Herbalista Medicine Chest

Sanitation - Alcohol-based Hand Rubs

If you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water, use a hand sanitizing rub.  Here are a set of recipes we use in the Herbalista Free Clinic, which were originally based on formulas by the World Health Organization.  Please note that the addition of the essential oils is optional!  

It involves a bit of math, so if you want to blend up something a bit simpler, but the bottom line is that whatever you make, according to the CDC it must contain at least 60% alcohol! In the US you can find pure ethanol (190 proof) at the liquor store, under the label Golden Grain or Everclear.  In Ireland, another option is called Surgical Spirits, available at pharmacies.

Notes on Alcohol:

• Isopropyl alcohol will list the percentage on the front of the bottle.  If it is only 60% alcohol, then don’t dilute it further with water!  
• If you are in a state which sells grain alcohol, like Georgia, you can buy Everclear or Golden Grain at the liquor store and simply use them.  The proof is twice the percentage.  i.e. 190 proof = 95% alcohol

SIMPLEST VERSION: Take 2 cups of 95% Everclear and blend with 1 cup of clean water!

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Hand Sanitizer Formula 1

This topical preparation is based on hand sanitizer formulas recommended by the World Health Organization.  Their version calls for the following proportions: 190 proof Ethanol (84%); a 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (4%); Glycerin (1%); and Water (11%).  We have respected this ratio with a couple edits-- in particular utilizing hydrosol or aloe for our Water Portion and the addition of Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils for their added antimicrobial potential. The addition of the essential oils brings the total recipe to 253 mL.  The lower the percentage of your starting alcohol, the less water portion that you add.  Remember the final blend must be more than 60% alcohol!

RECIPE for 8 oz (240 mL) - Ethanol

Ethanol (190 proof)                202 mL         (If alcohol is under 120 proof/ 60%, don’t add water)

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)          10 mL        (It says 3% on the Bottle)

Glycerine USP/ BP                    3 mL

Water Portion                            26 mL              (i.e. distilled or boiled cold water, hydrosol, aloe, etc.)

(Optional) Essential Oil      5 - 12 mL        (Tea Tree + Lavender; 5 - 12 mL = 2 % - 5% dilution)

PREP: After blending ingredients and pouring into bottles, quarantine them for 72 hours, to give time to destroy any spores that might be present in the bottles.  Spray bottles are best as this version is not gelatinous.  

USE: Apply a few squirts of hand rub and rub thoroughly over all surfaces until dry.

CONTRA:  For external use only! And please, as always, use your common sense 💚

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Hand Sanitizer Formula 2

This topical preparation is based on hand sanitizer formulas recommended by the World Health Organization.  Their version calls for the following proportions: Isopropyl (75%); 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (4%); Glycerin (1%); and Water (20%).  We have respected this ratio with a couple edits-- in particular utilizing hydrosol or aloe for our Water Portion and the addition of Lavender and Tea Tree essential oils for their added antimicrobial potential. The addition of the e.o.’s brings the total recipe to a smidge over 8 oz.  

RECIPE for 8 oz (240 mL) - Isopropyl

Isopropyl Alcohol (99.8%)        180 mL          (If isopropyl is only 60% or 70%, skip the water portion)

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)             10 mL        (It says 3% on the Bottle)

Glycerine USP/ BP                    3 mL

Water Portion                           47 mL              (i.e. distilled or boiled cold water, hydrosol, aloe, etc.)

(Optional) Essential Oil      5 - 12 mL        (Tea Tree + Lavender; 5 - 12 mL = 2 % - 5% dilution)

PREP: After blending ingredients and pouring into bottles, quarantine them for 72 hours, to give time to destroy any spores that might be present in the bottles.  Spray bottles are best as this version is not gelatinous.  

USE: Apply a few squirts of hand rub and rub thoroughly over all surfaces until dry.

CONTRA:  For external use only! And please, as always, use your common sense

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Hand Sanitizer Formula 3

This topical preparation is a more diluted version of the previous two.  It dilutes the alcohol down to its minimum effective percentage as a way to stretch and maximize the alcohol available and to make it last.    

RECIPE for 1000 mL  (1L) - Isopropyl

Isopropyl Alcohol (99.8%)          650 mL          

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%)               30 mL        (It says 3% on bottle, if stronger %, cut amount accordingly)

Glycerine USP/ BP                    10 mL

Water Portion                           290 mL              (i.e. distilled or boiled cold water, hydrosol, aloe, etc.)

(Optional) Essential Oil             20 mL        (10 mL each of Tea Tree + Lavender for 2% dilution)

PREP: After blending ingredients and pouring into bottles, quarantine them for 72 hours, to give time to destroy any spores that might be present in the bottles.  Spray bottles are best as this version is not gelatinous.

USE: Apply a few squirts of hand rub and rub thoroughly over all surfaces until dry.

CONTRA:  For external use only! And please, as always, use your common sense