Herbalism Herbal Preparations & Formulations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which extraction method uses alcohol and water to draw out both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble constituents from an herb?
- Decoction
- Tincture (Correct answer)
- Infusion
- Poultice
Correct answer: Tincture
A tincture uses an alcohol-and-water menstruum to extract both hydrophilic and lipophilic plant constituents.
Question 2: What is the standard folk-method ratio used when making a 1:5 tincture?
- 1 part herb to 5 parts menstruum (Correct answer)
- 5 parts herb to 1 part water
- 1 gram herb per 5 ml alcohol
- 5 grams herb per 1 liter water
Correct answer: 1 part herb to 5 parts menstruum
A 1:5 ratio means 1 part herb (by weight) is extracted in 5 parts menstruum (by volume).
Question 3: Which preparation involves simmering tough plant material such as roots, bark, or seeds in water for 20–45 minutes?
- Infusion
- Decoction (Correct answer)
- Maceration
- Succus
Correct answer: Decoction
A decoction extracts constituents from hard plant parts by simmering them in water for an extended period.
Question 4: A fomentation is best described as which type of herbal preparation?
- An herbal capsule
- A cloth soaked in herbal tea applied externally (Correct answer)
- An alcohol extract taken internally
- A suppository containing herbal oils
Correct answer: A cloth soaked in herbal tea applied externally
A fomentation is a cloth or compress saturated with a warm herbal infusion or decoction and applied to the skin.
Question 5: Which menstruum percentage is most commonly used to extract alkaloids from dried plant material in tincture making?
- 25% alcohol
- 40% alcohol
- 60% alcohol (Correct answer)
- 90% alcohol
Correct answer: 60% alcohol
60% alcohol is the standard menstruum for extracting alkaloids from dried herbs because alkaloids are often more soluble in higher-proof alcohol.
Question 6: An oleoresin is produced when essential oils and resins from a plant are extracted using which solvent?
- Water
- Glycerin
- Acetone or hexane (Correct answer)
- Apple cider vinegar
Correct answer: Acetone or hexane
Oleoresins are prepared using non-polar solvents such as acetone or hexane, which dissolve both the volatile oils and resinous components.
Herbalism Herbal Preparations & Formulations 1
Which extraction method uses alcohol and water to draw out both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble constituents from an herb?