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[Click on the picture to open in a new window] Before the appearance of tea from India and China, floral tea had already been widely consumed by the women of imperial concubines and nobility. In the 16th century, women also had a habit of wearing cloth bags filled with flowers on their bodies to prevent bacterial infections and achieve an aromatic effect. At that time, flower-based medicines were also used in cooking.
China's first herbal book, "Shennong's Herbal Classic," records more than three hundred types of drugs, including a large number of flower varieties with beautifying and health-preserving effects. Empress Dowager Xiao of the Liao and Jin dynasties frequently brewed and drank golden lotus flowers, which resulted in her fair skin and youthful beauty well into middle age. Drinking floral tea was extremely popular in the Qing dynasty court, especially the golden lotus flowers harvested from the grasslands beyond the Great Wall. Emperor Kangxi personally inscribed the words "Golden Lotus Reflecting the Sun" to express his admiration and listed it as a tribute for the palace. Emperor Qianlong, in his work "Imperial Hot River Records," named the golden lotus as the "First Class among Flowers."