Title:  Herbal composition as a substitute for tobacco

United States Patent:  6,497,234

Issued:  December 24, 2002

Inventors:  Coy-Herbert; Pamela (P.O. Box 290, Durango, CO 81303)

Appl. No.:  721829

Filed:  November 22, 2000

A composition for use as a tobacco substitute and as an aid in the cessation of tobacco use, containing a Vebascum thapsus component, an algae component, a Medicago sativa component, and a Symphytum officinale component, together with other optional components. Use of the composition of the present invention as a tobacco substitute, in cigarettes or pipes, produces a diminished desire for tobacco.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention)

A number of herbs and other ingredients are employed in this invention, and are defined as follows:

Mullein includes Verbascum thapsus, and primarily the dried leaves of Verbascum thapsus.

Alfalfa includes Medicago sativa, and both dried leaves of Medicago sativa as well as the juice, extracts and concentrates of the juice or extracts of Medicago sativa.

Algae includes marine algae, and specifically brown algaes, including those from the Laminaria family, and green algaes. Algae is generally prepared in a dried formulation, but may be powdered or an extract.

Blessed thistle includes Cnicus benedictus.

Gota kola includes Centalla asiatica, also known as Hydrocotyle asiatica.

Peppermint includes Mentha peperita, and primarily the leaves of Mentha peperita.

Licorice includes Glycyrrhiza glabra, and primarily dried root of Glycyrrhiza glabra.

Yerba santa includes Eriodictyon californicum.

Yerba matte, also called yerba mate, includes llex paraguaiensis.

Comfrey includes Symphytum officinale, and primarily dried root of Symphytum officinale.

Lobelia, also called lobella, includes Lobelia inflata.

St. John's Wort includes Hypericum perforatum.

The present invention comprises a mixture of selected natural herbs and other natural products that a person smokes to help alleviate a smoker's addictive craving for nicotine containing products. The herbal composition comprises mullein leaves and a mixture comprising algae and/or other sea greens, and alfalfa and/or alfalfa extracts ("sea green mixture"). In a preferred embodiment, Wachters' Organic Sea Food No. 3 ("Wachters") obtained from Wachters' Organic Sea Products Corp. of San Francisco, Calif. is used as the source of the algae and alfalfa products. Other ingredients found in Wachters', include chlorophyll, carotene, cereal solids, natural mint, vitamin C, fructose, rose hips, acerola, lemon bioflavinoids, hesperidin complex, rulin, natural orange flavor, and calcium and potassium plant sweetener.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises a sea green mixture or a Wachters' type mixture, mullein leaves and comfrey root. This may include approximately equal quantities, by weight, of algae, alfalfa leaves, mullein leaves and comfrey root. Other components can include blessed thistle, gota kola, lobelia or St. John's wort, as well as any one or more of flavoring components, including peppermint leaves, licorice root, yerba santa, and yerba matte.

In one embodiment, the composition comprises approximately 5 to 40 percent by weight, and preferably 10 to 25 percent by weight of sea green mixture or a Wachters' type mixture and approximately 5 to 40 percent by weight, and preferably 10 to 25 percent by weight of mullein leaves. The composition further comprises blessed thistle and/or gota kola. In the preferred embodiment, the composition comprises approximately 5 to 40 percent by weight, and preferably 10 to 25 percent by weight of blessed thistle and/or approximately 5 to 40 percent by weight, and preferably 10 to 25 percent by weight of gota kola. The composition further comprises a natural flavoring selected from the following group; peppermint leaves, licorice root, licorice spice tea mix, yerba santa, yerba matte, and any combination thereof. The flavorings of the composition comprise approximately 10 to 40 percent by weight, and preferably 10 to 25 weight percent. The composition may also include at least one of the following; comfrey root, licorice root, lobelia, and St. John's wort.

The herbal components generally are available individually whole, sliced, crushed, powdered, or extracts, etc., and are mixed either manually or automatically with a common mixer hopper according to selected weight compositions. The selected compositions are provided in packaging known in the art for tobacco products. Alternatively, a user can either roll the user's own herbal cigarettes, or can use a commercially available cigarette roller device. In addition, a user may employ a pipe, including a small pipe, to smoke the herbal composition.

In another embodiment of the invention, the composition comprises approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent sea green mixture or a Wachters' type mixture, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent mullein leaves, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent blessed thistle, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent gota kola, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent yerba matte, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent lobelia, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent St. John's wort, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent licorice root, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent comfrey root, and approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent peppermint leaves.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent sea green mixture or a Wachters' type mixture, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent mullein leaves, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent blessed thistle, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent gota kola, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent yerba santa, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent lobelia, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent St. John's wort, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent licorice root, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent comfrey root approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent licorice spice, and approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent peppermint leaves.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent sea green mixture or a Wachters' type mixture, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent mullein leaves, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent blessed thistle, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent gota kola, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent licorice spice, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent St. John's wort, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent licorice root, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent comfrey root, and approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent peppermint leaves.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent sea green mixture or a Wachters' type mixture, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent mullein leaves, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent blessed thistle, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent gota kola, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent yerba santa, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent licorice spice, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent St. John's wort, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent licorice root, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent comfrey root, a nd approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent peppermint leaves.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent sea green mixture or a Wachters' type mixture, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent mullein leaves, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent blessed thistle, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent gota kola, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent St. John's wort, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent licorice root, approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent comfrey root, and approximately 5 to 20 percent by weight, and preferably 8 to 15 weight percent peppermint leaves.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises, in lieu of the described Wachters' type mixture, a mixture consisting of algae and alfalfa. The algae and alfalfa may be in approximately equal quantities by volume or by weight, both being dried preparations. Alternatively, the alfalfa component may include a concentrate of an alfalfa juice or extract.

In any embodiment of the invention, it is also possible to include ascorbic acid or vitamin C, including herbal or other organic materials rich in vitamin C. In one embodiment, there is between about 50 mg and 100 mg of vitamin C for each level teaspoon of the combination of algae and alfalfa in the preparation.

An embodiment containing at least a Vebascum thapsus component, an algae component, a Medicago sativa component, and a Symphytum officinale component will provide the user with a decreased craving or desire for tobacco, and further provides healing benefits to ameliorate the deleterious effects of tobacco use. Such healing benefits include healing of the lungs and general strengthening of the immune system.

Claim 1 of 17 Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A composition for use as a tobacco substitute for aiding in the cessation of tobacco use, comprising:

a Vebascum thapsus component;

an algae component;

a Medicago sativa component; and

a Symphytum officinale component.
 

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