how golden is the ratio of 1:1 grams lye to bark? will slightly less, say .5-.75:1 work as well or is more lye required to extract? it would seem the main concern without enough lye is an emulsion.

great site by the way much to learn!

Ive always read that a 1:1 ratio was a little overboard on the NaOh. However ive only had success with it so i continue to use 90-100grams food grade NaOh to 100grams MHRB.

I think ideally youd want to use a Ph meter and add just enought NaOh to get the solution to a Ph of 12-13..

ideal, yes the extraction was successful with 454grams rootbark and 400grams NaOh, however it seems the bark sourced from a newer Brazilian reseller doesn't behave as usual. the sodium carbonate wash didn't pull any visible impurities and instead the active containing solvent had to be decanted multiple times away from dark sludge that slowly settled out before a final freeze precipitation.