Hi Folks,
I agree with Tel Tofflemire. It is my understanding that J. G. A. Lugol, the guy who originally came up with the formula, made it in a 5% solution, as mentioned below from Wikipedia. That being so, it makes sense that "Lugol's Solution", as he made it, is only a 5% solution. If anyone else wants to make an iodine/iodide solution using different amounts of its constituents that too should have benefits but could not be rightly called "Lugol's Solution" because he (Lugol) didn't make it that way...make sense?? Calling it a 2% iodine/iodide solution, for example, would be fine, in my opinion, FWIW. Peter Lugol's iodine, also known as Lugol's solution, first made in 1829, is a solution of elemental iodine and potassium iodide in water, named after the French physician J.G.A. Lugol. Lugol's iodine solution is often used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, for emergency disinfection of drinking water, and as a reagent for starch detection in routine laboratory and medical tests . It has been used more rarely to replenish iodine deficiency. [1] However, pure potassium iodide, containing the relatively benign iodide ion without the more toxic elemental iodine, is preferred for this purpose. Formula and manufacture Lugol's solution consists of 5 g iodine (I2) and 10 g potassium iodide (KI) mixed with 85 ml distilled water, to make a brown solution with a total iodine content of 150 mg/mL. Potassium iodide renders the elementary iodine soluble in water through the formation of the triiodide (I3-) ion. It is not to be confused with tincture of iodine solutions, which consist of elemental iodine, and iodide salts dissolved in water and alcohol. Lugol's solution contains no alcohol. Other names for Lugol's solution are I2KI (Iodine-Potassium Iodide); Markodine, Strong solution (Systemic); Aqueous Iodine Solution BCP. Formula and manufacture Lugol's solution consists of 5 g iodine (I2) and 10 g potassium iodide (KI) mixed with 85 ml distilled water, to make a brown solution with a total iodine content of 150 mg/mL. Potassium iodide renders the elementary iodine soluble in water through the formation of the triiodide (I3-) ion. It is not to be confused with tincture of iodine solutions, which consist of elemental iodine, and iodide salts dissolved in water and alcohol. Lugol's solution contains no alcohol. Other names for Lugol's solution are I2KI (Iodine-Potassium Iodide); Markodine, Strong solution (Systemic); Aqueous Iodine Solution BCP. ----- Original Message ---- Sent: Friday, March 26, 2010 11:02 AM Subject: Re: CS>RE: LUGO'L 5 % IODINE Dude, take a chill pill. My understanding is Lugols's is a 2:1 solution of potassium iodide and iodine, and can come in different concentrations. altcancer.com sells it in 2.2%, 3%, 7% and 15%. Take a deep breath and educate us on why Lugol's can ONLY be 5%. Alan