How to Get the Best Effects from Eating Cordyceps
Cordyceps, also known as winter worm summer grass, is a precious medicinal herb that can nourish the body. So, how can we get the best effects from eating cordyceps? Let's take a look at the ways to consume cordyceps and its benefits.
How to Get the Best Effects from Eating Cordyceps, Ways to Consume Cordyceps, and Its Benefits
The Best Way to Eat Cordyceps
1. Brewing Tea
Boil water and drink it as tea instead of steeping it in hot water. This method is simple and effective. Typically, cordyceps should be boiled for 6-10 minutes over low heat. The boiling time should be short, and the tea should be consumed immediately after the water boils. Add water while drinking, as the water is most nutritious when the color of the cordyceps tea is the darkest. Do not waste the water at this time. Cordyceps tea usually goes through a process of becoming lighter and then darker in color, with a long-lasting aftertaste. Stop drinking when the cordyceps tea becomes light or even white, and you can eat the cordyceps. A pot of cordyceps tea can be enjoyed for at least half an hour, with water added 4-6 times.
2. Water Decoction
This refers to making herbal soup. The time of decoction is usually 40 minutes to 1 hour. If there are other Chinese herbs in the prescription, cordyceps should be decocted separately to prevent the active ingredients from being absorbed by the herbal residues and wasted.
3. Soup
Usually, cordyceps is stewed with old duck over low heat for 1-2 hours.
4. Soaking in Medicinal Liquor
Soak cordyceps in white wine or yellow wine for a period of time before consuming. Regardless of the method mentioned above, cordyceps should be eaten in the end.
Cordyceps can be consumed as tea, soaked in liquor, stewed, made into powdered capsules, chewed directly, or stewed with chicken, duck, and other meats for nourishing purposes. However, according to modern pharmacological research, the active ingredients in cordyceps are easily destroyed by heat. Therefore, it is best to choose methods that do not involve long-term high-temperature processing.
The consumption of cordyceps to replenish deficiencies in the body varies depending on the individual and the condition. It can be taken as a single herb or combined with other herbs. It can be brewed as tea, stewed as soup, or made into medicinal dishes. For example, for conditions such as back pain and weakness, nocturnal emission and premature ejaculation, impotence, tinnitus, forgetfulness, and mental confusion, cordyceps can be taken alone, with a dosage of 2 grams each time, ground into powder, and taken on an empty stomach, twice a day. It can also be used in combination with 5 grams of cordyceps, along with Eucommia bark and Morinda officinalis, boiled into a soup and consumed. For post-illness weakness or those who are prone to colds, aversion to cold, and spontaneous sweating, cordyceps can be frequently used in stewed dishes with chicken, duck, beef, pork, and lamb. For example, using 5-10 pieces of cordyceps and an old male duck, removing the internal organs, adding a little yellow wine, and boiling until soft, can enhance the physique. Cordyceps can also be taken as a decoction with 4 pieces of cordyceps boiled in water and consumed on an empty stomach every day.
Cordyceps Medicinal Recipes
1. Cordyceps Stewed Chicken
Ingredients: 5 pieces of cordyceps, 1 chicken, 25 grams of ham, 500 grams of lean meat, a small amount of ginger, a little Shaoxing wine.
Preparation: Cut the cleaned chicken into large pieces and cut the lean meat into large pieces. Put them in water along with Shaoxing wine and simmer over low heat for 2 hours. Soak the cordyceps in water, and then pour the cooked chicken and soup into a stewing pot. Add the cordyceps, cover the pot, and simmer for another 2 hours in a water bath.
Effect: Tonifies the kidneys, strengthens yang, and strengthens the body. Suitable for those with kidney yang deficiency and physical weakness.
2. Cordyceps Water Duck
Ingredients: 600 grams of duck meat, 10 grams of cordyceps, a few slices of ginger, 4 grams of salt, 10 ml of cooking wine.
Preparation: Wash the duck meat and chop it into pieces. Blanch it in boiling water for about 5 minutes, then remove and wash off the blood. Place ginger slices and all the ingredients in a pot, add water, and bring to a boil. Simmer over medium heat for about 50 minutes, then add salt, cooking wine, pepper, and chicken powder for seasoning. Serve hot.
Effect: Tonifies deficiencies, nourishes the five organs, nourishes blood, promotes diuresis, clears heat, and strengthens the spleen. Regular consumption is beneficial for those who are physically weak, post-illness weakness, and edema.
3. Cordyceps Quail
Ingredients: 3 grams of cordyceps, 8 quails, a small amount of ginger, green onion, pepper, salt, and chicken broth.
Preparation: Wash the cordyceps with warm water. Remove the feathers from the quails, chop off the head and feet, drain the blood, divide them in half, remove the internal organs, and wash them. Blanch in boiling water for 1 minute, then remove. Cut ginger into slices and chop spring onion. Place the cordyceps in the abdomen of the 8 quails, tie them tightly with a string, place them in a basin, add salt, pepper, chicken broth, and wrap with parchment paper. Steam for about 40 minutes, remove the parchment paper, and remove the string before consuming.
