native alternative to alcohol for preserving flower essences

[wendi forbes]

Hi,
I am a producer of Vibrational essences ( Humanifest Vibrational Essences) and I am looking for a viable alternative for alcohol in preserving both mother tinctures and stock level essences. Several European companies are starting to use Red Shiso and white viniger as an alternaltive. I would prefer a native Oz solution. Does any one know about an alternative... I have been thinking of a tea made from either bark or leaves? Any comment would be of assistance Thanks

[roughbarked]

Presumably these essences are not to be taken internally?

[wendi forbes]

Yes they are taken internally as they are a form of Homeopathic. Not Essential oil .

[Thomas B]

Alcohol can be derived from the fermentation of anything with sugar in it, so a native alternative to alcohol could be alcohol distilled from a native wine, although you could just use pure water and cut out the middleman.

[eataust]

I wouldn't think a "tea" that is non-toxic to human consumption would have any preservation quantities. Eucalyptus or tea-tree probably would but the quantities required to prevent bacteria formation would render the entire mix pretty toxic, which would be counter-productive.

A quick read around the web shows that Red Shiso is mixed with vinegar in order to use the apparent preservative found in the herb. I don't think anyone is using the Red Shiso on its own. Therefore, any extraction of a similar native Australian preservative is still probably going to need mixing with a more traditional preservative, such as alcohol, vinegar, salt, or sugar.

There hasn't been a LOT of research done on the preservative elements of various native plants, unfortunately. It might be possible to find traditional Aboriginal uses of various things to keep foods for longer, but whether they would be suitable in the sort of highly sterile environment your essences presumeably need is up for debate.

[roughbarked]

Can't claim to be a homeopathic practitioner but isn't dilution a common factor?
Tinctures to my knowledge are made with alcohol.
diluted in purified water for homeopathic purposes.