Medicinal Food and Me
~Nurturing Your Body's Natural Vitality~
We had the opportunity to interview Sumi Sakaguchi, President of Kampo Kitchen Co., Ltd., a trailblazer in medicinal cuisine. She has expanded her expertise beyond culinary arts to become a consultant and producer for various culinary programs and projects. Sumi Sakaguchi has authored over ten books, including "Introduction to Chinese Medicine for a Healthy Body," "Medicinal Hotpot for Yourself," and "Chinese Medicine Kitchen: A Healthy Body, Naturally and Effortlessly." Her work has garnered a following overseas, with many requests for English translations.
Sumi Sakaguchi
President, Kampo Kitchen Co., Ltd.
According to Chinese medicine, both medicines and food ingredients are believed to possess healing properties. Kampo medicine combines herbal medicines made from plants and animals with medicinal properties. On the other hand, medicinal food is prepared by combining medicinal food ingredients. Kampo medicine is considered a legitimate form of treatment but may be challenging to take for extended periods due to its bitter taste and potential side effects. In contrast, medicinal food, prepared with ingredients, is more palatable and has no side effects, making it suitable for long-term consumption.
What was your initial introduction to Chinese medicine and medicinal foods?My first encounter with medicinal foods was at a secondhand bookstore in Ochanomizu. At the time, I was working part-time at a restaurant where the owner had recovered from a hemiplegic condition by using diet and exercise therapy, and I was impressed by the owner's words, "food is very important." When I was a child and physically weak, Korean ginseng that my mother, who ran a pharmacy at the time, gave me, helped me the most. Although other supplements and vitamin capsules had no effect, ginseng was effective. This childhood experience and the owner's story reaffirmed the importance of food. At the time, I was studying nutrition and found a book on medicinal foods at a secondhand bookstore.
Can you explain what “Nurturing Your Body's Natural Vitality” means?In Chinese medicine, the mind and body are considered to be one. If we try to proceed with things only through reason, there will be a discrepancy between the animal body and the rational mind, leading to the onset of illness. People who are out of shape may be ignoring their animalistic sensibilities. Studying medicinal cuisine, which allows us to feel nature through seasonal ingredients and combinations, will help us recover our inner wildness and hone our sensibilities.
Of course, it's possible. When you hear "medicinal cuisine," it may seem difficult, but incorporating seasonal vegetables is a good first step in medicinal cuisine. Incorporating seasonal vegetables can help improve seasonal ailments, so there's no need to overthink it.
Please list the top three most popular items in medicinal cuisine.I will introduce three easy-to-make dishes using ingredients from the supermarket that will help heal your body. The first item is “kikurage”, white wood ear mushrooms. You can boil them until they are soft and make a soup, or let them sweeten and use them in desserts. They have a high moisturizing effect and can make your skin beautiful. My students also seem to make this dish frequently.
The second dish is Mapo Tofu. Mapo Tofu is originally a dish from Sichuan province in China. The climates of Sichuan and Japan are very similar, with both being humid and prone to moisture accumulation. This can lead to various ailments, such as gastrointestinal disorders. For this reason, I recommend Mapo Tofu. It is easy to make and uses slightly spicy ingredients such as chili peppers, Japanese pepper, ginger, and garlic to help you sweat and increase your metabolism.
The third is samgyetang. Samgyetang is a traditional Korean dish made with a whole chicken, although chicken wings can be used as a substitute. It can be made using common ingredients found at the supermarket, such as root vegetables like jujube and yam.
The dish is easy to make and delicious. In addition, the flavors have been adjusted to appeal to Japanese tastes. Traditional Chinese medicinal cuisine often includes herbal medicines and remedies, and the broth used is typically meat-based, which may not be suitable for Japanese people. This is why we offer dishes adapted to Japanese tastes, such as bonito or kelp broth. Furthermore, another important aspect is that people may notice changes in their physical well-being.
How prevalent is the use of Kampo medicine and medicinal foods in Japan? What are the issues and themes that you are currently working on?While studying abroad in China, I noticed a strong emphasis on the "spirit of self-care" in Chinese culture. Unlike in Japan, where there is a well-established insurance system and a belief that doctors will take care of you, in China, the prevailing idea is that you are responsible for taking care of yourself. The challenge lies in effectively communicating health information to those not usually interested. This is important because people who aren't interested in health aren't going to seek out information, so important information never reaches them. My goal for the future is to reach those who are usually not interested in such topics through events and other means.
What is your favorite medicinal food?It's lamb shabu-shabu. Lamb isn't very common in Japan, but it's famous in Beijing as a medicinal dish that warms the body on cold days. Many restaurants in Beijing serve lamb. Beijing has a unique way of preparing lamb, using plenty of spices. When I tried it for the first time, I was amazed at how delicious and good it was for my health.
Please tell us about your vision for the future of Chinese medicine and medicinal cuisine.
My current goal is to spread Japanese medicinal cuisine to the world. Occasionally, Chinese visitors come to my Kampo Kitchen to learn. This has inspired me to consider sharing Japan's increasingly popular medicinal cuisine with people abroad. I aim to promote Japanese medicinal cuisine in a way that highlights the wonderful aspects of Japan, such as subtly seasoned dishes, seasonally appropriate ingredients, and ingredients unique to each region. Additionally, given China's geographic location, seaweed and fish have been underutilized in medicinal cuisine, so I hope to introduce and bring this new medicinal cuisine back to China.
Do you have any final comments?Medicinal foods help you eliminate what you don't need and take in what you do need. The specific effects are 1) promoting metabolism and 2) understanding what you are lacking and being able to incorporate it into your diet. My students have also noticed clearer skin, fewer breakouts, and better control of illnesses.
Kampo Kitchen online shopping site：https://kanpokitchen.cart.fc2.com/
