Decoction
General description of the method; for a specific herb always check suitability, plant part and safety on its card.
Longer simmering of plant material in water.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
- Preparation time (rough guide):
- About 15–45 minutes of simmering depending on material.
- Equipment:
- Lidded pot, strainer, heat source; a storage jar for the cooled liquid.
- General preparation safety
Concentration rises with time and herb amount. Do not exceed guidance for toxic or strongly acting species; skip preparation if you are unsure.
More detail
A decoction is made by simmering plant material in water — often around 10–20 minutes depending on tradition and plant part. Denser parts (roots, bark, some seeds) are often prepared more reliably this way than with a short infusion.
Compared with an infusion it can extract more compounds, but also more tannins or bitterness; the flavour profile differs from a delicate tea. Combine this overview with the herb card for suitable plant part and contraindications.
Related methods
Methods are often compared — links below go to the detail page with short context.
Recipes in the catalogue
These herbs have a published step-by-step procedure for this method — full instructions are on the herb card under processing.
Herbs in the catalogue
Published herbs that list this method on the card.
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