Herbalism Herbal Preparations & Formulations

Question 1

Which extraction method uses alcohol and water to draw out both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble constituents from an herb?

Accepted Answer

Tincture

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

1 part herb to 5 parts menstruum

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Decoction

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

A cloth soaked in herbal tea applied externally

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

60% alcohol

Answer

60% alcohol is the standard menstruum for extracting alkaloids from dried herbs because alkaloids are often more soluble in higher-proof alcohol.

Herbalism Practice Test