How to Make a Herbal Decoction

(Boiling Harder Plant Material in Water for Longer Than an Herbal Infusion)

Overview

A herbal decoction is a method of extracting medicinal compounds from hard plant materials, such as roots, bark, seeds, and tough berries, by simmering them in water for an extended period. This process helps break down fibrous tissues and release beneficial compounds that a regular infusion cannot extract.

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Materials Needed

• Dried or fresh herbs (e.g., ginger root, licorice root, cinnamon bark, dandelion root, astragalus root)
• Filtered or spring water
• Stainless steel or glass pot with a lid
• Measuring scale or spoon
• Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
• Glass jar or mug for serving/storage

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Step-by-Step Process

1. Choose Your Herbs

Select herbs based on their medicinal benefits:

Condition	Recommended Herbs
Digestion & Gut Health	Ginger root, Licorice root, Fennel seeds
Immune Boosting	Elderberry, Astragalus root, Echinacea root
Stress & Adaptogens	Ashwagandha, Reishi mushroom, Ginseng
Detox & Liver Support	Dandelion root, Burdock root, Milk thistle seeds
Circulation & Anti-inflammatory	Cinnamon bark, Turmeric root, Clove

2. Measure the Herbs

• Dried roots, barks, or seeds: Use 1–2 tablespoons per cup of water.
• Fresh roots or barks: Use 2–3 tablespoons per cup of water.
• For a larger batch: Use 1 ounce of dried herbs per quart of water.

3. Combine Herbs and Water

• Place the herbs in a pot.
• Add cold water (starting with 1 cup of water per tablespoon of herb).

4. Simmer the Herbs

• Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium heat.
• Once boiling, reduce to a low simmer and cover.
• Simmer for 20–60 minutes (depending on the herb).

Herb Type	Recommended Simmer Time
Soft roots (ginger, licorice)	20 minutes
Hard roots & barks (dandelion, cinnamon)	30–45 minutes
Tough seeds & berries (elderberry, milk thistle)	45–60 minutes

5. Strain and Store

• Remove from heat and let the decoction cool slightly.
• Strain the liquid using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
• Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

6. Serve and Enjoy

• Drink warm or cold, up to 2–3 cups per day.
• Add honey, lemon, or cinnamon for flavor.

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Additional Tips

✅ For a stronger decoction, simmer longer or let it steep overnight.
✅ For a more potent formula, combine decoction with an herbal infusion (e.g., decoct roots first, then add leaves/flowers after).
✅ Store extra decoction in the fridge for up to 72 hours.
✅ For resinous herbs (like myrrh), add a small amount of alcohol to help extraction.