Herbal tea usually refers to “beverage plants that do not belong to the genus Camellia”, and it holds a significant historical legacy as a traditional beverage among specific regions and ethnic groups. In light of this, our research aims to investigate and analyze the traditional knowledge pertaining to herbal tea plants used by local people in the Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province. We also initiated preliminary efforts to create tea products from herbal tea leaves using various processing techniques. Additionally, we attempted to test hypotheses to elucidate how local people select herbal tea plants. Data related to the use of herbal tea plants in this study were collected through semi-structured interviews and participatory observations in four villages in Qianxinan. Quantitative indicators, including the relative frequency of citation (RFC) and the relative importance (RI) value, were calculated, and the availability of plants was also evaluated. General linear model was performed to examine the relationship between the frequency of citation and resource availability, as well as the correlation between the relative frequency of citation and the relative importance, to test both the resource availability hypothesis and the versatility hypothesis. Centella asiatica tea was processed using techniques from green tea, black tea and white tea, with a preliminary sensory evaluation conducted. A total of 114 plant species were documented as being used for herbal teas by local residents, representing 60 families and 104 genera. Of these, 61% of herbal tea plants were found growing in the wild, and 11 species were exotic plants. The family with the highest number of species was Asteraceae (20 species). The study identified 33 major medicinal functions of herbal tea, with clearing heat-toxin and diuresis being the most common functions. General linear model revealed a strong correlation (correlation coefficient of 0.72, p < 0.001) between the frequency of citation and plant availability, as well as a significant correlation (correlation coefficient of 0.63, p < 0.001) between RFC and RI. Under different processing conditions, the characteristics of Centella asiatica tea exhibited variations and were found to be suitable for consumption. The consumption of herbal tea serves as a preventive measure against common ailments for local residents. The resource availability hypothesis, diversification hypothesis and the versatility hypothesis were shown to provide some insight into “how and why local communities select plants for use.” Exotic herbal tea plants in the study area also possess valuable therapeutic properties. The processing and production of Centella asiatica herbal tea products hold promising prospects.

中文翻译：

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基于传统知识和花草茶选择假设的花草茶产品初探——以黔西南地区为例

花草茶通常指“不属于山茶属的饮料植物”，作为特定地区和民族的传统饮料，有着重要的历史遗产。有鉴于此，本研究旨在对贵州省黔西南布依族苗族自治州当地人使用的凉茶传统知识进行调查和分析。我们还开始了利用各种加工技术从花草茶中生产茶产品的初步努力。此外，我们尝试测试假设，以阐明当地人如何选择花草茶植物。本研究中与凉茶植物使用相关的数据是通过对黔西南州四个村庄的半结构化访谈和参与式观察收集的。计算了定量指标，包括相对引用频率（RFC）和相对重要性（RI）值，并评估了植物的可用性。采用一般线性模型检验引用频率与资源可用性之间的关系，以及相对引用频率与相对重要性之间的相关性，以检验资源可用性假设和通用性假设。采用绿茶、红茶、白茶工艺加工积雪草茶，并进行初步感官评价。据记载，当地居民使用的花草茶共有 114 种植物，代表 60 科 104 属。其中，61%的凉茶植物是野生的，有11种是外来植物。物种数量最多的科是菊科（20 种）。研究确定了花草茶的33种主要药用功能，其中清热毒和利尿是最常见的功能。一般线性模型显示，引用频率与植物可用性之间存在很强的相关性（相关系数为 0.72，p < 0.001），并且 RFC 和 RI 之间也存在显着相关性（相关系数为 0.63，p < 0.001）。在不同的加工条件下，积雪草茶的特性表现出差异，适合饮用。饮用花草茶是当地居民预防常见疾病的一种措施。资源可用性假说、多样化假说和多功能性假说为“当地社区如何以及为何选择使用植物”提供了一些见解。研究地区的外来凉茶植物还具有宝贵的治疗特性。积雪草凉茶产品的加工生产前景广阔。