Mugwort - A trip to visit the birthplace of Okinawa's "Queen of Herbs"

April 03, 2019

COLUMN

Mugwort, also known as "immortal grass" or "cure for all diseases," grows wild all over Japan.
Mugwort, also known as the queen of herbs, is called "Fuchiba" in Okinawa.
In the Ryukyuan language, "fuchi" means disease and "ba" means leaf.

In Honshu, mugwort is often used as an accent in Japanese sweets and desserts such as rice cakes and cookies, but in Okinawa, it has long been used as a vegetable in home cooking such as seasoned rice, porridge, and tempura.
It is known as one of the most familiar "nuchigusui" medicinal herbs that can be boiled and drunk when you are feeling unwell.

>>About Nuchigusui
"Blue Zone" and Okinawa's "Nuchigusui"

The mugwort used in GRØN's protein blend - GREEN MONSTER - is Nishi-yomogi, also known as Ryukyu mugwort, which is an island vegetable from Okinawa.
It is less bitter than those from Honshu, and the leaves are soft and can be eaten raw.

So much mugwort.
It also contains a particularly high amount of dietary fiber.
Dietary fiber can have various effects, such as suppressing cholesterol, increasing the number of good bacteria in the intestines, reducing the risk of cancer, improving bowel movements, and preventing diabetes.

In addition to vitamins, mugwort also contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, and iron.
While it is a perfect food for maintaining health, it is also said to have detoxifying, intestinal regulating, and cancer prevention effects that improve overall physical condition.

This is thought to be due to the fact that it contains a lot of chlorophyll, which is the seventh nutrient and a type of phytochemical, and it is becoming a plant that is attracting attention not only in Japan but around the world.

This is the producer, Mr. Shirota.
The couple grows their produce in a field near their home in Itoman City, Okinawa Prefecture, and they do not use any pesticides during production.

"The unique smell of the Japanese quince and its natural strength repel other plants and insects. That's why we hardly need any pesticides," he told us happily.

He starts working in the fields at around 3am, and returns at sunrise before it gets too hot. He says he's been living like this ever since.

One line from Shirota's favorite folk song, "Kansui-bushi," goes, "Others will never know the joy that comes from working hard," and he says he has this mindset when he heads to the fields every day.

An adorable conversation, mixed with arguments, between a husband and wife.
He carries a bucket on his bottom while working so he can sit down whenever he wants.
Homemade boots made from fertilizer bags.

Facial expressions and gestures.
As I talked with Shirota, whose mischievous side can be seen in each and every one of his lines, I felt like I began to understand a little bit more of what the song is trying to convey.