Title: Seed May Hold Psoriasis Key
Post by: peterb on May 02, 2003, 09:58:13 PM
Today In New Zealand News
Seed May Hold Psoriasis Key
03/05/2003 08:02 AM
IRN
A Christchurch company believes it may have hit on a winner with a new type of relief for sufferers of psoriasis.
The disease causes red, scaly skin irritations.
New Zealand Botanical Oils is developing a new treatment based on an oil extract from a seed that is readily found throughout the cooler conditions of the South Island's high country.
The company does not want to identify the seed for commercial reasons but says it is already used as a cosmetic ingredient.
NZ Botanical Oils has already completed more than a year of pre-clinical trials involving 50 patients and is applying for an international patent. The company claims the trials show the product brings long-term relief from psoriasis.
If the products proves to be as good as the trials indicate the company would look to work with an established industry player to take it to the commercialisation stage.
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Title: Re:Seed May Hold Psoriasis Key
Post by: Val on May 02, 2003, 10:26:26 PM
Oooo!! something on the natural line's.
That sound's interesting. 8) Especially if it bring's long term relief. |
Title: Re:Seed May Hold Psoriasis Key
Post by: peterb on May 14, 2003, 08:09:35 AM
An update on this it could be available within the next few weeks. Follow up story below.
RELIEF AT HAND: New Zealand Botanical Oils director Chris Bathurst, left, and consultant Chemist Geoff Tutty expect their cream and oil treatments, which have helped some psoriasis suferers, to be on the market soon.
Good oil comes from secret seeds
14 May 2003
By PAUL GORMAN
Seeds from an introduced plant found in the South Island may provide a cure for sufferers of the skin disease psoriasis.
Christchurch company New Zealand Botanical Oils has spent two years and about $150,000 developing products from oil extracted from the seed, which tests indicate give relief for people with psoriasis and eczema.
Director Chris Bathurst said the company had patented the treatment internationally but, for commercial reasons, could not yet reveal the identity of the seed being used though extracts from it were already used in cosmetics.
A native plant of the United States, it was grown in poor soils and cold climates in parts of the South Island, particularly mid-Canterbury and Southland.
Trials of more than 50 patients had been carried out during the past year and had given "positive indications", some through affidavits, that the product brought long-term relief from psoriasis.
The discovery of the seeds' potential was accidental, when Dr Bathurst saw that seeds discarded in his garden had not gone mouldy, unlike others thrown out at the same time.
His initial thought was the seeds' active ingredients could be used to stop chestnuts decaying. Aware that fungal growth was a trigger for some forms of psoriasis, the company began experimenting with the seeds.
The oil for the product was extracted by cracking the seeds, washing them with an unnamed solvent, and then distilling to remove traces of the solvent. Standard extraction methods, such as squeezing or steam distillation would not have worked, he said.
"Without the chance discovery of the seeds in the garden, initial promising tests on a volunteer psoriasis sufferer, and the non-text book extraction equipment we've developed, we wouldn't have ended up with this product."
He believed the treatment worked by acting on the nerves in the skin and controlled the speed and amount of skin growth after a cut or abrasion. The regrowth of skin in people with psoriasis was often "out of control", he said.
The oil and unguent products had also been successful in treating eczema.
Other studies of the properties of the seed oil showed early promise in alleviating itching from sand fly bites, stopping irritation from stinging nettles, and relieving discomfort from shingles and corns.
Marketing of the new products, expected to sell for between $20 and $30, is expected to start in the next few weeks.
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Title: Re:Seed May Hold Psoriasis Key
Post by: fishs on May 14, 2003, 11:13:55 AM
:hi:
Gidday Peter ..
Yes I hope you received my IM reply to this one .. Thanks for prompting me again.
For all members Info .. I have been looking into this company and the claims re the seeds and effectiveness re psoriasis eczema etc..
The company is a known manufacturer of chemical and industrail products mostly and I did a company trace through my contacts . They have a mirror maize of little shelf and semi associated companies under the banner . Some make cosmetics and ointments , some do research and so on ..
The seeds they refer to here are clothed in secrecy alright . I tried every trick I know to find the answers and It is a mystery .. I am currently going through their various cosmetics products in an attempt to check the ingredients out ..Might get a lead here as they say the seeds are already used in cosmetic creams.
I checked with the NZ govt medsafe people (these are the govt body in NZ that grant approval for clinical trials and do the monitoring) No product has been applied for or been granted a clinical trial approval for the treatment of psoriasis , eczema or dermatitis in the last 12 months so thats a mystery .. I checked with the Australian Tga regulatory authority .. same thing .. so I guess the product they say will be beginning marketing soon as they say will be a non approved product with no claims ..
I took the liberty of emailing the company and asking for details of their trials . I asked for details of types of conditions , % of observed improvements, Time and period of monitoring etc etc .. No reply.
I also emailed this Chris Bathurst and suggested that I would be prepared to do a feature article on the product and would be prepared to visit him and get the full story and give it a push etc .. No reply yet ..
I know a fair bit re the various extraction options in getting the oil from seeds and from what Bathurst says this sluce method is not so common .. It is mainly used when the seeds are either very very small or are high in other fluids .. The method involves disolving the actual seed or husk in a chemical solvent and then separating the oil and other liquids by a separate process later.. This method is used quite a lot in Australia with various nut and seed oil extraction
I will keep at it .. But thats what I have so far ..
If I get any replies from them I will post them for you all to see.
Hope that may be of further interest.. make of It what you will I guess..
Fish |
Title: Re:Seed May Hold Psoriasis Key
Post by: scarletgail on May 16, 2003, 02:34:16 AM
Oooo!! something on the natural line's.
That sound's interesting. 8) Especially if it bring's long term relief.
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:o i agree val very interesting and wouldn't that relief be great ;D |
Title: Re:Seed May Hold Psoriasis Key
Post by: peterb on May 16, 2003, 07:33:54 AM
Oooo!! something on the natural line's.
That sound's interesting. 8) Especially if it bring's long term relief.
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:o i agree val very interesting and wouldn't that relief be great ;D
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Heh gail
I get a lot of info from the Sacramento Bee, do you read this at home. They have some good health issues and stories.
:) :) :) :) |
Title: Re:Seed May Hold Psoriasis Key
Post by: catpreau on May 24, 2003, 10:13:20 AM
| Another thing from the South Isle of NZ! I have been researching natural therapies and am taking Bee Pollen tablets - harvested from the gentle shores of the South Isle of NZ! Will be interested to hear more on this topic! |
Title: Re:Seed May Hold Psoriasis Key
Post by: fishs on May 24, 2003, 11:18:03 AM
:hi:
Hi There Caithe,
Yes they harvest a lot of Bee Pollen In the Sth Isle
Most of it comes from Nelson .. It is one of the few areas free of the Varroa Mite which is killing the bees..
I have not had any reply to my questions and so on from this other crowd ..
I have been on to my sources and contacts and everyone is coming back to me with the same answer .. I suspect this seed is the Rose Hip seed .. I am fairly certain .. It is growing wild down there and is already being harvested in some parts and is already being used in some Moisturising creams here ..
Thats the initial feedback that is being relayed back to me ..
I will keep at it .. and advise further ..
Fish |
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