From Flu Wiki 2

Forum: Isopropryl Acohol Vs Denatured Alcohol

20 October 2006

Genoa – at 16:49

Can someone tell me the difference? It seems that the only thing I find in local stores is the isopropryl. However, I am thinking of putting a small alcohol stove in my 72-hour kit and (if I can find it) would like to put in denatured alcohol as the fuel. I was wondering whether the denatured alcohol “fuel” could serve a dual purpose as a first aid item and/or sterilizing items, etc, as I use the isopropryl on occasion?

AVanartsat 16:57

simplified answer

Isopropyl Alcohol has three carbons with the Hydroxy group (alcohol part) on the middle carbon. This is usually sold in 70% (as I recall) mixtures as “rubbing alcohol.”

Denatured Alcohol is Ethanol (two carbons) the same as drinking alcohol. It has a “denaturing agent,” a poison actually, added to it rendering it unfit to drink. You may be able to buy it at your local drug store, but it will be behind the pharmacy counter and you will have to ask for it.

If you want a good all purpose alcohol, pay a little extra at the local liquor store for a bottle of “Everclear” so something similar. It’s 95% Ethanol. You can drink it, sterilise things with it or burn it as you wish. :)

Mosaic – at 17:09

If you want to find denatured ethyl alcohol for burning in a small cat-can or equivalent alc stove, go to a place like homedepot or a hardware store that sells paint. That is where I found it. It was just over $12 here (west coast, US) for a gallon. As mentioned, it is fit only for burning or cleaning purposes, not medical or drinking.

The 70% isopropyl alcohol commonly found in drug stores has too much water in it to burn well, I know, I tried. :-)

Urdar-Norway – at 17:13

i realy don know the corect term for it english, but the consentrated car window fluid sold cheap everyhvere is 90+% ethanol (and sometimes isopropanol mixed in) with some denature stuff, small amount amonia and parfyme (lemon). It is the easyest way to get a alchohol for both desinfection and fuel.

For desinfection of skin (hands etc) its should be around 70%. So you mix into 1 part glyserine for skinfriendlyness and 1 part water. Put in pocket sized pump spray cans or make your ovn wet tissues. Its a lot more cheaper than buying the clean isoropanol or den. ethanol, and the content is practicaly the same

what is the term for “car window fluid?”

crfullmoon – at 17:23

term is “car window fluid” (or “window-washer fluid”), ja!

;-)

Urdar-Norway – at 17:23

“Sterilizing pads typically contain a 60–70% solution of isopropanol in water. Isopropyl alcohol is also commonly used as a cleaner and solvent in industry. It is also used as a gasoline additive for dissolving water or ice in fuel lines. Isopropanol is the main ingredient in rubbing alcohol. It is used as a disinfectant, and is a common solvent.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isopropanol

I remember someone mentiong that the use of rubbing alchol no longer is recomended as a fewer reducer..

AVanartsat 17:24

“car window fluid” works.

I think it’s more commonly called “window washer fluid” or something like that.

AVanartsat 17:26

Mosaic – at 17:09

Looks like I completely spaced out on the paint supplies as a source. That would be about the cheapest place to get Denatured Alcohol.

Urdar-Norway – at 17:35

dont know much about cars.. for all I know the carwindowfluid used here is alchohol due to the arctic climate.. Maybe they use soap in the south :-) Anyway I used it for fuel in my burner and its fine. Traditonaly we use something called “red spirit” for burners, its more expensive than the blu types like the carwindow… I guess the colors signals what type of denauturs used. The red color is also put in taxfree diesel. I know that in sweden and probably here, the denatour stuff is in all strong vodkas in very small amount to prevent people from drinking them self to death, so it cant be that poisenous.. will track down some more info on it..

The product used by the norwegian hospitals for desinfeting surfaces and skin is mainly a mix between ethanol, isopropanol and glycerin, It states on the sticker that it”now got 4 alcohols” so what the 4 one is I dont know.. I uderstand it that glyserin is also a type of alcohol (and its what soap and candles is partly made of! :D

Urdar-Norway – at 18:06

“It is also common to add a vomiting (emetic) agent, which serves a similar purpose without the fatal side-effects. Likewise, denatonium adds a bitter taste but will not kill.” The womiting stuff is not the same as the denatured stuff, (happilly for the swedes ;-)

“The Irish specification is typical. The following are added to ethanol to make it into methylated spirit: 9.5 % naphtha - 0.5 % pyridine - 0.025 ounce (0.709 grams) methyl violet dye per 100 gallons (378.5 litres) of ethanol - 0.375 % petroleum oil” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denatured_alcohol

none of this stuffs seems to be very dangerous to wipe your hands with since there is such small amounts. But should maybe not be overused for longer timeperiods. “petroleum oil” for instance is the same as white oil or “vaseline” a very common thing in cosmetics. Nafta is the same as coleman fuel, or zippo fuel. alos a very comon chemical. So “pyredine” is the only one maybe worth notising, but its also used in food flavours.. And the methyl blue is our friend from the simple mask discusion, Gentian violet a very effective virus killer….Sitting in a car using this stuff on the windows makes you breath a lot of it, I has newer heard any consern about it..

Now where is that niche chemist when we need him :-)

BeWellat 19:07

I have a good friend who has been an acupuncturist for 25 years and is an expert in various natural healing methods. He says, and I have read elsewhere, that isopropyl alcohol does get absorbed by the skin (and posssibly the lungs) when used often and eventually can damage the liver, which has to filter it out of the blood. It is much, much safer to use Everclear even though it is a little more expensive. I would never use isopropyl alcohol on the skin (anymore) or anything with other poisions added such as denatured alcohol.

People should remember that the skin can and does absorb into the system whatever is applied to it; obviously not like drinking stuff. Alcohol absorbs pretty easily.

I have a recipe for a Neem based antiseptic for the skin (along with essential oils and white vinegar, among other ingredients, you can gmail me if you’re interested at MayAllBeWell@gmail.com. I will also be posting it on my soon to be up and running website (a non-commercial site with disaster/flu preparedness and natural remedies and recipes information).

Urdar-Norway – at 19:45

BeWell: Ewerclear is ethanol, is it pure? Its not legal in Europe. The reason why I promotes the other products than Ewerclear for instance is tripple, 1: In Europe comersial handesinfecting products is not awailible in shops, the farmacys have some, but its in small quantites and expensive. Since viruses dont care if you are european, rich or first in line on the pharmacy to get the limited supplys of “product” its important to make people aware of the science behind brand names. So if a ethanol product is availble in all gasstations for a realy low price it will make a hughe differnce summing up. We know that many will continue working during the pan and can not SIP, they need a alternative to hot water and soap when its not awailble.

The best would be the products containing the mediacl mixture of alcohols with glyserine for skin. we have time to buy this, but also interesting is the dual use of denatured alcohol as a fuel, For small emergency “packs” as giweaways etc this would be the best and most practical solution for a lower price, and low prices means more can be bught and distributed.

But yes the skin does transport rubber alchohol, thats why they probably adwise people not to take sponge baths anymore. but washing hands is minimal in comparison dont you think? Long timespan is also to consider.. but a H5N1 infection is worse than having your liver doing some work.. Question would be the other stuffs in it, how serious should we take it.. Moonshine would be the “natural soultion” ;-)

Antiseptic is not the same as desinfectant,- It is to limit grovht of germs, not to spesific remove any germ that is present. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antiseptic

I also heard red and white wine was a good antiseptic. but I got no links

Genoa – at 20:08

I keep two different spray bottles which I use for trying to keep kitchen surfaces reasonably clean and germ-free: one is a mixture of water, isopropryl alcohol, and vinegar. The other is water, bleach, and vinegar (used to be just water and bleach, until I read that adding vinegar boosts the germ-killing properties of the bleach). I’m assuming that is still okay? Also, I use the isopropryl to sterilize things like thermometers after they’ve been used. I let them dry thoroughly. Is that not a good idea? I’ll have to look into the Everclear. I imagine it’s quite a bit more expensive?

I have the hand sanitizers (and I know to check to make sure that they are at least 70% alcohol) which I will include in my 72-hour kit. What I’m trying to find is something that will serve a number of purposes: (1)as a fuel for my alcohol stove and (2)possibly to sterilize something like a knife, tweezers, small scalpel, etc., when needed. Since these uses don’t involve actual contact with the skin (other than spills), would denatured alcohol work, as well as the Everclear, if the price differential is great enough?

Urdar-Norway – at 20:21

yes for surfaces denatured its perfect (remeber the flamable risk! For the kitchen, soap and hot water is good enough in normal situations. The world dont need to be that clean, and it will not be whatever you try to do… And also for skin, isoproanol is the main ingredient in most desinfecting tissues, gels etc. Dont be scared by chemicals or blindly trust brands with friendly names ;)

carefull by mixing bleach with other ingridents, amonia and bleach is very dangerous. Acid as in vinegar I dont know.. but making a mixture with alchohol makes no sense if the solution is under aprox 60–70 % alchohol..

Genoa – at 20:27

Urdar-Norway,

Thanks for clarifying … I’m really not obsessed with ultra-cleanliness. However, after I’ve been working with raw meat or poultry in the kitchen, I want to be sure to clean thoroughly. I also have cats who are NOT supposed to be on the kitchen counters, but have been known to defy the rules on occasion. Therefore, I appreciate the abilty to be able to truly sanitize the kitchen counters before starting to prepare food.

Urdar-Norway – at 20:35

thats strange, I allways wondered where those mysterious mud track on my kitchen counter came from, you tell me its my inncoent and polite feline doing it, no that can not be the truth!! ; D

Genoa – at 20:48

Urdar-Norway,

Noooo, I’m sure that’s not the case! In fact, I think my little brats are probably the only cats who have ever run across a kitchen counter.

Truthfully, though, before these two I had a cat for sixteen years that I actually taught to stay off the furniture, not just the counters. She was allowed on our laps all she wanted, but had only certain places to sit on herself. It really cut down on the depositing of hair all through the house, etc. I thought that was “normal,” until I got my current cats. Yikes! They trained me, instead of the other way around. But I wouldn’t part with them.

BeWellat 21:01

I have extra reasons not to use bleach or isopropyl alcohol - I am chemically sensitive and have asthma, and have to avoid toxic substances which, in small amounts, would not bother most people.

Even constant use on the hands is not healthy; my viewpoint is that if a person’s liver (and other vital systems) is having to deal with a toxic overload, this will not help the overall health. Which in turn may make it easier to get sick with any communicable disease.

I know that vinegar (I use white vinegar in gallon bottles, it’s cheaper and less pungent than cider vinegar) is a good antiseptic and kills bacteria. Not sure about virus, will have to do a little research. Fortunately I am a vegetarian so I don’t have to worry about microbes from meat mixing with other foods or utensils.

Also, there are many essential oils which even used in very small dilution are effective anti-bacterial and anit-viral. I’ll have that info on my website, and it may be here on FW somewhere too.

Urdar-Norway – at 21:15

Bewell: I have read that juniper was used to “smoke” desinfect houses in the middle age. And her in norway there is old tradition on boiling what we call “einerlaug” “einer=juniper, laug=wash, its smells wonderfull, and seems to be the perfect way of cleaning wood floors and furniture. And was also the way they cleaned all wood equpiment used in milk production. Its probably very antiseptic. try it out :) its fresh junipers both berrys and branches coocked for some time, you may mix it with traditonal soap. Its the most christmas /winter mood thing in the world.

21 October 2006

BeWellat 00:31

There is someone who posts frequently on FW who knows a lot about essential oils; I think his (her?) name is NS1. I have used them for years, and make an anti-septic/disinfectant solution using Neem tea, essential oils and vinegar (and a few other ingredients). If you like, I can post some of the most potent essential oils tomorrow, have to go do other stuff right now.

BeWellat 00:33

Another really nice thing about using essential oils is that many (if not most/all) have many uses; not the least of which is - as you noted - uplifting or calming emotions. They can make the mind sharper, more calm, cheery, and many other good things. THe complete opposite of the nasty effects of chemical based cleaners and disinfectants.

jplanner – at 01:30

tea tree oil as most people know is a dissinfectant. So is Rosemary. I love the smell of Rosemary oil..it is suppose to promote clarity and concentration FYI.

Lavender oil promotes relaxation and sleep, and has been tested and proven to work (not taken internally, I am saying the scent or topical application). Peppermint the same for headache and nausea.

jplanner – at 01:37

I just checked, the pint of isopropanol I bought at CVS (large pharmacy chain in New England) is 91% they also had the usual 70%.

so does anyone know will91% isoproanool work as a fuel?

BeWellat 03:01

Okay, here’s something I wrote up (plus something I found on the internet, hopefully link will work) about using essential oils as disinfectants/antiseptics. This will be on my website soon, most likely a little changed (since I always tinker with stuff.)

Using Essential Oils Instead of Chemicals

 Essential oils have been used for a very long time for healing and cleansing.  The use of oils is described in Ayurveda and were used in Europe at least since the Middle Ages.  Within the last hundred years or less the use of essential oils experienced a revival, and some research has been done primarily in Europe and some in Japan.

 Because the use of essential oils is considered “alternative”, there isn’t a tremendous amount of scientific research done on their uses.  Still, enough has been done to convince those whose minds aren’t locked into “western medicine is the only standard” mindframe of their efficacy.  One salient feature of the qualities of essential oils is that one oil can perform many functions, or heal or affect many different bodily systems.  Most essential oils are germicides, many are viricides, and many are fungicides.  They are powerful even in extreme dilution, yet in such dilution do not harm the body.  In fact, oils also have a powerful effect upon emotions, and one oil may uplift depression while at the same time calming anxiety.  In fact, science and industry have isolated various active principles of essential oils for many of their chemical inventions.  But essential oils are complicated, and their differing fractions (especially when synthesized in laboratories) are not as useful or valubale as the entire natural oil.

 If people used essential oils, along with some other powerful antiseptic ingredients such as white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, environments could be kept clean and sanitary without causing collateral damage to lungs, skin, eyes, and entire bodily systems.  This would improve everyones’ general health and immune systems, since the use of essential oils for cleaning and sanitizing also positively affects those who come into contact with the oils.

http://www.omplace.com/articles/Essential_Oils.html

Essential Oils: Mother Nature’s Antibiotics and Disinfectants

 “In 1985 Dr Jean C. Lapraz, a famed French researcher, reported that he couldn’t find a single bacteria or virus that could live in the presence of the essential oils of cinnamon or oregano. Pretty common stuff - cinnamon and oregano - we use them every day in cooking and baking. Who would think that their essential oils would be anti-bacterial and anti-viral, killing those germs we generally believe require chemical antibiotics to overpower.   In research done at Weber State University, therapeutic grade essential oils were sprayed in an enclosed atmosphere under controlled conditions to measure their effectiveness against various airborne life-threatening pathogens. They discovered that spraying essential oils in micro-fine vapor (within an enclosed atmosphere like a home) effectively destroyed infectious pathogens, while at the same time boosting one’s immune system. Microscopic photos taken during the tests dramatically recorded the massive breakdown of pathogenic life forms.   

 The Weber State study proved conclusively that essential oils are even more effective and reliable than such antibiotics as Penicillin and Ampicillin. A virus or bacteria will mutate to defend itself against vaccines and antibiotics, but no pathogen has ever been known to mutate when confronted with essential oils.   How exotic are these essential oils that destroy infectious pathogens? Consider the lowly lemon. Research done in France in the late 1800s produced the following description. The essence of lemon is second to none in its antiseptic and bactericidal properties. Vapors of lemon essence [in Europe, the word “essence” is often used instead of “essential oil”] neutralize the meningiococcus in 15 minutes, the typhus bacillus in less than an hour, pneumococcus in 1–3 hours, staphylococcus aureus in 2 hours, and hemolytic streptococcus in 3–12 hours. The essence itself neutralizes typhus bacillus and staphylococcus in 5 minutes and diptheric bacillus in 20 minutes. Pretty powerful stuff for the essence of a drink we think of as a mere thirst quencher for a hot summer’s day.  

 Or - consider thyme, another household regular. The essence of thyme is an excellent antiseptic, on account of the thymol it contains. The aqueous solution a 5% kills the typhus bacillus (typhoid fever), and Shiga’s bacillus ( agent of epidemic dysentery) in 2 minutes. It can kill the colon bacillus in 2–8 minutes, streptococcus and diphoretic bacillus in 30to 60 minutes. At a strength of 0.1%, the peroxidized essence of thyme in a diluted solution of soapy water destroys the mouth’s microbial flora within 3 minutes.   In 1960, Dr Bidault used a mixture of Pine, Thyme, Peppermint, Lavender, Rosemary, Cloves, and Cinnamon as a preventative for infectious childhood diseases (whooping cough, coryza of nasal catarra, influenza), and acute or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract in adults (influenza, tuberculosis, and pneumonia). His clinical observations proved that the disinfection of the air surrounding the patient had a therapeutic preventative effect.   Mother Nature has provided us with a bounty of essences designed to protect us from the air-borne and surface pathogens that cause most of our common, and some not so common diseases.

 At this time, when physicians a warning us not to use antibiotics as preventatives because the pathogens adapt in time and no longer die when they encounter the antibiotic, we have at our finger tips healthy, natural essences that are antibiotic without causing the pathogens to adapt. Essential oils, properly blended, can disinfect, and deodorize your home, your work place, and your own body with no negative side effects.   Here are some suggestions:  Put a few drops of lemon oil, and pine oil in a humidifier or an atomizer and let it run for a couple of hours a day in your home. If you are concerned about breathing pathogens while outside your home, spray an all natural blend of disinfectant essential oils on your handkerchief, and breath deeply every hour or so. Obtain and use one of the all natural disinfectant sprays on the market in your home, at work, etc.”

 Essential Oils as Antiseptics

 “The practice of Aromatherapy, A classic compendium of plant medicines & their healing properties” by Jean Valnet, MD Edited by Robert Tisserand. 

Chapter 3 Nature’s Antiseptics

“The essence of cloves kills the tuberculosis bacillus at a strength of one part to six thousand….The antiseptic power of the essence is such that even if used in a 1% dilution, it is still 3–4 times more active than phenol. The essence of thyme is an excellent antiseptic, obviously on account of the thymol it contains. Much has been written on the bactericidal power of the peroxidised essence (i.e. the essence oxidised to a higher degree) at a strength of 1.5%. The aqueous solution at 5% kills the typhus in 2 minutes. It can kill the colon bacillus in 2–8 minutes, streptococcus and the diphtheric bacillus in 4 minutes, staphylococcus in 4–8 minutes and the tuberculosis bacillus in 30–60 minutes. At a strength of 0.1%, the peroxidised essence of thyme in a diluted solution of soapy water destroys the mouth’s microbial flora within 3 minutes. The essence of sandalwood is a specific for the disinfection of the urinary tract, generally taken in capsules of 0–25g. Other essences are also powerful urinary disinfectants, in particular juniper, lavender and turpentine.

The essence of lemon is second to none in its antiseptic and bactericidal properties. The works of Morel and Rochaix have demonstrated that the vapours of lemon essence neutralize the meningococcus in 15 minutes, the typhus bacillus in less than an hour, pneumococcus in 1–3 hours, Staphylococcus aureus in 2 hours and haemolytic streptococcus in 3–12 hours. The essence itself neutralises the typhus bacillus and staphylococcus in 5 minutes and the diphtheric bacillus in 20 minutes. A few drops of lemon will rid an oyster of 92% of its micro-organisms in 15 minutes.

The essence of German camomile has a constituent called azulene with surprising bacteriostatic properties. At a strength of 1 part to 2000, it is efficacious against Staphylococcus aureus, haemolytic streptococcus (agent of scarlet fever and acute rheumatoid arthritis), and the Proteus vulgaris. Infected wounds have been healed using a concentration of between 1 to 85,000 and 1 to 170,000. The antiseptic properties of the essences of cinnamon, peppermint and lavender are described in separate sections. I shall mention here simply that the essence of cinnamon will kill the typhus bacillus in a dilution of 1 part in 300.”

“Already in 1960 Dr Bidault had recognised the main therapeutic role which he assigned to this preparation in the prevention of infectious childhood diseases (whooping cough, coryza or nasal catarrh, influenza) and of acute or chronic diseases of the respiratory tract in adults (influenza, tuberculosis and pneumonia). He confirmed the experiments demonstrating the germicidal action of the aromatic essences on the Border-Geugon bacillus (whooping cough), the Pheiffer bacillus (influenza) and Koch’s bacillus (tuberculosis). His clinical observations proved that the disinfection of the air surrounding the patient has a therapeutic preventive effect. This evidence cannot be ignored if we consider the following facts: 5 pathogenic organisms may be found in 1 cubic metre of the Forest Of Fontainebleu - 20,000 in a Paris flat, 9 million at the Motor Show and nearly as many in the big stores; a work-table has 5 million microbes per square metre, a carpet 9 million. In a large hospital there are on average 10,000 per cubic metre. Many years ago a doctor put some of this air into a flask containing a few drops of aromatic essences: 40% of the microbes were destroyed in 20 minutes, 80% in an hour, and in 9 hours 100%.”

 Some Useful Essential Oils 

There are anumber of ways in which essential oils are either protective or preventive. Just as many of them perform a protective role in the plant, they also protect us from bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, allergens and toxins. Since the first [experiments] in 1887 there have been hundreds of laboratory tests which have demonstrated the effectiveness of essential oils against bacteria. At the same time as being toxic to bacteria, most of the oils are completely non-toxic to the human organism, the best example of this being tea-tree oil. It is the single most effective and least harmful anti-microbial essential oil.

 Below are some test results with a few selected essential oils and microbes, as an example of the potency of EOs and the minute amounts needed to kill bacteria.

Tea tree 1:200 [dilution] Streptococcus

Sandalwood 1:64,000 Staph. auresus

Thyme 1:2,000 E.coli

Tea tree 1:12,8000 Gonococcus

Tea tree 1:200 Pneumococcus

Lemon 1:2000 C. diptheriae

Cinnamon 1:300 Typhus

Clove bud 1:6000 M. tuberculosis

 There are few substances, natural or synthetic, which are effective against viruses, but among them are certain essential oils.  These inclue cinnamon, thyme, black pepper, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, and geranium….  Not only do essential oils  not have all the drawbacks associated with antibiotic drugs, they also help to stimulate thebody’s natural defence - the immune system…..  Other oils act as expectorants, stimulating the removal of heavy mucous in the lungs and bronchial tubes.  This is helpful in virtually all respitory conditions, and the most helpful oils include eucalyptus, tea tree, lemon, lavender, peppermint, and sandalwood.  [Other useful oils for the respitory system include basil, bergamot, marjoram, rosemary, spruce, pine, and fir.)

(The above taken from “Aromatherapy - To Heal and Tend the Body” by Robert Tisserand)

   Air and room disinfectants:  

Bergamot, Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Lemon, Orange, Grapefruit, Lime, Pine, Sage and Thyme Oils

Anti-Viral oils:

Bergamot, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Helichrysum, Lemon, Melissa, Rose, Tea Tree, Thyme, Neem and Patchouli Oils

Antiseptic oils:

(All EOs have some antiseptic effects, these are particularly effective)

Bergamot, Cajeput, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Fir, Juniper, Lavender, Niaouli, Neem, Pine, Rose, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Savory, Tea Tree, and Thyme oils

Anti-Fungal oils:

Camphor, Cinnamon, Citronella, Coriander, Fennel, Lavender, Marjoram, Myrrh, Neem, Nutmeg, Savory, Tagetes, Tea Tree, Thyme oils

Bacteriacides:

(Again, most EOs have potency, these are particularly effective)

Bergamot, Cajeput, Eucalyptus, Juniper, Lavender, Niaouli, Neem, Rosemary, Tea Tree oils

 (As listed in “The Aromatherapy Book”  by Jean Rose)

 (The following article I found on the internet a few years ago and don’t have the url any more, sorry)

Vinegar Kills Bacteria, Mold and Germs

    More Cleaning Solutions.

Vinegar is a mainstay of the old folk recipes for cleaning, and with good reason. The vim of the vinegar is that it kills bacteria, mold, and germs.

    Simple Solution:

Heinz company spokesperson Michael Mullen references numerous studies to show that a straight 5 percent solution of vinegar the supermarket percent of germs (viruses). He noted that Heinz can’t claim on their packaging that vinegar is a disinfectant since the company has not registered it as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, it seems to be common knowledge in the industry that vinegar is powerfully antibacterial. Even the CBS news show 48 Hours had a special last December with Heloise reporting on tests from The Good Housekeeping Institute that showed this.

Just like antibiotics, common disinfectants found in sponges and household sprays may contribute to drug resistant bacteria, according to researchers of drug resistance at Tufts New England Medical Center. Furthermore, research at the Government Accounting Office shows that many commercial disinfectants are ineffective to begin with, just like antibiotics.

Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board, and in your bathroom, and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don’t even rinse, but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.

Sources and recipe for Essentail Oils

 Here’s some information I gleaned from Googling and from books in my possession.   Additionally, here are a couple of lists of essential oils which are considered to have either anti-bacterial and/or anti-viral properties.  Not much experimentation has gone on using essential oils, especially in the US.  Which is too bad, since E.O.s are relatively inexpensive and most have many therapeutic uses.  Another herb which has had a lot of experimentation is Neem, which is not usually available as an oil.  An acquaintance makes a strong Neem tea, then strains the leaves, and adds essential oils for a wide spectrum anti-septic household spray, and it is very useful for traveling as well.

 Sources of Essential Oils and Neem Leaves

I order most of my oils and herbs from Starwest Botanicals – you can order by phone or catalog. Their phone is 800–800–4372. (Naturally I have no vested interest in this company! I have just ordered from them for many years and am satisfied with their quality and customer service.) It is not hard to qualify for a wholesale account, and gives you a very good discount. They have Neem leaves available, the cut and sifted are easiest to use, the whole leaves work as well. The powder is not so good for making tea from, it’s better for use in skin preparations or in formulas taken internally.

Below is an other excellent source for good quality and cheap essential oils; one needs to qualify as a wholesale buyer (which is easy, just tell them you make products and sell them to clients or stores, at craft fairs, at your meditation center or something similar).

http://www.essentialoils.org/products.htm

Essential Oil University

If any of you are seriously interesting in learning about essential oils, these are some books I have and like (not that I agree with absolutely everything in them, but I find them informative and useful in general).

The Art of Aromatherapy by Robert Tisserand

Aromatherapy – to Heal and Tend the Body by Robert Tisserand (very good scientific explanations of how and why essential oils work)

The Aromatherapy Book by Jean Rose

375 Hydrosols and Essential Oils by Jean Rose

Aromatherapy Workbook by Marcel Lavabre (very good scientific explanations of how and why essential oils work, with much botanical info)

 Oils generally considered to have anti-bacterial properties:  (those with a * I have used and consider very useful).  I am leaving out oils which are either very expensive or rare and hard to find.  Most oils have many uses.  It’s VERY VERY  important when using essential oils to be very sparing, they are extremely concentrated.  Do NOT apply neat to the skin except for Lavender which is the best cure for burns that I know, or Tea Tree.  I applied Oregano oil when I first got some neat to a wart, as I had read it gets rid of them.  It got rid of the wart all right.  But the pain was intense, for a couple of days.  It has to be used in dilution VERY carefully.  Many of these oils below may also have anti-viral properties.  

Niauli

Savory

Thyme

The oils below are considered to have anti-viral properties, same symbol use as above:

Artemisia

Melissa

Thyme

 Neem isn’t generally available as an essential oil but as an infused oil, which isn’t suitable for using as a cleaner or antiseptic.  Instead, try making a Neem tea and using that as a base for an anti-septic cleaner and hand wipe or spray.  Here is my recipe:

 (Measurements are not exact, feel free to experiment)

3 Cups of Neem leaves, cut and sifted

Approximately 1 gallon of water

 Bring the Neem and water to a boil with the lid on, turn down the heat and simmer on low for 10 minutes.  Take off the heat and let cool completely.  Then strain through a stainless steel strainer.

To the strained tea, add 2 ½ to 3 cups of white vinegar, and I use these essential oils:

1 T. (Tablespoon) Fir

1 t. (teaspoon) Cinnamon

½ T. Tea Tree

1 t. Pine

1 T Rose Geranium

2/3 T. Lemon

½ T. Orange

½ T. Grapefruit

1 T. Eucalyptus

Then add 3 good sized squirts of a natural dish soap, 3 T. Vegetable Glycerine (helps keep the oils in suspension so they don’t float as a layer at the top) and 3 t. ascorbic acid (powdered Vitamin C) dissolved in a little hot water, is a natural preservative. Mix the whole thing up with a whisk until everything is dissolved, and store in the fridge. As you need it, dilute with the same amount of water for cleaner, anti-septic spray, and hand sanitizer. This is actually still quite strong, and could be diluted more.

 There are many other oils which are listed as basic “anti-septics” such as Basil,  Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cedar, Cypress, Fennel, Marjoram and even Patchouli.  In fact, most essential oils have some measurable anti-bacterial or anti-viral potential.  My personal favorites for all purpose anti-septic purposes are the citrus oils and evergreen oils.  They are among the cheapest and most potent, and Oregano as it is extremely powerful.  A good mix I use fpr a very simple and quick antiseptic would consist of Pine, Oregano, Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Lemon and Fir or Spruce.  How much Essential oil to use?  I use approximately 40 drops to a quart or more of water, add to a spray bottle, and shake and spray.  Sometimes I add a tiny bit of liquid soap to make it more dispersable. 

(This is not very well edited and I apologize. If anyone has questions and puts them on the thread I’ll try to find it again or here’s my email address: MayAllBeWell@gmail.com)

Final note: Some suppliers have small ceramic vials to wear around the neck to fill with essential oils for constant evaporation and inhalation. They sound good.

BeWellat 03:05

Oops - hmm, a lot of spaces there. Also forgot about the *s next to the list of oils, ignore note about them. Sorry. Still getting used to posting here, no edit feature. :-(

Urdar-Norge – at 06:21

jplanner. the 90% will burn very well, But isopropanol is a expensive fuel, but its double usage as a disinfectant will be clever, you need to add two parts water to get in the recmneded % around 60–79% adding glyserin will give you a skinfriendly desinfectant that dont dry out your skin. Glyserol can be bought in shops who sells ingridents for making soap, and on farmacys.

Urdar-Norge – at 06:24

one note on alcohol as fuel. Outdoors in sunlight the flame is invisible, this may lead to sistuation where you belive you are out of fuel and starts pouring into more, dont! its highly flamable! Allways check for heath, and if your burner has a cap, put it on to be sure the flame is killed.

LauraBat 07:19

Another bonus of stockpiling Everclear - you can have a big drunken frat party when this is all over :)

HillBilly Bill – at 07:48

I have found that 91% isopropyl will work as a stove fuel, but there are better products readily available. I am stocking the isopropyl to use as a disinfectant and backup fuel, but have also stocked HEET fuel treatment which is nearly pure methanol. Make sure you heed the warnings of the container and avoid contact with skin.

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