Decoction tinctures are more commonly known as “double extraction tinctures”; but we believe the latter name is less clear.

Our decoction tinctures are made by “decocting” (carefully simmering over low heat) fresh plant or mushroom material in the water portion of the menstruum blend. For mushrooms, we macerate the fruiting bodies in alcohol before simmering them in water and combining the liquids; for plant material, we simmer first, and combine the resulting decoction with alcohol to macerate the plant material in.

We use careful measuring, calculations, and concentrate our decoctions to ensure our decoction tinctures use the same standard 1:2 weight to volume ratio as the rest of our single herb tinctures.

Are decoction tinctures better?

Not unilaterally – they’re just different! Some constituent chemicals in some herbs are only soluble in hot water, not cold water or alcohol. Alternately, some chemicals are destroyed by heat. Since all tinctures are chemical solutions, the method used to prepare a tincture changes what chemicals the end product contains.

When should I use a decoction vs. standard tincture?

This is a question that doesn’t have a straightforward answer – and many herbalists may have conflicting opinions, all based on good evidence! We encourage beginner herbalists who are unsure about the best course of action to take their specific query to an experienced herbalist or to learn more about decoction tinctures from a reputable reference.