Apparatus and methods for relief of abdominal discomfort

Abstract

Therapy apparatus and method for use on, among others, human infants. In one embodiment, the apparatus provides apryrogenic enhancement of body heat production by external application of heated rubefacient herbs and seeds of the botanical family Crucifererae, in an elastic breathable and flexible fabric belt. Heating of the herbal belt in a microwave of other facility produces radiant heat, which when the apparatus is placed around the abdominal wall of an infant's body, provides therapy. A balance of enhanced body heat combined with the body's dissipation of heat creates a steady warming of the abdomen in conjunction with the relaxing olfactory effects of the herbal scents.

1 . Apparatus for treating a condition afflicting a living subject, comprising: 
 therapy apparatus;    retaining apparatus at least partly comprising a substantially permeable fabric and configured to dispose and retain said therapy apparatus proximate to a portion of the subject's anatomy, said retaining apparatus comprising an adjustable waistband, said therapy apparatus being removable from said retaining apparatus;    wherein said living subject comprises an infant, said condition comprises colic, and said portion comprises the front central abdomen of the infant.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said therapy apparatus comprises natural components comprising at least three of the following: (i) berries hard red spring wheat; (ii) flax seed; (iii) peppermint; (iv) spearmint; (v) yarrow flower; (vi) lavender; (viii) chamomile; and (viii) lemon grass; and 
 wherein said therapy apparatus also comprises a substantially permeable fabric.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising an internal heat source disposed proximate to said natural components.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said internal heat source comprises whole grain rice.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said internal heat source comprises a substantially sealed chemical exothermic heat source.  
   
   
       6 . A method of apyrogenic enhancement of body heat production by application of an apparatus comprising herbs and seeds of rubefacient varieties selected from the Cruciferae class of botanical herbs heated and applied to the abdomen, whereby a balance of body heat enhancement and dissipation of heat maintains a body warming effect at a substantially steady level; 
 wherein said herbs and seeds are substantially contained in a permeable and removable pouch.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said abdomen comprises the abdomen of an infant human.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said herbs and seed comprise at least three of the following: (i) berries hard red spring wheat; (ii) flax seed; (iii) peppermint; (iv) spearmint; (v) yarrow flower; (vi) lavender; (viii) chamomile; and (viii) lemon grass.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said apparatus comprises an internal heat source disposed proximate to said natural components and adapted to generate heat.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said internal heat source comprises whole grain rice, and said generating heat comprises heating said rice in a microwave oven.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said internal heat source comprises a substantially sealed chemical exothermic heat source, and said generating heat comprises mixing two or more chemicals to produce an exothermic reaction.  
   
   
       12 . A method of apyrogenic enhancement of body heat production by application of apparatus containing herbs and seeds of rubefacient varieties selected from the Cruciferae class of botanical herbs heated and applied to the abdomen of a subject, whereby an aromatic discharge of fragrant herbal aroma provides therapy to said subject; and 
 wherein said herbs and seeds are substantially contained in a permeable and removable pouch.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said subject comprises an infant human.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said herbs and seeds comprise at least three of the following: (i) berries hard red spring wheat; (ii) flax seed; (iii) peppermint; (iv) spearmint; (v) yarrow flower; (vi) lavender; (viii) chamomile; and (viii) lemon grass.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said apparatus comprises an internal heat source disposed proximate to said natural components and adapted to generate heat.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said internal heat source comprises whole grain rice, and said generating heat comprises heating said rice in a microwave oven.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said internal heat source comprises a substantially sealed, removable and replaceable chemical exothermic heat source, and said generating heat comprises mixing two or more chemicals to produce an exothermic reaction.  
   
   
       18 . A method of apyrogenic enhancement of body heat production by application of apparatus containing a removable compartment or pouch for insertion of an internal heat source which when applied to the abdomen, body heat enhancement and dissipation of heat cooperate to keep a body warming effect at a substantially steady level.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said abdomen comprises the abdomen of an infant human, and said apparatus comprises natural components comprising at least three of the following: (i) berries hard red spring wheat; (ii) flax seed; (iii) peppermint; (iv) spearmint; (v) yarrow flower; (vi) lavender; (viii) chamomile; and (viii) lemon grass; and 
 wherein said natural components do not comprise rosemary or cinnamon.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said internal heat source comprises a source selected from the group consisting of: (i) whole grain rice; and (ii) a substantially sealed chemical exothermic heat source.