Decoctions, Tinctures & Electuaries

Decoctions

A decoction is a water-based infusion, like tea, made by boiling roots, stems, seeds, dried berries, and bark in water until it's at a workable consistency. This makes the decoction more concentrated and much more potent than tea. 

 

Astragalus root, licorice root, marshmallow root, turmeric root, Birch bark, and Willow bark are types of herbs that are best prepared as decoctions. Mushrooms can also be decocted.

 

Directions

 

  • Place three tablespoons of dried herbs (roots, stems, seeds, berries, bark) into a small pan.
  • Cover with 1 quart of cold water.
  • Heat to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 20 to 45 minutes.
  • Place a strainer over the mouth of a clean quart jar. Pour the liquid from the pan into the jar. You'll need to fill the whole jar with liquid, so leave the herbs in the pan, add a bit more water, and bring it to a rolling boil (just before it fully boils). Then, pour this water into the jar until it is full.

 

Note: If you have flowers and leaves, add these to the second heating and simmer for 10-15 minutes before adding the second portion of water to your jar.

 

Storage

You'll want to store your decoction in the fridge for no more than seven days.

 

Uses

  • Mix in water for tea. 
  • Freeze in ice cube trays. 
  • Add to smoothies and soups. 
  • Make a syrup or a tincture.
  • Make a compress (wring a cloth in the mixture and apply it topically). Change every 24 hours.

 

Note: For topical relief of sunburn, minor burns, and blisters (including herpes lesions), decoct equal parts of licorice root, lemon balm, and rosemary leaf, add pure water, and apply topically 6-10 times daily to speed healing.

 

 

Willow Bark Decoction Recipe

 

A Willow bark decoction can be used for headaches, aches and pains, stiff muscles, neuralgia, and rheumatic conditions. Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried Willow bark to 8 ounces of water. Boil for 5-10 minutes. Steep for 20-30 minutes. Drink 3-4 cups throughout the day. Willow bark is slower-acting than Aspirin but longer-lasting. You can double or triple the recipe. Refrigerate covered for up to 72 hours before discarding. Add a cinnamon stick and raw honey to taste. 

 

If you create a Willow bark decoction from the tree, strip off the branch's outer piece and use the bark directly beneath, rather than damaging the tree trunk. A decoction from Birch bark has similar effects. The decoction from leaves and twigs can be used as a warm compress. Birch bark tea stimulates urinary output, which can be beneficial in clearing out kidney and bladder infections. 

 

Note: Never give Willow bark to children under 2, pregnant or nursing mothers, or those sensitive to Aspirin or salicylates. Also, don't use Willow bark during acute symptoms of a herpes outbreak. Like Aspirin, it could cause allergic itching, which is called Pruritus.

Tinctures

Tinctures are highly concentrated herbal infusions (extracts), typically made by soaking plant parts in alcohol. The alcohol extracts the active medicinal components from the plant part used (roots, leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, stem), producing a medicinal liquid that can be used in various ways to ease stress and related symptoms.

 

  • Fill a glass jar (mason jars work well) halfway with dried herbs.
  • Cover the herbs with 90-proof vodka so that the vodka is at least two inches above the herbs. 
  • Cap tightly. You can place parchment paper between the jar and cap to prevent damage to the mason jar seals. 
  • Label the jar with the date, ingredients, and purpose (Example: January 12, 2022, Lemon Balm Tincture).
  • Shake or turn the jar twice daily (morning and night) for one month.
  • Dried herbs absorb the vodka. If needed, add more vodka to keep it a couple of inches above the herb level.  
  • After 30 days, strain the fluid using cheesecloth and store it in a fresh glass jar or dropper bottle.
  • Again, label your creation. 

 

 

Storing Tinctures: Store in a cool, dark place away from heat and sunlight.

 

 

Tincture Dosing: What you use your tincture for, and how much to take or apply, depends entirely on the herb you use and the symptoms being treated. Take 1/4 of a teaspoon 3-6 times daily for the Lemon Balm Tincture recipe above. It calms the mind and, over time, helps reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks. 

 

Feel free to view examples of tinctures at Mountain Rose Herbs (search their blog using "Tincture"). You can also visit The Herbal Academy for information on tinctures.

Electuaries

Electuaries are an old-fashioned way of making pills that can be eaten or placed in teas. They usually have the consistency of peanut butter and are coated to prevent stickiness. However, some people prefer making a paste they can spoon into beverages.

 

An electuary is just powdered herbs mixed with raw honey. Raw honey has so many health benefits that you can end up with a powerful, shelf-stable, medicinal product when you add herbs and spices. Even herbs that don't taste great can become palatable when mixed with honey. There are many ways to make herbal electuaries, as there are herbs. 

 

Taking one or two bites (1-2 teaspoons) daily is usually safe. Still, you'll always want to look up the herbs you're using for any possible restrictions (like dealing with a condition, being pregnant, or taking medications). Electuaries can also be added to tea.

 

When creating a new electuary recipe, start with a small batch to test consistency and flavor. Choose your herbs based on your symptoms. For example, if you're having trouble sleeping, you could choose lemon balm, chamomile, or passionflower.

 

Typically, one teaspoon of an herb is used per cup of tea, so one or two small "pills" or a teaspoon of electuary paste could be added to a cup of near-boiling water or another herbal tea to sip before bed. You can make adaptogenic electuaries to beat stress, boost your immune system, combat viruses and bacteria, or even increase libido. The list is endless. 

 

 

What You'll Need

 

You'll need powdered organic herbs of your choice and raw honey (raw Manuka honey is best).

 

Pour your powdered herbs into a bowl. They need to be powdered, not just dried. You can use a small coffee grinder to powder your herbs. Slowly pour the honey into the bowl of herbal powder, stirring after each small addition until a thick paste forms. You can add more or less honey to achieve the consistency you desire.

 

To form "pills", use way less honey and roll in a little extra dry herb powder so the pills don't stick together. Place the electuary paste or pills in a clean jar with a tightly-capped lid. Electuaries are stored in the fridge for six to twelve months.