FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a preparation or composition for treating itchy skin. Reference will be made in the specification to the use of the invention with respect to animals. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for use with dogs. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Itching can be very common in pets, especially dogs. Itching is one of the most common reasons dogs are taken to vets, with about 1 in 10 dogs suffering from itching.

Scratching of the skin can intensify itching and even cause further damage to the skin. Persistent scratching can lead to secondary skin infections and lesions. Itching can also lead to depression in animals.

There are a number of reasons why pets and dogs in particular may suffer from itchy skin, these can include insect bites, fleas, infections, food intolerances and allergies.

There are a number of ways that itching can be treated. These include the use of antihistamines, Corticosteroids, local anaesthetics and the application or ingestion of omega oils amongst others.

A problem with some of these treatments is that they can be harsh and have dangerous toxic side effects particularly with prolonged use. Steroids, both topically applied and orally ingested steroids can soften bones and affect the heart in dogs.

The application or ingestion of omega oils may be able to help prevent itching, but may not be sufficient to treat an existing itch.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the abovementioned problems with the treatment of itching and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a preparation for treating itchy skin, the preparation including

an extract from a plant from the plant family Asteraceae; and

an extract from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora

wherein both extracts are combined to form the preparation.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a preparation for treating itchy skin, the preparation including

an extract from a plant from the plant family Asteraceae;

an extract from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora; and a carrier oil,

wherein both extracts are combined with the carrier oil to form the preparation.

It will be appreciated that Cinnamomum camphora is a species of evergreen tree that is commonly known under the names camphor tree, camphorwood or camphor laurel.

Preferably, the plant of the plant family Asteraceae are daisies. Preferably the daisies are shasta daisies. More preferably the daisies are double shasta daisies. Preferably the daisies are of the species Leucanthemum x superbum. In one embodiment, the daisies are of the species Leucanthemum vulgare. In another embodiment, the daisies are of the species Glebionis coronaria. In another embodiment, the daisies are of the species Beilis perennis.

Preferably the extract from a plant of the plant family Asteraceae are taken from flower heads of the plants. In another embodiment, the extract from a plant of the plant family Asteraceae are taken from stems of the plants. In a further embodiment, the extract from a plant of the plant family Asteraceae are taken from the flower heads and the stems of the plants. In another embodiment, the extract from a plant of the plant family Asteraceae are taken from leaves of the plants. In a further embodiment, the extract from a plant of the plant family Asteraceae are taken from the seeds of the plant. Preferably the extract from a plant of the plant family Asteraceae are in the form of essential oils. Preferably the essential oils are extracted from the plant by distillation. More preferably the essential oils are extracted from the plant by steam distillation. In another embodiment, the essential oils are extracted by cold pressing. In a preferred embodiment, the essential oils are extracted by heating plant mater from a plant of the plant family Asteraceae in a carrier oil.

Preferably the extract from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora are taken from leaves of the plants. In another embodiment, the extracts from plants from the species Cinnamomum camphora are taken from wood of the plants. In a further embodiment, the extracts from plants from the species Cinnamomum camphora are taken from bark of the plants. Preferably the extracts from plants from the species Cinnamomum camphora are in the form of essential oils. Preferably the essential oils are extracted from the plants by distillation. More preferably the essential oils are extracted from the plants by steam distillation. In another embodiment, the essential oils are extracted by cold pressing. In a preferred embodiment, the essential oils are extracted by heating plant mater from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora in a carrier oil.

Preferably the extract from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora includes camphor. Preferably the extract from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora includes predominantly camphor. Preferably the extract from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora includes predominantly camphor with the chemical formula C10H16O. Preferably the extract from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora includes predominantly camphor in the (R)-form. In another embodiment, the extract from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora includes camphor in both the (R)-form and the (S)-form. In one embodiment the amount of camphor in the preparation is 11 % or less.

Reference to plants from the species Cinnamomum camphora includes one or more plants from the species Cinnamomum camphora.

Preferably the carrier oil is an oil including linoleic acid. Preferably the carrier oil is an oil including at least 20% linoleic acid. More preferably the carrier oil is an oil including at least 50% linoleic acid. In one embodiment, the carrier oil is a mineral based oil. In another embodiment, the carrier oil is an organic oil. In a further embodiment, the carrier oil is a vegetable based oil. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier oil is sunflower oil.

Preferably the flower heads of plants of the plant family Asteraceae are heated in the carrier oil to extract the essential oils.

Preferably the leaves from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora are heated in the carrier oil to extract the essential oils. Preferably the ratio of flower heads of plants of the plant family Asteraceae to leaves from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora to carrier oil is in the range of 0.5kg-4kg flower heads to 1 kg-3kg leaves to 4I-8I carrier oil. In another embodiment, the ratio of flower heads of plants of the plant family Asteraceae to leaves from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora to carrier oil is in the range of 200-400 flower heads to 1 kg-3kg leaves to 4I-8I carrier oil.

Preferably the flower heads of plants of the plant family Asteraceae and the leaves from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora are heated in the carrier oil for a predetermined amount of time. Preferably the flower heads of plants of the plant family Asteraceae and the leaves from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora are left to cool in the carrier oil for a predetermined amount of time and/or to a predetermined temperature. Preferably solid plant matter, from the flower heads of plants of the plant family Asteraceae and the leaves from a plant from the species Cinnamomum camphora in the carrier oil, above a predefined size are strained from the preparation.

Preferably the preparation can be applied to humans. Preferably the preparation can be applied to animals. Preferably the preparation can be applied to pets. Preferably the preparation can be applied to dogs, cats, horses and/or guineapigs. Preferably the preparation is a canine preparation.

Preferably the preparation is administered topically. Preferably the preparation is in a liquid form. In another embodiment, the preparation is in a cream form. The preparation may also be referred to as an anti-itch composition. In another embodiment, the preparation can be administered orally.

Preferably the preparation is used for enhancing and/or improving the skin condition of itchy skin. Preferably the preparation is used for enhancing and/or improving the skin condition of animals. More preferably, the preparation is used for enhancing and/or improving the skin condition of dogs.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a preparation including

essential oils extracted from daisies; and

essential oils extracted from one or more trees from the species Cinnamomum camphora.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a preparation including essential oils extracted from the flower heads of daisies;

essential oils extracted from the leaves of one or more camphor laurel trees; and

a carrier oil,

wherein the essential oils from the daisies and the essential oils from the one or more camphor laurel trees are mixed with the carrier oil.

Preferably the carrier oil is sunflower oil.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of preparing a preparation, including the steps of

extracting essential oils from plants of the plant family Asteraceae;

extracting essential oils from one or more trees from the species Cinnamomum camphora; and

mixing the essential oils.

Preferably the step of extracting essential oils from the plants of the plant family Asteraceae includes heating flower heads from the plants in a carrier oil. Preferably the flower heads are heated in the carrier oil. Preferably the flower heads are heated to 100°C. Preferably the step includes macerating the flower heads.

Preferably the step of extracting essential oils from the plants of the plant family Asteraceae includes heating stems and/or leaves from the plants in a carrier oil.

Preferably the step of extracting essential oils from one or more trees from the species Cinnamomum camphora includes heating leaves from the one or more trees in a carrier oil. Preferably the leaves are heated in the carrier oil. Preferably the leaves are heated to 100°C. Preferably the leaves are heated in the same carrier oil that the flower heads, stems and/or leaves from the plants of the plant family Asteraceae are heated in. Preferably the leaves are cut.

Preferably the step of combining the essential oils occurs as the essential oils are extracted into the carrier oil.

Preferably the carrier oil includes linoleic acid. Preferably the carrier oil includes linoleic acid at 20% or above. Preferably the carrier oil is sunflower oil.

Preferably the method further includes the step of straining solid plant matter above a predefined size from the preparation. In one embodiment, the predefined size is 1 mm in at least one dimension. ln another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of preparing a preparation, including the step of

combining essential oils from plants of the plant family Asteraceae with essential oils from one or more trees from the species Cinnamomum camphora.

Preferably the method further includes the step of extracting essential oils from plants of the plant family Asteraceae.

Preferably the method further includes the step of extracting essential oils from one or more trees from the species Cinnamomum camphora.

Preferably the step of combining the essential oils includes mixing the essential oils in a carrier oil. The step of combining the essential oils may involve actively mixing the essential oils or passively mixing the essential oils. Combining the essential oils may also be referred to as mixing the essential oils.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a topically appliable cream for treating itchy skin including a preparation as described in this specification. Preferably the cream is a canine anti-itch cream.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a topically appliable liquid including a preparation as described in this specification. Preferably the liquid is a canine anti-itch liquid.

The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated. Reference to a plant can also be reference to plants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a flow diagram of the preparation of a preparation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a flow diagram 10 of the manufacture of a preparation according to an embodiment of the present invention. At 12, a carrier oil is added. The carrier oil is sunflower oil. About 6 litres of sunflower oil is used.

At 14, plant matter from the plant family Asteraceae is added. More specifically, shasta daisy flower heads are added. Optionally, stems and/or leaves of daisies can also be added. About 350 shasta daisy flower heads are added.

At 14a, the plant matter is optionally macerated to increase the yield of essential oils from the plant matter.

At 16, plant matter from the species Cinnamomum camphora is added. More specifically, leaves from camphor laurel trees are added. Optionally, bark and/or wood of camphor laurel trees can also be added. About 2kg of leaves are added.

At 16a, the leaves are optionally cut to increase the yield of essential oils from the leaves.

At 18, the shasta daisy flower heads and the camphor laurel leaves are heated in the sunflower oil at around 100°C for around 30-40 minutes to release the essential oils from the daisy flower heads and the camphor laurel leaves into the sunflower oil.

At 20, the mixture is left to stand for about 60 minutes.

At 22, the mixture is strained to remove solid plant material. The straining takes place while the mixture is above 30°C.

At 24, the preparation is bottled for distribution and subsequent use.

ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the preparation includes that it can be applied topically. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the preparation includes providing a skin barrier function through the use of a carrier oil.

VARIATIONS

While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as“comprises” and“comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Where applicable, percentages are expressed as a weight percentage, alternatively, where appropriate percentages may be expressed as a volume percentage.