Brewing
Brewing (Medicine)
Brewing (pronunciation: /ˈbruː.ɪŋ/) is a process of producing fermented beverages, most commonly beer, but also includes other beverages like kombucha. In the context of medicine, brewing has been used for centuries in the production of herbal remedies and medicinal teas.
Etymology
The term "brewing" comes from the Old English word 'brēowan', which means 'to brew'. The term has been in use since before the 12th century.
Medical Uses
Brewing is used in the preparation of various medicinal concoctions. The process involves the steeping of plant material in hot water to extract the active ingredients. This is commonly used in the preparation of herbal teas and decoctions, which are used to treat a variety of ailments.
Herbal teas are often used in alternative medicine as a natural remedy for various health conditions. They are made by brewing herbs, flowers, seeds, roots, or leaves of certain plants. Some common examples include chamomile tea, peppermint tea, and ginger tea.
Decoctions are a type of herbal tea that is brewed for a longer period of time to extract the medicinal properties of tougher plant materials, such as roots or bark. They are often used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda.
Related Terms
- Fermentation (medicine): The process of converting sugar to acids, gases, or alcohol using yeast or bacteria. It is used in brewing to produce alcohol and to enhance the medicinal properties of certain herbs.
- Herbalism: The study or practice of the medicinal and therapeutic use of plants.
- Phytotherapy: The study of the use of extracts from natural origin as medicines or health-promoting agents.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Brewing
- Wikipedia's article - Brewing
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