Scribd
Upload
31 views1 page

Dec Oct Ions

Decoctions are used to extract active constituents from tougher plant materials like barks and roots. To make a decoction, the plant material is boiled for 20 minutes to soften it. This process extracts more of the plant's chemicals into the water. After boiling, the plant material is removed by straining or settling and the remaining liquid is consumed as medicine.

Uploaded by

Perkin Gotohio
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
31 views1 page

Dec Oct Ions

Decoctions are used to extract active constituents from tougher plant materials like barks and roots. To make a decoction, the plant material is boiled for 20 minutes to soften it. This process extracts more of the plant's chemicals into the water. After boiling, the plant material is removed by straining or settling and the remaining liquid is consumed as medicine.

Uploaded by

Perkin Gotohio
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Decoctions Decoctions are usually the method of choice when working with tougher and more fibrous plants,

barks and roots (and which have water soluble chemicals). Instead of just steeping it in hot water, the plant material is boiled for a longer period of time to soften the harder woody material and release its active constituents. To prepare a decoction, select a ceramic pot with a snug fitting lid. Measure the amount of herb needed (usually the same ratio of 1 teaspoon powdered herb or 2 teaspoons of cut herb per 8 ounces of water) into the pot and add the proper amount of cold water depending on how many cups of the decoction you wish to prepare. Turn on the heat to medium high and bring to a roiling boil. Place the lid on the pot and reduce the heat to medium or medium-low so that the mixture stays at a good simmer. Simmer it covered for 20 minutes. If you can see steam escaping or smell the aroma of the herb, your lid is not tight enough and valuable essential oils are escaping. After 20 minutes, remove from heat and cool slightly. If using cut herbs, strain the mixture through a tea strainer into a teacup. When straining, make sure to press on the cut herb pieces in the strainer to get as much liquid/decoction out of the herb pieces as possible. If using powdered herb, allow the powder to settle to the bottom of the pot and then pour off the decoction from the top into a teacup (any sediment missed will settle to the bottom of the teacup). Standard dosages for decoction are generally one-half to one cup, two or three times daily. Again, the entire day's dosage can be prepared in the morning (2-3 cups at one time), and the remainder refrigerated until ready to use later in the day.

myricyl alcohol, sitosterol, fatty acids (oleci, linolic, and stearic acids, together with a higher fatty acid, possibly lignoceric acid) and a diphydric alcohol, anonol.

You might also like