Glycerine is a non-toxic, nutritive compound and a variation on a sugar molecule.
It has a laxative effect when consumed (or inserted) due to its ability to attract water to bulk up the stool.
Properties of Glycerine
Hygroscopic Nature: Glycerine stabilizes water molecules, preventing bacteria from utilizing them.
Concentration Levels:
Effective as a preservative at 60-70% concentration.
Lower concentrations (<60%) are less effective as preservatives.
100% glycerine is viscous and sticky, complicating the mixing process with dried herbs for home manufacturing.
Usage and Sources
Glycerine is suitable for internal use in certain recipes, particularly for home manufacturing.
It is commonly found in supermarkets, specifically under the Queen brand for affordability and safety.
Used for various applications:
Culinary: Cake decorating (close to vanilla essence and colorings).
Medicinal: Found in glycetracts and pastilles for internal medicine.
Mechanism of Laxative Effect
Glycerine attracts water, bulking up stools from:
Digestive tract (when swallowed)
Rectal area (when inserted)
Large quantities can lead to dehydration and excessive laxative effects.
Glycerine in Skin Care
Commonly used in skincare formulations.
Beneficial in small quantities (a few percent):
Desired for smooth, emollient textures that help seal moisture in the skin.
Excessive amounts lead to a sticky residue, making it unsuitable for high concentrations in creams or lotions.
Not suitable as a preservative in skincare items due to stickiness.
Applications Beyond Skin Care
Used in gargles and throat washes for its stickiness and therapeutic effects on mucous membranes.
Disadvantages of Glycerine
Extraction Efficiency: Less effective than alcohol in extracting constituents from herbs. May lose constituents if heat is applied during commercial manufacturing.
Non-volatile: Glycerine does not evaporate, making concentration processes challenging (e.g., cannot decrease volume by evaporation).
Solubility Limitations: Dissolves gums and starches well, but not as effective for oils or waxy resins in plants, affecting efficacy in herbal extractions.
Conclusion
Understanding the properties and applications of glycerine helps in selecting appropriate concentrations and forms for various uses, particularly in herbal preparations and skincare products.
Being mindful of the drawbacks associated with glycerine, especially regarding extraction methods and concentrations, allows for more effective usage in formulation.