AERIAL PARTS -- Those parts of a plant that appear above the ground.

DECOCTION -- A tea made by simmering dense herbal material such as roots, barks and twigs in water. This is a more forceful extraction than infusion.

EXTRACTION -- Any process which involves dissolving or otherwise removing desired herb components from herbal materials into a carrier medium. This includes processes such as infusion, decoction and tincturing.

HERB -- Correct definition: Any plant whose aerial parts die back in the winter. Our definition: Any plant or plant part that provides a salutory or remedial effect on the body.

INFUSION -- A tea made by steeping herbal parts in water just off the boil. A more gentle extraction process than decoction.

OIL -- A viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not soluble in water. Oils are generally flammable and slippery.

OINTMENT-- A semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy for an injury or illness.

SALVE -- A soothing, healing application of ointment.

SIMPLE -- Any herbal preparation where only one herb is used.

STEEP -- To soak an ingredient in a liquid in order to draw out volatile/soluble elements of the ingredient into the liquid.

TEA -- A water-based extraction of soluble herbal components.

TINCTURE -- This is the result of soaking herbs in drinking alcohol. The volatile elements dissolve into the alcohol, making them accessible to the user. Vinegar or glycerol can be used as the solvent instead for those who do not wish to take alcohol.

TISANE - A tea, regardless of the method used to make it.

TONIC -- A tonic is typically a medicinal drink intended to strengthen and further invigorate a relatively healthy body. While tonics are frequently given to ill people to support the healing process, the general use is as a preventative measure rather than a remedial effort. Some traditional tonics were so well-liked that they have become recreational drinks. Think Coca-Cola®, Dr. Pepper®, or gin and tonic. (I bet I can explain that last one!)