Chobin Sanbang, located in Janggi-myeon in Namgu District in Pohang, is a multifunctional space offering rural tourism, experiences and recreational services.
Professor Lee Seok-Min and Adriana Duello met for an interview with Dr. Cho A-kyung, renowned pioneer of "therapeutic agriculture" or Korean Natural Farming.
South Korea is known for its rich tradition of oriental medicine, which is based on ancient practices and the use of medicinal herbs. This traditional medicine is deeply rooted in Korean culture and is still widely used today, based on concepts such as the balance between yin and yang and the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal and water). The goal is to maintain harmony of body and spirit to prevent and treat diseases, with the use of herbs and medicinal plants, as well as Korean therapeutic agriculture, Korean Natural Farming (KNF), is an approach to agriculture that aims to improve soil health and promote the growth of healthy plants through the production of beneficial microorganisms.
Predominantly, it focuses on creating an environment rich in beneficial microorganisms, which can contribute to soil fertility and plant disease resistance. This is achieved through the production of "microbial ferments", which are cultures of microorganisms that are then applied to the soil.
The key principles of Korean therapeutic agriculture include above all, the use of beneficial microorganisms, which can help improve soil health and plant growth.
Reducing the use of chemicals, or at least trying to minimize, the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, instead promoting the use of natural methods to improve soil health.
KNF uses various natural fermented products such as Fpj (Fermented Plant Juice) and Ffj (Fermented Fruit Juice), obtained from the fermentation of vegetable waste and fruit, which provide nutrients directly usable by plants. Other preparations such as Lab (culture of lactic acid bacteria) and Ohn (Oriental Herbal Nutrient) which help improve soil health and plant resistance to diseases, Fish Amino Acid (Faa) and Water-Soluble Calcium.
Korean medicine and agriculture have found a meeting point, through Doctor Cho A-Kyung who, with her experience, passion and dedication, has created a place where she prepares desserts and drinks with traditional Korean herbs, grown naturally, with the aim of healing the wounds and tears of the body and above all of the soul of many people, who in this era of strong stress and worries, are looking for a healthy and natural way to heal and return to living a healthy and balanced life.
Preface by Paola Pelissa
Ms. Cho A-kyung directly grows her own plants, develops various foods and desserts with therapeutic effects, lectures, and also holds a doctorate in traditional Korean medicine.
INTERVIEW a Mrs Cho A-Kyung
Q: Ms. Cho A-kyung, tell us about Chobin Sanbang.
"The name Chobin Sanbang has a special meaning. It comes from 'Cho (草)', meaning grass, and 'Bin (檳)', referring to the areca palm. The grass is considered a very humble being, while the areca palm is said to have never shown its top to anyone. In Chobin, these two elements can stand side by side, symbolizing a place where social position does not matter.
Actually, the official name is '(Corp.) Chobin Therapeutic Agriculture', but since most of the village residents are over 70 years old and found it difficult to pronounce it, we decided to simply call it 'Chobin Sanbang'. Interestingly, some people also call it 'Geonnŏ Ttŭre' because it is located across a stream, or 'Florist' because we grow many flowers. He has several nicknames."
Q: What activities do you mainly carry out in Chobin Sanbang?
"Chobin Sanbang not only deals with therapeutic agriculture, but also develops tourism products such as customized meals using various mountain and field resources, and therapeutic food programs with experts. We could call it a 'cultural tavern' that seeks to enhance rural culture.
It is also an integrated communication space that provides rest and relaxation to people tired of modern civilization, promotes regional cultural initiatives with local residents, and develops tourism and local economy through local food and recreational culture linked to therapeutic agriculture.
Our specific activities include development, education, and consulting for Korean-style therapeutic agriculture and therapeutic nutrition programs, traditional food research and reinterpretation, personalized food prescriptions, taste forums, disease dialogues, taste columns, and humanities concerts. We opened in 2012 and the following year we were selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs as an exemplary space for the rural food experience."
Q: How did you become interested in therapeutic agriculture?
"In early 2018, I personally visited therapeutic agriculture centers in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands. I made the trip at my own expense, and at the end of the year I had the opportunity to visit them again with funds from Gyeongbuk Province.
In particular, the Kneipp herbal therapy in Germany really impressed me. While experimenting with aromatherapy with various plants, I thought that 'if we combine Korea's many indigenous medicinal herbs with food, we could get much more benefits'.
Even in the Netherlands, it was striking to see how students with emotional problems were treated first in therapeutic farms rather than by psychiatrists. I was able to see firsthand how effective agriculture and nature activities can be as therapy."
Q: What therapeutic agriculture activities have you carried out so far?
"Chobin Sanbang offers a place of rest and healing, helping people with psychological and physical difficulties regain the will to overcome difficulties through various programs.
First, we have a program called 'The Potato Has Sprouted' for students and vulnerable families, such as single-parent families. It is a therapeutic program that helps heal family wounds through the growing process, documenting potatoes from planting to harvest on a weekly basis.
Second, we have a therapeutic growth program for children, where they prepare soy sauce and soy paste for two years, until it is served in the school canteen. This helps support adolescents' emotional development.
Third, for the increasingly aging rural village elders, we offer 'Janggi's Humanistic Overalls Outing for Grandfathers and Grandmothers', a program that combats the isolation of the elderly.
Fourth, we offer emotional healing services through conversations with cancer patients who have undergone surgery for breast cancer, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer and more.”
Q: You personally prepare flower teas, medicinal herb pickles and liqueurs. How does he use them?
"I use my training in Korean medical botany to create dishes that retain the medicinal characteristics of herbs. I mainly use them during conversations and dialogues with patients. Furthermore, I have been collaborating with the MBC TV program 'Jeon-guk Shi-dae' on local recipes for three years, discovering and developing regional cuisine recipes from local residents."
Q: I heard that you have developed special drinks and desserts at Chobin Sanbang. What are they?
"At Chobin Sanbang we have developed various desserts and drinks using knowledge of traditional Korean medicine. Ssanghwa Affogato is prepared with Ssanghwa extract, obtained by boiling various medicinal herbs, and served with ice cream. It is inspired by Italian affogato. When we had Italian diplomats visiting Gyeongju try it in the spring of 2024, it received very positive comments.
Ssanghwa Latte is a dessert that combines Ssanghwa extract or Ssanghwa tea with milk, similar to an Italian latte. This is also very popular during events and sales. We also developed 'Ophiopogon Mohito' as a dessert to prevent and alleviate heat illness during summer, which attracted a lot of attention during events in countries with increasingly warm climates due to climate change, especially in Melbourne, Australia."
Q: Is there a particular reason why you develop these modern desserts using traditional medicinal herbs?
"I develop these desserts because I want Korean medicinal wisdom, passed down for generations, to be adapted to modern eating habits, allowing many people to enjoy them and maintain and improve their health.
For Koreans, this offers a way to easily access traditional medicinal recipes from their mothers and grandmothers that they have forgotten in their busy lives. For foreigners, it's an opportunity to experience traditional Korean wisdom through natural (non-chemical) ingredients in food or dessert form, helping them fill gaps in their health that Western medicine or supplements couldn't fix. I would like to share with more people the method of maintaining health using ingredients from nature, not chemicals."
Q: Was there a personal experience that led you to become interested in traditional Korean medicine and therapeutic food?
"In fact, I started this work for a very personal reason. When my daughter faced a serious health problem, I studied traditional Korean medicine and managed to heal her. From that experience, I continued this path.
I just wish to help more people easily access ancient Korean medicinal wisdom to overcome various modern health problems, such as weakened immune system, body ache, cough, blood circulation problems, accumulation of fatigue, depression, panic disorders and other daily difficulties. Sharing the strength and wisdom of traditional Korean medicine that I have experienced has become my life's goal."
Q: What are your future plans?
“I would like to start a program called 'Quickly Eliminate Depression' in collaboration with hospitals, aimed at people with mild depression. I want to conduct systematic research on the effect of therapeutic food and agricultural activities on depression, write a thesis and establish an academic basis.
Furthermore, I want to create a framework for Korean-style therapeutic farming and therapeutic food that has real professionalism, not simply ordinary food labeled as 'therapeutic'.
I am also planning to create an experiential space where elementary school, middle school, high school, university students and job seekers can breathe, and to organize programs such as 'Living a month with herbs'."
Q: Finally, is there a message you would like to share with visitors to Chobin Sanbang?
"For example, whether you live in apartment 303 or 701, we all live similar lives but we don't talk about it. Before you make extreme choices towards the world, I would like to tell you that an old Chobin chair is always waiting for you. I hope you can get some rest in this place, similar to a primeval forest."
Dr. Lee Seok-min and Adriana Duello