What is the procedure called when plant material is soaked in hot water similar to making tea?

The procedure where plant material is soaked in hot water to extract flavors, colors, or beneficial compounds is known as infusion. This method is akin to making tea, where the heat and water facilitate the release of the desirable properties of the plant material, allowing them to dissolve into the liquid.

Infusions are commonly used in herbal medicine to prepare drinks from leaves, flowers, or other delicate parts of plants. The process usually involves steeping the plant material in hot water for a specific duration, resulting in a flavored liquid that can be consumed for its potential health benefits.

In contrast, decoction refers to a technique involving boiling harder plant parts, such as roots or bark, to extract their compounds, while tinctures utilize alcohol as a solvent to extract more potent substances from plant materials. A poultice, typically made from crushed or ground herbs mixed with a liquid, is applied externally and serves a different therapeutic purpose, focusing on localized treatment rather than internal consumption.