____ is the method of extraction where the crude drug is permitted to soak in the menstrual (solvent system) until the soluble components are dissolved.

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

Answer: (A)

Maceration is a non-heat, soaking extraction method. It involves letting the crushed or coarse drug sit in a solvent at ambient temperature for a period of time so that soluble components diffuse out into the solvent. This approach is chosen when you want to avoid heat to protect heat-sensitive constituents, relying on diffusion during the soak.

Infusion and decoction rely on heat—infusion uses hot water to steep delicate materials, while decoction boils tougher materials to extract their constituents. Percolation extracts by passing solvent through a bed of material, often in a column, rather than simply soaking. Therefore, the description of soaking the crude drug in solvent until soluble components dissolve best matches maceration.