On the ancient trees in old Tea regions of Yunnan, there grows a parasitic plant known as “Crab's Claw.” It is said that this can only be found on ancient tea trees that are over a hundred years old. Growing alongside these old tea trees, it absorbs their essence.
“Crab's Claw” has a green color (turning brownish-yellow after being picked and dried), with a shape resembling small coral. Due to its branch segments resembling crab legs, it is named “Crab's Claw” by the locals.
This plant typically parasitizes many different types of trees, such as old pear trees, apple trees, peach trees, and even persimmon trees. However, it is only when it parasitizes tea trees that it holds significant value, especially those old Puer tea trees. If it grows on other trees, it is not much different from common roadside weeds.
“Crab's Claw” growing on centuries-old tea trees is widely distributed, primarily in ancient tea gardens in areas like Xishuangbanna, Puer, and Lincang. However, due to the specific climate and growth conditions required, the number of Crab's Claw growing on ancient tea trees is scarce, making opportunities to taste it quite rare.
Most notably, this parasitic plant also flowers, with blooming and fruiting occurring between April and December. Its flowers are very beautiful, always in a circular blade-like shape, giving an impression of being perpetually unopened. The fruits have a strikingly bright orange color, hanging like little lanterns when fully matured. Many people consider it highly valuable because it grows on old Puer tea trees, and sometimes it sells for several thousand dollars per pound.
Benefits of Crab's Claw
The “Comprehensive Chinese Pharmacopoeia” states that it is “bitter, warm, and effective for dispelling wind, promoting blood circulation, eliminating dampness, and relieving cough and phlegm.” According to “Shennong's Classic of Materia Medica,” it is listed as a superior herb, known for strengthening bones, reinforcing hair, and promoting facial hair growth.
The “Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China” describes it as: “The dried stems with leaves are used medicinally. They are cool in nature and are effective for dispelling wind and dampness and strengthening bones.”
As its medicinal values continue to be discovered and utilized, modern medicine has begun researching it and found that it can play a supportive role in lowering blood pressure, protecting the heart, and fighting tumors.
In summer, locals often drink it as tea. For those with minor stomach pain, Steeping some Crab's Claw in hot water can provide relief, as tea polyphenols help regulate stomach acid. This parasitic Crab's Claw absorbs most of the nutrients from the tea tree, so its properties become increasingly similar to tea leaves. Attempts to transplant or cultivate Crab's Claw through scientific methods have failed due to various reasons, making it even more precious.
Consumption of Crab's Claw
1. Drinking Alone: Take 1-2 grams of Crab's Claw, place it in a small teapot or Ceramic bowl, and brew it with boiling water. Rinse it like you would with Puer tea before drinking the second infusion. As the number of infusions increases, extend the brewing time, and it can be brewed more than 20 times. After it loses its flavor, chew and eat the remaining Crab's Claw, as good things are beneficial in their entirety.
2. Drinking Together with Puer Tea: Add two to three small branches of Crab's Claw to the tea and brew together. Be sure to use it in moderation, as too much can overpower the original flavor of the Puer tea. You can also eat the remaining Crab's Claw after brewing.
3. Chicken Soup: Take a clean young chicken weighing about 1000 grams and add 10-20 grams of Crab's Claw, then stew until the meat is tender. This way, the benefits of Crab's Claw are maximized, resulting in a rich broth and delicious, aromatic chicken, providing both a tasty meal and excellent therapeutic effects!
Pregnant women should avoid consuming Crab's Claw. When drinking or cooking with it, control the amount. An optimal single dose for an adult is 3 grams; taking more than 5 grams may cause symptoms such as accelerated heartbeat, weakness, and dizziness.
We all know that everything needs a limit, and exceeding it can lead to problems. Therefore, tea enthusiasts should pay attention to controlling the amount when consuming Crab's Claw.