Decoction
Made by simmering tougher plant parts, such as roots, bark or seeds, in water.
69 herbs
How each herb is prepared this way. Open an herb for its sources and safety information.
Abrus PrecatoriusAbrus precatoriusIn West Java, Indonesia, a decoction of the leaves is commonly drunk.
Alstonia BooneiAlstonia booneiBark boiled in water, sometimes sweetened with honey, taken up to 4 times a day for pain.
Alysicarpus VaginalisAlysicarpus vaginalisIn Jamaica, the plant is boiled with other roots and herbs, such as chaney root, sarsaparilla and ginger, into a "roots tonic" drink.
AngelicaAngelica archangelicaHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried root in a cup of water for 2 minutes, then steep it covered for 15 minutes.
AshwagandhaWithania somniferaHerbalists simmer the root in water as a tea (decoction), and in Ayurveda it's traditionally cooked in milk or ghee (clarified butter).
Aster RootAster tataricusThe root is boiled (decocted) with other herbs, such as licorice and honey, for coughs.
Atractylodes MacrocephalaAtractylodes macrocephalaIt's one of the four herbs in Sijunzi decoction, with ginseng, poria and licorice.
Bellaco-CaspiHimatanthus sucuubaThe bark or leaves are simmered into a decoction or tea.
Bengal QuinceAegle marmelosThe bark is boiled into a tea for fever and cough.
BerberineBerberis vulgarisThe crude bark can also be taken as a decoction.
BilberryVaccinium myrtillusThe dried berries are simmered in water to make a liquid that's used in the mouth, for example as a rinse.
Black CohoshActaea racemosaHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried root in a cup of water.
Cat's ClawUncaria tomentosaThe dried stem bark is made into infusions and decoctions.
Caulis SpatholobusSpatholobus suberectusIt's the main ingredient in Chinese herbal decoctions such as Gubi decoction.
ChagaInonotus obliquusThe hard woody mass is boiled to make a tea.
Chaney RootSmilax balbisianaIn Jamaica, the roots are soaked, then brewed in water for about 10 minutes with other roots and herbs, such as sarsaparilla and ginger, and sweetened to taste.
ChicoryCichorium intybusThe cut root can also be simmered in water as a decoction, once a day.
ChitrakPlumbago zeylanicaA tea made by boiling purified root was tested in rats.
Corn SilkZea maysCorn silk has also been taken as a decoction (simmered in water).
Cornelian CherryCornus officinalisIt's one of the six herbs in Liuwei Dihuang decoction, a classic Chinese formula.
Dan ShenSalvia miltiorrhizaIt's used crude or in preparations such as decoctions, dripping pills and injections.
DandelionTaraxacum officinaleThe root is simmered in water as a decoction, and the roasted root is used as a caffeine-free coffee substitute.
Devil's HorsewhipAchyranthes asperaIn the Ivory Coast, decoctions are used for diabetes and to increase urination.
Dong QuaiAngelica sinensisHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the root in a cup of water for 2 minutes, then steep it covered for 15 minutes. Wine infusions are a traditional Chinese preparation.
ElecampaneInula heleniumThe root is traditionally boiled in water to make a decoction.
Evodia FruitTetradium ruticarpumThe usual dose of 2 to 5 g is taken as a water decoction, or as pills or powder.
Fo-TiReynoutria multifloraThe root is used raw or processed (boiled in black-bean liquid), as decoctions and in Chinese patent medicines.
Gambir Hook VineUncaria rhynchophyllaThe hooks are traditionally added to a boiling decoction only for the last 5 to 10 minutes, because long boiling breaks down its main compounds.
Gastrodia Elata RhizomeGastrodia elataIt's usually taken as a decoction, often with other herbs such as chuanxiong.
Giloy (Guduchi)Tinospora cordifoliaIn one study of patients with liver injury, people had taken it as tablets or decoctions.
GingerZingiber officinaleThe dried root is also simmered in water as a decoction.
GinsengPanax ginsengHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried root in a cup of water.
Glehnia RootGlehnia littoralisIt's used in Chinese formulas such as Yiguanjian decoction and Yiwei decoction.
Gold Coin GrassLysimachia christinae, Desmodium styracifoliumThe whole plant is boiled in water as a decoction.
GoldensealHydrastis canadensisThe dried rhizomes and roots are taken as a powder or a decoction.
Guava LeafPsidium guajavaTRAMIL's recipe for diarrhea or vomiting: 30 grams of fresh leaves (young shoots preferred) boiled for 5 minutes in 1 liter (4 cups) of water, optionally with a little salt and sugar; 1 cup 3 to 4 times a day.
Gui Pi WanPanax ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Angelica sinensis and 9 other herbsThe formula is also prepared as Guipi decoction.
HaritakiTerminalia chebulaThe dried fruit is boiled in water as a decoction.
HorsetailEquisetum arvenseThe dried plant is simmered in water to make a liquid that's applied to the skin.
Lesser GalangalAlpinia officinarumIt's also taken as a decoction.
LicoriceGlycyrrhiza glabraHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried root in a cup of water. The root is also added to tea blends for sweetness.
Marshmallow RootAlthaea officinalisHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the root in a cup of water for 10 to 15 minutes. A cold infusion helps keep its slimy mucilage.
Mediterranean SaltbushAtriplex halimusLeaves boiled in water, the traditional way it's taken.
OshaLigusticum porteriIt's widely taken as a decoction.
PeriwinkleCatharanthus roseusIn Togo, a decoction of the root is taken for painful periods.
Pleurisy RootAsclepias tuberosaHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the root in a cup of water.
Polygonatum SibiricumPolygonatum sibiricumIt's mostly used as Chinese patent medicines, simple preparations or decoctions.
Poria CocosWolfiporia cocosIt's used in decoctions such as compound fuling and licorice decoction.
Red Peony RootPaeonia lactifloraThe root is boiled in water as a decoction.
Rehmannia RootRehmannia glutinosaThe dried roots and rhizomes are made into infusions or decoctions.
Rhodiola RoseaRhodiola roseaHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the root in a cup of water.
RosehipsRosa caninaA rosehip decoction can be used on sensitive skin as an astringent moisturizer.
SarsaparillaSmilax ornataIn Jamaica, the root is one of those boiled into the "roots tonic" or "strong back" drink.
SchisandraSchisandra chinensisThe Chinese Pharmacopoeia describes 3 to 9 g of dried berries, usually boiled in water as a decoction.
Scutellaria BaicalensisScutellaria baicalensisIt's an ingredient in many formulas, such as Huangqin decoction.
Shame O' LadyMimosa pudica5 grams of leaves and roots are boiled for 10 minutes, or steeped, in 4 cups (1 litre) of water.
ShatavariAsparagus racemosusHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the root in a cup of water.
Sheng Mai Yin WanPanax ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, Schisandra chinensisThe formula is prepared as a decoction, made by a pharmacy or by patients.
Slippery ElmUlmus rubraHerbalists simmer 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried inner bark in a cup of water for 10 to 15 minutes; the decoction can be made into a cough syrup.
SnapdragonAntirrhinum majusIn Iraqi tradition, the whole plant is boiled and used as a wash.
Southern MagnoliaMagnolia grandifloraThe Choctaw and Koasati boiled the bark to make a wash for the skin.
Spanish MossTillandsia usneoidesThe plant was boiled to make a tea for chills and fever.
Stemona RootStemona speciesIt's one of the seven herbs in Baiheqingjin decoction, a Chinese formula.
Strong Back RootMorinda royocIn Jamaica, redgal (Morinda royoc) is one of the plants boiled into a "roots tonic" or "strong back" drink.
SusumberSolanum torvumIn the Philippines, a tea is made by boiling the plant in water.
WerekeIbervillea sonoraeSlices of dried root are boiled in water and the tea is drunk.
Witch HazelHamamelis virginianaThe dried, cut leaves are simmered in water to make a liquid for the skin or for rinsing the mouth.
Yellow DockRumex crispusTraditionally, it's used as a decoction or tincture.
Yerba MansaAnemopsis californicaRoot boiled in water, taken for colds, coughs, stomachaches and pain.
