Herbal composition for improving oral hygiene, for providing local anesthesia, for use as an oral sensate, flavor enhancer and potentiator, and methods of using same

摘要

Compositions based on Heliopsis longipes root used orally in treating xerostomia, for dry mouth, increasing salivation, alleviating dry mouth, and in maintaining or improving oral hygiene; as local contact anesthetics; as a cough suppressant, and as an oral sensate-producing desirable sensations in the oropharynx. The herbal composition includes an extract from Heliopsis longipes root and an oral carrier for the extract. A suitable amount of extract is from about 0.01 to about 10 weight percent of the overall composition. A variety of compositions include an oral carrier; preferred compositions are: 1) a gum with a solid exterior and a liquid center, both the exterior and center containing an effective amount of the extract composition; 2) a solid gum, 3) lozenges; candies, confections and 4) flavored liquid sprays and drops, and mouthwashes. The invention is further useful as an enhancer and potentiator of flavor.