What is Chinese cedar and how to cook it?

Chinese cedar is a tree that grows in the northern hemisphere and is native to China. It has been used for thousands of years as a medicinal herb and cooking ingredient. Chinese cedar trees are evergreen and can grow up to 40 meters tall. They are also known as Chinese juniper, or Chinese Juniperus, which is why they are sometimes called "cedar" trees in English. They have small needle-like leaves and produce cones that contain berries with a single seed inside them. The Chinese cedar tree's bark is used to make medicine, while its needles can be used as an herbal tea or added as an ingredient in other dishes. The berries from the cones also have medicinal benefits and can be eaten raw or cooked into soups, sauces, or stews.

The bark, leaves, and wood are used in different ways in traditional Chinese medicine. The bark can be used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antifungal agent. The leaves are used to treat headaches, toothaches, and abdominal pain. And the wood can be used for chest pain or coughing up blood. Traditionally, the leaves and wood are used as a decoction (tea) or boiled down into a thick paste to be applied directly to the skin. The bark is sometimes dried in the sun, then ground up into a powder and taken with water.

Below are a couple of methods you can take care of with Chinese cedar.

Cider-Based Chinese Ceder Liquid:3 to 4 tbsp of Chinese cedar leaves, finely chopped, divided into equal parts, boiled for 10 minutes in 1 cup (240 ml) of water or apple cider. Allow it to steep for 2 hours with the lid on. Strain and drink warm or cold. 3 to 4 tbsp of Chinese cedar leaves, finely chopped, divided into equal parts, boiled for 10 minutes in 1 cup (240 ml) of water or apple cider. Allow it to steep for 2 hours with the lid on. Strain and drink warm or cold. Cider-Based Chinese Ceder Tonic: Boil 3 spoons of sliced fresh ginger in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes. Bring to a boil and steep for 2 hours with the lid on. Strain and drink warm.

Citrus-Based Chinese Ceder Tonic: Juice 2 oranges, lime, or grapefruit and make an ice cube tray using 6 ice cubes per tray. Add this juice to 1 cup (240 ml) of water, and let it freeze until it sets into a block of ice. Leave the lid on for 30 minutes. Strain and drink cold.

Next, I will show you my favorite way of cooking the Chinese cedar. 

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