Twisted-Flower Rush Herb

Twisted-flower rush herb is a parasitic plant that grows on ancient tea trees that are several decades old. Its color is green (turning brownish-yellow after drying), and it resembles small coral in shape due to its parasitic, segmented branches. It has a hairy texture and resembles crab legs, which is why locals named it as “螃蟹脚” directly translating as “crab legs”. Twisted-flower rush herb is the dried leaf and stem of the dwarf mistletoe from the Santalaceae family. It is a commonly used cough and phlegm remedy in Yunnan Province and can only be found on ancient tea trees that are over a century old.

Benefits and Effects of Twisted-Flower Rush

Twisted-flower rush herb appears green and turns brownish-yellow after drying. When brewed, the tea has a yellow-green, translucent color, with a rich, unique fragrance when fresh. After aging, it develops a strong medicinal aroma. This herb is usually found only on ancient tea trees that are over a century old due to its extremely slow growth. Additionally, over-harvesting has made twisted-flower rush herb very scarce, and its market price remains high. Authentic twisted-flower rush herb from ancient trees has a delicate fragrance, a smooth taste, and a strong, lingering sweetness, which quenches thirst and stimulates saliva production.

Methods to Brew Twisted-Flower Rush Herb

1. Drinking on its own

   Although Twisted-flower rush herb is not a tea, it can be brewed similarly to Pu-erh tea.

2. With Pu-erh Tea

   Add 2g of Twisted-flower rush herb to your Pu-erh tea for brewing. Be careful not to add too much to avoid overpowering the Pu-erh tea's flavour.

3. In Soup

   When making soup, add 2-3grams of the herb and cook it with meat until tender. This method provides high nutritional value and has excellent therapeutic effects. After eating the meat and drinking the soup, remember to consume the herb. Limit consumption to no more than twice a month as the herb has cold constitution and should be consumed in moderation.

Wild Twisted-flower rush herb from ancient tea trees has a fresh, aromatic flavour, smooth texture, and strong aftertaste that quenches thirst. It can be enjoyed alone or added to Pu-erh tea to enhance its taste, making it an excellent companion to Pu-erh tea. Regular consumption is beneficial for health, making it an ideal health supplement. Additionally, it is a great ingredient for soup, offering superb therapeutic benefits!