution can be utilized as an effective topical application for arthritis patients and those with similar adversities. 
    
    
     EXAMPLE ONE 
     Composition of Formulation 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 pH 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Sample 22058-1 
                 3.0 
               
               
                   
                 Sample 22058-2 
                 2.9 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Metal Content 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Heavy metals 
                 none 
               
               
                   
                 Sodium 
                 310 mg per liter 
               
               
                   
                 potassium 
                  59 mg per liter 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     EXAMPLE TWO 
     Use of Formulation on Patients 
     A formulation made according to the general description provided above produced the following results after topical application to the affected area. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Duration 
                   
               
               
                 Patient 
                   
                 of 
                   
               
               
                 Number 
                 Condition 
                 Condition 
                 Results 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 One 
                 back pain, 
                 25 years 
                 pain relief 
               
               
                   
                 nonspecific 
                   
               
               
                   
                 arthritis 
                   
               
               
                 Two 
                 nonspecific 
                 8 years 
                 able to walk and 
               
               
                   
                 arthritis in back 
                   
                 move about; 
               
               
                   
                 and leg, confined to 
                   
                 relief from 
               
               
                   
                 bed 
                   
                 pain, swelling 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 and stiffness 
               
               
                 Three 
                 osteoporosis in 
                 25 years 
                 relief from 
               
               
                   
                 back, confined to 
                   
                 pain, swelling 
               
               
                   
                 bed 
                   
                 and stiffness; 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 able to move 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 about 
               
               
                 Four 
                 arthritic pain in 
                 one year 
                 relief 
               
               
                   
                 legs 
               
               
                 Five 
                 arthritic pain in 
                 21 years 
                 pain eliminated; 
               
               
                   
                 legs, confined to 
                   
                 ability to walk 
               
               
                   
                 wheelchair for last 
                   
                 regained 
               
               
                   
                 year, lumbar 
               
               
                   
                 radiolopathy, spinal 
               
               
                   
                 stenosis and lumbar 
               
               
                   
                 degenerative disc 
               
               
                   
                 disease 
               
               
                 Six 
                 rheumatoid arthritis 
                 9+ years 
                 relief of 
               
               
                   
                 in the joints 
                   
                 cramps, 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 stiffness and 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 joint pain 
               
               
                 Seven 
                 arthritis in joints 
                 25 years 
                 relief of cramps 
               
               
                   
                 and cramps 
                   
                 and pain 
               
               
                 Eight 
                 rheumatoid arthritis 
                 many years 
                 outstanding 
               
               
                   
                 in knees, hip and 
                   
                 improvement 
               
               
                   
                 back 
                   
                 reported 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     EXAMPLE 3 
     Relief Over a Period of Time 
     A patient, aged 34, was treated and diagnosed by a doctor of chiropractic medicine. The patient complained of pain in both knees and legs over a period of four months. The patient characterized the pain as “four” on a scale or one to ten, but also that the pain had constant duration. The patient indicated that walking after sitting a long time and climbing stairs aggravated the condition. The patient reported that the condition was relieved by walking, riding a bike, and movement. The patient explained that initially there was swelling that occurred several times during prolonged periods of standing. The patient indicated he was on no medication and did not wear any type of support. 
     The patient was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis of the knees and the X-ray indicated slight swelling of soft tissue behind and along the medial and lateral knee. Tenderness and swelling were noted upon examining the knees and the patient was found to have a very restricted range of motion associated with moderate pain with passive motion. 
     A formula made according to the method of the invention was administered to the surface of the anterior and posterior knee joint. The patient noted relief within minutes. The patient was able to climb stairs within thirty minutes without complaint or of knee pain. The range of motion was substantially improved. 
     The next day the patient reported less swelling and that the joints felt more loose with more tolerable pain. Walking up the stairs was still painful. Ambulation was much improved and the patient was able to bend knees with little pain. The formula of the invention was typically administered to the affected area of the patient once again. 
     Eight days later, the patient reported that walking up the stairs did not cause any pain, that he no longer had stiffness in his knees, and that he felt ninety percent better. After thirty-eight days the patient reported that he no longer experienced any pain.