Infusions & Decoctions: Preparing Plant Extracts

Overview

In this lesson, students learn that many plants contain chemicals with medical properties, including neuroactive properties. These chemicals can affect the nervous system when an organism is exposed to the chemicals. Students learn how plants have been used around the world to treat illness and alter brain function. In the lab portion, they use either an infusion or decoction laboratory procedure to make a liquid that contains these plant chemicals. These plant extracts will be used in other labs in the Sowing the Seeds of Neuroscience curriculum.

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Decoction, Infusion, Tincture, Distillation, Aromatherapy