Kusa mochi

The custom of kneading Japanese mugwort was adopted from the Chinese. Documents state that nobles ate kusa mochi during palace events in the Heian era. Another purported reason for the change in ingredients was because Jersey cudweed is called Haha-ko-gusa which literally translates to "mother-and-child grass". As kusa mochi was enjoyed with a purpose of wishing for the health and well-being of mother and her children, it was considered ominous to knead jersey cudweed into the mochi. Since the Edo-era, kusa mochi began to be used as offering for Hinamatsuri (the Girl's Festival). The reason it was chosen as the offering was because of the vivid green color that represents fresh verdure. Japanese mugwort is known for its vitality, which makes it difficult to eradicate. Kusa mochi was used as an offering that wishes health and longevity. == As medicinal food ==

The idea of food being fundamentally connected to medication has been present for a long time. The Japanese mugwort, which is the main ingredient of kusa mochi, has a history of at least 2,500 years of use. In one piece of Japanese ancient literature, it is stated that Japanese mugwort can be used as a hemostatic, a medicine for diarrhea, and for miscarriage prevention, and these uses are still put to practical use today. Research done in by the Hokkaido Tokachi Area Regional Food Processing Technology Center has claimed that Japanese mugwort is effective in improving blood flow. The Japanese mugwort is a member of the asteraceae plant family, which some people have allergies to. ==Gallery==

Yomogi-dango 002.jpg|Kusa mochi with kinako powder Kusa mochi - 2.jpg|Kusa mochi from a store Yomogi mochi.JPG|Square cut kusa mochi よもぎ餅つぶあん - 3.jpg|Kusa mochi with anko filling よもぎ餅と手袋 (11332433616).jpg Hasedera monzenmachi Sakurai Nara pref Japan10bst.jpg|Steamed and mashed yomogi leaves Making mochi with an Usu and Kine.jpg|Pounding the mochi Hasedera monzenmachi Sakurai Nara pref Japan11bs.jpg|Pounded mochi == See also ==