Causes of Sinusitis

Most common cause of sinusitis is a viral cold that infects the upper respiratory tract and causes obstruction (online report from Etkins, et al., 1999, Nidus Information Services, Inc., Well-Connected Report: Sinusitis, Jun. 1999, www.well-connected.com). Once obstruction has occurred, the stagnated environment is hospitable for bacteria. Most common bacteria linked to acute sinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, H. influenzae (common bacteria associated with respiratory infections in children), and Staphyloccocus aureus.

Fungi may also cause sinusitis. Researchers have found that 96% of chronic sinusitis patients have fungi present in their mucus smears (Mayo Clinic Proceedings, vol.74, p.877, 1999). Most common fungal species found in the nasal smears in this study included: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Candida, Cladosporium, Fusarium, and Penicillium. Fungal infections are more common in people with diabetes, leukemia, AIDS, conditions that impair the immune system, and those who consume medication that may impair immune functions, including corticosteroids. Fungal sinusitis usually occurs more often in warmer humid climates.

Chronic or recurrent acute sinusitis can become lifelong conditions that can damage surrounding tissues, including the creation of polyps, enlarged adenoids, cleft palate, or tumors.

Symptoms of Sinusitis

Nasal congestion and discharge which is thick and yellow or yellow-green are common symptoms of acute sinusitis. Pain in face and headache may also occur. Persistent cough may occur throughout the day. Fever may be present (Williams, M L, THE SINUSITIS HELP BOOK, Wiley, N.Y., 1998). Nasal congestion and obstruction are common in recurrent acute and chronic sinusitis, with symptoms lasting more than 2 months, even during non-allergy seasons. Chronic cough, post nasal drip, yellowish mucus discharge, and bad breath may result.

Depending on where the infections occurs, subsequent pain can occur. Frontal sinusitis causes pain across the lower forehead. Maxillary sinusitis may cause pain in the teeth, palate of the mouth, and cheek region.

Ethmoid sinusitis may cause pain behind the eyes. Sphenoid sinusitis may cause pain behind the eyes, across the forehead, or in the facial region (Rosin, D F, THE SINUS SOURCEBOOK, Contemporary, Chicago, 1998). Sinusitis of all forms is usually non-life threatening, yet can be debilitating with pain, side effects of medication, and the poor health that results from inability to breath fully.

Treatments of Sinusitis

Typical medical therapy for upper respiratory infections involves (Bruce & Grossan, THE SINUS CURE, Balantine, N.Y., 2001):

Home remedies for sinusitis include steam inhalation and warm compresses over the region to relieve discomfort (MacFarlane, M., THE SINUS HANDBOOK, USRP, Encinitas, Calif., 1997). Many over-the-counter (OTC) preparations are available, including decongestants that are delivered as tablets, sprays, or vapors. Prescription drugs and surgery are expensive and ladened with side effects and risks.

A Summary of the Properties of Ingredients of the Composition Baptisia Tinctoria

This agent is a homeopathic ingredient. The word "homeopathy" derives from the Greek word homoios meaning "similar" and pathos, meaning "suffering". Based on the principle of "like cures like", homeopathic remedies are dilutions of natural agents, including extracts from plants, animals, and minerals. Homeopathy was founded in the late 18^th century in Germany by a physician, Samuel Hahnemann. Dr. Hahnemann found that by ingesting extract of cinchona, which contains quinine that is used to cure malaria, he was able to develop the well-known symptoms of malaria. Hence, the expression "like cures like"(ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, p. 272, Future Medicine Publishing, Puyallup, Wash., 1993). Homeopathy uses an official compendium, HOMEOPATHIC PHARMACOPOEIA OF THE UNITED STATES, and has several main principles:

While most of modern allopathic drugs block biochemical pathways, homeopathy uses a more subtle energy system with no known side effects or deaths in its 180 year history. Over a half a billion people around the world use homeopathy as adjunctive or primary care for illness. The World Health Organization has cited homeopathy as one of the systems of traditional medicine that should be integrated worldwide to provide adequate global health care. Essentially, homeopathic remedies are extremely dilute mixtures of the substance that would induce the same symptoms one is attempting to cure. A 12× remedy, as is found in this invention, has been diluted 10¹² times. Homeopathic remedies are diluted then shaken (succussion). Baptisia tinctoria is considered to be antimicrobial in homeopathic medicine. The United States Food and Drug Administration recognizes homeopathic remedies as official drugs and regulates their manufacturing, labeling, and dispensing; although homeopathic remedies are not prescription drugs.

OREGANO is an antimicrobial herb with GRAS (generally regarded as safe) status with the Food and Drug Administration.

COLLOIDAL SILVER also has GRAS status and is a suspension of silver particles in water solution that exhibits antimicrobial activity.

GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT has GRAS status and is an extract from grapefruit seed with antimicrobial activity.

BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE is an FDA-approved preservative with antimicrobial value.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the principle objects of the present invention to eliminate microbes in the sinus passages that may cause inflammation and infections.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a composition which may be conveniently introduced through the nose with a simple plastic squeeze bottle which causes no discomfort to the user.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a simple, non-toxic, non-prescription, and effective means at reducing pathogenic microbes, dust, pollen, and general debris in the sinus passages for the immediate and residual benefits of improved health and reduced symptoms.

These and additional objects are attained by the present invention which, in the broadest sense, comprises a collection of synergistic and non-toxic agents that cleanse the sinuses, eliminate infectious agents, reduce swelling, and accelerate recovery from sinusitis without significant side effects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is a liquid or vapor that is inhaled, squirted, or vaporized into the nostrils and sinus cavities. It is of particular utility for use by persons who suffer from sinusitis, common colds, work around dust or fumes, travel by airlines often, or suffer from pollen and other allergies.

The composition includes a carrier, which can be water or dilute saline (salt water) solution. Saline solution is preferred since it confers an additional mild antimicrobial activity to the composition. Saline mists are commonly used by people with sinus congestion. Saline solutions are commonly sold at pharmacies as OTC preparations for sinus problems. Saline solutions are safe, but not sufficiently antimicrobial to resolve most cases of chronic sinusitis. Isotonic saline solutions, as found in this invention, attempt to mimic the concentration of salt in human bodily fluids, hence they usually do not irritate the sinus membranes.

Control and/or elimination of infective microbes in the sinuses can be achieved by using the ingredients listed in this patent: Baptisia tinctoria 12×, colloidal silver, grapefruit seed extract, and oregano. Other agents that may be of benefit in this nasal solution include, but are not limited to: oil of peppermint, spearmint, eucalyptol, methyl salicylate, and various other non-toxic, non-prescription antimicrobials.

The delivery method used for this composition can vary from plastic squeeze bottle, which squirts the composition into the sinus cavities, to an atomizer, or pump mister, which sprays fine particles of the composition into the sinuses.

No unusual discomfort for the user has been experienced in the 4000 people who have used this product. Many of the users have been afflicted with acute chronic sinusitis, hence inflamed mucus membranes can be fragile, even when saline solution is sprayed into the nose.

There are numerous advantages from the use of the composition. Nearly forty million Americans suffer from chronic sinusitis. Some of these people take prescription drugs, such as antibiotics, which may invite a fungal infection. Some of these people may use systemic steroid medication, which suppresses immune functions and has long term complications. Some of these people may use OTC products which induce drowsiness and could raise the risk for automobile accidents or other. By using the composition, these sinus sufferers can avoid the many side effects, high cost, and ineffectiveness that are often associated with traditional treatments for sinusitis.

Selected Case Studies Showing Successful Use of the Composition

Person 1: Male 51 years old. Experienced sinus congestion periodically for the past 40 years. Experienced blood in the nose for the past 10 years. Problem would worsen in certain climates and at certain times of the year, but never got better. Tried various over the counter sinus preparations, changed diet, took nutrition supplements-all to no avail. Used the composition for one week and began to feel significant relief. Blood in nose stopped. Congestion cleared up substantially. With continued use, claims breathing better than in the past 40 years.

Person 2: Female 62 years old. Experienced sinus congestion for 30 years, including regular use of over the counter sinus medications. Had undergone sinus surgery, which did not clear the problem. Began using the composition and felt substantial immediate relief. After 4 days of use, found green and yellow fungal balls expelled in mucus. Continued use of this product provides significant relief from sinus congestion and easier breathing.

Person 3: Female 65 years old. Experienced sinus congestion for 40+ years. Used many prescription and non-prescription medications for minor temporary relief of symptoms. Within 2 days of using the composition reported major improvements in breathing.

One individual who used the composition cancelled sinus surgery, due to the dramatic improvement from using the composition. Some individuals who used the composition have been able to cease dependency on inhalers, OTC, and prescription medication. Others have found improvements in apnea, snoring, sinus headaches, and asthma. Some individuals who used the composition have reported reduction in the incidence of colds after frequent airplane trips. If one examines a typical home air filter unit in the air conditioning or furnace, it is easy to see the pollen, dust, and debris that can accumulate in the sinus passages. Since the nose and sinuses work in a similar fashion by filtering the air entering the lung passage, regular cleansing of the sinuses with the composition has been shown to improve many aspects of health, including reduction in sinusitis and easier breathing.

EXAMPLE FORMULA FOR COMPOSITION

The following formula provides a representative example of the composition, including both percentages and amount used in a typical 4 ounce bottle:

The above listed formula for the composition has undergone extensive testing in 4000 users and has demonstrated exceptional effectiveness at cleansing the sinuses, reducing symptoms of sinusitis, and bringing about easier breathing.

Claim 1 of 3 Claims

1. An aqueous solution for treating sinusitis adapted to be sprayed into a nasal cavity, said solution comprising:

a) Baptisia tinctoria 12× from 1% to 99%, by vol,

b) colloidal silver from 0.01% to 10%, by vol,

c) grapefruit seed extract from 0.01% to 5%, by vol,

d) oregano juice from 0.01% to 5%, by vol.