Method and composition for delivering zinc to the nasal membrane

Abstract

A viscous gel for delivering minor effective homeopathic amount of zinc or another metal to the nasal membrane.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of delivering minor effective amounts of a metal into the blood, comprising the steps of 
 (a) providing a viscous delivery composition including 
 (i) 90% to 99.995% by weight of at least one carrier, and  
 (ii) less than 1.5% by weight of the metal, said composition having a viscosity in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 centipoise;  
   (b) applying said delivery composition in the nasal cavity in direct contact with the nasal membrane; and,    (c) maintaining said delivery composition in contact with the nasal membrane for at least ten minutes.    
     
     
         2 . A composition for maintaining a source of zinc ions in direct contact with the nasal membrane for an extended period of time in excess of ten minutes to deliver rapidly zinc into the nasal membrane and into blood in the nasal membrane, said composition including 
 (a) 90% to 99.1% by weight of at least one carrier;    (b) 0.9% to 2.0% by weight of zinc gluconate; said composition having a viscosity in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 centipoise.    
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said carrier includes 0.05% to 3.0% by weight glycerine.  
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein said carrier permits zinc ions to diffuse through said carrier into the nasal membrane.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 2  wherein the zinc provided to the nasal membrane by said composition is in an ionic state.