What factors contribute to the highly variable strength of a home-brewed pot of herbal tea compared to a regulated extract?
The strength varies wildly depending on the amount of herb used, water temperature, and the steep time
The primary divergence in strength between a home-brewed tea and a regulated extract stems from the lack of standardized preparation methods in the domestic setting. A regulated supplement or extract is carefully manufactured to deliver a precise, consistent dose of the active ingredient. Conversely, making tea at home involves several variables that are highly subject to change with each preparation. These variables include the amount of dried herb placed in the cup or pot, the temperature of the water used for steeping, and the duration for which the herb is allowed to steep. Any variation in these factors directly translates to a different concentration of active phytochemicals, meaning one cup might be benign while the next is significantly stronger, carrying a higher dose risk.
