The Dilution Equation: Precision Blending for Target Potency

by Jason J. Duke - Owner/Artisan

Fresh Content: December 3, 2025 11:00

What is The Pearson Square?

The Pearson Square is a calculation method used to determine the exact ratio of two liquids with different concentrations (e.g., 190 Proof Ethanol and 0 Proof Water) needed to create a specific Target ABV (Alcohol By Volume). It replaces "guessing" with Stoichiometric Precision, ensuring the menstruum is perfectly tuned to the solubility profile of the specific botanical being extracted.

The Solubility Spectrum: 13 Tiers of Extraction

Different constituents dissolve at different alcohol strengths. We do not use a generic "40% for everything." We map the solvent to the chemistry.

Target ABV Solubility Focus Primary Action Herb Examples
20% Polysaccharides / Mucilage Preservation Floor. Minimal solvent action. Best for water-solubles. Burdock (Fresh), Marshmallow Root
25% Water-Soluble Glycosides Nourishing Tonic. Gentle extraction for daily use. Dandelion Root, Yellow Dock
30% Saponins / Flavonoids Adaptogenic Standard. Balances preservation with extraction. Astragalus, Codonopsis
35% Triterpenoids (Light) The Sweet Spot. Ideal for many dried tonic roots. Ashwagandha, Eleuthero
40% Volatile Oils / Aromatics Universal Standard (Vodka Strength). Good for leafy aromatics. Peppermint, Lemon Balm (Dried)
45% Alkaloids (Moderate) Penetrating Power. Breaks down denser cellulose. Cayenne, Motherwort
50% Resinous Compounds The 100 Proof Standard. Necessary for waxy coatings. Calendula, Saw Palmetto
55% Alkaloids (Heavy) Strong Solvent. For potent, low-dose botanicals. Coptis, Fresh Valerian
60% Fresh Plant Juice Hydro-Dynamic Balance. Offsets water content in fresh herbs. Fresh Echinacea, Goldenseal
65% Latex / Gums The Resin Threshold. Required to keep saps in solution. Myrrh, Boswellia
70% Fresh Resinous Buds Lipophilic Extraction. Dissolves sticky, glue-like resins. Poplar Buds (Balm of Gilead), Propolis

 

1. Why We Dilute (The 190 Proof Strategy)

Many home herbalists buy 80-proof (40%) vodka and use it for everything. This is a "ceiling." You can never make it stronger. By purchasing 190-Proof Organic Cane Alcohol (95%), you possess the raw potential to extract anything.

  • The Canvas: 190 Proof is pure potential.
  • The Paint: Distilled Water allows you to "paint" the exact solubility profile you need.
  • The Result: You can create a 20% menstruum for Burdock or a 70% menstruum for Cayenne using the same base ingredients.

 

The Pearson Square Diagram for Alcohol Dilution
Figure 18a: The Pearson Square. A visual calculator for precise dilution.

2. The Pearson Square Method

How do you turn 95% Alcohol into 40% Menstruum? Use this cross-subtraction method.

  1. Top Left: Write your Starting Alcohol % (e.g., 95).
  2. Bottom Left: Write your Water % (Usually 0).
  3. Center: Write your Target % (e.g., 40).
  4. Subtract Across:
    • 95 minus 40 = 55 Parts Water (Bottom Right).
    • 40 minus 0 = 40 Parts Alcohol (Top Right).

The Formula: Mix 40 parts of 190-Proof Alcohol with 55 parts of Water. This guarantees a perfect 40% ABV solution.

3. The Exothermic Bond (The Heat of Mixing)

When you mix high-proof ethanol and water, you will notice a strange phenomenon: The jar gets hot.

This is not a chemical reaction in the sense of changing substances, but it is a physical bonding event. The ethanol molecules and water molecules are slamming together to form a hydrogen-bonded lattice. This releases energy as heat (Exothermic).

The Sovereign Protocol: Never add herbs immediately after mixing. The heat can damage delicate aromatic oils. Allow the menstruum to cool to room temperature (about 20 minutes) to let the molecular lattice stabilize before introducing the plant material.

Phase 4: Formulation Architecture (Applied Alchemy)

You have solved the Dilution Equation. Now, proceed to Formulation Architecture: