How to make decoction
Tougher plant parts release their constituents only under prolonged heat. The standard prep for woody material.
I
What it is and where it comes from
Standard prep in Chinese (tang) and Ayurvedic (kashayam) medicine for woody plant parts. Recorded in the Shennong Ben Cao Jing (Han Dynasty).
Best for: Roots (valerian, dandelion), bark (cinnamon, oak), seeds (fennel, fenugreek), tough stems. Compounds locked in cell walls need prolonged heat.
Standard ratio
1 tablespoon (~3g) dried material per 500ml water · simmer 20-45 min
II
The method step-by-step
- 1Add dried material to cold water
Start cold — gradual heating extracts more efficiently than dropping into boiling water.
- 2Bring to a gentle simmer
Not a rolling boil. Aggressive boiling damages thermolabile compounds.
- 3Simmer covered 20-45 minutes
20 min for chopped bark, 45 min for whole roots. Water level should reduce by ~⅓.
- 4Cool slightly and strain
Press the marc (spent plant material) to release retained liquid. Discard solids — they've given up their compounds.
III
Safety non-negotiable
Read before preparing
- Concentrated extracts — stronger dose-for-dose than infusion. Start at half the tea dose.
- Tannin-heavy decoctions (oak, walnut) bind iron — separate from iron supplements by 2h.
- Refrigerate within 30 min; discard after 72h. Decoctions ferment quickly at room temp.
V
Want to combine plants?
Decoction is the form. Mixology is the formula. If you want to combine multiple plants in one preparation — checking compatibility, dose, and synergistic mechanism — use the Mixology Engine.
Open MixologyVI
Frequently asked
What is decoction?
Tougher plant parts release their constituents only under prolonged heat. The standard prep for woody material. Roots (valerian, dandelion), bark (cinnamon, oak), seeds (fennel, fenugreek), tough stems. Compounds locked in cell walls need prolonged heat.
How long does it take to make decoction?
20-45 minutes simmering.
Is decoction safe?
Concentrated extracts — stronger dose-for-dose than infusion. Start at half the tea dose.
How long does decoction keep?
Refrigerated, 48-72 hours max.
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