Popularly, drinks that are made with herbs placed in boiling water are called "teas", however, only one type of plant produces the real tea. Tea is the drink prepared from the plant Camellia sinensis, which can give rise to green tea, black tea, yellow tea or red tea, for example, according to the moment when the plant is harvested.
All other preparations that are not made with Camellia sinensis they are actually called infusions or decoctions. Infusions are made using the most fragile parts of the plant, such as leaves or flowers, whereas decoctions are prepared with the hardest parts, such as bark or roots. Depending on whether it is an infusion or decoction, the time and method of preparation also vary.
Here's how to properly prepare a tea, an infusion or a decoction:
1. How to prepare tea
Teas are always prepared with the plant Camellia sinensis which gives rise to green, black, yellow, blue or oolong teas, white tea and the so-called dark tea, also known as red or pu-erh tea.
The type of tea varies according to the time the plant is harvested, as well as the place where it was planted. To know that you are using the correct type of Camellia sinensis, the ideal is to buy the leaves of the plant in a health food store, for example.
How to do it: just add the sheets of Camellia sinensis in a cup with boiling water, cover and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer the leaves rest, the stronger the flavor of the tea and the more compounds will be present in the water. Finally, it is only necessary to strain, let it warm and drink the tea.
2. How to infuse
Infusion is the drink prepared with the most fragile parts of plants other than Camellia sinensis, such as chamomile, lemon balm, dandelion or mackerel, for example. This technique preserves the essential oil of plants and is usually used to prepare "teas" from leaves, flowers and ground fruits.
How to do it: put the water to a boil and, as soon as the first bubbles are being formed, turn off the fire. Pour the boiling water over the dried or fresh plants, cover and let stand for 5 to 10 minutes. Finally, strain and drink.
3. How to prepare decoction
The decoction is done when the plant is boiled together with water, which is usually necessary to do with parts of the plant that are harder and more resistant, such as roots or barks, for example.
How to do it: add the hard parts of the plant in a pot of water and let it boil for 10 to 15 minutes, until the water is darker and aromatic. Then, turn off the heat, cover the pan and let it warm.
Care when preparing teas, infusions or decoctions
The main care when making a drink with medicinal plants is always to have guidance from a herbalist, doctor or other health professional accustomed to the use of plants. This is because the use of medicinal plants can bring several health benefits, but it can also be quite dangerous, especially when the plant is used incorrectly or in doses higher than indicated.
The ideal is to always consult a professional before using any type of plant, to know which part of the plant to use, how much and how many times to consume per day.
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