Vegetable Glycerine

Excerpt from the book The ABC Herbal

Glycerine (or glycerol) is a natural component of all fats and oils. When fats are digested in the body, they are broken down into fatty acids and glycerine. Hence, glycerine is a non-toxic, natural food substance. It is also a good solvent of herbal constituents and a preservative. To top it off, glycerine is also sweet tasting but does not cause blood sugar problems.

Because glycerine is slightly sweet, it helps mask the disagreeable taste of many herbs. Other most pleasant tasting herbs are actually delicious when prepared in glycerine. So, by carefully, selecting herbs for both taste and efficacy, it is possible to make herbal preparations which not only work, but taste great. That way, you don't have to fight your children to have them take them.

You can make a simple, herbal glycerite by simmering herbs in a mixture of 60% glycerine and 40% purified water for two to three hours. We have generally used about 1/4 cup of cut and sifted, dried herbs per 1 cup of glycerine/water solution. When you strain this solution, bottle it and store it in a cool, dark place. It retains its effectiveness for two to three years.

This is pure 100% USP food grade vegetable glycerine (glycerin). It is used in cosmetics and body care products to assist in retaining moisture and is helpful in pulling oxygen into the skin. Vegetable glycerine is a natural emollient that adds a cooling effect on the skin and has become a predominant ingredient in most skin care products and soaps. Vegetable glycerine is also the principal medium for the manufacturing of non-alcohol based herbal extracts, which are called glycerites. This makes for a sweet alcohol free extract that can be easily administered to children, animals and those with alcohol sensitivities. Certified and suitable for food and cosmetic use.

Vegetable Glycerine is a clear, colorless, and odorless liquid with an incredibly sweet taste having the consistency of thick syrup. It is used as an agent in cosmetics, toothpaste, shampoos, soaps, herbal remedies, pharmaceuticals, and other household items. Because it is soluble in both, water and alcohol, its versatility is a major benefactor in its purported growth and popularity within the manufacturing sector. It is invaluable as a natural source ingredient with emollient like properties which can soften and soothe the skin and it assists the outer epidermis in retaining moisture. This helps to explain why it is one of the most popular cosmetic additives used today.

Other uses include its solvency action which aides herbalists in extracting botanical properties from plant materials without the use of alcohol. This is especially helpful for those with alcohol sensitivities as most liquid herbal extracts contain alcohol. But given its severely limited shelf life, extracts made from Vegetable Glycerine typically have a shelf life of 14-24 months whereas alcohol extracts can have an extended shelf life of 4-6 years.

Vegetable Glycerine: Clear sweet and odorless liquid. Glycerine is a naturally occurring by product of soapmaking. It is believed that glycerine helps the skin remain moisturized by drawing moisture to it.

You can make a liquid sweetener by adding Stevia extract to Vegetable Glycerine. This is not recommended for diabetics because it may effect the blood sugar levels.

Vegetable Glycerine is a sweet substance typically obtained from palm or coconut oils. It is an alternative to alcohol for preserving herbal tinctures.

PRODUCT DATASHEET

This glycerine is USP grade with verified purity. It is generated exclusively from vegetable-based sources and has many uses. Product Code #956 CAS NUMBER 56-81-5

Nutritional Data: Calories (per 100 grams) 432

Applications: Pharmaceuticals, lubricants, soaps, lotions, manufacturing of plastics, food ingredients, coatings and preservatives.

Storage and Shelf Life: Store at 65 to 75°F in a dry and odor-free environment for a minimum shelf life of 12 months in unopened containers.

This information represents typical values and is presented as accurate and reliable; however, no warranty either expressed or implied is made.

From Our Reading and/or Experience...

• We use this glycerine to make all our glycerites (extracts / tinctures). Of course, it can be used in many other types of remedies, such as, lotions, hair products, soaps, etc.
• Glycerine can be used to benefit anyone: men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing), children and animals.
• It can be used as often as you would like, and in any way you choose.
• Glycerine should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place.

Mike O
October 2, 2008 at 5:23 am

As a CMT I use it for all my massages and my clients love it! There skin feels so soft after the massage and can last several days! I add essential oils to each clients prefferance.

Joanne
May 17, 2009 at 1:07 pm

Thanking you for your support through your website. I am satisfied with the results it provided.

Amanda
November 5, 2009 at 10:03 pm

Thank you for carrying glycerine! This is a handy place to order it from! I am going to make some glycerites in my crockpot and some cold'glycerites with the gallon I ordered!

Dawn
June 5, 2011 at 9:40 am

Hello Amanda,
I am very interested in making herbal extracts by the cold method instead of heating ,can you give me a recipe to do this or pass on to me where I can find info for this please. Dawn.
regard

Rebecca W.
January 6, 2010 at 9:16 am

I read somewhere years ago that you could make fabric softener from glycerin; the recipie had called for 1 cup glycerin per 1 gallon of distilled water. Several years later I actually tried this, only I used my well water from the tap rather than distilled. I also added several drops of essential oils, both for the scent and for the anti-bacterial and cleaning property of the oils. Lavender, lemon, jasmine, etc all work great. In allergy season, I add eucalyptus to kill dust mites. Now when I run out of this, I am dissatisfied by store bought products. It works great, does not upset my skin, and I know the environment appreciates it, too!

Ottie
January 22, 2010 at 2:42 am

Thanks for the info on the tinctures. We have been having a hard time deciding how long to simmer our mix in the Crockpot. Now that we've done that, do we strain the herbs out immediately or do we let them sit for a while and then strain? Thanks again for the help!

Angel
April 29, 2010 at 11:31 pm

I will be making my first glycerites soon, and recently I went to some local pharmacies for them to order some pure glycerine for me (like ABC Herbal recommends doing). They almost ordered it until I asked them if they could make sure it was 100% pure vegetable glycerine. The pharmacist looked and told me that it was synthetic. Was I glad that I asked!! I came here and 'lo and behold', here you have exactly what I need, with different 'bigger' sizes, at just the right price. THANK YOU SO MUCH! You will be receiving more orders from me in the future....please continue to provide this "rare item"...because it really is!! God's Blessings!

LP
October 27, 2010 at 4:38 pm

Product received in excellent condition and speedy delivery. Very satisfied and will definately be a return customer, for this and other interesting items. Thank you - LP

JUSTIN
December 14, 2010 at 7:16 pm

THIS IS MY SECOND TIME ORDERING GLYCERIN AND THIS STUFF IS THE BEST. YOU GUYS ROCK YOU ARE QUICK AND EASY TO DEAL WITH AND MY ORDERS HAVE ALWAYS SHIPPED EXCEPTIONALY QUICK.

LP
January 1, 2011 at 7:24 pm

2nd order received, as the 1st, speedy delivery,,,, professional service and definately a quality product. I am a loyal customer - thanks LP

Lisa
April 12, 2012 at 8:19 am

Stevia has no effect on blood sugar. Does vegetable glycerine have a glycemic effect?

mark delgado
October 3, 2012 at 3:25 am

are there other sources of glycerol besides oil?

John
January 15, 2013 at 3:20 pm

Why does most of the info on-line say that it has toxic properties?