Teas, Infusions, Decoctions, Tinctures, Glycerites, Capsules OH MY!
If you feel like you might be walking along the yellow brick road when it comes to natural health products, your not alone. But don’t worry there are no lions
or tigers
or bears
…
just simple ways to support your natural health.
Let’s talk about some of the basic different ways many of us take herbs medicinally and get a clearer view of what to choose. I know many clients have a reversion to the taste of different things; even though, it is supportive of their health something like a tea or a tincture just makes them cringe, our traditional Western diets have made us forget our roots and our taste buds have followed. So, let’s make our way to OZ, er uh *cough* *clear throat* a clearer understanding of some of the more popular ways to support our health naturally...
Teas, Infusions, Decoctions
- Teas are the weakest herbal support. You get the benefits in a more diluted form, so it may take a little longer to see results. By definition (source from Wikipedia) “Herbal teas are beverages made from the infusion of herbs, spices, or other plant material in hot water. They do not usually contain caffeine.[3] Herbal teas should not be confused with true teas (e.g., black, green, white, yellow, oolong), which are prepared from the cured leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis), nor with decaffeinated tea, in which the caffeine has been removed. Like beverages made from true teas, herbal teas can be served hot or cold.” TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and Ayurveda (Indian medicine) have used different combinations of herbs for century in tea form for enhancing health especially when added to a true tea. Traditional Native American Medicine men also used herbal teas for many ailments of their people.
-Infusions extract more nutrients, vitamins, minerals and chlorophyll from your dried herb than a tea. As opposed to a tea steeping for about 5 minutes an infusion is steeped for more like 4 to 5 hours and is considered more medicinal because of this and in addition to producing a more concentrated elixir. This works better for a preparation that contain hard, woody stems or bark since they need more time to extract their medicinal properties.
-Decoctions can be made once you have an infusion. You are going to make an even more concentrated medicinal. Steam your infusion very slowly not allowing it to fully boil and let the steam evaporate.
These are all great tools in the natural medicinal cabinet... however... these are also the weakest in that they have a max of about 3 day shelf life if refrigerated. However, to extend that these concentrations (decoctions) can be used in making an Elixir or Glycerite.
Tinctures, Capsules
-Tinctures put simply are liquid extract of an herb using alcohol or apple cider vinegar to extract the medicinal qualities of a dried or fresh herb. Now, let’s add in Glycerites or Elixirs to that. These are simply a tincture that has the added benefit of vegetable glycerin, honey, black strap molasses or maple syrup. These are usually more palatable for children. Tinctures are highly concentrated and usually only take about a dosage of 30 drops under the tongue to be effective. A lot of herbs can be blended together synergistically as to keep you from having 30 single tinctures for different ailments. A lot easier to me, than swallowing a hand full of pills. Tinctures are plants that are macerated for at least 14 days in at least 80 proof (40%) alcohol such as Vodka and distilled water. (measured out with the addition of glycerin or other safe healthy *sweet* additive listed above for a glycerite). The plant matter can be fresh picked or dried. Things can get a little confusing and more technical in that you can take herbs and “infuse” them in oils (i.e. Olive Oil) for medicinal properties as well. You really need only “dried” herbs for this, as fresh herbs can cause bacterial growth in the oil, unlike in a tincture that has more antibacterial qualities to start. Some of these like, for instance, oil infused with oregano can be used in both cooking as well as for topical uses unlike, Arnica, which when infused in oil should only be used topically and not on open wounds... and this my friends is why you need a Natural Health Professional, like a Master Herbalist to consult with. Doctor Google isn’t always the go to for information. It is helpful to pull from, but all in all speaking with an actual professional is much more safe, and if they don't have an immediate answer, they have a vast amount of colleagues and fellow Herbalists to reach out to when needed.
Both of these (Tinctures and Glycerites) have excellent shelf lives. In fact tinctures, other than the fact that there are FDA guidelines even though they have not been evaluated by the FDA, really can sit indefinitely in a dark glass container in the proper temperatures.
Last but not least... capsules... yep they are what they are. An herbal capsule contains a single or blend of powdered herbals. With both tinctures and capsules you can tend to be more scientific and do specific measurements to a T that creates a truly consistent product each time, or you can use folk methods of measuring which may vary slightly with each batch.
Always, always check on the herb or plant you want to use to see how it is best used for your need. Making sure you know the proper usage for that plant (internally or externally) is very important. Also what parts of the plant are best for it's intended use as well as safety. Some plants like polk can be poisonous if the wrong parts are used and improperly prepared.
There you have it, a very quick and easy overview of what I love to put together on a daily basis. Which is my favorite? Well, I drink tea all the time and love the different tastes, but for the strength and more quick action I prefer a tincture. The problem is if I have something that is acute and suddenly comes on, then capsules are probably the best option, as a tincture takes about 14 days to make and I have yet to figure out how to have every possible combo at the ready instantly (my little workshop is still a work in progress). I can, however, head out and powder a combo of herbs and make capsules to take at a moments notice or pick fresh plants or dried for an infusion or decoction.
So go outside, walk through the grass barefoot, have a cup of tea and enjoy God’s blessings of health and happiness!
(Remember the all mighty disclaimer ;-)... I’m not an allopathic doctor or medical professional. In no manner, stated or implied, is any information in this article, on my website, in my products, or elsewhere, meant to treat, cure, diagnose, or prevent any health issue. All statements are for educational purposes only and are opinions based on experience and study. Seek advice from your doctor before using any herbs or herbal remedy. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.)
