Compositions and methods for the treatment of aches and pains

Abstract

Provided are methods and compositions useful for treating aches and/or pains. The compositions comprise an aqueous medium having dispersed or dissolved therein an herbal therapeutic agent and/or an analgesic agent, wherein the composition is effective when delivered to the mucosal membrane.

1 . A composition comprising an aqueous medium having dispersed or dissolved therein 
 an analgesic selected from the group consisting aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and any combination thereof in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 0.35% by weight.    
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising feverfew at a concentration of about 0.01% to 0.35%.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising white willow bark.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of butterbur extract, goldenseal extract, dandelion extract, polyporous extract, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate, and any combination thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a vitamin, a vitamin derivative, a wetting agent, a preservative, and an emulsifier.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 5 , wherein the emulsifier is glycerin.  
     
     
         7 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         8 . A method of treating a subject disposed to a headache, comprising administering a composition of any one of  claims 1  to  6 .  
     
     
         9 . A method of treating as subject disposed to a disorder of aches and/or pains, comprising administering to a mucus membrane of the subject an aqueous composition comprising: 
 an analgesic selected from the group consisting aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and any combination thereof in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 0.35% by weight in the aqueous medium,    wherein the composition is administered in an amount effective to treat or reduce the severity of the aches and/or pains.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the administering is by contacting a mucus membrane of the subject with the composition.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the mucus membrane is found in the sinonasal cavities or mouth.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the disorder of aches and/or pains is selected from the group consisting of a headache, a migraine headache, a pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), a back pain or ache, and a sports associated pain or ache.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the disorder of aches and/or pains is a headache.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the headache is a migraine.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the administration is to a sinonasal cavity and/or a sublingual space.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the aches and/or pains are due to pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS).  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the PMS comprises a headache.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the administration is to a sinonasal cavity and/or a sublingual space.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising feverfew at a concentration of about 0.01% to 0.35%.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising white willow bark.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the composition further comprises an agent selected from the group consisting of butterbur extract, goldenseal extract, dandelion extract, polyporous extract, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate, and any combination thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a surfactant, a vitamin, a vitamin derivative, a wetting agent, a preservative, and an emulsifier.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the emulsifier is glycerin.  
     
     
         24 . (Canceled)  
     
     
         25 . A nasal spray comprising the composition of any one of  claims 1  to  6 .  
     
     
         26 . A sublingual spray comprising the composition of any one of  claims 1  to  6 .  
     
     
         27 . A composition comprising a sprayable aqueous medium having dispersed or dissolved therein an analgesic selected from the group consisting white willow bark, butterbur extract, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and any combination thereof in an amount of from about 0.001% to about 0.35% by weight of the aqueous carrier, wherein the sprayable aqueous medium is tolerant to mucus membranes.