What are the two methods for tincture preparation?

• A. Percolation and Maceration
• B. Simple solution and extraction
• C. Infusion and decoction
• D. Filtration and precipitation

Answer: (B)

Tincture preparation relies on extracting plant constituents with alcohol to make a concentrated hydroalcoholic extract. The two classical methods are maceration and percolation. Maceration means soaking the plant material in the alcoholic solvent for a period, with occasional stirring, allowing soluble compounds to diffuse into the liquid. Percolation involves passing the solvent through a packed bed of plant material so the liquid that comes out is continuously drained as it extracts more material; this can be more efficient and faster than maceration alone.

Infusion and decoction are hot-water extractions used for teas and similar preparations, not tinctures. Filtration and precipitation are separation steps, not methods to extract constituents from the plant material. The term “simple solution and extraction” isn’t the standard paired description for tincture production.