TRANSDERMAL RICINOLEIC ACID COMPOSITIONS
Transdermal compositions containing castor oil are described. The compositions comprise ricinoleic acid and a transdermal vehicle with optional additional agents. One optional additional agent is an adrenergic drug which may cause the ricinoleic acid to penetrate the skin more deeply and have a longer lasting effect. The compositions can be used for treating a variety of ailments traditionally treated with castor oil or castor oil packs, without the mess and inconvenience of using castor oil packs.
1 - 22 . (canceled)
23 . A method for treating an ailment comprising topically administering to a subject having the ailment a transdermal composition comprising:
a transdermal vehicle; and
ricinoleic acid in an amount effective to treat the ailment.
24 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 23 , wherein the transdermal vehicle is a lecithin organogel.
25 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 23 , wherein the transdermal vehicle is selected from the group consisting of: lotions; liposomes; vesicles; phospholipids; transferosomes; solid lipid nanoparticles; fatty acids; fatty acid esters; oleic acid; terpenes; limonene; surfactants; polysorbate; Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate; DMSO; ethanol; lauracapram and its derivatives; and 2-n-nonyl-1,3-dioxolane and its derivatives; and mixtures thereof.
26 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 23 , wherein the ailment is selected from the group consisting of: lymphatic congestion; swollen lymph nodes; headache; migraine headache; sore throat; chronic fluid retention; arthritis; upper respiratory infections; Crohn's disease; colitis; gallbladder disease; boils; liver cirrhosis, liver hepatitis; liver enlargement; liver congestion; menstrual-related congestion; appendicitis; hyperactivity; constipation, bowel impaction; bowel adhesions; bladder infections; vaginal infections; muscle strains; ligament sprains; immune system depression; nerve inflammation; sciatica; shingles; Parkinson's disease; multiple sclerosis; cerebral palsy; skin keratosis; ringworm; fungal and bacterial infections; cuts; wounds; abdominal stretch marks; bursitis; sebaceous cysts; warts; senile lentigo; and itching.
27 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 23 , further comprising an adrenergic drug.
28 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 27 , wherein the adrenergic drug is selected from the group consisting of: phenylephrine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, phenylpropanolamine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and oxymetcoline.
29 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 27 , wherein the adrenergic drug is present in an amount of about 0.001% to about 0.1% of the weight of the final composition.
30 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 23 , further comprising guaifenesin.
31 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 23 , further comprising a therapeutic agent.
32 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 31 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of: copper, magnesium, manganese, selenium, sodium, potassium, zinc, nickel, cobalt and iron, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
33 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 31 , wherein the therapeutic agent is a homeopathic agent.
34 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 33 , wherein the homeopathic agent is selected from the group consisting of kali muriaticum, sulphur, agentum nitricum, hippozenum, and mixtures thereof.
35 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 31 , wherein the therapeutic agent in an amount of about 10 −10 % to about 30% of the weight of the final composition.
36 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 23 , further comprising guaifenesin.
37 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 26 , wherein the guaifenesin is present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 30% of the weight of the final composition.
38 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 23 , wherein the transdermal vehicle is present in an amount of about 10% to about 70% of the weight of the final composition.
39 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 23 , wherein the ricinoleic acid is in the form of castor oil.
40 . The method of treating an ailment of claim 39 , wherein the castor oil is present in an amount of about 30% to about 75% of the weight of the final composition.