What does the term 'Decoction' refer to in herbal treatments?

The term 'Decoction' specifically refers to the method of cooking plant material in water to extract its medicinal properties. This process typically involves simmering the herbs for an extended period to ensure that the active compounds are released into the water. Decoctions are often used for tougher plant materials like roots, bark, or seeds that require more vigorous cooking to draw out their beneficial elements effectively.

The other options describe different herbal preparation methods. Soaking herbs in alcohol pertains to tinctures, which involves macerating or steeping plant material to extract properties in a solvent medium. Applying plant material to external wounds refers to compresses or poultices, which are intended for topical use. Making a concentrated herbal solution generally aligns more closely with tinctures or extracts but does not specify the water-based cooking process central to decoction. Thus, the accurate definition of decoction aligns with cooking plant material in water.