和漢薬膳 – Japanese and Chinese herbal cuisine
What is 和漢薬膳 – Japanese and Chinese herbal cuisine?
“Wakan Yakuzen”（Japanese and Chinese herbal cuisine or Japanese and Chinese medicinal food or health-conscious cuisine） a type of medicinal cuisine based on traditional Eastern medicine, has been adapted for modern Japanese people. Although it is not as comprehensive as traditional Chinese medicine or Yakuzen, it is characterized by its use of commonly available ingredients from supermarkets, making it easy to incorporate into daily life. The aim is to identify individual body types and use suitable ingredients and seasonings to balance the body from within. While we will provide an introduction, please note that its suitability may vary among different countries and ethnic groups. Consider it as a reference for Japanese and Chinese cuisine and a guide to understanding one’s body type.”
“Some ingredients may not suit everyone’s taste or may be difficult to digest. Please adjust according to your own preferences and dietary needs.”
Discover your body’s constitution with a traditional Chinese-Japanese herbal medicine assessment.
Fundamentals
・Early Stage of Disease
“This refers to a state where you are not feeling well but are not yet classified as having a disease.
Often, even if you visit a hospital and undergo a health checkup, you might not show any abnormalities, and treatment may not be provided (medication or surgery when not necessary can be risky). However, in Eastern medicine, this ‘pre-disease’ state is given significant importance. The focus is on addressing and normalizing this pre-disease condition.
If left unaddressed, it has the potential to develop into a named disease, as feeling unwell is often a sign of an underlying SOS.”
Mind-Body Connection
In Eastern medicine, the connection between the mind and physical health is emphasized.
When experiencing intense irritation, it is considered a condition of “vitality stagnation” (気滞), while a lack of motivation is viewed as “vitality deficiency” (気虚), requiring entirely different approaches.
For example, stress might cause stomach pain or throat discomfort, and anger might lead to a racing heart. Emotions, internal organs, and bodily functions are all interconnected.
This reflects the principle that “the body and mind are one.”
(In Eastern medicine, the concept of 気” can refer to life force, mental energy, and the power obtained from food, and it is also possible that it refers to hormones in the blood. Here, it is represented as “vitality,” but please consider that it can sometimes refer to life force itself or mental energy.)
- Yakuzen Does Not Involve Calorie Counting
In the world of Yakuzen, the emphasis is on selecting ingredients that suit each individual’s constitution and balancing the body from within.
This does not mean ignoring the nutritional content of the ingredients.
While those are certainly important, for example, Yakuzen would not recommend an ingredient that cools the body just because it is low in calories when someone has a cold.
Unlike modern times where we can see such data, ancient times lacked this information.
Western medicine seeks scientific evidence, but as science and chemistry advance, they often support the wisdom of ancient practices.
Moreover, Yakuzen originated thousands of years ago and has been practiced by an astronomical number of people. It can be considered a highly accurate form of “statistics.”
Additionally, the combination of Eastern and Western medicine is likely to advance in the future, and Yakuzen’s compatibility with nutritional science suggests promising developments ahead.
- Constitution Changes
Your constitution can change due to age, environment, and lifestyle habits.
Factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and exercise also play a role.
Dietary influences are particularly strong, and someone with a cold constitution might feel stronger in winter.
For women, ovulation, menstruation, and menopause can cause their constitution to change multiple times a month.
- 気（vitality）, Blood, and Water
In Eastern medicine, it is believed that these three elements circulate within the body and maintain its functions.
- 気（(In Eastern medicine, the concept of 気” can refer to life force, mental energy, and the power obtained from food, and it is also possible that it refers to hormones in the blood. Here, it is represented as “vitality,” but please consider that it can sometimes refer to life force itself or mental energy.)
気 is invisible, but it can be perceived as vitality, energy, motivation, or lack thereof.
Japanese people, in particular, seem to be “sensitive” to it, which is reflected in expressions like “reading the air.”
Although it is something we are born with, it can also be obtained from food and the environment.
- Blood
This refers to the blood that circulates throughout the body, delivering nutrients to every part. It constantly travels together with 気.
- Water
This refers to bodily fluids other than blood. It is sometimes referred to as “Yin fluid” along with blood.
It is said that 60-70% of the human body is “water.” Unlike blood, it exists outside the blood vessels. Moisture in the skin, tears, and mucus also fall under water.
These elements—Qi, Blood, and Water—are key concepts for assessing one’s health and constitution.
（Yin fluid refers to the bodily fluids that are internal and often hidden but play a crucial role in maintaining balance and health.）
・Five Elements
The star-shaped diagrams seen in movies about Onmyoji. Everything, including the Five Organs (五臓) and the Six Bowels (六腑), emotions, and seasons, can be categorized according to this.
While Onmyoji may evoke images of Japanese magicians, they were actually astronomers and natural scientists. Of course, there were also practices like astrology, divination, and charms, but their primary role was to create calendars.
In traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, the calendar and seasons are also important, and selecting ingredients to balance the body according to the seasons is a key aspect.
（Onmyoji are historical figures in Japanese culture who were experts in divination, astrology, and the natural sciences. Although often depicted as magicians in popular media, their primary role was to create and interpret calendars, as well as study celestial phenomena. Their work involved understanding the influences of the seasons and balancing various elements, which is also reflected in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine practices. Yuzuru Hanyu’s Olympic performance was themed around Onmyoji, which might help illustrate the concept more clearly.）
- Mutual Generation and Mutual Overcoming
The dashed arrows represent Mutual Generation, which means nurturing the direction they point towards.
Wood acts as fuel for Fire, Fire enriches the Earth, Earth produces Metal, Metal purifies Water, and Water nourishes Wood.
This is the concept of Mutual Generation.
- Mutual Overcoming
The solid arrows represent Mutual Overcoming, which means restraining or even harming the direction they point towards.
Wood controls the Earth with its roots, Earth absorbs Water, Water extinguishes Fire, Fire melts Metal, and Metal cuts Wood. This is the concept of Mutual Overcoming.
However, Mutual Overcoming does not always apply perfectly.
For example:
- When Fire is too strong, Water evaporates.
- When Water is too strong, Earth gets washed away.
- When Earth is too strong, Wood cannot take root.
- When Wood is too strong, Metal cannot be cut.
- When Metal is too strong, Fire cannot be melted.
Balance is crucial; neither too strong nor too weak will work. It is all about finding the right equilibrium.
Additionally, the Five Elements are associated with specific seasons, directions, colors, and climates:
- Wood: Season – Spring; Climate – Windy; Color – Green; Direction – East
- Fire: Season – Summer; Climate – Hot; Color – Red; Direction – South
- Earth: Season – Late Summer or the Rainy Season; Climate – Transitional; Color – Yellow; Direction – Center
- Metal: Season – Autumn; Climate – Dry; Color – White; Direction – West
- Water: Season – Winter; Climate – Cold; Color – Black; Direction – North
The term Late Summer refers to the transitional period between summer and autumn, while the Rainy Season (Tsuyu) is the period of heavy rain that typically occurs in early summer, from June to July.
Five Flavors and Emotions
Each of the Five Elements is associated with specific tastes and emotions, which are important factors in medicinal cuisine:
- Wood: Taste – Sour; Organ – Liver; Viscera – Gallbladder; Sense – Eyes; Body Tissue – Muscles; Emotion – Anger
- Fire: Taste – Bitter; Organ – Heart; Viscera – Small Intestine; Sense – Tongue; Body Tissue – Pulses; Emotion – Joy
- Earth: Taste – Sweet; Organ – Spleen; Viscera – Stomach; Sense – Mouth; Body Tissue – Muscles; Emotion – Worry, Pensiveness
- Metal: Taste – Pungent/Spicy; Organ – Lungs; Viscera – Large Intestine; Sense – Nose; Body Tissue – Skin; Emotion – Sadness
- Water: Taste – Salty; Organ – Kidneys; Viscera – Bladder; Sense – Ears; Body Tissue – Bones; Emotion – Fear
Benefits and Drawbacks of Each Flavor
- Sour
Benefits: Good for the liver; Helps with blood purification; Beneficial for diarrhea and frequent urination.
Drawbacks: Can weaken the stomach. - Bitter
Benefits: Good for the heart; Has antipyretic effects; Helpful for coughs and headaches.
Drawbacks: Can weaken the lungs. - Sweet
Benefits: Gentle on the stomach; Nourishing and restorative; Promotes relaxation.
Drawbacks: Can weaken the kidneys; Excessive intake may burden the stomach. - Pungent/Spicy
Benefits: Good for the lungs; Promotes blood circulation; Warms the body.
Drawbacks: Can weaken the liver; Excessive intake may cause excessive sweating. - Salty
Benefits: Good for the kidneys; Relieves constipation; Eases lumps and nodules.
Drawbacks: Can weaken the heart.
・Yin and Yang (the concept of dualism and balance)
The white part of this symbol represents Yang, while the black part represents Yin.
The black circle within the largest white section of Yang represents Yin within Yang.
The white circle within the largest black section of Yin represents Yang within Yin.
For example, leafy vegetables like spinach grow under the sun but have a “cooling” nature. This is a representative example of “Yin” growing within “Yang.” Root vegetables generally exhibit the opposite.
In this way, Yin and Yang nurture each other, complement each other, and create various things through their interactions and balance. Neither is inherently good or bad; too much heat can lead to an explosion, while excessive cold can cause things to solidify.
Yang represents brightness, like the sun, while Yin represents darkness, like the moon.
Seasons and times are also represented by this symbol. For example, the summer solstice.
This is the day when the power of the sun is at its peak, representing the peak of Yang. However, even at this peak, there is Yin within Yang. After the summer solstice, the sun’s power gradually weakens, and Yin starts to increase.
The opposite of this is the winter solstice. From the winter solstice onward, the sun begins to regain its strength.
The Yin-Yang symbol, which can even represent the cosmos, is a simple yet profoundly deep mark.
Attributes of Yang:
- Sun
- Warm
- Bright
- Day
- Wood
- Fire
- Spring/Summer
- Outside
- Movement
- Male
- Upper body
- Six Fu organs
- Skin
- Muscles
- 気（vitality）
- Heat
Attributes of Yin:
- Moon
- Cold
- Dark
- Night
- Metal
- Water
- Autumn/Winter
- Inside
- Stillness
- Female
- Lower body
- Five Zang organs
- Internal organs
- Blood/Fluid
- Cold
Yin-Yang in Ingredients:
Yang:
- High in salt
- Contracts
- Hard
- Takes longer to grow
- Grows underground
- Grows well in cold regions
Yin:
- Contains potassium
- Loosens
- Soft
- Grows quickly
- Grows above ground
- Grows well in hot regions
Yin and Yang Energy
Yin and Yang energies are quite profound topics. Yang energy is active and bright, which might seem positive at first glance. However, it can also imply “impulsive and shallow.” For example, rushing through a yellow light with the mindset of “It’ll be fine!” leading to a traffic accident represents a downside of Yang energy.
On the other hand, Yin energy might have a negative connotation, but it also includes qualities like “thoughtfulness and kindness.” The ability to make the decision to wait at a yellow light demonstrates a strength of Yin energy. However, if Yin energy is excessive, it can lead to a situation where even when the light turns green, one may still remain inactive.
Both qualities are necessary traits.
Interestingly, there’s the concept of “Yin coming first.”
In a sense, traditional Chinese-Japanese herbal medicine is the modern kitchen’s form of Yin-Yang philosophy.
It’s a fragment of the ancient Eastern mysteries that have persisted without interruption through an immensely long history.
Living in harmony with the flow of nature, the Earth, and the cosmos might sound grand, but in practice, it simply means adapting to the seasons.
May traditional Chinese-Japanese herbal practices enrich your life.
Discover your body’s constitution with a traditional Chinese-Japanese herbal medicine assessment.
（参考元：がくぶん「薬膳マイスター養成講座」）
（参考元：上田隆勇「小顔になる顔ツボ１分マッサージ」2010 王様文庫）
（参考元：辰巳 洋「薬膳の基本」2016 緑書房）
（参考元：辰巳 洋「薬膳素材辞典」2018 源草社）
