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How to prepare herbal infusion. How to make herbal infusion for plant nutrition? Oat tincture

At home, liquid dosage forms are prepared from vegetable raw materials. In this article we will tell you how to properly prepare a decoction, infusion or tincture from various parts of plants.

Infusion prepared from flowers, leaves and herbs (loose parts of plants), from which biologically active substances are easily extracted. If the recipe does not indicate how much to take raw materials, then the infusions are prepared at the rate of 1:10, i.e., 10 volume parts of the infusion are obtained from one weight part of the vegetable raw material.

Decoctions prepared from the coarse parts of plants (roots, rhizomes, bark, woody stems) usually at the rate of 1:10, less often 1:30.

For the preparation of these dosage forms, plant materials must be crushed: leaves, herbs, flowers - to particles no larger than 5-7 mm in size (bearberry leaves, lingonberries and other leathery leaves - no more than 1 mm); stems, bark, roots and rhizomes - no more than 3 mm; fruits and seeds - no more than 0.5 mm.

Preparation of infusions and decoctions

The crushed raw materials are placed in an enameled or porcelain vessel and poured with the required amount of distilled (boiled) water, closed with a lid and heated in a boiling water bath with frequent stirring: infusions - 15 minutes, decoctions - 30 minutes. The vessel is removed from the water bath and cooled at room temperature: infusions - at least 45 minutes, and decoctions - no more than 10 minutes. Then it is filtered (infusions are chilled, and decoctions are still hot) through a layer of cotton wool (cotton wool is squeezed out) and diluted with distilled (boiled) water to the volume specified in the recipe. The exception is raw materials containing tannins (bark, serpentine rhizomes, rhizomes and roots, leaves and), they must be filtered immediately after heating.

Infusions and decoctions at home can be prepared without boiling. To do this, the crushed plant material is placed in a thermos, poured with boiling water and insisted for at least 5-6 hours (usually poured overnight), then filtered and brought to the required volume with boiled water. Infusions and decoctions are best prepared for one day (they quickly deteriorate) or stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days. Infusion in a thermos can not be stored for more than 1 day. The next day, you need to drink the entire prepared infusion in 3 doses (before meals or after meals - indicated in the prescription).

Preparation of tincture

Tinctures are colored liquid alcohol, water-alcohol (vodka) extracts from medicinal raw materials, obtained without heating and removing the extractant. Tinctures are prepared in 70% or 40% alcohol. The crushed vegetable raw materials are placed in a vessel (preferably glass), poured with alcohol in such a way that 5 volume parts of the tincture are obtained from 1 weight part of the crushed raw materials, and kept at room temperature, stirring, for 6-7 days, then brought to the required volume . The tincture should be transparent, have the smell and taste of the plant used.

Collection and preparation of medicinal plants

The collection and harvesting of medicinal plants is carried out during the period when the beneficial substances in them reach their maximum concentration. Therefore, each plant has its own rules for collecting, drying and storing. However, there are some basic recommendations, for example:

it is necessary to collect and harvest raw materials in dry weather;
harvesting time must coincide with the time of the beginning or full flowering of the plant;
collected leaves must be fully expanded, flowers - blooming, and fruits - ripe;
when drying, the plant should not rot: it should be dried in the shade in a well-ventilated, dry room;
dried raw materials should be stored in paper or cloth bags, or in containers that are tightly closed;
leaves and flowers can be stored for 1 - 2 years, roots and bark - 2 - 3 years, fruits - 3 - 4 years.

Crushing and mixing medicinal plants

For the preparation of infusions and decoctions, one or several types of crushed (cut, crushed) plant materials are used.

When mixing several medicinal plants, the beneficial substances contained in them are taken into account, which can both enhance, complement each other, and reduce their effect on the human body.

According to the effect on the body, the fees (mixtures) of medicinal plants are divided into restorative, soothing, hemostatic, acting on the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system and others.

The vegetable raw materials included in the mixture are ground separately. Leaves, flowers, grass, bark are cut into small particles up to 5 mm in size, roots are crushed up to 3 mm, and seeds - up to 0.5 mm.

Weight parts of the prepared raw materials are mixed in the proportions provided for by the recipe until a uniform mass is obtained, from which infusions and decoctions are then prepared.

Preparation of infusions

Infusions are prepared from the loose parts of plants. These are flowers and leaves. They easily give away their beneficial substances.

hot way

The crushed plant material is poured into an enameled, glass or porcelain vessel, poured boiled water most often in a ratio of 1:10. That is, from one weight part of the raw material, ten volume parts of the infusion are obtained.

For example, taking 20 g of dried crushed raspberry leaves, you can get 200 ml raspberry infusion. For this:

You can prepare an infusion without a water bath, just pour the crushed plant particles with boiling water.

cold way

There is also cold way preparation of infusion. To do this, the crushed particles of plants are poured with boiled water at room temperature, closed with a lid and infused for up to 12 hours.

In a cold way, infusions are made from those plants in which, when heated, they lose beneficial features(oils escape).

mixed way

Infusions can be prepared in a mixed way.

With the mixed method, vegetable raw materials, filled with boiled water at room temperature, are infused as in the cold method, and then filtered.

The mixture remaining after filtering is poured with unboiled water and then cooked in a hot way.

After cooling the infusion prepared in a hot way, the two resulting infusions are mixed and taken according to the recommendations.

Preparation of decoctions

The coarse parts of plants: roots, rhizomes, roots, wood, bark are raw materials for making decoctions. Decoctions in the human body are absorbed more slowly than infusions, but they last longer.

First cooking option

In order to prepare a decoction, they take the prepared raw material and put it in a bowl, pour it with cold water.

The ratio of raw materials and water depends on the method of application of the decoction. If the decoction is intended for oral administration, this ratio is 1:10. If the decoction is needed for rubbing, compresses, that is, for external use, then the ratio is 1:5.

Raw materials filled with water are boiled for 20-30 minutes. After the broth has cooled, it is filtered. Some decoctions from raw materials containing tannins are recommended to be filtered immediately after boiling.

We must not forget that if the volume of the prepared broth has decreased, then it is necessary to add boiled water so that it becomes equal to the initial one.

Second cooking option

The raw materials for the broth are placed in a bowl, poured with cold unboiled water and, covered with a lid, left to infuse overnight. Boil for 5-7 minutes in the morning.

It is necessary to boil the mixture in a container with a covered lid. The lid is removed only after 30 minutes after boiling.

Then the broth is filtered and, if necessary, boiled water is added to the initial volume.

Water bath

It is advisable to prepare infusions and decoctions in a water bath, as it allows you to heat substances up to 100ºC and, at the same time, eliminates their overheating and burning.

It is not at all difficult to make a water bath at home. To do this, take two containers: one larger, the other smaller - so that one fits into the other. It is desirable to use enameled dishes (pots, bowls) as containers.

The bottoms of the containers must not touch. To do this, it is desirable that the smaller container has handles with which it would hold on to the edges. large capacity. In extreme cases, you can put something under a smaller container (for example, a rag folded in several layers).

Water is poured into a large container in such a way that when a smaller container is placed in it, it is immersed in water. However, when boiling, water from a large container should not fall into a smaller one.

A mixture of medicinal plants, filled with water, is placed in a smaller container and covered with a separate lid. The resulting design is put on fire. Everything! Water bath at home is ready!

Further, infusions and decoctions are prepared according to the recipe. Infusions, as a rule, are not brought to a boil, since the loose parts of plants easily give off useful substances that can be destroyed when boiled. Broths, on the contrary, need to be boiled (usually 10 - 20 minutes).

Using a water bath, you can easily avoid overheating infusions at home. To do this, after boiling water in a large container, make a small fire, sufficient to maintain a temperature close to boiling, but do not allow the water to boil. The temperature in the smaller container does not reach 100ºC.

Storage of infusions and decoctions

Both decoctions and infusions are best consumed fresh, as they quickly deteriorate. Ideal to cook them daily.

However, if you do not consume the entire decoction or infusion within a day, then store it in the refrigerator or, in extreme cases, in a cool place protected from light.

The maximum time during which decoctions and infusions can be stored is three days.

Hello everyone!

Recently, I very often have to deal with information that everything can be cured with drugs.

That they are much more effective than pills, and that modern medicine does not understand anything about this.

What to seek salvation from various diseases needed in the recipes of folk healers, in old books on traditional medicine where herbs are one of the main components of any remedy.

Many really believe that herbal treatment is simple and very beneficial.

I do not quite agree with such a philistine statement and therefore I decided to write this post on how to be treated with herbs correctly and safely.

From this article you will learn:

How to be treated with herbs correctly and safely - the secrets of herbal medicine

I graduated from the Medical University, Faculty of Pharmacy.

And one of the most important and complex subjects that we studied on the course was pharmacognosy, the science of medicinal plants.

We studied this subject for five years, and it was more difficult to pass an exam in it or get a credit than in any chemistry or pharmacology.

How we taught these herbs, only those who studied there know.

We not only memorized the names of plants and their area of application, but also worked with a microscope, did chemical reactions, determining chemical composition raw materials and its structure, considered the roots and leaves in the context, they sketched all this, memorized and crammed.

In the spring, we went to harvest medicinal raw materials, analyzed them using modern methods studies and, of course, studied its full application.

I still remember a huge table filled with Petri dishes with dry medicinal raw materials, sometimes whole, sometimes crushed.

From this abundance, you had to choose what they would call you and prove that it was exactly that collection or that plant, by physical and chemical means.

Therefore, I can with great confidence refute the false statement that medicinal plants are the lot of knowledge of herbal grandmothers or traditional healers. Official medicine knows no less, and even more about how to treat them and how to do it correctly.

It’s even hard for me to imagine how many newest studies are carried out annually for medicinal plants, this science never stands still.

In the conditions of modern ecology, plants change their composition, which means that their scope may change or new contraindications may appear, and the latest technology allow you to discover new medicinal properties known or unfamiliar plants.

Therefore, you should not rely so much on old folk healers, but it is best to buy a modern reference book of medicinal plants, which will indicate their chemical composition, medicinal properties and methods of application, as well as contraindications, and be sure to use them correctly.

Herbal treatment - important rules and tips

To begin with, I would like to voice several features of herbal treatment that few people pay attention to:

Well, first of all, I want to say right away that medicinal herbs do not work miracles, and it is impossible to cure all existing diseases with them!

If you hear somewhere a story about how a person completely cured himself with an infusion of oats or chamomile flowers from cancer in the fourth stage, consider that a miracle of healing simply happened to him, for the most part, thanks to his faith in himself, in God, in life in it medicinal plant, or maybe he did something else that you don't know about.

Try herbal remedies for muscular dystrophy, ALS, multiple sclerosis, meningitis...

Herbal medicine is not as safe as many people think it is.

Medicinal raw materials can cause severe allergies, poisoning, start pathological processes in the body, negatively affect the development of the fetus in pregnant women, potency in men, and much more.

Therefore, before drinking any "harmless" weed, be sure to familiarize yourself with the possible side effects, which she can give and her contraindications for use.

Illiterately compiled medicinal collections, herbs collected in ecologically polluted areas, as well as taking herbs at the same time as medicines are especially dangerous.

Always remember what time we live in, and plants, like people, absorb everything from the environment.

A number of medicinal herbs have a strictly defined safe dose of use.

Roughly speaking, there are herbs that, in excess of the dosage, turn into poison.

Medicinal herbs contain "harmful chemicals"

Well, I already hinted at this in paragraph 2, in addition to useful microelements, medicinal raw materials contain harmful ones (heavy metal salts). They are especially abundant in those that gathered along auto and railway roads and in other environmentally unfavorable places.

Medicinal herbs should not be used for a long time and constantly

Some herbs are addictive, others, with prolonged use, depress the nervous system, cause an overdose, which is accompanied by negative consequences, so the course of treatment with herbs is individual.

For example, mint tea, with constant use, greatly lowers blood pressure, "safe" chamomile, with prolonged use, disrupts the absorption of iron, wormwood can provoke a violation nervous system, call for convulsions and fainting.

Therefore, "healing" with herbs from one disease, you can easily acquire another.

How to properly and safely treat with herbs?

So, remember the basic rules - how to be treated with herbs:

In order for the grass to retain all the useful components, it is very important to collect it according to all the rules.

Taking into account the place of collection, the time of collection, as well as the conditions for its harvesting and drying. How to do this correctly, you can read in any good reference book of medicinal plants.

It is best to collect herbs yourself, following all the rules for harvesting, drying and storage.

Or buy medicinal herbs from time-tested manufacturers and specialized pharmacies, where you will be provided with all product quality certificates, including documents for its radiological control.

I do not advise anyone to buy herbs in the markets from unknown people, no one knows exactly what they may contain, where they were collected!

You need to brew in a glass dish in a water bath.

This rule is important to follow because plants are able to interact with various chemical components and accumulate them in themselves, so boiling in metal, plastic dishes can be dangerous.

In order to prepare an effective medicinal product from medicinal herbs, certain rules must be observed.

Medicinal raw materials are usually used in the form of water infusions and decoctions or alcohol tinctures.

The infusion is prepared from soft plant materials (flowers, leaves, herbs), decoctions from hard plant materials (roots, bark, dry fruits)

Usually infusions and decoctions are prepared in a ratio of 1:10

How to prepare medicinal infusion?

We prepare raw materials, take 1 tablespoon of dry chopped grass. Pour a glass of hot water and boil in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then remove from heat and cool for 45 minutes. We filter.

How to prepare a decoction of herbs?

We prepare raw materials, 1 tbsp. l per 1 glass of water, pour hot water and boil in a water bath for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. We filter hot.

The only exception is, which is prepared according to special rules.

It is not necessary to increase or decrease the time of boiling and infusion.

This is the optimal ratio in which all active substances leave the medicinal raw material in an infusion or decoction, do not change, are not inactivated, but act with optimal benefits for the body.

Strained infusion or decoction is brought to 100 ml with water and taken in the indicated dosage.

Shelf life of water infusions and decoctions - no more than three days in the refrigerator

How to cook alcohol tincture on herbs?

Medicinal crushed raw materials are poured with 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10, infused for 30 days in a dark, cool place, hermetically sealed, then filtered and stored in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

It is necessary to take infusions and decoctions in accordance with the indicated dosage.
When treating with herbs, they should not be used simultaneously with medications, alcohol, fatty and spicy foods.

Are herbs in sachets good for you?

I have an ambivalent relationship with them.

On the one hand, this is convenient, but on the other hand, the technology for preparing infusions and decoctions is absolutely violated.

And given that they are made like tea bags (low-quality raw materials after sifting), then it is better to buy herbs in bulk for treatment.

Well, and yet, I would like to voice such a moment as to be treated with herbs correctly.

When you come across some herbal treatment recommendation or herbal formula recipe, before you start using it, open a good reference book of medicinal plants (which lists the full chemical composition, structure, properties, etc.) and read:

composition and contraindications of this medicinal raw material,
pay attention to its dosage,
component compatibility
ways of application.

And only after that, make a decision whether to use this fee or not.

Some herbs today are credited with such incredible effects that you are amazed !!!

Therefore, before believing in another myth that some kind of herb or collection can cure, for example, alcoholism, read official studies, look at its chemical composition, what this herb has in it that can really help solve this problem and draw your own conclusions.

Well, and finally, I really love medicinal ones, I collect and prepare them myself.

I always have thyme, mint, oregano and many others at home.

I am convinced that when used correctly, for certain diseases, they can have an effective therapeutic and cosmetic effect, restore strength and energy.

Therefore, be sure to use medicinal herbs, but do it correctly, and then, herbal medicine will bring real benefits to you and your body.

Hello dear readers!

We use infusions and decoctions in everyday life at every step:

women for facial skin care recipes, for a sore throat, or for brewing herbs for a baby bath, and it is also an integral part of most health recipes.

It is not difficult to prepare an infusion and a decoction, but the preparation methods are different.

So, how are decoctions and infusions useful and how to prepare them?

Infusions and decoctions are used for aqueous extraction of biologically active substances from plants.

What is the difference between infusion and decoction?

Infusion prepared from the above-ground tender part of the plant:

herbs, flowers, inflorescences, non-leathery leaves, and most seeds and fruits.

Decoction prepared from the coarse parts of the plant: bark, dense leaves, roots.

Only infusions from all parts of the plant are prepared from plants that contain them to reduce the loss of aromatic substances during boiling.

Pre-grinding of raw materials

For the preparation of infusions and decoctions, raw materials must be crushed to particles:

- flowers and leaves no more than 5 mm

- bark, roots, stems no larger than 3 mm

- seeds and fruits no more than 0.5 mm

The proportions of plant materials and water (if not specified) for infusions and decoctions.

- 1 tbsp chopped dried herbs

- 1 glass of water

Wherein:

1 tbsp roots = 10 g

1 tbsp herbs = 5 g

By the way, on the topic of using herbs and flowers, I plan to write many more articles - do not forget to subscribe to

How to prepare infusion, decoction

Way hot fast

We put plant raw materials in glass, porcelain, or enameled dishes.

Pour boiling water over and insist, covering with something on top.

Infusion time

The time of infusion of flowers, herbs, leaves (preparation of infusions) 30 min-1 hour.

Decoction infusion time

Time of infusion of roots (preparation of decoctions) up to 6 hours (wrapped dishes to retain heat)

The hot way is right

It is more correct to prepare the infusion and decoction as follows:

vegetable raw materials are poured with water at room temperature and put in a water bath without boiling.

We do not put the pan on a strong fire, do not fill it with hot water. Hot water causes accelerated folding of proteins in plant cells, which in turn prevents the transition of active useful substances in infusion.

Infusion time

Infusion kept in water for 15 minutes, and decoction 30 minutes. In this case, stir the mixture often.

We increase the exposure time on fire for large doses, more than 1 liter.

After the solution is cooled at room temperature. Infusion for at least 10 minutes, and decoction for at least 45 minutes in heat.

Way cold

You can also prepare the infusion in a cold way, without heating.

Infuse for 4-12 hours at room temperature cold water(for example, marshmallow root).

Straining

We filter through 2 layers of gauze or a clean old rag (for external use), put the remaining wet raw materials into gauze and also carefully wring out. If necessary, add boiled water to the required volume.

We filter decoctions and infusions from plants with tannins (grass, oak bark, etc.) immediately after a water bath, because they quickly deteriorate when cooled.

Storage of prepared decoctions and infusions

We use decoctions and infusions within 2-3 days, provided that they are stored in the refrigerator. The fresher the mixture, the greater its healing power.

Decoction, obsolete decoction (Decoctum) and infusion (Infusum) are not dosed liquid dosage forms, which are aqueous extracts from medicinal plant materials or aqueous solutions of extracts intended for external and internal use or inhalation through heated vapors.

Trekhlebov's video: is an infusion or decoction of medicinal herbs harmful?

Differences between decoction and infusion

The technology of decoctions and infusions is largely similar. The main differences are the used medicinal plant materials and decoctions and the most stringent extraction conditions.

Decoctions are usually prepared from rough, dense parts of plants - roots, rhizomes, bark, woody stems, sometimes thick, hard leaves (bearberry, lingonberry, etc.). Medicinal raw materials should not contain active substances that are volatile or decompose when heated.

Decoctions have, as a rule, therapeutic activity - diuretic, expectorant, diaphoretic and other properties. Decoctions, in comparison with infusions, are absorbed more slowly and last longer. As far back as the 17th century, aromatic waters were used to freshen the air in wealthy homes and hospitals. Commonly used waters: mint, dill, cinnamon, rose, almond, bird cherry, lingonberry, heather, juniper, sweet clover, calendula, sage, rowan, caraway. Decoctions are the most commonly used dosage form in herbal medicine, but sometimes it is not applicable (glutinous rhemania, wrestlers, ferula).

Infusions, on the contrary, are prepared from the soft parts of the plant, which easily release their active substances, usually these are leaves, stems, flowers. Also, infusions are prepared from medicinal raw materials, which contain substances: volatile ( essential oil) or easily decomposed by prolonged heating (glycosides). Infusions are a purer dosage form, are well absorbed and have a stronger and faster effect. The first fact of the preparation and treatment of this dosage form was documented in the X century - when the Persian scientist and physician Avicenna described the recipe for an oil-based infusion.

How to prepare decoctions and infusions

For preparation, medicinal raw materials are crushed: leaves, flowers and grass - to particles no larger than 5 mm in size, bark, roots, stems - up to 3 mm, seeds, fruits - up to 0.5 mm.

Medicinal raw materials are taken at the rate of 1:10, less often - 1:30 (spring adonis, Montenegrin, ergot, lily of the valley, rhizomes and roots of istoda, valerian), for groups of plants containing potent substances, the ratio is 1:400 (ipecac root). For 1 cup (100 ml) of herbal decoction (infusion), you need to take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of raw materials. Weight 1 tbsp. spoons of dry grass, flowers or leaves is 3-5 grams, and roots, wood or bark 6-8 grams. For external use, a decoction (infusion) is prepared more concentrated.

The traditional way of preparing herbal decoctions and infusions

The crushed medicinal raw materials are placed in an enameled, porcelain or stainless steel dish, covered with a lid and kept in a boiling water bath with constant stirring:

Decoctions - 30 minutes,

Infusions - 15 minutes.

Decoctions - 10 minutes,

Infusions - 50 minutes.

The decoctions are always filtered hot, and the infusions are chilled, then brought to the original volume of water and consumed.

When preparing water extracts of large volume (1-3 liters), the heating time in a boiling water bath must be increased by 10 minutes.

Preparation of infusion in cold, warm and hot ways.

cold infusion- water extract of various parts of the plant, carried out at room temperature Infusions and decoctions (18-25°C) for 6-8 hours. Cold infusions of herbs containing milky juice are recommended - celandine, dandelion, milkweed, as well as herbs whose active substances decompose when elevated temperature(calendula flowers).

Warm infusion it is carried out in a warm (temp. +45 +50 ° С) water bath or on a water heating battery for 3-4 hours. Mucus-containing herbs are suitable for warm infusion - marshmallow (marshmallow), licorice, flaxseed, psyllium seed, gum, gelatin.

Hot infusion (light decoction) tea type - a collection placed in glass, porcelain, enameled dishes; poured with fresh boiling water ("white key") and infused for 15-20 minutes under a napkin. It is usually taken hot.

In all cases, the infusions are filtered through gauze.

All decoctions and infusions, especially in warm time years, deteriorate very quickly and lose their medicinal properties. Therefore, it is better to brew them daily. Store in the refrigerator, no more than 2 days. Prepare your decoctions and infusions correctly, and then you will get a great healing effect.

Video: How to prepare an infusion or decoction?

Video

Additional ways

Can prepare an infusion and thus: the grass is poured with boiling water and steamed in a sealed container for half an hour. Then the contents are filtered and the juice of half or a whole lemon is added to it. It is also useful to add honey to decoctions and infusions. Store infusions in a dark, cool place, and be sure to warm up before use.

Decoctions you can cook it like this: the grass is poured into a bowl, poured with raw water, mixed, covered with a lid and left overnight at room temperature. In the morning, the infused herb is put on fire, boiled under the lid for 5-7 minutes, removed from the heat and left under the lid for half an hour. The broth is filtered and topped up to the required volume with boiled water.