WELLNESS DRINK AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

Abstract

A wellness drink is disclosed comprising a mixture of apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, lemon juice, honey, olive oil and at least two spices selected from cayenne pepper, cinnamon, turmeric and ginger. The wellness drink may be high pressure processed to cold pasteurize the drink and then refrigerated and bottled. The typical ten ounce serving for an adult may be taken in the morning with breakfast. The drink may be sold comprising the liquid and spice ingredients without the water to save weight and then mixed with pure water. If taken on a regular basis, the wellness drink may reduce abdominal pain, belching and bloating and induce weight loss and a general sense of well-being. The drink tastes like apple cider with added spices and has a dark yellow orange color. Other forms include capsule, a tea bag, a spice pack and a pill.

Claims

1. A tea bag comprising the following ingredients, the range of amount of each ingredient being between approximately teaspoon and approximately teaspoon, turmeric, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.

2. A tea bag as in claim 1, wherein the portions of ingredients comprise approximately teaspoon of turmeric, teaspoon of ground ginger, teaspoon of cinnamon, and teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] Embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the following accompanying Figures:

[0021] FIG. 1 is a wellness drink recipe showing a table of volume in ounces versus ranges of a wellness drink for a portion between six and thirty ounces;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a further production formula showing the ingredients percent compositions as a range including a preferred value and the value of grams of the identified ingredient;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a typical high pressure processing where a very high pressure applied to a mixture of ingredients is added to pure water and then succumbs to a pressure which may reach a level of 87,000 psi. Such a pressure is known to perform a cold pasteurization of the mixture, the final step being to unload the wellness drink product and bottle the product, for example, in single serving bottles between six and twelve ounces.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a black and white drawing of apparatus 400 showing the measurement of pH of a first prototype production sample at 3.42. As described herein, the pH appears to be within a range of 3.07+or 0.20.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a black and white drawing of high pressure processing equipment 500 which exemplifies the process shown in FIG. 3 where a container of ingredients in placed on a first platform 510, water is introduced from a tank, the mixture of ingredients is placed under extreme pressure exhibited by the pressure tank 520 and output to a final platform 530 having been cold pasteurized by the process. The high pressure will induce some chemical reactions among the ingredients: for example, the acids, the honey and the aloe vera.

[0026] These and other features of the present wellness drink will be described in the DETAILED DESCRIPTION which follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Generally provided herein are various compositions and methods that provide general analgesic relief of abdominal pain and for the treatment of weight gain in mammals. Present embodiments include methods of treating or preventing abdominal pain caused e.g., from eating processed foods and generally eating or drinking to excess, including stomach bloating, belching, abdominal pain, gas pain and other abdominal pain. Also included are methods of making the wellness drink compositions herein for commercial production.

[0028] Various combinations of natural products for wellness have been tried in the past, but the potency and effect of such products was not sufficient to replace prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) digestive improvement products that are synthetically derived in a laboratory. The present inventors discovered that particular combinations of ingredients have unexpectedly superior abdominal pain relieving effects and provide for varying degrees of intestinal tract cleansing and weight loss. The potency of the present compositions is much higher for the general relief of abdominal pain than that of prior over-the-counter products and prescription medications. Therefore, the present compositions can be safely used as a substitute for synthetic abdominal pain relievers, while retaining the safety of a natural product. The only expected synthesis is any chemical reactions that may be caused during high pressure processing (HPP) which performs a cold pasteurization.

[0029] The aspects, advantages and/or other features of example embodiments of the invention will become apparent in view of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments of the present invention provided herein are merely exemplary and illustrative and not limiting. Numerous embodiments of modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention and equivalents thereto. Any publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0030] In describing example embodiments, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to this specific terminology.

[0031] As used herein, a or an may mean one or more. As used herein, another may mean at least a second, third, fourth or more and so on. Furthermore, unless otherwise required by context, singular terms include pluralities and plural terms include the singular.

[0032] As used herein, composition, therapeutic composition, recipe, and formulation may be used interchangeably and refer to a combination of elements that is presented together for a given purpose. Such terms are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0033] As used herein, the term core ingredient is intended to encompass those ingredients of the present composition that are the most important in the present compositions and methods. According to non-limiting example embodiments, compositions provided herein include at least the following five core ingredients, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, aloe vera liquid or gel, honey, olive oil, and a medicinal mixture of spices which may comprise cayenne pepper, turmeric, ginger and cinnamon. According to other example embodiments, core ingredients may include or exclude one or more additional or different ingredients than those listed above, such as cinnamon or one or more synergistic ingredients or other natural ingredients that may be used to treat a mammal in need of treatment.

[0034] As used herein, the term synergistic ingredient is intended to encompass natural ingredients that are not necessarily core ingredients in the present compositions, but may be added or subtracted from the present compositions for example to add to the abdominal pain relief that may be achieved by the compositions, or to add to the synergistic effects to be achieved by the present compositions, or to improve efficacy, etc. Non-limiting example embodiments of possible synergistic ingredients include one or more ingredients selected from cinnamon and ginger.

[0035] The terms drug and active ingredients are used herein to include any drug or other active ingredient that may be added or caused by HPP processing of the ingredients when placed under high pressure pasteurization and refrigeration in addition to the core and synergistic ingredients for treating mammals for a variety of different abdominal and other conditions. Such drugs or active ingredients are not intended for production or for commercial sale and promotion but may be appropriately added for relief of particular stomach/abdominal conditions.

[0036] By way of non-limiting example embodiment, additional core ingredients or other drugs or active ingredients that may be added to the present compositions may include the addition of Green Tea, and possibly Fish Oil and certain so-called Essential Fatty acids, calcium and/or other minerals. These terms are not meant to be limiting and may include any active ingredient and drug known to those skilled in the art, which may be incorporated in the formulations herein.

[0037] The terms core ingredients, synergistic ingredients, and active ingredients and drugs are intended to encompass such ingredients in all forms including, but not limited to extracts, powders, analogs, waxes, prodrugs, salts and/or crystalline forms thereof as would be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0038] The term excipient is used herein to include pharmaceutically acceptable inert substances added to a drink formulation to give e.g., a desired consistency or form, or used as a carrier. Non-limiting examples of excipients that may be included in the present compositions and/or formulations herein may include, but are not limited to binders, fillers, diluents, lubricants, disintegrants, super-disintegrants, and other excipients known to those skilled in the art, depending e.g., on the composition being formed, method of formation, active ingredient(s) being used, etc.

[0039] Recommended Dosage and Use

[0040] A recommended dosage is for an adult to consume a ten ounce bottle each morning. However, dosage levels for younger or thinner patients may be reduced to, for example, six or eight ounces and the bottled product may be sold in quart, liter, half-liter or other sized bottles, stored refrigerated and poured into an appropriately sized container for consumption.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a representative recipe for a wellness drink which at least induces abdominal health and is shown comprising a range of values with the center value, in ounces or teaspoons (the spices) being a preferred value. The claims are not intended to be limiting but may include fewer or greater numbers of ingredients than the nine shown and olive oil in an early prototype was replaced with coconut oil. The coconut oil was not found to comprise an ingredient that could be utilized in a product due to physical and chemical changes caused by HPP. On the other hand, a recipe may include coconut oil if the recipe is made at home or in a laboratory or factory without HPP processing.

[0042] The values of total ounces show a range of values that may be used for a smaller portion such as six or eight ounces or a larger portion such as two pints or one quart of thirty-two ounces. Larger or smaller quantities may be sold and maintained refrigerated until used. The value in the center was the first value selected for dosage at twelve ounces.

[0043] The initial recipe comprises purified water; apple cider vinegar (preferably raw and unfiltered); aloe vera juice or gel (for example, made from the whole leaf or stems of an aloe vera plant); freshly squeezed lemon juice (for example, cold-pressed and not from concentrate which has been processed); and olive (or coconut oil) where the olive oil is preferably extra virgin olive oil and organic. Four spices are shown in this initial recipe comprising cayenne pepper, ground ginger, cinnamon and turmeric each in quantities of one-half teaspoon for a twelve ounce serving. Preferred quantities for a twelve ounce morning serving for an adult are six ounces of purified water, one and one half ounces of each of apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, lemon juice and one ounce of honey, preferably clover honey.

[0044] Elimination of the water from the wellness drink mixture permits one to purchase a container saving a considerable volume of water and so may be mixed at home with an appropriate volume of pure water, for example, once per day. Other forms of the wellness drink will be discussed herein including a tea, a capsule and a pill form.

[0045] Production of a Prototype Wellness Drink

[0046] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a table showing a typical composition of a ten ounce adult serving comprising most of the original ingredients of the original recipe. Again, there are shown ranges of values with the center value (the value being the center value of three values forming a range of values) being a preferred value for commercial production. Not all values of the ranges are discussed below but are clearly seen in FIG. 2. The values (range or preferred) of each ingredient are shown in percent and in grams per ten ounce serving. Filtered or other water, for example, spring water, preferably comprises 60.24% of the volume and 178.31 grams; apple cider vinegar comprises 11.97% and 35.43 grams, aloe vera gel (replacing juice) may comprise preferably 0.20% by volume and 0.59 grams; lemon juice (freshly cold squeezed) and raw honey, for example. clover honey, may comprise the same 11.97% by volume which also comprises the number of grams at 11.97 grams; and extra virgin olive oil may comprise 2% by volume and 5.92 grams.

[0047] There are four spices in the preferred wellness drink product for commercialization: these are cayenne pepper (ground) and cinnamon (ground) at a preferred value of 0. 20% each and 0.59 grams; turmeric (ground) is at a preferred value of 0.25% and 0.74 grams; and ginger made as a pulp or puree is at a preferred value of 1.00% and 2.960 grams. A ten ounce serving (the bottle should be refrigerated until used and after if the entire bottle is not consumed at one time) comprises two hundred ninety-six grams as a preferred value within a range of two to four hundred grams. Subsequent to FIG. 1 showing a twelve ounce serving, a ten ounce morning serving appeared to be preferable, and is shown in plans for making product, FIG. 2.

[0048] Eliminating the water from the wellness drink may form a mixture of ingredients which may, in turn, be preserved refrigerated and then mixed with an appropriate amount of pure water before drinking. Shipping of 178 grams of water per serving is saved per FIG. 2 for a pouch or other container which will make a ten ounce serving when mixed with the container of other ingredients. The remaining amount of ingredients weigh only 118 grams per ten ounce serving and may be sold as a six pack or a twelve pack in a store. HPP is recommended for the pouch embodiment to cold pasteurize the ingredients followed by refrigeration for preservation.

[0049] A flowchart of high pressure processing for cold pasteurization 300 is shown in FIG. 3. A mixture of ingredients (except water) is formed and loaded into a staging area at step 310 of HPP process 300 using the HPP equipment, for example, from Hiperbaric USA as seen in FIG. 5. As discussed above there may be from eight to ten ingredients preferably or between five and twelve ingredients depending on the above-discussed possible additional ingredients depending on a particular application. At step 320, filtered, spring or other clean water is introduced into a container vessel at step 320, still in the staging area of FIG. 5. The contents of the container vessel are then transferred for HPP processing to a large pressure tank with pressure gauges as seen in FIG. 5. HPP subjects a mixture of an embodiment to between 43,500 psi and 87,000 psi with an average pressure of about 60,000 psi. Step 330 shows the pressurization process itself and shows that Hyperbaric equipment may apply a pressurization (cold) at between forty and eighty-thousand pounds per square inch to the water mixture (or mixture without water added) in the container vessel. At step 340 the pressure vessel is unloaded and the pressurized mixture is unloaded and deposited, for example, in a ten ounce serving bottle or a pouch (without water added) or other container and refrigerated for preserving freshness.

[0050] Testing for pH Level and Sugar Content

[0051] Ideally for commercialization, a wellness drink should have a low or more acidic pH level, for example, with a range of 2.5 to 3.75. Clearly, one does not want to have an even lower value which can cause acid indigestion. The preferred mixture after HPP processing was tested for pH level and has been retested several times such that, referring to FIG. 4, the initial prototype was tested and exhibited a pH level of 3.42. Upon further testing, it was determined that the range of pH values for the wellness tonic were 3.07+or 0.20.

[0052] The Food and Drug Administration requires that all labels showing ingredients of a canned or bottled food or drink comprise a nutrition label. For certain ingredients values are shown for those ingredients, except sugar content which can include additional sugar content added during food processing where the actual value of sugar must be shown whether natural or added to the food or drink. Sugar content of an aqueous solution is known in the art as a brix value in degrees. The range of Brix values for the wellness drink of the present invention was measured at 12.3 + or 0.20 Bx. There is no sugar added to this drinksimply the sugar content found in the ingredients such as the apple cider vinegar and the lemon juice.

[0053] A table is shown below for the nutrition label for the present wellness drink. A range of values is not shown except for a wellness tonic ten ounce serving as refrigerated and maintained:

TABLE-US-00001 Nutrition Facts Calories 180 Total Fat 5 grams 8% Saturated Fat 1 gram 4% Sodium 5 mg 0% Total Carbohydrates 32 grams 12% Total Sugars 28 grams Protein 5 grams Calcium 31 mg 2% Vitamin A 75 mcg 8% Vitamin C 12 mg 15% Vitamin E 1 mg 6%

[0054] The values for calcium through Vitamin E to the right in percent represent the percent minimum daily requirement (mdr) for the given nutrient.

[0055] The taste of the wellness drink, if maintained in a refrigerated state before drinking, is akin to apple cider with spice. Its natural color, if refrigerated as recommended, is a dark yellow orange.

[0056] Example embodiments as discussed above are also directed to methods of making the compositions or formulations herein. Such methods may include known HPP as well as other methods, especially refrigeration once the wellness drink or drink less water is produced.

[0057] A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Liquid components must be dried and maintained refrigerated, for example, lemon juice or lemon peel or dried apple may be used in a capsule or pill. Dry citric acid is known but is missing the taste of lemon juice. Similarly, dry organic aloe vera powder is known for making a pill or capsule. Olive oil may be condensed and made into a form of wax suitable for forming into capsule form or as a coating for a pill. Dry honey powder is known. Drying acetic acid forms a crystalline substance but lacks the apple taste. Thus, once a day pills or capsules are possible but the wellness drink composition with or without water added is preferred.

[0058] Liquid preparations for oral administration may take the form of, for example, solutions, syrups or suspensions, or they may be presented as a dry product for reconstitution with water or other suitable vehicles before use. Such liquid preparations may be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, methyl cellulose, or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agents (e.g., lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles (e.g., extra virgin olive oil, aloe vera juice or honey in greater quantity may be used but is not as preferred as filtered or spring water.

[0059] Also encompassed herein are methods of treating a mammal (including, but not limited to humans). Example methods include administering the wellness drink to a mammal in need thereof, an effective amount of a composition or formulation provided herein in liquid form on a daily basis, preferably as a morning ritual.

[0060] Such administration, for example in the case of a ten ounce bottle, is typically by oral administration to a mammal and may replace other breakfast juices such as orange, grapefruit or tomato juice. Other forms of administration known to those skilled in the art are contemplated, depending on the formulation. By way of non-limiting example embodiment, other potential methods of administration may include methods known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, intraperitoneally, intravenously, orally, subcutaneously, intradermally, transdermally (e.g. pain patch), intramuscularly, intravascularly, endotracheally, intraosseously, intra-arterially, intravesicularly, intrapleurally, topically, intraventricularly, or through a lumbar puncture (intrathecally).

[0061] Formulations, such as from a ten ounce serving bottle, may be used for treating mammals for a variety of different conditions. The bottle less the water can be prepared as a pre-mixture for adding pure water as discussed above as a pouch. The present embodiments are generally to be used for the symptomatic relief of abdominal pain, such as minor to moderate acute pain (such as toothaches, menstrual cramps, heart conditions, inflammation of the intestinal tract, gas pains, etc.). Thus, the wellness drink compositions herein should be taken as directed, for example, once per day, until the bloating, belching, over weight condition or other condition is relieved.

[0062] The natural and organic composition of this wellness drink invention may involve the chemical reaction of two or more ingredients. For example, while an acid will not react with another acid, it is conceivable that the lemon or apple cider vinegar ingredients which comprise mild acid pH levels may react with another ingredient including aloe vera, honey and the spices to form a new ingredeient.

[0063] The present wellness drink compositions of the present invention are unlike any other wellness drink product on the market. A bottle, pouch, capsule, pill, spice pack, or tea bag may combine certain of the ingredients for the analgesic effect of natural anti-inflammatories and also support gastro-intestinal health. Example compositions according to the present application are believed to be safer, more potent, and provide effective, lasting relief of pain from many conditions including, for example, toothaches, menstrual cramps, stomach aches, bloating and belching, abdominal inflammation, chronic abdominal pain, etc.

[0064] Aloe vera is extracted from the aloe vera plant leaves and stems. Once an appropriate mixture of fresh leaves is obtained, the leaves of the mixture are then pulverized, in order to rupture the cells of the leaves, and the mixture is maintained for an amount of time sufficient to release intracellular material from the leaves and create a liquid from the leaf body or a gel from the aloe vera plant leaf stems. It should be understood that any method of pulverizing which physically ruptures the leaf cells, such as homogenizing, milling, grinding, chopping, blending, cutting, tearing, etc., may be used. A number of specific devices that may be suitably used to pulverized the aloe vera leaves in the leaf liquid or gel will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art, such as homogenizer, colloidal mills, stone mills, ball mills or tangential fluid energy mills. In accordance with the present method, the leaves in the aloe vera plant may be subjected to various degrees of pulverization. However, in one aspect, at least about 75% of all leaf cells may be ruptured. In another aspect, at least about 80% to about 99% of all leaf cells may be ruptured. Similar considerations should be given to ginger and making a puree or other liquid or powder of the ginger root.

[0065] The specific degree of pulverization, as well as other factors such as the exact type of plant used, the time of year at which the leaves or roots were harvested, and the amount of time that the leaf or root is maintained refrigerated following pulverization, will determine the efficiency of the overall extract process.

[0066] Over time, it has been observed that some of the components rise to the surface of the drink during refrigeration and other components precipitate to the bottom. During use, it may be appropriate to shake the drink to form a mixture of the components before drinking the wellness drink.

[0067] A spice pack may be used to flavor meats and vegetables from the four spices in combination.

[0068] Moreover, a tea bag may be formed of the spices and the powders of the typically liquid ingredients for making a hot or cold tea. It is contemplated that the wellness drink may be adapted for serving via a tea bag as is well known in the art. The tea bag is simple added to boiling water as well known and allowed to steep for, for example, a range of five to fifteen minutes, preferably, ten to twelve minutes. The values of each ingredient may range in value from approximately teaspoon to approximately teaspoon. For example, a teaspoon measurement may be a level teaspoon or a rounded teaspoon such that there is more ingredient than a level teaspoon. The following table provides an exemplary embodiment of the portions for making a teabag comprising the listed ingredients. The exemplary embodiment of the recipe for a tea bag combination of spices is as follows for an eight ounce cup of tea:

TABLE-US-00002 Approximately teaspoon Turmeric Approximately teaspoon Ground ginger Approximately teaspoon Cinnamon Approximately .sup.th teaspoon Cayenne pepper

[0069] It is suggested that organic raw and unfiltered honey such as clover honey be added to sweeten the hot tea which can be stirred into the hot tea. The amount of honey to be added is to one's taste but may comprise, for example, one teaspoon. Additional flavors of the tea may be obtained by adding dry powdered apple cider vinegar, cinnamon and/or fresh lemon juice or added lemon juice powder to the tea bag.

[0070] Although the wellness drink invention has been described in example embodiments and a method of processing disclosed, additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the inventions herein may be practiced other than as specifically described, for example with respect to the formulation type, portion size per day, use in the evening as well as in the morning or other time of day, etc. Thus, the present embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it is intended that such changes and modifications fall within the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.