Herbal teas can be very pleasant to drink, but they are also able to tone, calm and rebalance the body when taken regularly. Use the decoction method to prepare an herbal tea when you are dealing with hard and woody parts (such as roots, bark, stem) as they contain water-soluble and non-volatile elements.
Steps
Step 1. What is a herbal tea?
A herbal tea contains neither tannins nor caffeine, but antioxidants in varying quantities, depending on the type of treatment carried out on the herbs.
Step 2. Why use the decoction method?
In addition to the traditional method of infusion (1 cup of boiling water poured over a few teaspoons of dried or fresh herbs), there is also the option of the decoction, which is stronger than the normal herbal tea prepared by infusion.
- The decoction method is used when dealing with hard and woody parts (such as roots, bark, stem) that contain water-soluble and non-volatile elements. Red clover is an exception, as the decoction method is able to extract more minerals from this herb than infusion.
- The decoction extracts mainly mineral salts and bitter substances from the herbs. Once prepared, it must be consumed quickly.
- Keep it in the fridge for up to 72 hours.
Step 3. Make a decoction
The basic recipe for the decoction includes 1/2 liter of water and 30 grams of herbs or roots.
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Pour the water into a non-reactive metal pot (such as stainless steel or enamel). Do not use aluminum pans.
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Chop or shred the herbs or roots, then immediately pour them into the pot with water. Do not cut or break them too long before putting them in the water, as the vital elements would be lost.
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Turn on the flame over medium heat. Let the decoction simmer without a lid until the water level drops by a quarter (just under 4 deciliters will remain).
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Let the decoction cool and strain it. Keep it in the refrigerator for no more than 72 hours.
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Consume the decoction in the prescribed doses.
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Step 4. Use the decoction method when decoction works better than infusion to extract specific substances from a herb
For example, oat straw contains silica, which needs to be simmered to extract.
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To extract the copper and the iron from the red clover flowers, it is also necessary to boil it over a low heat; the same method is used to prepare a pleasant drink, similar to coffee, from the roots of the dandelion.
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