This month we had the pleasure of interviewing Grace Yoon, a Korean American who delves into Korean herbal medicine through her multimedia book on Qi Alchemy. Not just Grace, the founder of Qi alchemydrawing on her own family history to introduce ancient Korean medicinal remedies to the modern world, but playing an important role in bridging and sharing Eastern and Western herbal medicine.
Tell us a little about your background and how you got into herbal medicine
I am Korean-American and grew up with two incredibly wise grandmothers, an oriental medicine doctor, and a farmer. When my parents emigrated to Dallas, Texas, my grandmother came with them. She longed for her farm in Korea. She discovered an empty dump full of trash and weeds. Every day she picked up the trash and pulled the weeds, eventually turning it into a community garden where people could grow and harvest together. I saw the beauty of how she created something out of nothing. I would help her grow Korean vegetables and herbs – perilla leaves, Korean radishes and cucumbers. We made kimchi together and looked for acorns to make acorn jelly. I loved how she brought ancient Korean remedies into everyday life.
Acorn jelly?!
Yes, acorn flour has the highest protein content in flour.
Describe how you started your own professional herbal medicine journey?
I moved to New York after college and missed the herbal remedies in the area. I also had chronic health problems and it was my grandmothers who gave me the herbal remedies that supported my body naturally. NYC is so fast-paced, and self-care isn’t something you’re really focused on. I was inspired by my grandmother’s knowledge and wisdom, I started sharing herbal remedies with my friends in New York – then I started Qi alchemy.
Tell us about Qi alchemy
I started Qi Alchemy to share Eastern herbal medicine with friends and colleagues in the West by introducing ancient Korean remedies to the modern world. Qi Alchemy is a herbal brand that sources all its products directly from South Korea. My book The Korean herbal apothecary is a mixed-media book about family stories, medicinal and culinary herbs, folklore and poetry. It is filled with heritage that goes beyond the medicinal benefits of the plants. The brand and book will help introduce Korean herbal medicine on a larger scale to a whole new group of people. I am very excited to share my heritage through an herbal lens.
What is your view on QI alchemy?
My vision is to bridge and share Eastern and Western herbal medicine. Bring Korean herbal medicine into the mainstream.
Can you tell the difference between Western and Eastern herbal medicine?
They are essentially the same, but Western herbal medicine uses more tinctures, Eastern herbal medicine uses more elixirs, which are water-based. Furthermore, the Asian philosophy surrounding medicine in general is different: it focuses on preventive measures versus reactionary measures. First, it is food as medicine. Secondly, we take herbal medicine before using any form of conventional medicine.
How did you become involved with the HerbiCulture Project?
I met Catherine (the founder) at a networking event in Boulder and she talked about it The HerbiCulture project, I wanted to jump right in. The HerbiCulture Project’s mission is to empower farmers to grow traditional herbs and promote their potential as the next long-term cash crop. Catherine is the type of woman I want to become. She started WishGarden Herbs in the basement of her home when she had small children, and turned it into a national brand. She is a pioneer, she is a visionary and sees things ahead of her time.
What is your role there?
I currently sit on the board and help with branding and marketing aspects of the project.
What is your spirit herb?
Red ginseng. It is considered the king of all herbs in Korea. We use it very regularly: tea for skin care. I use it in all forms to support a healthy inflammatory response and promote mental focus and endurance. It is difficult to grow and is under threat, so we must encourage sustainable production.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
Read further