Abstract:
An alternative medicine elements package in which a soft sculpture doll having a body portion and at least two arm-like appendages attached to the body portion includes a magnet in each of the arm-like appendages and a copper strip that extends through the body portion and into each of the arm-like appendages.

Description:
The present invention relates to an alternative medicine elements package and, more particularly, to a plurality of alternative medicine elements carried by and embedded in a soft sculpture, the appearance of which is designed to engender feelings of affection and comfort. 
     The following definitions are used herein: 
     Allopathic medicine—Mainstream conventional western medical practices. 
     Alternative healing practice—A healing practice other than conventional western (allopathic) approaches. 
     Alternative medicine—Healing practices other than conventional western (allopathic) approaches. 
     Alternative healing elements—Physical objects used in connection with various alternative healing practices. 
     Aromatherapy—An ancient healing art in which essential oils from herbs and flowers are applied to the skin or inhaled to address physical, emotional and spiritual imbalances. 
     Holistic—Healing practices that consider the mind, body and spirit and appropriately integrate many traditions of healing as they apply to the individual person and situation. 
     Soft sculpture doll—an object formed by an outer skin of cloth or cloth-like material forming an enclosure which is filled with pliable material. It may be in the form of an animal or person or other object, either real or imaginary. 
     While not formally recognized according to standards of allopathic medicine as having healing powers, there are a number of alternative healing practices for promoting health and well being that trace their roots deep into human history. More and more people are turning to these ancient practices and more and more investigations are discovering their power. The effectiveness of these holistic healing practices is said to be enhanced by, and in some cases dependant upon, receiving their powers with an open heart—a feeling of love and affection. 
     The invention will be described with reference to the following alternative healing practice elements: 
     Crystals and glass beads—Healers of many cultures have used crystals, gemstones, glass beads, minerals and metals for thousands of years. Crystals are prized for their beauty, and certainly their color and appearance can affect mood. Crystals—both natural and glass—are thought to have the ability to amplify and focus energy into the environment. The ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui recommends special placement of crystals and mirrors when decorating homes for the purpose of creating a healing, harmonious environment. 
     Copper—The use of copper and other metals for healing dates back for many centuries, and in many cultures, copper is known to be a strong transmitter of energy. Native Americans used copper for healing, and today, many healers advise wearing copper jewelry such as bracelets. Nowadays, copper cuffs are being worn by many professional sports figures because many people believe that wearing copper affords natural, safe lessening of inflammation and pain. Some people believe that copper affects the emotions and brings in love, affection, harmony, beauty and peace. 
     Magnets—In China, India, Egypt and Greece, magnets have been used for healing for more than 4,000 years. Today, magnets are increasingly used and accepted to speed pain relief and healing, and improve circulation and general health. Magnetic wave therapy is said to fortify, balance and unblock the stagnant energy within our bodies. Reportedly, the natural healing process is enhanced with the application of magnetic fields to injured areas, increasing blood flow and oxygen exchange. 
     Herbs and Aromatherapy scents—Aromatherapy is an increasingly popular, gentle, fun, relaxing method of healing that uses specific natural aromas to help balance the mind, body and spirit. Essential oils of herbs, flowers, plants, trees and spices are used to create that balance. The practice of aromatherapy dates back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, India and China. 
     Many of the healing practices with which these elements are used fall into a category that can be termed “energy healing.” They are subtle but believed by many to be potentially powerful inputs that interact with the energy system of the body to stabilize emotional, physical, mental and spiritual states. To many people, these interactions are seen as helping assist wellness and healing on all levels. 
     While the invention will be described with reference to the particular elements described above, those skilled in the art will recognize that other elements could also be used without departing from the invention. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative medicine package of healing elements that helps promote an emotional state thought best for receiving the powers of the packaged elements. 
     It is a further object of the invention to so package the elements that they are hidden from view and protected from physical harm. 
     These and other objects of the invention are achieved by locating a plurality of alternative healing elements in a soft sculpture in the form of an object or animal that engenders the feelings of love and comfort. In the preferred embodiment, the soft sculpture doll is a teddy bear, or puppy, or kitten or the like, which children and adults all over the world have long used as highly personal objects of affection, love and comfort. The invention will be described with reference to a bear as the soft sculpture package for the elements. However, when the word “bear” is used, it is meant to represent any soft sculpture that could function to both contain and support the elements and engender feelings of openness and acceptance. 
     The invention serves as a vehicle for remembering and revisiting forgotten wisdom of the ages. This wisdom can be layered and intertwined with new thought, as well as with conventional allopathic medical practice, to yield a new, wonderful hybrid wellness program. 
     The bears can be taken on an inner or outer personal journey. Their size makes them perfect for taking on trips or just staying at home. They can fit into a suitcase or travel on an airplane or join in meditation or watching television. They can be taken for walks, out to dance, and out to eat in a restaurant. They can enter the world of dreams during sleep. They may provide comfort and some solutions in the echo of words spoken to them. The bear will always listen without criticizing or judging. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the invention in the form of a soft sculpture bear with parts broken away to reveal internal elements; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1 with parts broken away to reveal internal elements; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line  4 — 4  of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the Figures, a soft sculpture doll  11  in the form of a bear has a body portion  12  to which are connected arm-like appendages  13  and  14  and leg-like appendages  16  and  17 . The body also carries a head portion  18 . While the embodiment of the invention illustrated is in the form of a bear, the invention is not so limited. The representational qualities of doll  11  can be altered by changing the face portion  19  to give the appearance of some other animal. It is not, however, necessary that doll  11  represent an animal or any known creature, whether real or imaginary, since one of the purposes of soft sculpture doll  11  is to engender feelings of affection and comfort. Thus, the variations are limited only by imagination. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the body portion has at least two arm-like appendages  13  and  14 . 
     Soft sculpture doll  11  is formed in a manner well known in the arts and, in particular, a number of separate pattern pieces are sewn together to form an outer skin  20 , which is then filled with stuffing material  21 . A variety of different stuffing materials well known in the art are used for soft sculpture dolls, including natural and synthetic fibers. The invention is not limited either by the stuffing material or outer skin material, which can vary depending on the effect desired. 
     Disposed below the outer covering material  20  in internal pockets  25  toward the distal end of arms  13  and  14  are magnets  22  and  23 , respectively (FIG.  4 ). 
     A copper strip  26  is disposed within the interior of the soft sculpture doll  11  and, in the preferred embodiment, the strip  26  extends from the body portion  12  into the arm-like appendages  13  and  14 . The strip  26  is malleable, and thus, when the arms are bent into a desired shape, they will tend to stay in that shape. Thus, it is possible to place the magnets  22  and  23  around a desired location of the body or at a desired location of the body following the body contours by positioning the arm-like appendages  13  and  14 . In this way, the magnets  22  and  23 , as well as the copper strip  26 , are jointly able to be focused on a particular area of the human anatomy. 
     At the mid section of the body portion  12  (what anatomically would be the location of the naval if the soft sculpture doll body represents the body of an animal or a human) is a crystal  28  disposed beneath the skin material  20  where it is protected by the surrounding stuffing material  21 . Although not shown, the crystal  28  could also be enclosed within a pocket structure. 
     An exterior pouch or pocket  31  having an open end  32  is formed on the back of the body  12 . The pouch  31  provides a receptacle for a packet  33 . The packet  33  can contain scented herbs or aromatherapy fragrances as desired. 
     The herbs are provided for inhalation purposes. Since herbal aromas are very mild, they offer a gentle way of experiencing herbs. The herbs may be combined with aromatherapy elements in removable, replaceable packets  33  contained in the back pocket  31 . The herbs are selected to achieve a specified mood and therapeutic benefit. 
     Aromatherapy is intended to be mild and, as with herbs, aromatherapy fragrances may be incorporated into the removable, replaceable packet  33  in the back of the bear. The scent, either from aromatherapy fragrance or herbs, imbues the bear with a subtle, pleasant aroma that can alter mood. Pressing lightly on the bear&#39;s back or gently shaking the bear may stimulate the release of more fragrance. 
     Disposed within the body portion  12  beneath the skin material  20  is a container  36  of glass beads or gemstones as desired. Once again, the container  36  is held within the body portion  12  and surrounded by stuffing material  21  so as to protect the contents. 
     The objectives of the invention, including engendering feelings of affection and comfort, can be enhanced by the selection of outer skin materials, color and the presence of symbols, such as the yin-yang symbol  37  illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. 
     As such, it is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims.