the seven herbs of spring
Hello. Did you eat "Nanakusa-gayu"? I did!
In Japan, it is customary that Japanese people eat "nanakusa-gayu" or the rice porridge with the seven kinds of spring herb on the morning of January 7th. We eat it for our good health over the year. It is also for resting our stomach after eating much feast, New Year's dishes.
The herbs are kind of different depending on regions, but they usually are "Seri, Nazuna, Gogyo, Hakobera, Hotokenoza, Suzuna, Suzushiro." "Seri" is water dropwort, and has a meaning of "seri-katsu" or "compete and win." "Nazuna" is shepherd's purse, and means "wipe and remove dirt." "Gogyo" is cudweed, and symbolizes Buddha's body. "Hakobera" is chickweed and means "spread the prosperity." "Hotokenoza" is henbit, and has a meaning of "Buddha's seat." "Suzuna" is turnip, and means bells for calling god. And the last "Suzushiro" is daikon radish and represents pure white. Each has medical effects like nutritional enhancement and intestinal function.
Why don't you try "nanakusa-gayu" next year?😃
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