Narelle: gentian violet is: methylrosaniline chloride...a topical anitinfective for external use only. alcolhol content: 8-10% by volume .. a dye derived from coal tar. widely used as a stain in histology, cytology and bacteriology. used therapeutically as a topical anti-infective. ...tabers Patricia ( I use ut as a "last resort" or with very stuborn thrush..and I dilute 1 part g.v. to 4 parts water. it stains but can be removed with simple green. it is also very effective. long term use can be drying.)