Makise Medical Center

I believe I have been acquainted with the shell ginger plant for over 15 years now. As such, it is a very familiar plant to me. However, I assume many readers might not be aware of it, so I’ll briefly explain. Its scientific name is Alpinia zerumbet. It’s an evergreen perennial that grows to a height of 2 to 4 meters. It is native to Southeast Asia and Southern India, found across tropical to subtropical Asia, and can be seen in Japan from Okinawa Prefecture to the southern part of Kyushu. It especially thrives in the wild in Okinawa, where it’s also referred to as ‘Sannin’ among other names. It blooms with white flowers, as shown in the photo, around May and June.

Okinawa is one of the “Blue Zones”. The term “Blue Zone” refers to regions with a high concentration of healthy and long-lived individuals. Apart from Okinawa, other Blue Zones include Sardinia in Italy, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Ikaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California. However, due to rapid changes in diet and lifestyle in modern times, the lifespan of Okinawan men has decreased, and it can no longer be referred to as a Blue Zone. Nevertheless, Okinawa is still famously known worldwide as the “island of longevity”.

Having pursued “anti-aging” and “rejuvenation” as one of my themes, the secrets of Okinawa have always intrigued me. What exactly has contributed to the health and longevity of its inhabitants? One factor I’ve focused on is the shell ginger plant. In Okinawa, its leaves are powdered and mixed with soba noodles, brewed as tea, and recently, due to its improving effects of skin luster, its leaf extract has been used in lotions. It’s being utilized in various ways.

One of my medical themes has been to introduce the world to hidden traditional Japanese herbs and medical techniques, such as osteopathy derived from ancient Japanese martial arts, which are yet to gain global recognition. Shell ginger is a prime example.

However, the world is largely unaware of the health benefits of this plant. Even the “Bencao Gangmu”, a classic Chinese pharmacopeia published in the 16th century, does not mention shell ginger. The plant boasts a rich profile of polyphenols like ferulic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. In addition, it contains substances like kavalactones — previously believed to be found only in the South Pacific’s kava — and hispidin, which was earlier identified exclusively in mushrooms. Thanks to these diverse health-promoting components, shell ginger has potential benefits against a variety of ailments.

For more details, please visit https://makiselifeup.com/product/shell-ginger/

Now, I have blended this shell ginger with unique Japanese ingredients like wasabi and hizu, creating an enhanced version of a supplement. I will provide brief explanations for each of them.

JIPANG Ginger Hibamata

Hibamata is a type of seaweed primarily found in rocky coastlines of the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, where the water is cold. While it has been traditionally consumed as tea and in other forms in Europe for a long time, it is relatively rare in Japan. From this Hibamata family, a functional food ingredient named Ascophyllan has been extracted from the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum.

Ascophyllum nodosum is a seaweed exclusive to the coasts of the North Atlantic. It thrives even in the harsh winters of countries like Norway and Ireland and is known for its robust vitality. While the average lifespans of seaweeds like “Okinawa Mozuku” and “Wakame” are about one year, and “Kelp” is around four years, Ascophyllum nodosum can live for 5-10 years, with some lasting up to 16 years, making it exceptionally long-lived compared to other commonly consumed seaweeds in Japan.

Derived from the vigorous Ascophyllum nodosum, Ascophyllan is a novel ingredient distinct in composition and structure from Fucoidan and is expected to have benefits such as infection prevention through its immune-boosting properties and blood sugar level control using intestinal hormones.

Ascophyllan activates dendritic and NK cells, strengthening the immune system. Recognized for its antiviral properties, it is ideal for the prevention of diseases like influenza. Additionally, Ascophyllan inhibits intestinal α-glucosidase and stimulates the secretion of GLP-1 in the small intestine’s L cells. As a result, it is believed to suppress postprandial blood sugar rise, maintain average blood sugar at lower levels, and reduce indicators like HbA1c values.

For a more detailed explanation, it would be good to watch the YouTube video on the official website of Hayashikane Sangyo Co.,Ltd.