Excerpt from "Secret Ingredients" by
Peter Cox and Peggy Brusseau
(1997)ISBN 0 553 50554 8
aka Glyceryl Guaicolateaka Guaicol glycerol ether. Obtained by condensing
Guaiacol with glycerol in the presence of dehydrating agents and used as an
expectorant in cough medicines. When taken in normal expectorant doses, gastro
intestinal upset is rare.
GUAICOL (expectorant)
Made by distillation of wood tar or coal tar, or synthetically. Used as a local
anaesthetic; antioxidant; antigumming agent in hydrocarbon solvents anti
skinning agent in surface coatings expectorant and flavouring agent for non
alcoholic beverages and foods. It has similar properties to phenol but appears
to be about a third as toxic. Hazardous when more that 2 grams applied to
the skin, esp with prolonged contact. Severely injurious to eyes. Medical use as
an expectorant in large doses can cause cardiovascular collapse and clinical
doses may cause gastro intestinal irritation.