The Mortar and Pestle

  I wanted to start my blog with not only a discussion over a caveman's kitchen gadget, but of a tool that has been used for centuries, and is still used today in modern medicine.  The mortar and pestle is something that is used everyday at your neighborhood compounding pharmacy.  What is a compounding pharmacy?  This is a pharmacy that works just like every other (filling prescriptions of pre-manufactured medications) and more ...  The pharmacists here are able to work along side with your doctor to formulate a medication that is personal to your needs.  The benefits are that you have the opportunity to not only ask questions about your medication, but also you have the chance to request a more natural ingredient in your compounded prescription; this normally being one of the inactive ingredients in the formula.  Yes, your medicine is made right there on site.  Inside of your compounding medication there are active and inactive ingredients.  Generally every ingredient in a formula has a role (not just a filler); however, sometimes there is a more natural ingredient to choose from that plays the same role.  For example, using riboflavin (vitamin B 2) instead of an artificial colorant, which is needed to test to make sure that the mixture is uniform.  Also requesting for the use of vegetable glycerin in you cream medication instead of propylene glycol.

  Giving credit back to the "mortar and pestle" though, everyone should have one of these gadgets in their kitchen or bathroom.  Yes, bathroom!  I have used mine to mix in my preferred essential oils into my body lotion or bath salts.  Plus, as a cooking tool, one of the best ways to preserve the freshness of an ingredient is to triturate it right before serving.  This allows the natural juices to escape at the perfect time: in your kitchen and to the table :-)