Limited edition new packaging! This is made from ripe aged 2018 Pu'er tea from Menghai and Astragalus (or Huang Qi), a powerhouse adaptogenic Traditional Chinese Medicine herb prized for its myriad of medicinal benefits, including its ability to benefit longevity, immunity, and digestion. Each tea tin contains around 50 tea resin pieces which can make 2-3 cups of tea each.
Astragalus or Huang Qi is a powerful tonic for longevity: in a new double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Astragalus was found to significantly lengthen telomeres—the protective endcaps on DNA that shorten as we age—in middle-aged patients. It is also one of the most beneficial herbs for the digestive system: in a 2020 animal study, it was found to repair the gut after antibiotic use, adjust gut microbiota and increase SCFA levels (which provide energy to the epithelial cells of the gut). Aside from improving digestion and absorption, Huang Qi has also been proven to regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation while also protecting the heart and improving circulation. Huang Qi can restore the integrity of the gut, regulate immunity and inflammatory response, and improve circulation.
Astragalus has a long history of use in Chinese medicine, particularly for its association with longevity and overall health. It has been used for thousands of years as a Qi-tonifying and immune-boosting herb to strengthen the body, boost vitality, and promote longevity. Ancient Chinese texts often referenced astragalus as a herb that could help the body resist disease and maintain health over time.
One of the oldest Chinese medical texts, Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, circa 200–250 AD) lists astragalus as a "superior herb," meaning it was considered safe for long-term use and beneficial for promoting vitality and longevity. Li Shizhen's Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica, 1596) highlighted astragalus as a herb for strengthening the body, improving energy, and supporting overall health.
Contraindications: While astragalus is generally considered safe for most people, there are certain contraindications and precautions to be aware of. Individuals who are allergic to plants in the legume family (such as peanuts, soy, and peas) may also be allergic to astragalus, as it belongs to the same plant family. Astragalus can stimulate the immune system and lower blood sugar levels, so those with preexisting conditions may want to consult with a healthcare provider before trying astragalus.
Tea resin, or Cha Gao, is a rare and ancient method of tea-making that involves slow-cooking tea leaves until it turns into a thick paste, and then dried into a resin. This unique tea form originated in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD) and was made mostly as a delicacy for the ruling classes and the imperial court due to its labor-intensive preparation process. However, tea resin disappeared during the collapse of the Qing Dynasty, during which the artisanal methods of making tea resin were almost entirely lost. It was also recognized as a medicinal in the Supplement to the Compendium of Materia Medica, compiled by Zhao Xuemin between 1765 and 1805, and was noted as an herbal remedy for hangovers, improving digestion, and reducing phlegm.
Today, we are reintroducing this rare form of tea that is unknown even to most tea aficionados with these brocade tea tins, each containing 50 grams of individually wrapped ripe Pu'er tea resin shaped into mooncakes.
As a concentrated tea paste, tea resin can be considered a form of instant tea--however, unlike most instant teas, the tea resin we sourced is made from higher grade tea leaves, not inferior "leftover tea." It has the advantage of dissolving quickly and creating a pure tea, leaving no leaves or sediment in the cup.
Pu’er, also spelled Pu-er or Puerh (although this is considered an outdated Anglicized spelling), is an aged fermented tea from China’s Yunnan province. Not only does the fermentation process lend pu’er its distinct flavor, it also boosts its medicinal properties—pu’er tea is high in antioxidants, and studies show it can fight oxidative stress, promote weight loss, and regulate blood sugar. Pu’er tea also possesses anti-cancer properties. It has a lower caffeine level, less than coffee and green tea, which make it a great choice for drinking late into the day.
It’s also a highly-coveted tea with an obsessed fanbase. As one writer said, “Pu-erh, which is processed in a special way to encourage microbial fermentation after the leaves are dried, ages more dynamically than any tea out there. It does not have fans. It has junkies who buy kilos of the stuff at a time to bliss out on days-long brewing sessions, only dropping out of their highs long enough to argue over the best pu-erh blends, growing regions, and storage methods. There are grasping amateurs who buy, gift, and drink the tea to gain social status among Chinese elite.”
Pu’er has been called China’s best-kept secret for weight loss. Animal and test-tube studies show that it can help synthesize fewer new fats while burning more stored body fat. In one animal study, pu’er was also the only variety of tea capable of raising the level of good cholesterol and lowering the level of bad cholesterol.
Instructions:
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