While I am interested on Doug's input on this question because of his expertise, input from all is appreciated.
As I understand the current art in tincturing, the primary solvents used are ethyl alcohol, vinegar and DMSO. I have come across people who do not like tinctures with alcohol and others that do not want DMSO. And I don't like vinegar because I am not sure just how good a solvent for oil based constituents it is. I have been evaluating another possible solvent for tinctures and I think it looks good but I would like some other opinions. There may be something I am overlooking. The solvent is ethyl lactate. It is a water-miscible solvent like ethyl alcohol and DMSO and it is FDA approved for food and cosmetic use. It has a soft fruit flavor and the aroma of wine. There isn't as much information available on ethyl lactate as I would like but it is called out in a number of patents for use in medicinal preparations. Here is an example: http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7081248/description.html Concentrated water-dispersible vitamin compositions It also has some antimicrobial ability. For example, it is also used in some pet shampoos at a 10% concentration. It has an effect similar to benzyl peroxide but is less harsh. See: http://www.vetcontact.com/presentations/carlotti1/abstracts/carlotti.pdf THE ART OF SHAMPOOS IN VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY: TREATMENT AND PREVENTION STRATEGIES "Ethyl lactate is hydrolysed in the skin to ethanol and lactic acid, thus lowering the skin pH and acting similarly to benzoyl peroxide (3). It is used in concentration of 10 %, which is rarely followed by indesirable side effects (irritation, erythema, pruritus) (4). In a comparative study to benzoyl peroxide, 90 % of 30 dogs with superficial pyoderma responded well to a 10 % ethyl lactate shampoo (30). In a recent study comparing two groups of 10 dogs with superficial pyoderma, it was shown that utilization of a 10 % ethyl lactate shampoo twice weekly reduces the length of systemic antibiotic needed in canine superficial pyoderma (31)." Ethyl lactate is also readily available in a high concentration that would be useful when tincturing fresh herbs. A possible source is from the hardware store : Klean Strip Green Natural Multi-Purpose Solvent. The MSDS for the product give a purity of greater than 99%. See: http://www.wmbarr.com/ProductFiles/KSG%20Natural%20MultiPurpose%20Solven t.pdf In vivo, it breaks down into ethyl alcohol and lactic acid. Neither of which is harmful. Certainly not in the quantity provided in a tincture. Since you mentioned the problem with use of DMSO with racehorses, perhaps this would be an alternative. Although it does not have the penetrating ability of DMSO, it is listed as having good penetration characteristics. Any opinion? Thanks, Steve N
