Different Ways to Approach a Decoction

When you are ready to create a decoction within the comforts of your own home, there is more than one way to approach the task. While some people make a simple decoction from the bark, roots, and berries of a plant, there one may choose to combine other parts of the plant in order to generate results from a mixed decoction and infusion. In this article, we will further explore this method of making a home herbal cure or treatment.

 

A Mixed Decoction/Infusion

 

Sometimes, one may wish to use a variety of different parts of a plant to create a remedy, which calls for the combination of different methods of preparation. With a mixed decoction/infusion, you will most likely combine plant parts, such as bark, berries, roots, flowers, and leaves. Before getting starting, you will need the necessary equipment to perform the directions: a saucepan (ceramic, enamel, or stainless steel), nylon or plastic sieve, glass or ceramic teapot, and a jug with a lid for storage. Also remember, that it is important no to use an aluminum saucepan to follow the directions.

 

Directions

 

For starters, you should mix the berries, roots, or bark in the saucepan with 750 ml of cold water. The next step is to bring the mixture to a boil and allow it to simmer for 20 to 40 minutes, or until the volume of the total combination has been brought down to equal about 1/3 of the original amount. In the meantime, you can mix the flowers and leaves needed to add to the remedy and place them in a teapot made from glass or ceramics.

 

Next, you will need to strain the hot decoction onto the dried herbs that are in the teapot and leave the entire mixture to infuse for close to 10 to 15 minutes. The final step involves placing the final mix into a jug that is covered and stored in a cool place. It is suggested to take teacup doses for up to three times per day. If the herbs you have chosen are a little bitter, you may try sweetening to remedy with refined sugar or honey.

 

Macerations

 

Sometimes, you will find that other types of herbs respond to different modes of preparation. This is seen with the case of valerian root, which is best macerated than infused or decocted. To create such a remedy, you should add 25 grams of dried herb to a saucepan and pour 500 ml of cold water on top. The combination should be left in a cool place to marinate during the night. Straining through a nylon sieve is the final step.

 

Chinese Decoctions

 

Across the world, different cultures approach the creation of herbal remedies. For instance, in China, most of the herbs they use are prepared as decoctions. Also, the concentration of such remedies is considered much stronger than the one the West is used to. Some people will use up to 150 grams of a dried herb in their remedies per every liter of water they use. Three doses consist of a decoction that has been reduced down to 300 to 400 ml. If you are intolerant of such a practice, it is suggested to dilute the final mixture in order to make the natural treatment easier to stomach.