Why is ethanol so good?

Ethanol is also known as ethyl alcohol or just alcohol. This last name however is technically incorrect as there is a large group of chemicals that are alcohols.

Ethanol is such a good extraction medium because;

• it is safe (in moderation), cheap and stable.

• it takes into solution a much wider range of the plant’s constituents than either water, vinegar or glycerine

• when taken it is rapidly absorbed making the herbs available to the body very quickly

• it is naturally occurring so most mammals have the enzymes necessary to digest it .

• it is an effective preservative so ethanolic extracts have a long shelf life.