Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Healing From The Hive => Topic started by: Jen on August 11, 2014, 06:46:04 pm

Title: Making Propolis Tincture ~ Grain Alchohol Question
Post by: Jen on August 11, 2014, 06:46:04 pm
I'm gleaning my freezer of popolis, to make a batch of propolis tincture. In the past I have used Ever Clear 150 proof. The gentleman in the liquor store said that Diesel Grain Neutral Spirits 153 proof is just as good and one dollar cheaper. I want only the best to go into my tinctures, propolis, and other medicinal products. Is there a difference in quality between Ever Clear and Diesel?

Title: Re: Making Propolis Tincture ~ Grain Alchohol Question
Post by: Jen on August 11, 2014, 11:52:17 pm
I'm posting to my post to get an answer or two so I can get on with my project ~ Thanks  :)
Title: Re: Making Propolis Tincture ~ Grain Alchohol Question
Post by: riverbee on August 12, 2014, 12:51:57 am
jen.....

patience, give folks a day or so to read and answer...... :D
Title: Re: Making Propolis Tincture ~ Grain Alchohol Question
Post by: Jen on August 12, 2014, 12:57:53 am
k, sorry  :-[ 
Title: Re: Making Propolis Tincture ~ Grain Alchohol Question
Post by: iddee on August 12, 2014, 06:24:18 am
Sometimes I don't post just to say "I don't know".
Title: Re: Making Propolis Tincture ~ Grain Alchohol Question
Post by: Bakersdozen on August 12, 2014, 08:12:39 am
I did a little "googling" on the subject as I want to make some propolis tinctures too.  It's on my to do list for 2014.
As best as I could tell, Everclear and Diesel are equal in medicinal properties.  Neutral spirits, or rectified spirits, are used in making medicinal tinctures and cleaning solvents.  Everclear has name recognition and is more popular. Some other brand names are Gem Clear and Golden Grain Alcohol.  It is also illegal in about 10 states.
A neutral spirit is anything that is distilled at 95% or 190 US proof.  If you drank enough of it, this stuff could make you go blind! :no:
Title: Re: Making Propolis Tincture ~ Grain Alchohol Question
Post by: blueblood on August 12, 2014, 08:13:19 am
I think alcohol is alcohol. I used extra virgin olive oil when I made mine.
Title: Re: Making Propolis Tincture ~ Grain Alchohol Question
Post by: Jen on August 12, 2014, 12:46:30 pm
Baker - "A neutral spirit is anything that is distilled at 95% or 190 US proof.  If you drank enough of it, this stuff could make you go blind!

     Yikes! but won't be a problem here. And thank you for looking that up  :)

Blue - "I used extra virgin olive oil when I made mine

     I have tinctures made with both alcohol and olive oil. In the medicinal world they both have their duties. Say for example I want to make a prop tinc for underarm odor, I would use alcohol because it evaporates instantly leaving the prop behind and I don't want to spend the day with oily underarms. If I'm making a tincture for a client that needs to get the medicine into his/her body quickly, I would use alcohol based tinc/medicine under the tongue. If I want to add propolis to my daily diet for pers health reasons and want to add it to my oatmeal in the morning I would use an olive oil base. I also make medicinal oils that steep essential oils and cannabis for massage purposes to help control chronic pain.

Healing is a fascinating world ~  O:-)