Innholdsfortegnelse for 1/2022 i ASIAN Geographic

Walk along any street in Asia and you will be greeted with vendors overflowing with herbs and spices, both native and unique to their country. South Asia is fondly known for its array of pungent, potent spices, with Kochi in India often referred to as the “spice capital of the world”. In East Asia, the spices are milder but there is a strong association with healing. It all comes together in Southeast Asia, whose vibrancy and diversity are joyously reflected in its endemic herbs.…

CHINESE MOTHERWORT • China • Japan • North Korea • South Korea MITSUBA • China • Japan • North Korea • South Korea GINSENG • China • North Korea • South Korea MAY CHANG • China • Taiwan SHISO • China • Japan DONG QUAI • China YOMOGI • China • Japan • North Korea • South Korea KOREAN PASQUE FLOWER • North Korea • South Korea GREATER CELANDINE • Mongolia MONGOLIAN MILK VETCH • China • Mongolia…

Herbs are found in every corner of the Earth, with Asia being a wellknown region for its rich biological and herbal diversity. Asia’s ancient civilisations have been using indigenous herbs for more than 5,000 years. In Asian culinary arts, herbs are used for their flavour and aromatics. For nutritional purposes, fresh herbs are preferred over dried herbs, with fresh herbs being more nutritious. Moreover, through the aeons, countless ailments have been soothed and alleviated with the use of Asian herbs. For instance, galangal can be eaten fresh and is a popular addition to many Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thai dishes. The plant is also believed to lower the risk of certain diseases, treat infection, boost fertility, and reduce inflammation. Herbs play a vital role in the natural world, contributing mostly…

South Asia is fondly known for its array of pungent, potent spices, with Kochi in India often referred to as the “spice capital of the world”. With its incredible abundance of endemic herbs, South Asia played a central role in the overland trade that saw spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric and black pepper change hands across the Eastern World in antiquity. When the Austronesian peoples of Southeast Asia built the first ocean-going boats, the first maritime trade network in the Indian Ocean was created, establishing trade routes with Sri Lanka and southern India as early as 1500 BCE. South Asia’s spices would be transported as far as Africa and the Arabian Peninsula by Indonesian sailors, and later by land to the Mediterranean world and the Roman Empire by Indian…

“Herbs are the friend of the physician and the pride of cooks”- Charlemagne (r. c. 780–820 CE) One of my most vivid and endearing memories of life in Indonesia is the sight of a lady trudging along a bustling main street or a quiet backstreet, known in local parlance as jalan tikus, or “mouse lane”. Slightly built and neatly clad in a sarong and kebaya, she would bear a heavy bamboo basket, perhaps 25 kilograms, slung on her back, loaded with an assortment of bottles (including a well-used Coca-Cola bottle) filled with potions and concoctions of various hues ranging from gold or warm amber to a dark, mysterious earthy brown, for healing, invigoration or relaxation. When a prospective customer hailed her, seeking a specific brew for a particular complaint or…

Have you ever thought of smoking the herbs from your kitchen pantry? Growing in popularity among the youth through the short-video mobile application TikTok, herbal cigarettes have become fashionable. But smoking herbs, flowers, leaves and other natural ingredients isn’t a new phenomenon; it’s a practice that has been around for centuries. People who share their experiences with herbal cigarettes claim that it makes them feel more relaxed and calmer Originating from Mexico, smoking herbs such as lavender, cinnamon, and lemongrass has always been common and it can be traced to the 17th century. However, they haven’t been as popular as tobacco – they haven’t satisfied the smoker as much as the nicotine-infused variety. So how are they gaining popularity after centuries? The practice of smoking herbal cigarettes has come to…

Across Asia, from Thailand and Vietnam to Asian giants India and China, many people are seeking herbal treatments to alleviate the symptoms of COVID-19 whilst vaccine access remains unequal. Green chiretta (Andrographis paniculata) or fah talai jone, nicknamed the “king of bitters” in Thailand, has risen in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic and proceeding panic. The herb has been long recognised for its medicinal properties and has been found in ancient Thai, Sri Lankan, and Indian recipes. Before the pandemic, common colds were frequently treated and relieved by the herb. The active ingredient in the herb is called andrographolide, which acts to reduce inflammation and is claimed to limit viral replication. A study undertaken by researchers in 1991 at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand revealed that six grams of green…

IN EAST ASIA, there is a strong tradition, dating back many centuries, of using herbs for medicinal, ritual, spiritual and aromatic purposes. In East Asia, herbs are very much associated with the culinary arts, where they are used as seasonings or garnishes. But in this part of the world, there is also a rich tradition of using these precious leaves, seeds and flowers for medicinal, ritual, spiritual, and aromatic purposes, with practices dating back centuries and persisting into modern times. Through the ages, East Asia has contributed myriad herbs to the global scene. While these herbs were mainly domesticated and cultivated in their countries of origin, they eventually spread to neighbouring regions and later worldwide as supply-chain systems advanced over the centuries. Today, whether it is the endless dishes that…

For most Indians, paan is a delicacy enjoyed after a hearty meal. It’s ubiquitous in India and found on almost every street corner – a rendezvous point for full bellies and restless mouths. The overpowering peppery taste might steer people away from this bitter treat but it remains an integral part of India’s cultural identity. Paanwalas (paan vendors) are skilled in the art of preparing a mouthwatering bite, many having learned it from generations past. Paan is derived from the Sanskrit word parna, which means leaf. Paan is served with choona (slaked lime paste), katha (acacia paste), and supari (areca nut), topped with spices. This hearty mixture is wrapped inside a betel leaf and chewed, releasing an addictive combination of bitter and refreshing flavours. The tasty morsel is commonly had…

Marijuana, or cannabis, has a long history of human use. While the plant is criminalised under several Asian systems, it’s not known to many that cannabis originated in Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. Indeed, it is theorised to be one of the first plants cultivated by mankind. The cannabis plant, or hemp plant, was introduced via trade with other regions including Africa, Europe and eventually, America. Hemp fibre was used to make clothing, paper, sails, and ropes, and the nutritious seeds extracted from the plant were used in a common man’s diet. Cannabis has been used across age-old rituals and many medicinal purposes that are a substantial facet of many ancient cultures. Either inhaled or ingested, the plant’s many healing properties have been brought to light over the centuries.…