Herbal DIY: Infusion, Decoction,Tinctures, Salves

There are 4 basic forms of herbal preparation; Infusion, Decoction, Tincture, Salve/Ointment. These preparations are used for applying or using herbal mixtures in different ways. Some herbs you want to ingest for them to work internally for digestion or to interact with any number out internal systems that need support. Some are for external uses for problems on the skin, like rashes, bruises or injuries. There are many others that are for similar purposes but their manufacture can become increasingly more complicated and their uses and ingredients more nuanced so we'll start with the basics.

Infusion/Decoction

The most basic, widely used of the herbal preparations, the Infusion and Decoction are the common stars of the herbal practitioners arsenal. These are the teas or tisanes that are commonly used to deliver simple and sometimes potent mixtures of herbs internally. Some refer to them both as simple teas, but that is misleading. Water has been called the universal solvent although chemically untrue, water, especially when warm to hot to boiling can extract a large number of phytochemicals from plant matter. This is the heart of what you're doing, to extract the phytochemical properties from the plants to interact with our bodies own biochemical system for specific affect.

The general rule is that for an infusion you pour warm to boiling water over dried herbs-usually the aerial parts of the plant (leaf, flower) in a cup or container and let them steep just like a 'tea'. For a decoction- the general rule is that you boil and simmer the tougher parts of the plant - stems, roots, bark, seeds, for set amount of time. These are not shelf stable and need to be used immediately. You can seal them in an airtight jar and refrigerate for maybe a day or two but no more than that. They oxidize and start breaking down rather quickly.

These may sound simple, but as you explore the art of making herbal formulas you will soon learn that even these two 'simple' processes can be quite involved and get complicated. For example, there are formulations where pounds of herbs are steeped in gallons of water, or water /vinegar mixes, the process is repeated, herbs added, spent herbs removed, the resulting 'tea' is then reduced to a specific quantity and combined with sweeteners, thickeners, preservatives etc etc. There are reasons for all the different types of processes but dont get overwhelmed, start simple, build confidence, be observant of the hows, whys, whens and most importantly, the bodies responses, which is the ultimate reason youre doing this.

Tincture

The tincture is the basis for true shelf stable herbal medicine. This is where the fun starts. These formula's, when properly created and stored practically last forever. In simplest terms-They are a combination of ethyl alcohol (menstruum or solvent) and dried herbs, macerated for a specific length of time. The herb is strained out (marc) and the resulting liquid is bottled and sealed until needed to use. There are two basic methods for making a tincture; The Folk Method and the Weight to Volume Ratio Method.

Generally speaking tinctures are used internally that is why ethyl alcohol- in the form of Everclear, Spyritus, Vodka or Brandy are the main menstruum's or solvents.

NO OTHER ALCOHOL TYPE IS ACCEPTABLE FOR A TINCTURE TO BE USED INTERNALLY.

The standard usage of a tincture is to place a given amount under the tongue (sublingual). The reason for this is for direct, immediate absorption into the blood stream bypassing the digestive process. This allows for an undiluted quick action upon the system.

They can be used externally as well, the alcohol disrupts the lipids in the skin and allows for a fast deep penetration of the phytochemicals into the deeper layers and structures like tendons and into the blood stream. This is similar to a liniment which we will not be discussing here. This application lends itself nicely to external wound care; the alcohol is cleansing and the rapid penetration allows for medicines to be absorbed into the wound, you get a two-fer.

Folk Method

This method simply places any given quantity of dried herb into a jar then a menstruum/solvent is poured over the herbs until they are covered by a 1/4 inch of the liquid chosen. The jar is sealed, placed in a dark cool place and allowed to sit for 4-6 weeks while the alcohol removes all the phytochemicals from the plant material. The herbs are then strained out and the resulting liquid bottled.

Weight to Volume Ratio Method

Sounds complicated but it really isnt. You just need a scale and some math. This method requires determining the weight of the herb to be used and the volume of the menstruum to be calculated and measured. This can be done with a simple digital kitchen scale. The reason for doing this is so that you end up with a tincture of a known strength for proper dosage. This is why you see ratios listed on tinctures you purchase; 1:5, 1:10 are the most common. The formula is simple: for a 1:5 - the weight of herb (1 gram) is multiplied by 5 to tell you that you need 5ml of solvent added to your 1g of herb. Any ratio can be used, simply multiply the weight of the herb used x desired ratio to tell you how many ml of solvent you need and you have the quantities you need for your formula. The smaller the second number in the ratio is, the stronger the resulting tincture. When you get into the realm of 1:2 or 1:1 you end up with a very potent herbal extract.

Ointment/Salve

These are the basic vehicles to apply herbals externally, either for general skin care, ailments like rashes/hives, swelling and bruises or to penetrate thru the skin to address tendons, ligaments and muscles. Generally speaking they should not be used on open wounds because oils, waxes and plant material can be trapped in the wound and cause complications instead of healing.

A simple salve is a herb macerated in an oil. Sometimes gently warmed or set in the sunlight. The oil is strained and bottled for future use. Sometimes they are used for culinary purposes as well as healing. The ointment takes this one step further and adds something to thicken the base oil. This is usually beeswax but there are other things that will thicken.

As you can see these items are all basic variations of macerating herbs into different liquid vehicles for a variety easy uses. They are all a decent starting points in your DIY herbal wellness journey. They can be done relatively cheaply with minimal equipment right in your kitchen. Just keep in mind these are actually medicines and can be potent. They should all be treated with respect, careful consideration and cleanliness. Don't look to the latest fads on social media, think about what you need to address personally or for your family and those close to you. That will make your start into this world much more meaningful and personal. Peace

All information herein is intended for general information purposes only. It is in no way intended to diagnose, treat or prescribe any medical conditions. Individuals should always seek their health care provide before administering any suggestions stated above. The author is not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from use of any of the suggestions or preparations listed herein. Any application of the material herein is at the readers discretion and is their sole responsibility.

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease.