#decoction

Infusions & Decoctions (the difference)

Infusions also known as herbal teas are prepared in a water base, extracting medicinal properties from the herbs using its soft parts (leaves, stems & flowers). If you choose you can also infuse for longer periods of time, strain them, then place in the fridge for up to 2 days. Infusions are not only limited to tea drinking but can be used externally as compress or added to a bath.

Decoctions are made when you’d like to break down the hard parts of plants that require greater heat (bark, roots, seeds, nuts, berries) this way you’ll get all its medicinal properties. In this case you’d boil the herbs, cover, then let them simmer for 10-15 min, strain, then drink.

IG: sunteaseven

Infusion: a tea prep - plants parts and hot water mix for a short time

Decoction: longer tea prep - plant parts simmer in the hot water for a longer time

Syrup: plant parts added to sugar water or honey water mixture

Powder: dried plant parts pulverized, traditionally by mortar and pestle

Tincture: essential plant components dissolved in water and alcohol solution

Essence: Essential plant fragrance added to alcohol

Ointment: powered or essential plant parts added to an oily substance such as olive oil, petroleum jelly, lard, often mixed with beeswax

Hordeum vulgare

Common Names: Pearl barley (hulled grain), Scotch barley.

Medicinal Part: Grain.

Description: Barley is an annual plant that is widely cultivated as a food grain. Its stout, simple stem (or culm) is hollow and jointed and grows from 1½ to 3 feet high. The narrow, tapering leaves ascend the stem in two ranks, the third leaf over the first; and their bases form loose sheaths around the stem. The flowers grow in bristly-bearded terminal spikes, producing eventually the elliptic, furrowed barley grains.

Properties and Uses: Demulcent. When hulled barley (pearl barley) is cooked, a mucilaginous substance is obtained which makes a good source of nutrition for those with throat or stomach problems. Mixing barley water with milk makes a soothing preparation for stomach and intestinal irritation. Barley has also been recommended for feverish conditions. The demulcent properties of cooked barley make it useful as an external application for sores and tumors.

Althaea officinalis

Common Names: Marshmallow, mortification root, sweet weed, wymote. Medicinal Parts: Root, leaves, flowers. 

Description: Althea is a perennial plant, 2 to 4 feet high, that is cultivated but also occurs wild in damp meadows and wet places. The rootstock is white and tastes sweet and mucilaginous when chewed. It sends up several unbranched, woolly stems with serrate, pubescent leaves. The axillary flowers are from 1 to 2 inches across and may be light red to white or purple in color. 

Properties and Uses: Demulcent, emollient, diuretic. Altha’s particular excellence is soothing irritated tissue. Externally, use it as a poultice for irritations, burns, carbuncles and furuncles, and wounds. An infusion of the leaves or flowers serves as a soothing gargle. A decoction of the root makes a good vaginal douche or a soothing eyewash. Use the cold extract of the root or the whole plant as a tea that is good for coughs, whooping cough, bronchitis, and lung catarrh. For bronchial asthma, sweeten with honey and take a mouthful at a time. The tea also helps in many digestive and urinary problems and can be taken for ulcers and colitis. 

Preparation and Dosage: The leaves develop their mucilaginous content after flowering. Gather the root in spring or fall and peel before using. Since the infusion and decoction tend to be gelatinous, use the cold extract method to make the tea. 

Cold extract: Use 1 to 2 tbsp. root or plant with 1 cup cold water. Let stand for 8 hours, then strain. Take 1 cup a day, cold or slightly warmed up. 

Infusion: Use 2 tbsp. flowers or leaves to 1 cup boiling water; steep for 5 minutes. 

Decoction: Use 1 tsp. root to 1 cup boiling water. Simmer until the desired consistency is obtained. Tincture: A dose of the tincture is 20 to 40 drops.