Which extraction method involves boiling in water for 15 minutes, cooling, straining, and making up to volume with water?

• A. Decoction
• B. Digestion
• C. Maceration
• D. Infusion

Answer: (A)

Decoction is the extraction of constituents by boiling plant material in water. The method described fits this approach because tough plant materials—like roots or bark—often require heat to release their soluble components into the solvent. Boiling for about 15 minutes helps break down tissue and maximize extraction, then cooling makes handling safer and helps preserve sensitive compounds. Straining removes the solid material, and making up to volume with water adjusts the strength and final yield of the preparation. Infusion relies on hot but not boiling water for delicate parts, maceration uses solvent at room temperature without heat, and digestion involves heat but follows a different timing or procedure than the short boil described here.