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Common Botanicals

Chinese Tea shelf
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AMARANTH

Amaranth grows up to a height of 3.5 m and possesses elliptical to ovate-oblong and lanceolate leaves. The plant bears many flowers with acute bracts. The seeds generally vary in colour.

Family Name: Amaranthaceae
Botanical Name(s): Amaranthus hypochondriacus
Popular Name(s): Hsien, Lady Bleeding, Spleen Amaranth, Love-Lies-Bleeding, Red Cockscomb, Velvet Flower
Parts Used: Seeds and leaves
Habitat: Amaranth is found in the tropics, mostly in tropical America.

AMERICAN GINSENG

American Ginseng is a perennial herb with a fleshy tuber-like root and grows to a height of 8-24 inches. The plant bears three compound leaves, each composed of five toothed leaflets. Its flowers are greenish white in colour and appear in June-July. The fruits are in the form bright red berries that appear in late summer.

Family Name: Araliaceae
Botanical Name(s): Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius
Popular Name(s): Five Fingers, Tartar Root, Five Leafed Ginseng, Redberry
Parts Used: Root
Habitat: American Ginseng is found in East North America (Canada and the US)

ANISE

Anise is a dainty, white-flowered urnbelliferous annual, about 18 inches high, with secondary feather-like leaflets of bright green, hence its name (of mediaeval origin), Pimpinella, from dipinella, or twicepinnate, in allusion to the form of the leaves.

Family Name: Umbelliferae
Botanical Name(s): Pimpinella Anisum
Popular Name(s): Anise, Aniseed, Sweet Cumin, Star Anise, Chinese Nise
Parts Used: Seeds
Habitat: It is a native of Egypt, Greece, Crete and Asia Minor

ASTRAGALUS

Astragalus membranaceus is a sprawling perennial legume, about 16 inches high. Astragalus membranaceus has a hairy stem, leaves made up of 12-18 leaflets and aromatic flowers.

Family Name: Fabaceae
Botanical Name(s): Astragalus membranaceus
Popular Name(s): Milk vetch, Huang qi, Milk vetch root, Goat’s horn, Green dragon, Yellow emperor.
Parts Used: Roots
Habitat: Astragalus is indigenous to the northern and eastern parts of China and some areas of Mongolia.

How to Brew the Best Cup

*Reference: www.herbsguide.net