Explaining Herbal Decoctions-One Method in Using Herbs

Herbs possess medicinal properties. These medicinal properties may be present in the flowers, leaves, stems, bark, or roots of the plant. Their properties must be extracted by the proper method or the properties are lost. For the tender parts such as flowers or leaves, steeping is enough heat to do the job. Roots and barks are often very woody, very tough, and more difficult to extract the medicinal values. In this case, the best extraction method is the decoction.

A decoction comes from Latin and means to boil down or boil away. It has always been an intregal part in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is used for seeds, roots and bark that will not release their medicine at lower heat levels. In this case, the medicinal properties are not harmed by the higher temperature. Examples of this are Fenugreek Seed, Astragalus, Sarsparilla, or Licorice. Another example is when you make Esseac tea from scratch. Dandelion root decoction is another one often made into a decoction. In Chinese medicine, a decoction may include from 8 to 16 herbs in various amounts. It is often given every day for up to 30 days often for less time. It depends on the patient, the problem, and other factors. The patients progress dictates the time the decoction should be taken.

Herbs that should not be extracted by decoction include Marshmallow, slippery elm, Gum weed, Yerba Santa, Valerian Root and herbs whose most important properties are their oil. The high heat of a decoction will ruin the value of essential oils. An example would be peppermint or mints in general.

General Directions for Herbal Decoctions:

The fresh or dried herbs should be cut or coarsely ground. Roots and bark may need to be soaked for 12 hours in cold water before they are boiled.

Fresh herb roots and bark should be washed, cut, shaved, or sliced into small pieces. Seeds should be crushed. Leaves should be cut into course pieces.

In a decoction, the herbs are boiled in soft water such as rain water or distilled water. Well water is not good to use because of the hard minerals present such as iron and limestone. Our water here on the ranch we live on has high amounts of iron. The decoction is best prepared in glass, porcelain, or earthenware containers. Metal containers may cause a reaction because of the tannic acid in some herbs and their reaction to metal. You must use it within 24 hours in most cases. It will go bad even if kept in the refrigerator.

It is important to the decoction to begin by placing the herbs in cold water, then heating up the mixture gradually. The water is heated up only to the boiling point then reduced to a simmer. It is simmered on low heat from 30 min to an hour or more. It depends on the herb and part being used.

The next step is to press the herb to help it release all its liquid and properties. The liquid is then allowed to cool, then strained, and put into an amber bottle to use. It should be kept in the refrigerator and used up within 24 to 48 hours.

Dried Decoctions: Once the liquid is drained off, it is then evaporated using heat and a vacuum process to make syrup. This syrup is added to a carrier such as starch and is spray dried. This evaporation process results in a dry powder. Both the liquid and dry decoction are now used in TCM.

Important Warnings: This article is just a general idea of what a decoction is. The references below go into great explanation and detail. You should study this subject carefully before making one yourself. A traditional Chinese physician should be located to give you precise advice on what herbs, their dosage, and proper preparation. Many acupuncturists are also well educated to help you. You need to know correctly how to prepare any of the herb products such as extracts, tinctures, infusions, and medicinal teas. There are a number of books which can give you expert advice on the preparation. You can even find Y-Tube videos that demonstrate the process. The proper dosage and proper herbs for the decoction related to the health complaint is the most difficult issue involved.

References:

http://www.itmonline.org/arts/dosage.htm

http://universalfamilyclinic.com/chineseherbs.html

http://www.herbsandnaturalremedies.com/teas.htm

The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook, James Green, Herbalist, Crossing Press, pps.220-226