Constituent-Class Extraction Decision Tree

Constituent‑Class Extraction Decision Tree

Choose the extraction method by what the plant is chemically made of.

1. Start With the Dominant Constituent Class

A. Aromatics (volatile oils, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes)

Ask: Do you want lift, dispersal, mood action, or surface-level energetics?

• Yes → INFUSION (hot)
  • Captures light aromatics without destroying them.
• If resinous or stubborn aromatics → TINCTURE (40–60% alcohol)
  • Alcohol pulls deeper aromatics and preserves volatility.
• Avoid: Long decoctions (drive off volatiles), roasting (burns aromatics).

B. Alkaloids (berberine, lobeline, isoquinolines, tropanes)

Ask: Do you want sharp, potent, fast-acting chemistry?

• Yes → TINCTURE (40–60% alcohol)
  • Best solvent for alkaloids.
• If resin-bound or stubborn → HIGH-PROOF TINCTURE (70–95%)
• If heat-sensitive → COLD ALCOHOL MACERATION
• Avoid: Decoctions, roasting, honey-boiling, fermentation (all reduce alkaloids).

C. Polysaccharides (mucilage, beta-glucans, demulcents)

Ask: Do you want soothing, thickening, moistening action?

• Heat-sensitive mucilage → COLD INFUSION
• Heat-tolerant polysaccharides → DECOCTION
• Avoid: Alcohol (precipitates polysaccharides).

D. Minerals (calcium, magnesium, silica, electrolytes)

Ask: Do you want nourishment, hydration, long-steep minerals?

• Yes → LONG INFUSION (4–12 hours)
• Alternate: DECOCTION for mineral-rich roots/barks
• Avoid: Alcohol (poor mineral extraction).

E. Tannins (astringents, toning agents)

Ask: Do you want tightening, toning, drying action?

• Yes → DECOCTION
  • Heat + water pulls tannins well.
• Alternate: STRONG INFUSION
• Avoid: High-proof alcohol (over-extracts bitterness, harshness).

F. Resins (sticky aromatics, antimicrobial compounds)

Ask: Do you want deep aromatic, resinous potency?

• Yes → HIGH-PROOF TINCTURE (70–95%)
• Alternate: LOW-HEAT INFUSION for surface aromatics
• Avoid: Water decoctions (resins are not water-soluble).

G. Flavonoids (antioxidants, color compounds)

Ask: Do you want antioxidant, circulatory, anti-inflammatory action?

• Yes → INFUSION
• Alternate: TINCTURE (mixed solvent captures broader flavonoid spectrum)
• Avoid: Prolonged boiling (destroys some flavonoids).

2. Secondary Check: Plant Form

Once you know the constituent class, confirm with plant form:

• Soft aerial parts → Infusion
• Dense roots/barks → Decoction or Tincture
• Resinous/sticky → High-proof alcohol
• Mucilaginous → Cold infusion
• Aromatic → Infusion or tincture depending on volatility

3. Energetic Overlay (Pattern Health logic)

• Cooling / moistening → Infusion / cold infusion
• Warming / moving → Decoction or tincture
• Fast / sharp → Tincture
• Deep / structural → Decoction

4. Quick-Glance Extraction Grid

5. Final Maker’s Path (the decision tree in 5 steps)

1. Identify the dominant constituent class.
2. Check plant form (soft, dense, resinous, mucilaginous).
3. Match solvent to chemistry (water, alcohol, cold water).
4. Overlay energetic need (cooling, warming, fast, deep).
5. Choose extraction method (infusion, decoction, tincture, cold infusion).