Decoctions preparation

Decoctions, prepared with boiling, can be much more potent than infusions and are generally prepared for use as compresses, enemas, and syrups. Like infusions, decoctions should be kept only for a maximum of 3 days if refrigerated, 1 or 2 days if not refrigerated. 

Chan, W.Y., T.B. Ng, J.L. Lu, et al. 1995. Effects of decoctions prepared from Aconitum carmichaeli, Aconitum kusnezoffii and Tripterygium wilfordii on serum lactate dehydrogenase activity and histology of liver, kidney, heart and gonad in mice. Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 14(6) 489-493. 

Extraction procedure is the key step in the separation of medicinally active constituents from the plant or animal tissues using different solvents. Conventionally, the medicinal plants were consumed in the form of decoction prepared by using either water or water-alcohol mixture. Over the years, several novel extraction procedures have been developed including infusions [45]. 

Nervine. Enjoy elder as a tea before bed. It calms the spirit and emotional body. Historically, a decoction of elder flowers was prepared and applied to the legs and arms to induce a deep sleep. Elder flower tea was also given to those suffering from epilepsy. Parts used flowers, berries. 

Native to tropical America, sweet potato (I. batatas) is a perennial morning glory vine that has been cultivated for over 5,000 years for its edible tubers in Mexico, Central and lowland South America, and the West Indies. Today, sweet potato is cultivated around the world, especially in developing countries (Plate 4). A decoction made from the leaves of this plant is used in folk remedies as a gargle to treat mouth and throat tumors, and poultices are prepared for inflammatory tumors (64). In Mexico, leaf decoctions are considered to be of cold nature , to reduce excessive body heat, contemporarily defined as such illnesses as diarrhea, dysentery, heart disease, stomach distress, fever, and gastrointestinal infection. In Chinese traditional medicine, the tubers have been used as a medicinal herb to eliminate secretion in perceived abnormal quantities of blood or other body fluids (79). 

Oman. Decoction of the bark is taken orally for constipation. Barks and leaves are applied externally for skin rash. Fruit resin mixed with the gall bladder of sheep or goat is applied ophthalmically for cataract. The fruit is applied externally for fractured limb. Cataplasm prepared from leaves is applied externally for ulcers . 

Vasodilator effect. The decoction of leaves caused relaxation of isolated rat aorta preparations both in the presence (IC50 1.12 0.33 mg/mL) and in the absence (IC50 1.67 + 0.16 mg/mL) of endothelium "" ... 

Decoction. A preparation made by boiling a plant part in water a boiled extract. Dental enamel. A hard, thin, transcluent layer of calcified substance that envelops and protects the dentin of the crown of the tooth. It is the hardest substance in the body and is almost entirely composed of calcium salts. 

Danshen, the dried root and rhizome of S. miltiorrhizae (Fig. 2), is another Chinese botanical product used for its ability to alleviate menstrual irregularities, as well as for its vasodilative and hypotensive functions in a variety of cardiovascular conditions (8). The botanical product had also been shown to inhibit platelet aggregation in vitro (9). Danshen is widely available in different preparations for oral consumption, with usual dose range of 9 to 15 g per decoction. In addition, its increasing popularity is reflected by its availability even in Chinese cigarettes (10). 

Some rare, expensive herbs, such as Ren Shen (Ginseng radix), should be prepared separately. Herbs that are traditionally used in powder form should be added to the prepared decoction without cooking an example is San Qi (Notoginseng radix) powder. Gels and syrups such as E Jiao (Asini corii colla), Yi Tang (Maltose), honey and egg yolks, should be dissolved in the prepared decoction without cooking. 

Decoction is the most common form of administration of Chinese herbal medicine. Decoctions are usually taken orally. They can be absorbed quickly and have the strongest action of all of the traditional types of preparation. 

Decoctions do, however, have some obvious drawbacks. They need a reasonable amount of time to prepare, especially in chronic diseases they do not always taste pleasant they are not easy to transport or to store. Nowadays, some herbal pharmacies have made some improvements in this respect, offering to cook decoctions for their patients and delivering the herbal medicine in sealed vacuum-packed bags that may be stored in a refrigerator for a few days. 

Powders can be used in small dosages. They are easy to prepare, administer, transport and store. Powders are less wasteful than decoctions. Their main drawback is that their action is not as strong as decoctions. They are often used for sub-acute, chronic and mild cases. 

Da Huang is used as chief in a reasonably large dosage. It is added at the last moment when the decoction is prepared, and therefore its purgative action is intensive and strong. 

Da Huang Fu Zi Tang (Rhubarb and Prepared Aconite Decoction)... 

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