The invention discloses the discovery that a pharmaceutical composition containing
complex carbohydrates and natural or synthetic essential oils can work effectively
as a topical pharmaceutical composition. Such pharmaceutical compositions reduce
inflammation, assist in wound healing, protect against bruising, relieve itching,
relieve pain and swelling and treat topical bacterial infections such as acne and
decubitus ulcers. Such pharmaceutical compositions can be administered to mammals
including humans. Also included in this invention are methods to deliver topically
applied macromolecules into the tissue of mammals and methods of blocking the adhesion cascade.