Botanical name: angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels

Taste: sweet, bitter, warm

Meridian: Heart, Liver, Spleen Pancreas

Action:

- tonifies xue

- stimulates circulation and soothes pain

- moisturizes and releases intestines

dang gui - radix angelica sinensis

A decoction is a herbal preparation in which the herbs are cooked in a liquid, usually water. The purpose of decoctions is to get the soluble active ingredients from the herbs. It is often used for herbs that are hard and woody and / or have a dense, stiff texture. A decoction often falls under the denominator (herbal) tea. Decoctions can be made from the same plants as a tisane or extract. The difference is usually in time, the extraction method, and more importantly, the plant parts. A tisane or herbal tea is often made from the leaves, flowers and other softer parts, by allowing them to soak in hot water for a relatively short period of time. The harder parts of the plant are used for decoction. Such as the roots, bark, and - depending on the plant, seeds and berries. For a decoction, the plant parts are boiled in water for up to 45 minutes (and sometimes even longer). 

Why make a decoction? Simply put, it takes longer to extract extractions from hard fibrous plant parts, so the water must be kept hot for a longer period of time in order to break down the cellulose sufficiently to dissolve in the water. Sometimes the same roots or barks are even boiled twice and the two resulting liquid extractions are combined. In exceptional cases, decoctions are made from leaves and other herbal materials that are normally used to make infusions.

Make decoctions

Decoctions are made immediately before consumption, and when the portion is not indicated, the drink should be prepared using the following general method of preparation:

• 50 grams of the herb, coarsely ground

• Fresh water to experience 1000 ml decoction.

• Place the herb in a suitable pan with a lid

• Pour over 1000 ml of cold water, cover and cook on a low heat for 15 minutes.

• Allow to cool to room temperature.

• Sift the extracted liquid with a cheese cloth.

• Rinse the strainer with cold water to get the decoction to 1000 ml.

• Use within 48 hours