Abstract:
A tobacco dependence attenuation composition and method of preparing the same. The composition includes comminuted alfalfa leaves, peppermint, cayenne pepper, water, honey, and optionally, vitamin C. The alfalfa leaves may be finely ground to powder form. With the water at or near boiling temperature, these ingredients are mixed together. The mixed ingredients may be packaged and frozen to promote expression of sugar from the alfalfa and permeation of expressed sugar throughout the mix.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the filing date filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/305,389, filed Feb. 17, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a composition to assist tobacco chewers to cease chewing. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition using biological materials which composition does not contain tobacco and its harmful carcinogenic properties and nicotine. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many widely employed strategies for enabling cessation of chewing tobacco have been proposed. For example, various tobacco alternatives have been employed with varying levels of success. Therapeutic chewing gum and transdermal patches are two form of nicotine delivery devices that have been used to at least taper the chewer from the nicotine dependence. The theory behind this strategy is that the chewer will eventually be weaned from his or her dependence upon nicotine. 
         [0004]    While this strategy may succeed in some cases, it may possibly fail in others because the feel and experience of chewing tobacco is not provided to the chewer. There remains a need for a chewing tobacco cessation composition which addresses the peripheral issues of psychological dependence when attempting to overcome chewing addiction, and which eliminates reliance upon tobacco as the desired chewing composition. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides a product which puts into play a number of pacifying strategies while totally removing tobacco and its harmful properties from a chewing cessation protocol. More specifically, the present invention sets forth a tobacco substitute which is based on natural ingredients, mostly plant products, which is free of nicotine and which address most if not all of the peripheral issues which could cause traditional chewing cessation strategies to fail. 
         [0006]    The novel tobacco substitute comprises alfalfa leaves, peppermint, cayenne pepper, honey, and vitamin C. The invention contemplates a method of combining and preparing these ingredients in order to arrive at a chewing cessation composition which succeeds while totally eliminating the carcinogenic ingredients and nicotine dependence of tobacco. 
         [0007]    It is an object of the invention to provide a chewing cessation composition which both succeeds in overcoming dependence upon tobacco and also eliminates reliance upon nicotine. 
         [0008]    Another object of the invention is to support the chewing cessation therapy by addressing peripheral issues which accompany the act of chewing, thereby maximizing likelihood of success in overcoming chewing tobacco dependence. 
         [0009]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0010]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing FIGURE, which is a block diagram summarizing steps of preparing a chewing tobacco dependence attenuation composition. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    The present invention contemplates a chewing tobacco dependence attenuation composition which comprises alfalfa leaves, preferably in finely comminuted form, peppermint, honey, a biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth, an ascorbate equivalent to vitamin C, and a fluid blending agent. The biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth may comprise a pepper such as cayenne pepper. The ascorbate equivalent to vitamin C may be ascorbic acid or vitamin C per se, a salt thereof, or any compound having comparable nutritive or metabolic effects of vitamin C. The blending agent may substantially comprise water. Of course, other solvents, or substances which facilitate blending or other performance aspects of the novel composition may be used in addition to or in place of water. For example, ethyl alcohol and other fluids, emulsions, and additives may be used. 
         [0013]    Chewing tobacco is known to impair or deplete vitamins such as vitamin C, which may then be resupplied by including it in the novel composition. 
         [0014]    While the inventor does not wish to be bound by any particular theory of efficacy, it is felt that pleasant tastes arising for example from alfalfa, peppermint, and honey impart soothing effects which enable a chewer to withdraw from nicotine addiction. Soothing effects may extend beyond tastes. For example, alkalinity conditions responsive to alfalfa may help reduce cravings. Because the act of chewing typically results in mild burning sensation in the chewer&#39;s mouth, cayenne pepper may act to provide a similar stimulus which provides sensations evocative of chewing tobacco, but without the detrimental effects of tobacco products. From a psychological standpoint, and possibly even from a metabolic standpoint, the greater the similarity between the effects of chewing and the effects of a substitute therapy, the greater the likelihood of acceptance of the latter by the body during the process of withdrawal from tobacco dependence. For this reason, it is possible that a synergistic cumulative effect of the several ingredients set forth herein may succeed in enabling a chewer to overcome tobacco dependence where other therapies may fail. 
         [0015]    A suitable composition comprising the above listed ingredients may be prepared in the following manner. Preparation may be described in terms of a method of preparing a tobacco dependence attenuation composition. As summarized in the Drawing FIGURE, and stated in a generic form, the method  10  may comprise a step  12  of providing alfalfa leaves in comminuted form; a step  14  of providing peppermint; a step  16  of providing a biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth; a step  20  of providing honey; a step  22  of mixing the alfalfa leaves, peppermint, biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth, and honey in a fluid blending agent; and a step  24  of subjecting the mixed alfalfa leaves, peppermint, biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth, honey, and water to a condition which promotes expression of sugar from the alfalfa leaves and permeation of expressed sugar throughout the tobacco dependence attenuation composition. Once expressed sugar has permeated the mixture, thereby increasing appeal to the palate, the mixture is ready for use. 
         [0016]    Optionally, the method  10  may comprise a step  18  of providing an ascorbate equivalent to vitamin C. In a further option, the step  18  may comprise the step  30  of providing the ascorbate equivalent to vitamin C as ascorbic acid or vitamin C per se. 
         [0017]    Where vitamin C, and optionally, other nutritional supplements such as minerals and other vitamins, are added, process steps such as the mixing steps  22  and  32 , the packaging steps  36  and  38 , and the processing steps  24  and  34  may be modified to incorporate the vitamin C and other nutritional supplements. 
         [0018]    In a more specific form, the method  10  may be modified in the following ways. In one way, the step  16  may take the form of a step  26  of providing a natural pepper to provoke the mild burning sensation, which step  16  may in turn take the form of a step  28  of providing cayenne pepper. The step  22  may comprise a step  32  of mixing the alfalfa leaves, peppermint, biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth, and honey in heated water. The water may be brought to boiling temperature. The step  24  may comprise a step  34  of cooling the mixed alfalfa leaves, peppermint, biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth, honey, and water at least to a temperature which is about the freezing point of water. 
         [0019]    The preparatory steps set forth above may be practiced for large batches which may then be packaged appropriately for distribution, such as retail distribution. However, it is also practical to practice the step  34  of cooling the mixture as a step  36  of packaging the mixed alfalfa leaves, peppermint, biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth, honey, and water prior to the step  34  of cooling the mixed alfalfa leaves, peppermint, biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth, honey, and water at least to a temperature which is about the freezing point of water. 
         [0020]    The step  36  may comprise a step  38  of packaging the mixed alfalfa leaves, peppermint, biological agent which provokes a sensation of mild burning in the mouth, honey, and water in a final retail container. A retail container may be that container in which the composition leaves possession or premises of the preparer or manufacturer, and is transferred to a final consumer, a retail outlet, or an intermediate distribution party prior to a point of retail sale to the final consumer. Retail sale will be understood to encompass sales at the wholesale level. Alternatively stated, final or intermediate packaging, seen as either step  36  or step  38 , may be performed prior to the step  24  which step  24  assures that sugar has been expressed from the alfalfa leaves. 
         [0021]    The finished composition may be utilized in several ways. One way is to swallow the composition, preferably after chewing it sufficiently to allow flavors and sensations to act on the mouth. This is possibly the most beneficial, as at least alfalfa leaves have considerable nutritional value, including protein, fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals. Another way is to maintain the composition in the mouth for a prolonged period, such as between the cheek and the gums, in the traditional manner of chewing tobacco. After all taste has been depleted, the residue may be swallowed or alternatively, discharged from the mouth for example by spitting it out. The composition may also be brewed into a hot tea or cold tea. 
         [0022]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.