Korean Herbs Promote Health

I pick herbs as a cook’s treasure.  Basil, parsley, dill and oregano are treasures in my garden.  When a small amount of herb is added to a dish, it can make a significant difference in taste. 

Koreans use different kinds of cooking herbs.  The darlings of Korean herbs are “kkae-ip” (sesame leaf), “ssuk-gat” (crown daisy), and “buchu” (chives).  These herbs can be consumed raw or as spice in foods.

Kkae-ip is very fragrant and is a great match with pork belly because it reduces the smell of the pork. It can also be used as a wrap. Kkae-ip supplies Vitamin C, minerals and fiber.  Kkae-ip contains Rosmarinic Acid and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, which are good sources of antacid, are anti-inflammatory and prevent dementia.  It is popular as a side dish, such as “kkae-ip jangajjii” (sesame leaf pickled in soy sauce) and “kkae-ip kimchi.”

Ssuk-gat also has a good aroma, so it lessens odors. Ssuk-gat helps reduce the smell of hot fish stew if it is added on top of the stew just before it cools off. Ssuk-gat can be eaten in the form of “ssuk–gat namool,” which is made by boiling the ssuk-gat and adding seasoning.  Ssuk-gat is well known for promoting skin health and for preventing constipation. Ssuk-gat blooms at the end of fall and has mixed yellow and white blossoms.  People also use it as cut flowers. 

Buchu, or “Korean chive,” is different from Chinese chives, which have wider leaves.  It is used for making kimchi, stuffed cucumber pickles and chive pancakes.  Some people call buchu “lazybones grass” because it doesn’t need care to grow. It is such a great source of nutrients, particularly the ones that grow in the spring season, that it is better than ginseng. An old saying, jokingly, has it that buchu in spring is so good that it is never shared with anyone, not even one’s son. Buchu strengthens the body, prevents anemia and builds up liver function.

Now is the perfect time to grow and eat kkae-ip, ssuk-gat, and buchu.  If you want to be healthy and have sweet smells at your dining table, try Korean herbs.