Sour jujube products from Jinghai district, Tianjin. [Photo/WeChat account: jhgbdsxww]
The concept of "medicine and food homology" is gaining popularity in Jinghai district, Tianjin, through a range of health products that blend traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) wisdom with modern consumer needs.
Local enterprises, supported by Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, have developed snack items such as strawberry-sour jujube cashews and walnut kernels, as well as perilla-leaf tea, sauces, oils, and sachets.
Li Xiankuan, a professor at the university, noted that sour jujube is one of China's first dual-use medicinal and edible plants, known for its calming and immune-boosting properties, while perilla is valued for stomach health.
At Xitang Manor, perilla has been turned into dumplings, teas, and oils, creating a full industrial chain. Liu Fang, the manor's head, acknowledged the university's help in seed selection and product development.
Moving forward, the university and Jinghai plan to expand into other medicinal plants, further transforming TCM resources into accessible daily products.