Kampo pharmacist Ai Okubo's Cell-Rejuvenating
March "Food-as-Medicine Recipes"

[March 2024]
Chinese Cabbage Recipes to Beat Seasonal Stress

In traditional Chinese medicine, it is believed that around the spring equinox, the season transitions from "yin" to "yang," moving into a period of detoxification and metabolism. This time of year often sees repeated shifts between spring and winter weather.
On rainy days, you might experience headaches, swelling, and irritability due to low atmospheric pressure, while on warm, sunny days, you might suffer from facial redness, itchiness, and dryness due to allergies like pollen.
Therefore, let's address "Liver Qi Stagnation*¹" and "Damp-Heat*²" with aromatic cruciferous vegetables that help regulate the autonomic nervous system and suppress inflammation.

*1 A state where the flow of Qi is poor and mental stress accumulates.
*2 A state where excessive fluid and heat accumulate in the body.

◆This Month's Key Ingredient

Chinese Cabbage

Isothiocyanates are compounds found in cruciferous vegetables like Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and daikon radish. They are expected to have antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-glycation, and anti-inflammatory properties, and are also rich in dietary fiber, which helps improve gut health.
Let's use delicious raw Chinese cabbage to remove "Damp-Heat" and approach allergy season (pollen, yellow dust, etc.) by focusing on the gut.

◆Recipe Introduction

Boost Immunity and Relieve Stress!
Gluten-Free Chinese Cabbage Shumai

These gluten-free shumai are made by combining a filling of Chinese cabbage, oatmeal, miso, and ginger. They are beneficial for improving gut health.

→ Watch the video for instructions

Ingredients
Chinese cabbage (1/4 size) 4 leaves

A)
Ground chicken 150g
Oatmeal 1 tbsp
Miso 2 tsp
Ginger 1 piece

Instructions
① Mince the ginger. Cut off the white core of the Chinese cabbage and mince it. Heat the leafy parts in the microwave (600W) for about 3 minutes.
② Put the minced Chinese cabbage core and all ingredients from A into a plastic bag, knead well, then roll into bite-sized balls.
③ Cut the blanched Chinese cabbage leaves from step ① into long strips and wrap them around the sides of the balls from step ②.
④ Arrange them in a heatproof container, cover with plastic wrap, and heat in the microwave (600W) for about 5 minutes. Done.

Point
*The shumai are well-seasoned, so no dipping sauce is needed.

Improve Qi Circulation and Refresh Your Body!
Chinese Cabbage, Dried Daikon, and Fennel Marinade

Fennel seeds are a spice that helps regulate Qi circulation and digestive function, and can also combat bad breath.
Combining them with the dietary fiber in dried daikon radish enhances detoxification.

→ Watch the video for instructions

Ingredients
Chinese cabbage (1/4 size) 4 leaves
Dried daikon radish 20g
Fennel seeds 1 tbsp
Ground sesame seeds 2 tbsp
Soy sauce, Olive oil 1 tbsp each
Vinegar, Mirin, Water 2 tbsp each

Instructions
① Roughly chop the Chinese cabbage into small, bite-sized pieces.
② Put all ingredients into a plastic bag, rub well, and let sit for about 15 minutes. Done.

Point
*If the dried daikon radish is too hard, add a little more water to adjust.

Profile

Ai Okubo

Pharmacist, Kampo Counselor. Studied Kampo, Medicinal Cuisine, and Oriental Beauty at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, becoming the first Japanese person to obtain the International Chinese Medicine Beauty Specialist qualification. After managing Kampo pharmacies, dispensing pharmacies, and beauty salons, she now works as an expert in medicine and beauty, including Kampo and medicinal cuisine, engaging in product development, writing, and corporate consulting.

Official Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/aivonne85/

Official Twitter:https://twitter.com/Ai_loveflower