Ch 1 L 3: Herbal Teas and Tinctures

Question 1

What is a solvent?

Answer 1

A substance used to extract the constituents from plant material.

Question 2

What is an infusion?

Answer 2

Using water to extract constituesnts from plant material

Question 3

What is an extract?

Answer 3

Using a medium other than water to remove constituents from plant material

Question 4

What plant parts are suited to infusions?

Answer 4

Flowers, leaves, delicate plant parts

Question 5

What is a decoction?

Answer 5

An intense infusion, in which the plant parts are simmered for at least 20 minutes to extract constituents

Question 6

What plant parts are suited to decoctions?

Answer 6

Roots and barks

Question 7

What are three “rule of thumb” proportions for making infusions or decoctions?

Answer 7

1 oz dry herbs : 1 qt water
1 Tbs dry herbs : 1 c. (8oz) water
1/4 c. Dry herbs : 1 qt water

Question 8

What is the general adult dosage for teas, infusions and decoctions?

Answer 8

3-4 8 oz cups per day

Question 9

What is the average adult dosage of teas, infusions and decoctions for chronic conditions?

Answer 9

3-4 8 oz cups per day

Question 10

What is the average adult dosage of teas, infusions and decoctions, for acute conditions?

Answer 10

2-4 oz per hour, not to exceed 32 oz per day

Question 11

What is an acute condition?

Answer 11

Any condition that lasts for a short period of time, ie a cold, head ache, or sore throat

Question 12

What is a chronic condition?

Answer 12

A long term condition, ie arthritis

Question 13

What is a menstruum?

Answer 13

A solvent or liquid used to extract the constituents from plant material in the making of tinctures

Question 14

What is marc?

Answer 14

Waste plant material left over from the tincturing process

Question 15

What is precipitate?

Answer 15

Solids that form at the base of tincture solution

Question 16

What is garbling?

Answer 16

Stripping and removing unusable plant parts from botanicals as first step of processing

Question 17

What constituents are suited to an alcohol tincture?

Answer 17

Alkaloids, essential oils, enzymes, sugars, vitamins, minerals

Question 18

What types of plant material is suited to glycerine extracts?

Answer 18

Fresh flowers, fresh fruit, fresh and dried leaves

Question 19

What are the three most common herb to menstruum ratios?

Answer 19

Fresh or dried roots - 1:5
Fresh herbs- 1:3 OR 1:2
Dried herbs- 1:4 OR 1:5