How can you best consume Cordyceps sinensis? The main methods include decoction, stewing in soup, and soaking in medicinal wine. Decoction involves simmering the herbs for 40 minutes to 1 hour. If the prescription includes other herbs, Cordyceps sinensis is usually decocted separately to prevent its active ingredients from being absorbed by the dregs and wasted. Stewing in soup involves simmering Cordyceps sinensis with an old duck over low heat for 1-2 hours. Soaking in medicinal wine involves soaking Cordyceps sinensis in white wine or rice wine for a period of time before drinking. Regardless of the method, you can ultimately consume the Cordyceps sinensis.

　　Cordyceps sinensis is suitable for treating symptoms such as deficiency of both lung and kidney, insufficient essence and qi, cough and shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating and night sweats, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, impotence and seminal emission, and consumptive cough with sputum and blood. Because it is mild in nature and has a gentle effect, it can balance yin and yang, making it an excellent tonic and food for the elderly, those recovering from illness, and those who are weak after childbirth.

　　Common ways to consume Cordyceps sinensis

　　1. Steep in boiling water to drink

　　A. Usage: Cordyceps should be simmered over low heat for a short time, 6-10 minutes at a time. Drink immediately after boiling, adding water as needed. The water is most nutritious when it's at its darkest color after boiling; don't waste this water. Cordyceps water typically undergoes a process of becoming stronger and then weaker, with a lingering aftertaste. Usually, stop drinking when the water becomes weak or even white; you can eat the cordyceps then. One pot of cordyceps tea can last at least half an hour, with water added 4-6 times.

　　B. Dosage: It depends mainly on personal preference for concentration, one's own economic ability and physical condition. Put in 3 to 6 cordyceps at a time.

　　C. Utensils: Drinking cordyceps water is as particular as drinking gongfu tea. A transparent glass teapot should be chosen. Glass will not absorb nutrients and flavors like purple clay, nor will it easily produce chemical reactions like other materials. At the same time, you can also observe the color changes of the cordyceps water in the pot.

　　2. Grind into powder and take with water.

　　Grind the Cordyceps sinensis into powder using a grinder. Take a certain amount of the powder daily, and take it with warm water or light salt water on an empty stomach, two to three times a day; or put it into a capsule and carry it with you, taking it at a fixed time every day.

　　3. Making soup

    When there are still 1-2 hours left before the various meat or bone broths are done simmering, add an appropriate amount of cordyceps to the pot. After the soup is cooked, eat the meat, drink the soup, and chew and swallow the cordyceps.

　　A. Stewed mutton with Cordyceps and Cistanche

　　Ingredients: 4-6 pieces of Cordyceps sinensis, 10 grams of processed Aconitum carmichaelii, 10 grams of Cistanche deserticola, 100 grams of mutton, and 2 slices of ginger.

　　Instructions: Boil the mutton in boiling water for 5 minutes, remove and wash it. Wash the cordyceps, prepared aconite, and cistanche with clean water, put them into a stewing pot, add an appropriate amount of water, cover and stew for 3 hours. Season with salt before serving.

　　B. Cordyceps Duck

　　Ingredients: 1 male duck, 4-6 cordyceps, appropriate amounts of scallions, ginger, and salt.

　　Instructions: Remove the feathers and internal organs from the male duck, wash it clean, and place it in a clay pot or aluminum pot; then add cordyceps, salt, ginger, scallions and other seasonings, add water, and simmer over low heat until tender (or put cordyceps inside the duck's abdomen, place it in an earthenware pot, add an appropriate amount of water, steam until cooked, season and serve).

　　4. Soaking in alcohol

　　Take 10-20 grams of cordyceps and 500 ml of high-proof grain liquor. Crush the cordyceps and put it into a clean glass bottle. Pour in the liquor, seal the bottle, and place it in a cool place. Shake the bottle frequently to promote the full dissolution of the active ingredients. After two weeks, open the bottle, filter out the residue, and it is ready to drink. Take 10-20 ml three times a day, morning, noon, and evening.