An herbal extract is an herb that has had it’s medicinal components extracted into a medium of water, alcohol, wine, vinegar, oil, glycerin or honey. Herbal extracts are also called infusions, decoctions, tinctures, liniments, etc. The name given to the herbal extract is determined by the medium used. An herbal extract made with water as the medium is often called an herbal tea, herbal infusion or herbal decoction. An herbal extract made with vinegar or alcohol is often called an herbal tincture. An herbal extract made with oil is often called an herbal oil infusion. Regardless of what the extract is called, there are 3 key steps to making all homemade extracts: maceration, extraction and storage.