TIU Pharmacy Faculty

2020-2021

Lecture: 6

Third Grade

Dr. Rozhan Arif Muhammed

Outline

Spirits

Definition

Methods of Preparation

Uses of Spirits

Official spirits

Spirits:

• Spirits are alcoholic or hydro alcoholic solution of volatile substances.

• Generally, the alcohol concentration of spirits is high, usually over 60%.

• Because of the greater solubility of aromatic substances in alcohol than in water, spirits can contain a greater concentration of these materials than corresponding aromatic waters.

Aromatic Spirits

• The amount of volatile materials in spirits varies greatly and no fixed percentage can be given.

• The lowest percentage is in internal spirits such as Aromatic Ammonia Spirit (60 to 68 percent).

• The highest is in external spirits such as Camphor Spirit (80 to 87 percent).

• Spirits when taken orally , they are generally mixed with portion of water to reduce from pungency.

• In preparation of spirits we must keep in mind that the oil dissolved in alcohol is precipitated causing turbidity when the solutions are mixed with water other than specified in the formula.

• The volatile substances present in spirits generally separate from solution and form a milky preparation.

•

In order to avoid this turbidity following points should be followed

1. Water except as specified in the formula should be avoided.

2. Graduates and other equipment used should be dry.

3. Filter paper should be moistened with alcohol.

Spirits could be classified according to their uses:

• Therapeutic spirits: which contain therapeutic volatile substances.

• Flavoring spirits : which contain flavoring volatile substances.

Methods used to prepare Spirits

Depending on the materials utilized, spirits may be prepared by:

1. Simple solution

2. Solution by maceration

3. Distillation

4. Chemical reaction

Uses of Spirits:

1. Spirits may be used pharmaceutically as flavoring agent and medicinally for the therapeutic value of aromatic solute.

2. As flavoring agents they are used to impart the flavor of their solute to other pharmaceutical preparations.

3. For medicinal purposes, spirits may be taken orally, applied externally, or used by inhalation, depending upon the preparation.

The most recently official

Spirits are

1. Aromatic ammonia spirit

2. Camphor spirits

3. Compound orange spirit

4. Peppermint spirit

Aromatic spirit of ammonia

Rx

Ammonium carbonate 34 g

Dilute solution of ammonia 90 ml

Oil of lemon 10 ml

Oil lavender 1 ml

Oil of myristica 1 ml

Alcohol 700 ml

D.W Q.S 1000 ml

Method:

Dissolve the solid agent in dilute solution of ammonia with little amount of water , while the oil dissolved in alcohol also with little amount of water, and then add the aqueous solution into alcoholic one after filtering each one.

Note :

In preparation of aromatic spirit of ammonia we make filtration due to the presence of water with alcohol that cause precipitation of volatile oil

Aromatic Ammonia Spirit:

It acts:

1. As a carminative due to the volatile oils present.

2. As antacid.

3. As a stimulant in the treatment of faintness. Act as mild reflex stimulant due to the liberation of ammonia (NH3) from the ammonium carbonate which the spirit contains so it is used in case of fainting.

Camphor Spirit, NF:

• Camphor spirit, NF like aromatic ammonia spirit, is well known to the lay public. It is referred to as Tincture of camphor and as camphor.

• This preparation is a simple solution of 10 percent camphor in alcohol. It is rarely used internally,

• Its external use is very common. Usually it is applied to “cold sores”

and similar ailments.

• Camphor Spirit can be used

• for temporary relief of minor aches,

• muscle and joint pain associated with arthritis, strains, bruises and simple backaches.

• Camphor can also be used in a steam vaporizer to help relieve coughing by moistening breathing passages.

• Camphor spirit alcohol solution containing in each mL no less than 9g and not more than 11g of camphor

• Camphor 100g

• Alcohol q.s. 1000mL

• Dissolve the camphor in 800mL of alcohol and add alcohol to make 1000mL. Filter if necessary.

Compound Orange spirit, BP:

Rx

Oil of orange 200 ml

Oil of lemon 50 ml

Oil of coriander 20 ml

Oil of anise 5 ml

Alcohol Q.S 1000 ml

Alcohol content between 60% and 67% of ethanol

Method:

According to simple solution method, mix oils with sufficient alcohol to make the product measure 1000 ml.

• It is a blend of several oils and is readily prepared by simple solution.

• It is an important ingredient of aromatic elixir.

Note :

Anise oil use as carminative and mild expectorant (as cough mixtures and lozenges)

Peppermint Spirit, NF

• It is used as a carminative and flavor.

• Given orally in small doses, usually 1ml, this spirit is an effective carminative, and it is used extensively for that purpose.

Its preparation is as follows

1. The leaves are macerated in water to remove tannins and other water-soluble materials.

2. The aqueous extract is discarded, and the leaves are expressed and

macerated in alcohol. The alcohol dissolves the chlorophyll giving the product a bright green color.

3. To this alcoholic solution 10% of volatile oil is added.

The leaves used do not impart any medicinal action to the preparation. This action comes from the volatile oil added to the alcohol.

Compound spirit of cardamom B.P

Rx

Oil of cardamom 20 ml

Oil of orange 20 ml

Of cinnamon 2 ml

Oil of clove 1 ml

Anethol 1 ml

Oil of caraway 0.2 ml

Alcohol Q.S 200 ml

Method:

Mix the oils and anethol with sufficient alcohol to make the product measure 200 ml.

Notes: -

✓Caraway oil used as antispasmodic agent ,mainly in children mixtures.

✓Cinnamon oil used as carminative and flavoring agent.

✓Cardamom used as carminative and flavoring agent.

✓Anethol used as mild expectorant in cough mixtures and lozenges, also as flavoring agent.