Alcohol concentration in the preparation of mother tinctures of vegetable origin. The example of Holarrhena antidysenterica.

The strength of solvent affects the therapeutic efficacy of homeopathic tinctures of vegetable origin. On the basis of physical, chemical and biological assay of different tinctures made with different concentrations, in the case of Holarrhena antidysenterica Wall, the best solvent was 70% v/v ethanol. This is different from the standard strong alcohol recommended in homeopathic pharmacopoeia. It may be necessary to review the procedure followed for the preparation of homeopathic mother tinctures of vegetable origin.