What is Aromatic Waters?
Definition
According to the British Pharmacopoeia defines the aromatic waters as clear, saturated aqueous solutions of volatile oils or other aromatic or volatile substances.
Introduction
Aromatic waters are saturated solutions (unless otherwise specified) of volatile oils (e.g. Peppermint oil , rose oil ) or other aromatic or volatile substances, e.g. Camphor in purified water.
Aromatic waters are prepared from a number of volatile substances, including peppermint oil, rose oil, orange flower oil, anise oil, spearmint oil, wintergreen oil, camphor and chloroform.
Naturally, they possess an odor and taste similar to that plant or volatile substance from which they are prepared that means source .
Aromatic waters are clear, free from solid impurities and are free from empyreumatic (i.e. smoke like) or foreign odors.
Most of the aromatic substances in the preparation of aromatic waters that have very low solubility in water and although water may be saturated, its concentration of aromatic material is still rather small. The volatile substances from the aromatic waters are to be prepared should be of purest quality.
Classification of Aromatic Waters
Aromatic waters can be classified into two types as :-
1. Simple aromatic waters:
:They contain purified water as a solvent but don't contain alcohol and are mainly used as vehicles e.g. Chloroform water.
2. Concentrated aromatic waters:
They contain alcohol as a solvent for the volatile constituents.
Examples : Camphor Water BP, Concentrated Peppermint Water BP, Concentrated Cinnamon Water BPC, Concentrated Caraway Water BPC, Concentrated Dill Water BPC, Concentrated Anise Water BPC etc.
Methods of Preparation
Aromatic waters may be prepared by distillation or solution of the aromatic substance, with or without the use of dispersing agents.
1. Distillation Method
The distillation method involves the placing of the coarsely ground odoriferous (aromatic) portion of the plant or drug from that the aromatic water is to be prepared in a suitable still, with sufficient purified water. Most of the volume of water is then distilled. The excess oil collected with the distillate rises to the top of the aqueous product and is removed. The remaining aqueous solution, saturated with volatile material requires clarification by filtration. This is the common method of preparation of aromatic waters even though it is slow and expensive one, e.g. Orange Flower Water NF and Strong Rose Water NF are prepared by this method. These waters have active volatile constituents in small quantities so it may be necessary to repeat the distillation process in several times.
2. Solution Method
This method is simple, quick and more economical as compared to distillation method. In this method, aromatic water is prepared by intermittently shaking, 2 ml (if liquid) or 2 g (if solid) of the volatile substance with 1000 ml of purified water in suitable container for 15 minutes. After the period of agitation the mixture is set aside for 12 hours or longer to allow the excess oil and the solid substance to settle. Without further agitation the mixture is passed through a wetted filter paper and purified water added as needed to bring the volume of the filtrate up to the prescribed quantity.
3. Alternative Solution Method
By this method, the volatile oil or suitably comminuted ( Size reduced) aromatic solid is thoroughly incorporated with 15 g of powdered talc or a sufficient quantity of kieselghur or pulp filter paper and to this mixture is added 1000 ml of purified water. The resulting slurry is thoroughly agitated several times for 30 minutes and then filtered. Powdered talc, kieselghur and pulp filter paper employed as a filter aid which renders the formulation more clear and also as distributing agents for the aromatic substances which ultimately increases the surface area of aromatic substances exposed to the solvent action of water. The distributing agents should be inert in nature.
Preparation of Concentrated Aromatic Water
These products are alcoholic, non aqueous preparations containing 2% of volatile oils. They are 40 times stronger than the ordinary aromatic waters. Many volatile oils contain aromatic part and non-aromatic part. The aromatic portion is much more soluble in a weak alcohol than the non-aromatic portion. Hence when a solution of the oil in 90% alcohol is diluted with a limited amount of water the aromatic portion of the oil remains in solution while the non-aromatic portion is precipitated off, separating as an oily layer. Therefore 50 g of talc is added for 1000 ml of preparation, which acts as a distributing agent, and shall absorb the non-aromatic part. The solution is agitated and kept aside for a few hours and filtered.
Therapeutic Uses
Aromatic waters are pharmaceutical aid and used principally for perfuming and flavoring the formulation. They can be used as a additive or excipients or bases or vehicles for formulation of other pharmaceutical preparations. Aromatic waters may be used for some special purposes like,
(a) Rose water has an antioxidant activity. The Rose water cleanses, tones and protects skin from harmful environmental consequences.
(b) Camphor water has been used as the vehicle in ophthalmic (eye) solutions owning to its ability to contribute refreshing and stimulating effect to the preparation.
(c) Chloroform water has been used as a preservative apart from its flavoring nature.
(d) Hamamelis water known as witch hazel is employed as a rub, perfume and as an astringent in various cosmetic preparations, particularly in after shaving lotions.
Dose
The dose of simple aromatic waters is usually 15 to 30 ml but it varies from water to water.
Storage Conditions
Aromatic waters deteriorate with time and therefore should be made in small quantities and protected from intense light and excessive heat. They should be stored in a airtight, light resistance container in cool place. Aromatic waters should be protected from strong light and preferably stored in containers that are stoppered with purified cotton to allow access of some air but to exclude dust.
Specific Labeling Requirement
The label should contain the caution "PROTECT FROM SUN LIGHT" with red ink due to the presence of volatile constituent in the preparation. This caution is very important in case of Chloroform water as chloroform gets converted into poisonous phosgene gas.
Examples of Aromatic Waters
1. Chloroform Water BP
2.Camphor Water BP; USP
3.Rose Water USP/NF
4. Peppermint Water USP
5. Dill Water BPC
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