What is a Decoction?
A decoction is a water based extraction where the plant is placed in boiling water and simmered for a decent amount of time. Decoctions use all herbs including roots, seed and bark. Strong decoctions can consist of double the amount of herb or are simmered for longer (reducing the amount of water).
Decoctions extract constituents from tougher plant material, can be used if there’s no concern about cooking volatile oils and letting them escape, and also serve as the basis for syrups. Decoctions are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as an herbal healing method called “tangs.”
Due to the extractive method- decoctions can be considered “stronger” or more medicinally potent compared to a tea. It is also a “type” of tea preparation. Here, the word tea can refer to many different preparations or ingredients. For more information about a tea, go to my post about making teas.
How to make a decoction
1 oz. dried herb
32 oz. water
Combine water and herbs, slowly bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to simmer. Slowly simmer for 10-15 minutes or until volume of water is reduced to half (45-50 minutes). Strain out herbs.
Preservation & Storage
Decoctions are best used immediately. More often, this preparation of herbs is supposed to be used in the moment of making. If you do not consume it right away, the decoction can keep for 24-hours. And if cooled in the refrigerator, it can keep up to 72 hours (some TCM tangs are easiest made in one sitting and then stored for use over the course of 1-2 days).
Decomposition of the starches and mucilaginous herbal constituents will begin once extracted into the water. One of the most common ways of “preserving” a decoction is to make a syrup.
Dosage
Drink ½ cup to 1 cup 3 times per day. As with most herbal preparations, dosage depends on age, body type, and constitution of an individual. It also depends on the type of herbs you are brewing up :)