US 2006O120990A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2006/0120990 A1 Stass (43) Pub. Date: Jun. 8, 2006

(54) COMPOSITION FOR TREATING HAIR AND Related U.S. Application Data SCALP AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME (60) Provisional application No. 60/632,195, filed on Dec. 2, 2004. Publication Classification (75) Inventor: Dirk Stass, Lumby (CA) (51) Int. Cl. 46R 8/97 (2006.01) Correspondence Address: A6IR 36/38 (2006.01) ANTONY C. EDWARDS A6IR 36/534 (2006.01) SUTE 200 - 270 HGHWAY 33 WEST A6IR 36/10 (2006.01) KELOWNA, BC V1X1X7 (CA) (52) U.S. Cl...... 424/74; 424/730; 424/747; 424/762; 424/778; 424/769 (73) Assignee: Testa Hair Holdings Inc. (57) ABSTRACT An herbal composition for the re-growth of human hair (21) Appl. No.: 11/291,828 includes the combination of hypercium perforatum, veronica beccabunga, Veronica officinalis, and equisetum arvense wherein the combination is infused in water and adapted to (22) Filed: Dec. 2, 2005 be applied to the scalp of a user. US 2006/0120990 A1 Jun. 8, 2006

COMPOSITION FOR TREATING HAIR AND commonly known as ROGAINE, causes hair growth when SCALP AND METHOD FOR PREPARING SAME applied to the scalp and slows the rate of hair loss in some individuals by stimulating hair follicles. Finasteride, com CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED monly known as PROPECIA is a drug that is taken orally to APPLICATION treat androgenic alopecia by blocking the formation of DHT. The problem with treating hair loss with pharmaceutical 0001. This application claims priority from United States drugs is the potential side effects of such drugs. Minoxidil Provisional Patent Application No. 60/632,195 filed Dec. 2, may cause low blood pressure, increase in heart rate, weight 2004 entitled Composition for Treating Hair and Scalp and gain due to water retention, and the scalp may become Method for Preparing Same. inflamed. Finasteride may cause genital deformities in male infants, impotence, decreased libido, hives or rash, and FIELD OF THE INVENTION Swelling. 0002 The present invention relates to the field of herbal 0007 Nutraceutical or herbal remedies for hair loss typi remedies, and more particularly, it relates to an herbal hair cally focus on increasing blood Supply to the scalp, remov and Scalp formula. ing sebum in the scalp to prevent clogging of the pores, and/or increasing nutrition to the hair root to reduce hair loss BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION and promote hair growth. There are numerous herbal rem edies for the treatment and prevention of hair loss available 0003 For many years, the pharmaceutical industry, the in the art that target specific Suspected causes of hair loss. nutraceutical industry, and the cosmetic industry have been For example, there are a plurality of herbal remedies for researching and developing compositions that will cure or treating hair loss that are directed to improving blood prevent hair loss or promote hair growth. Androgenic alope circulation to the scalp without regard to other bodily cia, which is the most common type of hair loss, is usually malaises that may be contributing to hair loss. None of the associated with genetic factors that cause hair follicles on the top of the scalp to have an increased sensitivity to the available remedies provide a comprehensive treatment of the hormone dihyrdotestosterone (DHT). The combination of numerous potential factors that may contribute to hair loss. testosterone present in the follicles with the enzyme 5 alpha As such, there exists a need to provide an herbal formula that reductase produced by the hair follicles produces DHT. Hair attempts to correct a broad range of imbalances and prob follicle receptors sensitive to DHT thereby respond to the lems that are typically associated with causing hair loss. presence of DHT which shrinks the hair follicles until they no longer produce visible hair, thereby beginning the pro SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION cess of hair loss. Other factors including physical and 0008. It is an object of the present invention to provide an emotional stress, hormonal problems, medications, and herbal formula for treating hair and scalp and a method of underlying diseases such as thyroid problems and diabetes preparing the same that is capable of providing a compre have been associated with causing hair loss as well. hensive treatment for a plurality of known and/or Suspected 0004 There are surgical and non-surgical solutions to causes of hair loss. The present invention retards and inhibits address the problem of hair loss. Surgical options include hair loss, and promotes hair re-growth. Inflammation asso hair grafting, which involves removing Small pieces of hair ciated with hair loss is reduced, the present invention bearing scalp from the back and sides of the head and providing for healing of the skin and Scalp which results in transplanting them into holes and slits on the top of the head. hair re-growth and the corresponding cessation and preven Scalp reduction is another Surgical alternative which tion of hair loss. involves surgical removal of bald areas on the top of the 0009. In accordance with the present invention, there is Scalp. The problem with Surgical Solutions is the cost asso provided a composition for treating hair and Scalp compris ciated with Such procedures, the medical risks associated ing a combination of hypercium perforatum, veronica bec with Surgery, and the time commitment required pre and post cabunga, veronica officinalis, and equisetum arvense Surgery for preparation and recovery. wherein the combination is infused in water and applied to 0005 With respect to non-surgical options, there are hair the hair and scalp of a user. Preferably, the combination may extensions which involve attaching synthetic or human hair further include one or more of urtica dioica, menthe to existing hair or scalp to give the appearance of a fuller Canadensis, and epilobium parviflorum. head of hair. Hair extensions are typically weaved into 0010. In an embodiment of the invention, the composi existing hair or attached to the scalp by adhesives. Although tion comprises between 150 to 250 grams of hypercium hair extensions are a less intrusive and less costly way of perforatum, 50 and 150 grams of veronica beccabunga, 50 addressing hair loss, hair extensions fail to cure or prevent and 150 grams of veronica officinalis, and 100 and 200 hair loss or promote hair growth. Hair extensions merely grams of equisetum arvense to produce between 150 to 250 mask the problem and fail to provide a solution that litres of the composition according to the method described addresses the root of the hair loss problem. Furthermore, below. Preferably, 200 grams of hypercium perforatum, 100 adhesives for attaching hair extensions may cause skin grams of veronica beccabunga, 100 grams of veronica irritation and hair weaving may cause permanent hair loss at officinalis, and 150 grams of equisetum arvense is combined the attachment site due to prolonged tension. to produce 200 litres of the composition or 20 litres of 10:1 0006 Other non-surgical options for treating hair loss COncentrate. include a variety of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical topical 0011. In another embodiment of the invention, the com and/or oral treatments that promote hair re-growth and/or position may further comprise between 100 and 200 grams prevent further hair loss. For example, topical minoxidil, of urtica dioica. In another embodiment of the invention, the US 2006/0120990 A1 Jun. 8, 2006 composition may also comprise between 25 and 75 grams of 0016 Veronica beccabunga, commonly known as mentha Canadensis. In yet another embodiment of the inven Brooklime, is an herb known for its alterative, antioxidant, tion, the composition may further comprise between 100 to and diuretic properties and is usually recommended for 200 grams of epilobium parviflorum. Preferably, the com treating impurity of the blood. Veronica beccabunga has also position further comprises a combination of 150 grams of been used as an antiscorbutic and for treating affections of urtica dioica, 50 grams of menthe Canadensis, and 150 the skin. In the present invention, between 50 and 150 grams grams of epilobium parviflorum to produce about 200 litres of veronica beccabunga is used to produce between approxi of the composition. mately 200 litres of the composition. The diuretic property 0012. The method of preparing the composition accord of veronica beccabunga helps to lower blood pressure, ing to the present invention includes the steps of reducing purify blood by encouraging the elimination of toxins from each of the herbs in the combination such that the active the body, and cleanse the urinary system and the alterative ingredients of the herbs may be released. A first predeter property helps restore general health to the body and mined amount of water is then added to the reduced herb increase oxygen to the blood. combination. The water and reduced herb combination is 0017 Veronica officinalis, also known as Common then brought to a boil for a predetermined period of time Speedwell, is an herbaceous plant that has long been used such that the herbs may infuse the water to produce a medicinally to treat coughs, stomach and urinary disorders, composition concentrate. The reduced herbs are then and rheumatism. Veronica officinalis has antioxidant prop removed from the composition concentrate by conventional erties and is an expectorant, alterative, tonic and diuretic. In straining means and a second predetermined amount of the present invention, between 50 and 150 grams of veronica water is added to the composition concentrate to form the officinalis is used to produce between approximately 200 composition. It is intended that the quantities of herbal litres of the composition. The diuretic property of veronica ingredients set out herein described as resulting in 200 litres officinalis helps to lower blood pressure, purify blood, and of the composition may be scaled according to their corre cleanse the urinary system and the expectorant property sponding ratios (grams of a particular element:litres of promotes elimination of matter from the respiratory tract. water) to make correspondingly less or more of the compo The alterative and tonic properties of veronica officinalis sition. facilitate restoration of digestive, respiratory and urinary 0013 In an embodiment of the invention, ten to twenty systems and increase oxygen to the blood. litres of distilled cold water is added to the reduced herbs to 00.18 Equisetum arvense is an herbaceous plant com produce the composition concentrate. Preferably, after ten monly known as Field Horsetail. Equisetum arvense has minutes of infusion, the composition concentrate is filtered generally been recommended for treating conditions affect and a second amount of distilled cold water is added to the ing the parathyroid glands, kidney, and bladder. Equisetum filtered composition concentrate to produce the approxi arvense is known to have antioxidant properties and be rich mately 200 litres of the composition. In an embodiment of in minerals which play a vital role in regulating many body the invention, a preservative may be added to the compo functions, including nerve response, muscle contraction, sition. metabolism, and regulating electrolyte balance and hor monal production. In the present invention, between 100 and DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 200 grams of equisetum arvense is used to produce between OF THE INVENTION approximately 200 litres of the composition. The mineral izing property of equisetum arvense regulates the function of 0014. The composition for treating hair and scalp accord the parathyroid glands which affect the calcium and phos ing to the present invention includes the following herbs phorus levels in blood and balances hormone and electrolyte combined in a first embodiment: hypercium perforatum, levels in the blood. veronica beccabunga, veronica officinalis, and equisetum arvense. In further embodiments of the invention, the com 0019. In a second embodiment of the invention, the position may further include urtica dioica, menthe Canaden composition may also include urtica dioica which is a sis, and epilobium parviflorum. The composition may tropical plant commonly known as Nettle or Stinging Nettle. include all the above listed herbs. Internally, urtica dioica has been traditionally used as a diuretic, to build blood, and for treating arthritis and rheu 0.015 Hypercium perforatum is commonly known as St. matism, diabetes, urinary disorders, respiratory problems, John's Wort. Hypercium perforatum is a flowering plant and dermatological problems. Externally, urtica dioica has known for its antidepressant properties and has been corre been used as a remedy to cure dandruff and oily hair and to lated with relieving anxiety, apathy, sleep disturbances, improve the appearance of hair. In the present invention, insomnia, and feelings of worthlessness. Hypercium perfo between 100 and 200 grams of urtica dioica may be added ratum reportedly balances the nervous system by injecting to produce between approximately 200 litres of the compo oxygen into cells which helps to elevate mood. Because one sition. The anti-inflammatory property of urtica dioica that of the factors known to be associated with hair loss is functions at a hormonal level has been associated with emotional and physical stress, hypercium perforatum is a interfering or blocking hormone related chemical processes main ingredient in the present invention. In the present in the body, including the activity of DHT. Urtica dioica is invention, between 150 to 250 grams of hypercium perfo ratum is used to produce between approximately 200 litres also known to be a high source of iron. of the composition according to the method described below. 0020. In a third embodiment of the invention, the com It is believed that hypercium perforatum has no known position may further include mentha Canadensis which is an interactions with prescription drugs or alcohol and that the herbaceous plant commonly known as Mint. Mentha only known side effect in humans includes photosensitivity. Canadensis is known to alleviate and treat stomach pain, US 2006/0120990 A1 Jun. 8, 2006 indigestion, and other digestive disorders. In the present directly or sprayed onto the hair or scalp two to three times invention, between 25 and 75 grams of mentha Canadensis daily. The hair and scalp may be wet or dry. Preferably, the may be added to produce between approximately 200 litres composition is massaged into the hair and Scalp and let to of the composition. Mentha Canadensis acts as a catalyst to dry without rinsing. emphasize the effects of the herbs, particularly the oxygen inducing and antioxidant properties of hypercium perfora 0025. In testing the composition on one test subject, the tum, veronica beccabunga, veronica officinalis, and equise combination of herbs of the fourth embodiment was applied tum arvense. The curative property of mentha Canadensis on twice daily to the scalp of the test subject. At the commence the digestive system assists in alleviating any digestive ment of testing, hair was noticeably missing over a signifi malaise that may contribute to any imbalance in the body. cant area around the top of the scalp of the test subject. Over Because of the antiseptic property of mentha Canadensis and the course of two to three months, re-growth of fine hairs the astringent property of veronica officinalis, urtica dioica, over the affected area was observed and after four to five and equisetum arvense, the composition may also be used months, a considerable amount of mature hair over the treat wounds Such as cuts and scrapes and other similar affected area was observed. In the case of the test subject, injuries. after four months, mature hair re-growth covered approxi mately 85% of the hair loss area observed at the commence 0021. In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the com ment of testing. position may further include epilobium parviflorum which is 0026. Although not wishing to be bound to any particular a flowering herb commonly known as Small-flowered Hairy theory of operation, it is applicant's opinion that the synergy Willow-herb. Epilobium parviflorum has been used to treat between the antioxidant and oxygen inducing properties of prostate disorders as it is suspected that epilobium parviflo the combination of herbs in the composition of the first rum inhibits the activity of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme embodiment encourages hair re-growth. The increase in responsible for the production of DHT. In the present oxygen to the cellular structure of the scalp and the neu invention, between 100 and 200 grams of epilobium parvi tralizing of free radicals in the body to prevent the oxidation florum may be added to produce between approximately 200 process thereby heals the hypodermis of the scalp and litres of the composition. promotes hair re-growth. 0022. The method of preparing the composition includes 0027. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the the steps of grinding, pulverizing, or otherwise reducing light of the foregoing disclosure, many alterations and each of the herbs such that the active ingredients in the herbs modifications are possible in the practice of this invention may be released. Preferably, the herbs are dried and coarsely without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. Accord ground although fresh herbs maybe used. A predetermined ingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in amount of water is then added to the combination of herbs accordance with the substance defined by the following and brought to a boil such that the herbs may infuse the claims which are intended to include within their scope water to produce a composition concentrate. In an embodi lesser or greater quantities of the composition so long as the ment of the invention, distilled cold water is added to the respective ratios of amount (grams) of herbs and water combination of herbs. Preferably, between ten and twenty (litres) are maintained, for example as expressed in percent litres of water is added to the fourth embodiment combina ages by weight of the total weight of herbs employed or tion of herbs which includes 200 grams of hypercium infused in a particular volume of water. perforatum, 100 grams of veronica beccabunga, 100 grams of veronica officinalis, 150 grams of equisetum arvense, 150 What is claimed is: grams of urtica dioica, 50 grams of menthe Canadensis, and 1. A composition for the re-growth of human hair com 150 grams of epilobium parviflorum. prising the herbal combination of hypercium perforatum, veronica beccabunga, veronica officinalis, and equisetum 0023. After the herbs infuse the water for a predeter arvense wherein the herbal combination is infused in water mined amount of time, the composition concentrate is and adapted to be applied to the Scalp of a user. strained to separate the herbs from the composition concen 2. The composition of claim 1 further comprising one or trate. In an embodiment of the invention, the combination of more elements chosen from the group comprising: urtica herbs may infuse the water between five to fifteen minutes. dioica, menthe Canadensis, and epilobium parviflorum. Preferably, the composition concentrate is strained after a 3. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition period of ten minutes. The combination of herbs may be comprises substantially between 150 to 250 grams of said separated from the composition concentrate by using con hypercium perforatum, and substantially between 50 to 150 ventional strains or sieves. Preferably, a filter pump is used grams of said veronica beccabunga, and Substantially to tightly filter the composition concentrate to ensure that between 50 to 150 grams of said veronica officinalis, and most of the sediment is removed from the composition substantially between 100 to 200 grams of said equisetum concentrate. A predetermined amount of water is then added arvense infused in said water to produce between 175 to 225 to the composition concentrate to produce the composition. litres of the composition. Preferably, approximately 180 litres of distilled cold water is 4. The composition of claim 3 wherein substantially 200 added to the approximately 20 litres of composition con grams of said hypercium perforatum, 100 grams of said centrate to produce the 200 litres of the composition. In an veronica beccabunga, 100 grams of said veronica officinalis, embodiment of the invention, a preservative Such as potas and 150 grams of said equisetum arvense are combined and sium Sorbate may be added to the composition. infused in said water to produce 200 litres of the composi 0024. The composition may then be applied to the hair tion. and scalp of the user to prevent further hair loss and to 5. The composition of claim 4 further comprising sub promote hair re-growth. The composition may be applied stantially between 100 to 200 grams of urtica dioica. US 2006/0120990 A1 Jun. 8, 2006

6. The composition of claim 4 further comprising Sub 15. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of providing stantially between 25 to 75 grams of menthe canadensis. a composition further includes combining with said combi 7. The composition of claim 4 further comprising sub nation substantially between 100 to 200 grams of epilobium stantially between 100 to 200 grams of epilobium parviflo parviflorum. FiFi. 16. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of providing 8. The composition of claim 4 further comprising a a composition further includes combining with said combi combination of Substantially 150 grams of urtica dioica, nation a combination of Substantially 150 grams of urtica Substantially 50 grams of menthe Canadensis, and Substan dioica, Substantially 50 grams of menthe Canadensis, and tially 150 grams of epilobium parviflorum infused in said substantially 150 grams of epilobium parviflorum infused in water to produce 200 litres of the composition. said water to produce 200 litres of the composition. 9. A method for preparing a herbal composition for the 17. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of: re-growth of human hair, the method comprising the steps of: a) reducing each of said herbs, a) providing a composition of herbs: hypercium perfora b) adding a first predetermined amount of water to said tum, veronica beccabunga, veronica officinalis, and reduced herbs, equisetum arvense, c) bringing to a boil said water and said reduced herbs for a predetermined period of time such that said herbs b) infusing the combination in water, infuse said water to produce a concentrate of said c) applying the composition to the scalp of a user. composition, 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of providing one or more elements chosen from the group d) Straining said reduced herbs to remove them from said comprising: urtica dioica, menthe Canadensis, and epilo concentrate, and bium parviflorum, and combining said one or more elements e) adding a second predetermined amount of water to said in said combination. concentrate to form said composition. 11. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of providing 18. The method of claim 17 wherein said first predeter a composition includes combining Substantially between mined amount of water is substantially 20 litres of distilled 150 to 250 grams of said hypercium perforatum, and sub cold water and wherein said second predetermined amount stantially between 50 to 150 grams of said veronica bec of water is substantially 180 litres of distilled cold water. cabunga, and substantially between 50 to 150 grams of said 19. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of: veronica officinalis, and substantially between 100 to 200 a) reducing each of said herbs, grams of said equisetum arvense and infusing said combi nation in said water to produce between 175 to 225 litres of b) adding a first predetermined amount of water to said the composition of said combination and said water. reduced herbs, 12. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of providing c) bringing to a boil said water and said reduced herbs for a composition consists of combining Substantially 200 a predetermined period of time such that said herbs grams of said hypercium perforatum, 100 grams of said infuse said water to produce a concentrate of said veronica beccabunga, 100 grams of said veronica officinalis, composition, and 150 grams of said equisetum arvense and infusing said combination in said water to produce 200 litres of the d) Straining said reduced herbs to remove them from said composition. concentrate, and 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of providing e) adding a second predetermined amount of water to said a composition further includes combining with said combi concentrate to form said composition. nation substantially between 100 to 200 grams of urtica 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said first predeter dioica. mined amount of water is substantially 20 litres of distilled 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of providing cold water and wherein said second predetermined amount a composition further includes combining with said combi of water is substantially 180 litres of distilled cold water. nation substantially between 25 to 75 grams of menthe Canadensis. k k k k k