Find out the difference between an infusion and tea decoctions
Tea connoisseurs are right when they say that the way tea is prepared (infusion and decoction) is crucial. This is what will determine not only the taste but also the medicinal effects of tea.
Certain plants lose their therapeutic value depending on how they are treated before they are sold.
It is important to emphasize that the beneficial or undesirable effects of teas depend on the proper indication, the method of preparation, dose, use of the correct plant (it is very common to use plants that were not correctly identified) and even the way the plant was cultivated And harvested.
To take full advantage of the benefits of any medicinal plant, the first rule is to be sure of what you are getting. Many medicinal plants are similar ( an aspect of leaves, for example) with plants that have no effect.
In addition, the handling of the plant to the point of sale should be well controlled and done within the quality criteria, since the drying and milling stages of the plant, because they involve heating, can reduce or even eliminate the expected beneficial effect.
Difference between infusion and decoctions
As for the mode of preparation, it is important to clarify that there are two basic modes: infusion and decoctions.
Tea infusion
In the infusion the water is heated to the boiling point (when bubbles begin to form at the bottom of the kettle), then the hot water is poured over the plant and the mixture is rested for a few minutes, preferably plugged. This technique is generally applied for the preparation of tea leaves, flowers and ground fruits and preserves the essential oil.
Decoctions of tea
In the decoctions, the plant parts are boiled along with the water for a few minutes. This technique is generally applied for the preparation of bark teas, roots or stem pieces, which because they are harder need a more rigorous method for the extraction of the water of the beneficial compounds present in the plant.
In order to obtain the expected effect, it is necessary to follow the indicated mode of preparation of the chosen tea.
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