Medicinal Concoctions
Tisane – many call an infusion of plants steeped in hot water that is drunk an herbal tea, however the correct term is tisane. Standard ratio is 1 oz (weight) of plant in 1 qt of water steeped 30-60 minutes. Generally made from leaves and flowers.
Decoction – plant matter boiled 10-20 minutes, removed from heat, and steeped 1 hour. Decoctions that are drunk are also called tisanes. Standard ratio is 1 oz (weight) of plant in 1 qt of water. Generally made from roots, bark, and seeds.
Syrup – adding sugar to a strong (3.2oz plant per 8 oz of water) infusion or decoction as a preservative. Use equal amounts of sugar and water, simmer 20-30 minutes to dissolve all the sugar. Generally, honey, maple sugar, or raw sugar is used.
Lozenge - boiling a syrup down until it forms a hard candy upon healing. Usually requires syrup to reach a boiling temperature of 290 Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer.
Tincture – plant matter extracted in ethanol. Standard ratio for dried herbs to ethanol is 1:5 which is about 5oz of plant in a 1 qt jar filled to the neck with 100 proof vodka. Let sit minimum of 14 days, shaking twice a day but 6-8 weeks is preferred before straining out the plant. Fresh plant tinctures are made in a similar way but using the higher strength, 190 proof alcohol to take in account for the water present in the plant.
Double Extraction – combining equal amounts of a tincture and a decoction. Usually done with Reishi mushrooms to extract the water and alcohol-soluble components. The same chopped mushrooms can be decocted by boiling for 10-20 minutes an equal volume of water to the amount of vodka tincture. A stronger double extraction is done using equal amounts of fresh mushroom for the tincture and the decoction.
Oil Infusion – plant matter steeped in hot oil (125°F to 145°F) 8-12 hours, allowed to cool, the strained. Use dried herbs as fresh ones can spoil in the oil resulting in a potential poisonous concoction. Standard ratio is 4 oz herb to 1 qt of oil.
Salve – an ointment made by combining an oil infusion with bees wax to thicken the oil. Use 1:8 ratio (volume) bees wax to oil for softer ointments and 1:6 ratio for harder salves.
Liniment – plant matter tincture for EXTERNAL USE ONLY made using rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) rather than ethanol. Use the same amounts of plant and rubbing alcohol as in tinctures.
Elixir - creating a tincture that uses equal amounts of plant material, alcohol (usually brandy) and honey. Let sit at least six weeks in a dark location, shaking every day, before straining out the plant matter and transferring to a dropper bottle.
Infused Vinegar - plant matter soaked in warmed vinegar (usually apple cider or a wine-based vinegar). Heat the vinegar to approximately 100-120°F, pour over plant matter in a glass jar. Cover plant material by ~1/2 inch of vinegar. Seal tightly and store in a dark place. Shake daily for at least two weeks before straining out the plant matter and begin using.
Oxymel - adding 1 part honey to 1 part infused vinegar.
Smoke - drawing the smoke from smoldering herbs into one's mouth is a potent way of accessing the medicinal compounds of some plants. Traditionally, this smoke was swallowed rather than drawn into the lungs, thereby avoiding lung damage.
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