Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Herbal Medicine

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Herbal Medicine 1. Tincture vs. Infusion While both tinctures and infusions are liquid extracts used in herbal medicine, the key difference lies in the solvent. Tinctures use alcohol, while infusions use water. This distinction is crucial as it affects the extraction process and the resulting properties of the extract. 2. Decoction vs. Maceration Decoctions and macerations are both methods of extracting compounds from herbs. However, the difference lies in the temperature. Decoctions involve boiling the herb, while macerations involve soaking it in cold or room temperature liquid. The choice between the two depends on the herb and the desired compounds. 3. Syrup vs. Elixir Syrups and elixirs are both sweetened, flavored liquid medicines. However, the key difference is that syrups are water-based, while elixirs are alcohol-based. This distinction is important for patients with specific dietary restrictions or sensitivities. 4. Poultice vs. Compress Poultices and compresses are external applications used to treat various conditions. The difference lies in the preparation.