Last updated on May 24th, 2023 at 03:43 pm
Medicinal herbal decoctions are generally made from a plant’s more fibrous or woody part. Think of roots, barks, twiggy parts, and nuts and seeds. Drawing out the constituents from these parts is a little more difficult, and therefore a slow simmer is often required.
Roots and barks are generally simmered to draw out more robust plant constituents. This simmering in lightly boiling water is called decoction, which is very simple in your kitchen.
A medicinal tea blend (whether an infusion or decoctions) is generally defined by its strength and potency. Therefore, for medicinal purposes, teas need to be strong.
Steps to make medicinal herbal decoctions at home
1. Place 4-6 tablespoons of dried herbs or 6-8 tablespoons of fresh herbs in a small saucepan. Then add 4 cups of filtered water.
2. Keeping the heat on low, bring the herbal mixture to a slow simmer, cover, and let it simmer for 25-45 minutes.
3. Strain and enjoy
* Decoctions strength is determined by the amount of herbs used and the steeping time. For a stronger decoction, simmer the herbs for 20-30 minutes, then transfer to a glass mason jar and set aside to infuse overnight.
Some of my favorites include dandelion root, cinnamon bark, ginger root, and echinacea root.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is for educational purposes only.
To order bulk organic and sustainably harvested herbs and spices, visit Mountain Rose Herbs!
+ view comments