Source: Peatix

Commemorating the launch of "Everyone's Shibuya Medicinal Herb Research Institute."
The second lecture will be about Akamaru Mentha, a native species of the northern land.

◻︎The Shibuya Medicinal Herb Laboratory is an initiative to update the wisdom and techniques that Japanese people of the past used to incorporate and utilize familiar herbs, trees, and flowers in their daily lives to suit our modern lifestyles. Together with participants, we will shed light on the usefulness of plants that are now overlooked, invite experts to give lectures, and create products that will actually be useful in everyday life.

"Akamaru Mint" is a plant whose cultivation began in Kitami City, Hokkaido in 1902. It became so popular due to its usefulness that by 1939, its production volume had reached a level that accounted for 70% of the world market. However, due to reductions in rice production during the war, the introduction of overseas mint after the war, and the appearance of synthetic mint, the domestic mint industry declined.
However, menthol, the main component of peppermint, is actually used in a variety of situations in daily life, such as relieving pain and itching, cleaning and refreshing the mouth, repelling insects, and refreshing the mind and body. Compared to Western peppermint, Japanese peppermint contains more menthol in its essential oil, and is characterized by a sweet, warm, refreshing scent.

When Junichi Iio of Rinnesha was searching for a place to cultivate pyrethrum in Hokkaido, he happened to come across some Akamaru Mint growing there and revived it.

The workshop will be led by Oshima Sachie, the eldest daughter of Iio Junichi, who revived Akamaru Mint, and who is currently the representative of Rinnesha and the Honsho Kenkyusho RINNE. Participants will learn about what kind of plant Akamaru Mint is, as well as make an insect repellent spray using Akamaru Mint oil and enjoy Akamaru Mint tea.

This is Akamaru Mint Oil, which is actually sold at Rinnesha. It is a steam-distilled essential oil.
In this workshop, we will use this oil to make an insect repellent spray.

■ Date and time: July 20th (Sat)
Start time: 15:00, end time: 16:30
*Reception starts at 14:50

■ Location: Shibuya Ward Fureai Botanical Center 3F Gallery

■Participation fee: 4,000 yen (including materials and admission fee, excluding tax) You will take home a 50ml bottle of your handmade Akamaru Hakka spray.

■Number of participants: 15 people ■What to bring - Nothing in particular, but if you are concerned about getting oil on your hands or face, please bring a hand towel and mask.

■ Course Contents
14:50 Reception begins
15:00~ Lecture on Akamaru Mint and how to make the spray
15:30 ~ Work begins. In addition to purified water and Akamaru Mint essential oil, you can choose your favorite essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, lemongrass, etc. to make your own original spray. Once the work has settled down, you can continue listening to Oshima-san's story while drinking Akamaru Mint tea. 16:30 Scheduled to end

*Photos of the event may be used on the official website of the Botanical Garden Center and on social media.

■Instructor: Sachie Oshima / The second generation CEO of Rinnesha Co., Ltd., a natural food store in Tsushima City, Aichi Prefecture that has been in business for over 40 years.

They sell food products such as carefully selected seasonings and vegetables from producers all over the country, as well as original insect repellent incense made from pyrethrum grown on their own farm in Hokkaido, and produce items that can be used in daily life, such as Akamaru Mint, a type of peppermint native to Hokkaido.

*To commemorate the start of the event, we will also be holding a workshop called "Make your summer life more comfortable with the power of plants, Part 1: Making incense sticks from pyrethrum" on the same day. You can also participate in both workshops in succession. We look forward to your participation!

Venue