Rubbing alcohol

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Different types: green (with menthol ) 60 ml, white 160 ml, 400 ml and 1000 ml

The term rubbing alcohol ( Spiritus Vini gallici ) includes different solutions of essential oils , monoterpenes and / or aromatic tinctures in diluted alcohol ( ethanol ). Products on the market are either colorless or green in color and preferably contain juniper berry oil , spruce needle oil , mountain pine oil , menthol , camphor and thymol , some of which are also used as denaturants .

history

The term rubbing alcohol goes back to the 17th century, which at the time generally referred to French brandy , but today only stands for an artificially produced liniment that promotes blood circulation in pharmaceutical terminology.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, rubbing alcohol ( brandy , eau-de-vie ) was understood to be brandy obtained exclusively from wine by distillation , in contrast to z. B. Potato ( vodka ) or grain brandy (grain). At the time, the best varieties were cognac and armagnac , made from wine from the respective French region. The prefix "Franz-" is probably due to the fact that France was the main producer. Until the 20th century, rubbing alcohol was generally referred to as “Cognac” in German, regardless of its origin. At the turn of the 20th century, the term “ brandy ” appears.

Various pharmaceutical rubbing alcohols were already available at the beginning of the 19th century. Preparations in which rubbing alcohol was used with and without additional water to macerate or extract various plants: “Spiritus tur. Pini Russ. ... three pounds of rubbing alcohol are withdrawn up to half over a pound of spruce buds. A powerful external means. "

Various rubbing alcohol preparations have been available in the range of pharmaceutical companies since the 19th century and especially since the 20th century. Today rubbing alcohol is made by mixing diluted alcohol ( ethanol ) and other additives such as essential oils . The use of the cheaper isopropanol is also common in some cases, but was controversial under pharmaceutical law at the beginning of the 20th century .

When it was not yet customary to make rubbing alcohol undrinkable by denaturing it, it was sometimes used as an addictive substance: Since it was considered improper for women to drink high-proof alcohol, they secretly consumed the rubbing alcohol in the household as a medicine and often became dependent on it. which, after the perfume that was also used, was called " Eau de Cologne - alcoholism ".

Effect and approval

Rubbing alcohol is a liniment (alcoholic rubbing), which is suitable for local hyperaemia (promoting skin blood circulation) for muscle and joint pain, for sore muscles , strains and bruises, as well as for sports and connective tissue massages. The essential oils contained are hyperemic, but above all the alcohol, which from 50% also has a slightly irritating and disinfecting effect. Washing with rubbing alcohol should also have a cooling effect on inflammation and against bedsores (bedsores). It is also used as a refreshment on hot days. Rubbing alcohol is contraindicated as a measure of pressure ulcer prophylaxis in particularly vulnerable care recipients.

The statement about the effectiveness of the healing of various complaints does not apply to all formulas on sale, but only to those that are approved as medicinal products . A distinction can still be made between traditional medicinal products and standard approval .

In addition, there are also preparations that are sold as cosmetic products and are used as a rub during or after the massage. In Austria, since 1994 rubbing alcohol with a certain composition has only been approved as a cosmetic product and, in addition to its external use, is used in small quantities as a mouthwash.

Recipes

In the past, ratanhia root extract was also added to the alcoholic solution in order to imitate the look of a cognac.

The following specified preparations are available from pharmacies:

  • Spiritus Vini gallici pure 38-40% ( V / V ) DAC ,
  • Spiritus Vini gallici pure 45% (V / V) DAC,
  • Spiritus Vini gallici with Camphor DAC,
  • Spiritus Vini gallici with spruce needle oil 48% (V / V) standard approval.

Use in elderly care

With regard to the decubitus problem that typically occurs in elderly care , it is recommended that alcoholic rubs such as B. with rubbing alcohol, not to be carried out, as alcohol leads to dehydration of the skin. Often, however, it is the patient's wish to be rubbed with rubbing alcohol because of the refreshing effect. This request can be met individually, provided that the relevant skin area is treated with a high-fat cream or lotion ( W / O emulsion ).

literature

  • Volker Schulz, Rudolf Hänsel: Rational phytotherapy - advice for medical practice. 3., completely redesigned. Edition. Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1996, ISBN 3-540-61240-8 , p. 296.

Web links

Wiktionary: rubbing alcohol  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Rubbing alcohol. In: Digital dictionary of the German language . Retrieved April 3, 2015
  2. ^ Rubbing alcohol . In: Adelung: Grammatical-Critical Dictionary of High German Dialect . Volume 2. Leipzig 1796, p. 266.
  3. ^ Karl Karmarsch, Friedrich Heeren: Technical Dictionary or Handbook of Industrial Studies. In alphabetical order. Adapted from Dr. Andrew Ure's Dictionary of Arts, Manufacturers and Mines. Verlag von Gottlieb Haase Sons, Prague 1843, p. 765.
  4. Cognac . In: Merck's Warenlexikon . 3rd ed. 1884 ff., P. 281 f.
  5. ^ D. Carl Gottlob Kühn: Friedrich Gotthilf Voigtels complete system of the drug theory. Leipzig 1816, p. 275.
  6. ^ Jean Pütz : rubbing alcohol . Full pot - touched; Retrieved May 5, 2015
  7. ^ Ernst Urban, NA Böttger-Urban: Pharmacy Laws - According to German imperial and Prussian state law . Springer, 1927, p. 142, Google Books
  8. Steinegger, Ernst, Hansel, Rudolf: Textbook of Pharmakognosie and Phytopharmazie . Springer, 1988, p. 356, Google Books
  9. Sandra Bensch: I care care . Ed .: Georg Thieme Verlag. 2nd Edition. Thieme, Stuttgart 2020, ISBN 978-3-13-241828-8 , p. 404 .
  10. ^ A. Uhl, N. Kopf, A. Springer, I. Eisenbach-Stangl, U. Kobrna, S. Bachmayer, W. Beiglböck, W. Preinsberger, R. Mader: Handbook Alcohol - Austria: Numbers, data, facts, Trends. Federal Ministry for Social Security and Generations, Vienna 2001, ISBN 3-85010-062-0 .
  11. Austrian food book. IV edition. Published with decree GZ: BMGFJ-75210/0007-IV / B / 7/2008 of May 14, 2008.
  12. DAC and NRF http://dacnrf.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/
  13. Currently valid monographs of the standard approval for human medicinal products. (PDF) on: bfarm.de
  14. ↑ Pressure ulcers - a pressing problem . (PDF) An information brochure, 12th edition. IGAP - Institute for Innovations in Health Care and Applied Nursing Research e. V .; accessed on February 20, 2015