Ampelopsis grossedentata

Ampelopsis grossedentata (moyeam) is a species of plant in the Vitaceae family. The specific name grossedentata comes from the plant's growing structure and leaves. Ampelopsis grossedentata is distributed mainly middle and south of China. A few south-east countries also find the growth. There are difference of the Ampelopsis grossedentata in different places because the nature environments are not the same.^[1]

Moyeam is usually grown in Zhang Jiajie, the famous mountain in the region of the Hunan province in Middle of China. It is the species among Ampelopsis grossedenta which has the most complete nutrition ingredients and active function.

Plant features

Moyeam germinates in Spring and fade in Autumn, no significant difference between primary and secondary roots underground ; Plant stems and leaves are glabrous, cirrus grows, stem diameter is about 0.2 ~ 0.4 cm, the largest annual production is in early summer and Autumn is second . General annual growth is 0.7 ~ 0.8m, dorsal leaves in spring are gray, draped white frost. Leaflets is thin papery or herbaceous, long, narrow, oblong, oval or grant needle-shaped, margin coarsely toothed, young stems and leaves has light reddish purple. Knead by hand the leaves and stems would have viscosity and come into the group, and have significant white substance on the plant surfaces and hands (it is the Dihydromyricetin compound), chewing it,first feel bitter, astringent, gradually turn sweet.^[2]

The leaves and stems are used to make a herbal tea called Moyeam (China). The product has been popular in China for generations and is now consumed in some other countries. The English name Moyeam is spelled from the Chinese name “茅岩莓”.

Production and processing

The process way of this plant is handed down from Chinese Tujia minority people 600 years ago, it is plucking, withering,rolling and fermentation. The fresh leaves should be withered within 5 hours to avoid oxidization and losing nutrients. During the rolling step,it produces the distinctive “white frost ”color of Moyeam and enhances the flavor. Unoxidized "white" Moyeam is also produced, but the more demanding production process for white Moyeam (similar to the method by which green tea is produced) makes it more expensive than traditional Moyeam. The taste is slight bitter and following strong sweet, it is the distinctive characteristic of finest tea. It carries the “white frost” and slightly grassy flavour somewhat different from other common teas in China.

Use

In Tujia minority settlements of China, it is common to prepare this tea in the similar manner as green tea and drink directly because it has the nature sweet taste. The Tujia people who often drink this tea all the years without hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity and cancer.

Nutritional values and chemical composition

Moyeam is rich in flavonoids, the average level in this plant can reach 40%.This is the highest of all known plant in the world

It is becoming more popular with Chinese people, particularly among health-conscious consumers, due to its high level of flavonoids especially Dihydromyricetin.It is nature, no resistance to drugs, no pollution and no remain.It has been tested that the Dihydromyricetin flavone has antibiosis, eliminate inflammation, antioxidation, clearing radical, regulate blood sugar and fat, antitumor effects.^[3]

According to the test result, it is also rich in 17 kinds of amino acid and has 14 kinds of micro element, especially Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn are higher, which are essential for our physical health.

Health benefits

Moyeam is purported to assist respiratory disease, antibiosis, eliminate inflammation, antioxidation, clearing radical, regulate blood sugar and fat, antitumor.

This tea has been shown to cure respiratory diseases, and some clinical study have been conducted.

There are 40% flavonoids found in Moyeam, and Dihydromyricetin take the 70% percentage in flavonoids, have been known to have tumor fighting qualities and antioxidant effects.

It does not contain the antioxidant Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) found in green tea. But the Dihydromyricetin has even better performance compared with the EGCG.Because the hot-resistance of Dihydromyricetin can reach 240℃ and the suitable PH range is wider than EGCG.

Because the high level of Dihydromyricetin, the extract of Dihydromyricetin is of high production and been applied to many fields. Traditional medicinal uses of Moyeam in China include personal care products,cold medicine, pet food.^[4]

Scientific experiments

The basic chemical composition of Moyeam include water, water extracts, ash, inorganic elements, proteins and amino acids, polyphenols and flavonoids, carbohydrates, vitamins, and other volatile components.

Geographical environment

After the 4th century glacier extinction raids, it only grows in Zhang Jiajie high mountains above sea level 800m to 1500m. The water, air and soil are isolated from contamination; The eruption of crustal movement formed particular red sandstone soil, the soil is rich in nutrients which is very conducive to the formation of flavonoids, vitamins and trace elements in this plant.Growing in the rational settlements of mysterious Chinese Tujia minority, there is specific sunniness, rainfalls and moist air.

Similar plants are also found in other provinces of China, mainly at the south of ChangJiang River. A few studies also mentioned the growth in south-east Asia countries. But it has been researched that the similar plants do not have the complete and important physiological functions compared with Moyeam.^[5]

History

In 1385, it was given to the king of Tujia minority as the best present, because it could cure kinds of disease. At that time it was named" Heaven Tea".In 1837 Chinese Qing dynasty，this tea was given to the Emperor of China as the present of Tujia minority, the Emperor found the tea had amazing effects for health, so ordered it as the Tea exclusive for Emperor.

At present, precious Moyeam is made with the Tujia minority method inherited 600 years ago. It is said only female can inherit this mysterious tea artistry.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ampelopsis grossedentata.

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