Professor Jia Li of Minjiang University Innovates Freeze-Drying Technology to Capture the TCM Health Industry Opportunity

“Medicine and Food Share the Same Origin” is a traditional concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). As early as in the *Huangdi Neijing Taisu*, methods for preventing diseases to a certain extent through proper dietary practices were mentioned.

In modern life, the concept of “medicine and food sharing the same origin” is not distant. For instance, the nourishing soups and herbal teas favored by people in Guangdong, as well as the medicinal cuisine emphasized in Fujian, both reflect the principle of “medicine and food sharing the same origin.”

In the preparation of “medicine-food homology” products, cooking methods are particularly critical. Factors such as ingredient processing, heat control, cooking time, and even the choice of cookware can influence the medicinal properties of the food. Meanwhile, as a food product, its presentation in terms of color, aroma, and taste is also paramount, which undoubtedly imposes higher requirements on the preparer.

Especially in the fast-paced life of modern cities, heavy work pressure and poor lifestyle habits have left many young people in a state of sub-health for extended periods. While this group stands to benefit most from regulating their health through the concept of “medicine and food sharing the same origin,” they often find it difficult to do so due to time constraints and their rapid pace of life.

Therefore, how to ensure the medicinal properties of food while conveniently and efficiently meeting the needs of modern urban dwellers has become an urgent issue to be addressed.

Jia Li, Academician of the International Eurasian Academy of Sciences, Council Member of the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association, and Professor at Minjiang UniversityWith years of dedicated expertise in pharmaceutical research, he has combined the concept of “medicine-food homology” with modern freeze-drying technology to enable more people to enjoy medicine-food homologous products in a healthier and more convenient way.A medicinal dietary food product featuring ginseng as the primary ingredient, supplemented with various other ingredients that are both medicinal and edible, has been developed and named "Ginseng Eight Gentlemen."

In fact, the concept of "food and medicine sharing the same origin" is not merely a notion found in ancient texts; it has also gained widespread recognition in modern Chinese and Western nutrition science.

Just as modern nutrition emphasizes vitamin balance, corresponding vitamins can be supplemented by consuming fruits, vegetables, and other foods. The concept of “medicine and food sharing the same origin” also helps people better understand the nutritional value of foods, thereby enabling the formulation of more scientific dietary plans.

Although the therapeutic efficacy of food-medicine homology substances is indeed slightly inferior to that of synthetic pharmaceutical drugs, their natural food characteristics result in generally lower side effects and toxicity, making them safer by comparison. Therefore, the application of food-medicine homology is widespread in the fields of chronic disease management and preventive healthcare.

Professor Jia Li previously conducted cancer drug research at scientific centers such as the Cancer Therapy & Research Center in San Antonio, Texas, and the National Cancer Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. He told Chengguo Bureau, “Although many anticancer drugs can slow disease progression, the toxic side effects they cause still harm patients’ health.” Not only anticancer drugs, but many other medications also bring about toxic side effects. This is precisely the original motivation behind Professor Jia Li’s research into the concept of “medicine and food sharing the same origin.”Seeking non-toxic, side-effect-free treatments for diseases.

In 2023, the health administrative department of the State Council established a list of 102 substances that are both food and traditional Chinese medicine ingredients, further standardizing the development of this sector and providing clearer and more accurate guidance to the public.

Currently, the industry of medicinal and edible homology still faces issues such as unstable product quality and weak innovation capabilities, resulting in an overall small scale and an underdeveloped whole industrial chain. Professor Jia Li told VCBeat: “The development of the concept of medicinal and edible homology needs to integrate with modern technologies.”

Professor Jia Li’s team developed “Ginseng Bajunzi,” embodying the wisdom of integrating traditional Chinese medical classics with modern technology.

First, in terms of formulation, the team referenced records from multiple ancient texts, including Compendium of Materia Medica and Treatise on the Nature of Medicinal Herbs, regarding the medicinal properties, efficacy, and usage of ginseng and its compatible herbs. However, the team did not simply replicate the dosages specified in these ancient texts. Instead, they employed modern methods to conduct chemical composition analysis, pharmacological studies, and toxicological evaluations of the raw materials in the laboratory, thereby determining the medicinal properties, optimal dosages, and preparation methods of the herbs, so as toEnsure the safety, efficacy, and stability of the product.

In terms of manufacturing processes, the team introduced vacuum freeze-drying technology. First, this technique maximizes the preservation of the raw materials’ color, aroma, flavor, and nutritional content; compared with conventional hot-air drying, it prevents the degradation of active ingredients in temperature-sensitive foodstuffs. Second, it minimizes damage to the structural integrity of the ingredients, resulting in superior rehydration properties and reduced excessive shrinkage. Finally, the resulting crisp texture is more suitable for consumption by middle-aged and elderly individuals.

However, the degree of vacuum applied to food products is also a matter of precise consideration. To ensure the medicinal efficacy of “Ginseng Eight Gentlemen,” the team conducted tests on each raw material to determine the optimal pressure, temperature, and surface gas properties, thereby establishing the best parameters in the laboratory.

Currently, relevant factories have partnered with the team, and “Ginseng Ba Junzi” has successfully transitioned from the laboratory to the production line, officially entering mass production.

Next, the team will continue to carry out process improvements and formula upgrades, and will launch effervescent tablets, capsules, and other dosage forms in the future to meet the needs of more consumers. Meanwhile,The team will continue to seek partners., with the aim of enabling more middle-aged and elderly individuals to enjoy healthy and convenient products based on the concept of "medicine-food homology."

According to Professor Jia Li, the development of the “medicine-food homology” sector requires greater participation from professionals: “In my view, the medicine-food homology track holds significant promise; however, the current conversion rate of academic research outcomes is extremely low, at only 2%.” Many practitioners in the medicine-food homology product industry come from food science backgrounds and lack relevant experience in rational formulation. Moreover, industry growth is inextricably linked to technological innovation. Therefore, the involvement of professionals and the integration of interdisciplinary knowledge are essential to better drive industry development.