Herbs & Cultures

From plant to use

Decoction

Simmering roots, bark and seeds so they release their flavour and compounds.

Herbs prepared this way (466)

Level: Easy
Ratio: About 1 tablespoon of dried, coarsely cut material per 300–500 ml of cold water.
Time: Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 15–30 minutes with the lid on. Mushrooms often longer.
Shelf life: Covered in the fridge for 1–2 days.

Hard plant parts give up little in a short infusion. That is why many traditions gently boil roots, bark, seeds and berries: a decoction. Think of ginger root, cinnamon bark and the herbal formulas of Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.

Suited to

Roots, rhizomes, bark, seeds, dried berries and mushrooms.

Step by step

Cut or crack the material coarsely to increase its surface.
Put it in cold water and bring slowly to the boil.
Turn the heat down, cover the pan and let it simmer gently.
Strain, and top up with hot water to the original volume if you like.

Tips

Roots and leaves together? Simmer the roots first, then add the leaves once the heat is off and let them steep for another 5–10 minutes.
Soak the material in cold water for an hour beforehand for a fuller flavour.

Registry

Herbs prepared this way

Herbs on this site whose description mentions this preparation. That does not mean every herb is safe to prepare yourself: read the safety information for each one.

Caution
Oceania · Other · № 55
Tamanu oil
Calophyllum inophyllum
An oil used mainly in skin care; medical claims are not established.
Lāʻau lapaʻau in Hawaiʻi+1
Caution
Africa · Food · № 560
Tamarind
Tamarindus indica
Traditionally attributed effects: ripe fruit sour, cooling, carminative, laxative, antiscorbutic, promotes bile; for inflamed swellings, bilious vomiting, conjunctivitis (flowers), bleeding haemorrhoids, throat complaints, ulcers, paralysis (bark), gonorrhoea (ash).
Local African healing traditions+3
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 549
Toothbrush tree
Salvadora persica
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, diuretic, decongestant; leaves for rheumatism, scurvy, painful tumours, haemorrhoids, asthma and cough; flower oil for flatulence, mucus, worms, leprosy, gonorrhoea, headache and rheumatic pain.
Local African healing traditions+2
Caution
South America · Herb · № 877
Tara
Tara spinosa (syn. Caesalpinia spinosa)
A thorny tree with red pods that are very rich in tannins. In laboratory tests, extracts of the pods inhibited several bacteria.
Kallawaya healing knowledge+1
Caution
Asia · Food · № 268
Wheat
Triticum aestivum
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens, rejuvenates, soothes ulcers, stimulates appetite, promotes healing of fractures, gives stability, healthy complexion; mildly aphrodisiac; anti-stress breakfast.
Ayurveda+2Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 722
Tatarian aster root (zi wan)
Aster tataricus
Traditionally attributed effects: dissolves phlegm and stops cough in cough from cold with much phlegm.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 570
Timur pepper
Zanthoxylum alatum
Traditionally attributed effects: tonic, stomachic, carminative, aromatic; for fever, indigestion, cholera and toothache.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 328
Tormentil
Potentilla erecta
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, especially for the intestinal wall.
Western herbal medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 776
Chinese nutmeg yew (fei zi)
Torreya grandis
Traditionally attributed effects: was used against intestinal worms and moistens the lungs.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 718
Trichosanthes fruit (gua lou)
Trichosanthes kirilowii
Traditionally attributed effects: fruit and seed dissolve hot phlegm and open the chest; the root (tian hua fen) cools and moistens.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 497
Cluster fig
Ficus racemosa
Traditionally attributed effects: astringent, carminative, stomachic, kills worms, lowers blood sugar; wound rinse, for dysentery, bile complaints, haemorrhoids, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, heavy menstruation, coughing up blood, sore throat, diabetes.
Ayurveda
Caution
North America · Herb · № 993
Tulip tree
Liriodendron tulipifera
The tallest broadleaf tree of eastern America, up to almost sixty metres, of the magnolia family, with tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers with an orange patch. The bark is bitter and contains the alkaloid liriodenine and sesquiterpenes that inhibit bacteria and fungi; it was formerly used as a tonic and quinine substitute. The flowers give much nectar for a dark honey.
Cherokee medicine
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 40
Tulsi (holy basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
An aromatic plant drunk as herbal tea; treatment claims are not established.
Ayurveda
Caution
Asia · Food · № 240
Onion
Allium cepa
Traditionally attributed effects: stimulating, diuretic, expectorant, skin-irritant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic; for cough, haemorrhoids, jaundice, indigestion, insect bites, boils, wounds, chilblains and sore joints.
Ayurveda+4Folklore
Caution
Africa · Herb · № 29
Umckaloabo (African geranium)
Pelargonium sidoides
Root extract is sold for respiratory complaints. A Cochrane review found little to no evidence of benefit for acute bronchitis, colds, or sinusitis.
Traditional healers of Southern Africa
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 773
Gambir hook vine (gou teng)
Uncaria rhynchophylla
Traditionally attributed effects: calms liver wind and rising liver yang in headache, dizziness and high blood pressure.
Chinese medical traditions+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 294
False unicorn root
Chamaelirium luteum
Traditionally attributed effects: diuretic, uterine tonic, emetic.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+2
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 707
Knotgrass (bian xu)
Polygonum aviculare
Traditionally attributed effects: drains damp heat in cystitis, stops itching and was used against worms.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 717
Hogfennel root (qian hu)
Peucedanum praeruptorum
Traditionally attributed effects: makes lung energy descend and dissolves thick phlegm, also in colds.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 515
Malabar nut
Justicia adhatoda
Traditionally attributed effects: expectorant, diuretic, antispasmodic, cleansing, bronchodilator; well-known Ayurvedic remedy for bronchitis, asthma, cough, fever, jaundice and tuberculosis; root for malaria, diphtheria and gonorrhoea.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 750
Fo-ti (he shou wu)
Reynoutria multiflora (syn. Polygonum multiflorum)
Traditionally attributed effects: processed a tonic for blood, liver and kidneys; raw mildly laxative and detoxifying.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 667
Greater duckweed (fu ping)
Spirodela polyrhiza
Traditionally attributed effects: diaphoretic and diuretic; helps rashes come out.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 72
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
The seed is traditionally used for wind, bloating and cramps. There are some small studies, but evidence is limited.
Greco-Roman medicine+9Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 489
Vidanga
Embelia ribes
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, stimulating, cleansing; against intestinal worms, ringworm and skin diseases, headache, sore throat and mouth ulcers, bark paste for pneumonia.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 230
Cinquefoil
Potentilla reptans
The tannin-rich herb was used as a mouthwash and for diarrhoea. A medicinal effect has not been studied.
Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
Caution
North America · Herb · № 581
Culver's root
Veronicastrum virginicum
Traditionally attributed effects: laxative, stimulating, supports the liver, promotes bile; decongests liver and gallbladder, for gallbladder pain and jaundice.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+3
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 446
Flame of the forest
Butea monosperma
Traditionally attributed effects: leaves astringent, diuretic, tonic, aphrodisiac; seeds expel worms and laxative; flowers tonic; for diarrhoea, heartburn, diabetes (lowers blood sugar), flatulence, haemorrhoids, worms, leucorrhoea, inflamed throat.
Ayurveda
Caution
Europe · Food · № 21
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Berries have a folk-use history for cold and flu symptoms; clinical evidence remains preliminary.
Monastic and folk knowledge+4Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 672
Buddleia flower bud (mi meng hua)
Buddleja officinalis
Traditionally attributed effects: cools liver heat in red, swollen, watery and light-sensitive eyes.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Asia · Food · № 646
Fox nut (qian shi)
Euryale ferox
Traditionally attributed effects: a tonic for long life that according to tradition counters ageing and gives strength.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 586
Lady's slipper
Cypripedium parviflorum (syn. C. pubescens)
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the nerves, antispasmodic, tonic, relaxing, diuretic; for menstrual pain and irregular menstruation, overstimulated nerves and insomnia from stress, pain-relieving.
Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 694
Dittany root bark (bai xian pi)
Dictamnus dasycarpus
Traditionally attributed effects: drains heat, dampness and wind in itchy, weeping skin conditions.
Chinese medical traditions
Caution
Europe · Food · № 80
Walnut
Juglans regia
The nuts are a nutritious source of unsaturated fats. Leaf and green husk are astringent and were traditionally used for skin conditions and diarrhoea; clinical evidence is lacking.
Western herbal medicine+2Folklore
Caution
Asia · Herb · № 479
Dodder
Cuscuta reflexa
Traditionally attributed effects: carminative, expels worms, cleansing, antispasmodic; for stomach ache, constipation, flatulence, liver complaints, bile complaints; externally for itching and skin diseases.
Ayurveda+1
Caution
North America · Herb · № 169
Wax myrtle (bayberry)
Morella cerifera
The root bark was traditionally used for colds, sore throats and diarrhoea. There is no modern clinical evidence.
Eclectic medicine+2Folklore
Caution
Europe · Herb · № 106
Bogbean
Menyanthes trifoliata
A strong bitter traditionally used to stimulate appetite and digestion and for rheumatic complaints. Clinical evidence is lacking.
Western herbal medicine+1