US3562389A - Treatment of psoriasis with walnut pod extract - Google Patents

Abstract

NATURAL FLUID EXTRACT OF WALNUT HULLS IS USED IN TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS BY APPLYING THE FLUID TO AFFICTED AREAS OF THE SKIN.

Description

United States Patent 3,562,389 TREATMENT OF PSORIASIS WITH WALNUT POD EXTRACT Keith R. Comfort, 25 Pickering Ave., Fremont, Calif. 94536 No Drawing. Filed Oct. 30, 1968, Ser. No. 772,013 Int. Cl. A61k 27/00 U.S. Cl. 424-195 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Natural fluid extract of Walnut hulls is used in treatment of psoriasis by applying the fluid to afliicted areas of the skin.

This invention relates to therapeutic compositions and more particularly to an improved method for the treatment of psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease of uncertain cause and accounts for about 5% of all skin diseases. The condition is evidenced by local lesions which occur predominantly at certain sites such as the elbows, knees and scalp. The lesions are usually dull red well-defined plaques or patches usually covered by distinctive silvery scales which when removed expose capillary bleeding points. The plaques vary in size, shape and location during the cause of the disease, but they have a tendency to recur.

Numerous treatments have been proposed for psoriasis meeting with varying and inconsistent degrees of success. It is generally agreed that there is no satisfactory simple and convenient treatment for psoriasis.

A new treatment which may be helpful to many cases of psoriasis has a now been discovered. In essence, the present invention contemplates the use of the extract of walnut hulls which is applied directly to the afllicted areas of the skin. In the preferred embodiment the fluid is massaged or otherwise urged into the skin through the scales with for example a suitable brush.

In practicing the invention, at least the hull portion of the walnut or optionally the whole walnut including the walnut hull and interior nut are divided into pieces so as to facilitate release of the natural fluid therein. A crushing and grinding of the walnut hull with conventional meat grinding equipment has been found to be useful for this purpose. Only the natural liquid portions derived from the hull are preferably used in the treatment. This liquid has a dark brown color and contains relatively small and discrete solid particles which may be dissolved or dispersed and suspended in the fluid.

The residual solid portions after crushing of the hull (and nut if used) are suitably separated from the liquid by filtration or other appropriate techniques such as centrifugation. A satisfactory separation of the desired fluid portion from the solid residue has been achieved by straining through a piece of cheese cloth.

In the preferred embodiment walnuts known as English or Persian walnuts have been employed. This particular variety is known as Juglans regia.

In practicing the therapeutic method of this invention the separated liquid is applied to the skin. Since the fluid tends to stain, the application may desirable by executed with a disposable applicator made with cotton or gauze for example. For best results the fluid is worked into the skin with a small brush such as a toothbrush. The amount of solution applied and frequency of repetition of applica- 3,562,389 Patented Feb. 9, 1971 tion will depend upon the nature of the particular condition of the patient. An empirical approach is suggested for determining the effective regimen for an individual patient. In most instances application of a thin layer of fluid several times daily for a period of time from several days to several weeks or longer will result in substantial remission of the symptoms of psoriasis if not entire clearmg.

The form of the natural fluid extract from the walnut hull is effective when used as the raw fluid. Dispersion in other suitable cosmetic solvents, pastes and gels used in the treatment of skin problems is also contemplated.

The medicament of this invention has been used clinically and shown to be eflective. The following cases set forth some of the results observed:

CASE A A mature adult female who had psoriasis since childhood applied the liquid extract of a walnut hull in accordance with this invention to areas of psoriasis. During periods when the walnut extract was regularly applied, a substantial improvement in the condition was observed to the extent that the condition was almost substantially cleared up prior to cessation of the treatment.

CASE B An adult female had an aggravated and irritated red psoriatic area on her legs which existed for a number of years. The medicament of this invention was applied and the redness of the condition was reduced with the disease commencing to disappear in some areas of her legs.

CASE C An adult male with a psoriatic condition applied natural juices of crushed walnut hulls to the afllicted areas with his fingers. Substantial improvement was observed upon repeated applications.

CASE D A mature adult male had extensive areas of psoriasis of a serious nature for many years. Walnut hull extract in accordance with this invention was applied with a toothbrush for a number of weeks. A large proportion of the areas healed. No psoriasis in the healed areas returned for approximately 8 months since their remission.

On a later occasion burns developed into psoriasis. Upon application of walnut hull extract of this invention healing of the newly afflicted areas has commenced.

What is claimed is:

1. The method of treating psoriasis comprising: applying to the surface of a psoriasis aflflicted area of a human, a therapeutic amount of a medicament containing as the active ingredient the natural fluid physically extracted from a walnut hull.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said medicament is applied with a brush.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,222,252 12/1965 Kraus 424-273 OTHER REFERENCES Chem. Abst., vol 65, p. 1292(b) (1966).

STANLEY J. FRIEDMAN, Primary Examiner