Rejuvenate with Chinese Herbs at Swissôtel Nankai Osaka

This winter, Chinese herbs take centrestage at Swissôtel Nankai Osaka. Guests of the hotel can now choose from a newly-introduced Chinese Herbal Medicine Cuisine menu or exclusive spa treatments to enjoy the many health and wellness benefits of Chinese herbs.

Swissôtel Nankai Osaka’s recently-appointed Chinese head Chef Leow Leong Hock has created special lunch and dinner menus produced from Chinese herbs for the hotel’s Chinese Restaurant Empress Room. In addition to its use as a remedy for many illnesses and medical conditions, Chinese herbal medicine is often also used to enhance one’s well-being by increasing energy levels and improving the skin’s appearance and texture.

“At the Chinese restaurant that I worked at previously, I noticed how the professors and lecturers were always fatigued. Hence, this inspired me to develop a menu that uses supplements to boost energy and improve health. With the Chinese Herbal Medicine Cuisine that I’ve created for Empress Room, I hope to change the typical mindset that Chinese herbs are bitter and tasteless,” said Chef Leow.

The Chinese herbal five-course menu at Empress Room starts from JPY 5,775 for lunch and from JPY 10,395 for dinner. Dishes to be expected include Steamed Egg Custard with Cordyceps and Crab Claw, Steamed Cod Fillet with Cordyceps or Steamed Xiao Long Bao with Poria Cocos Filling.

The advantage of cordyceps is its ability to enhance endurance, reduce fatigue, relieve asthma, improve lung, kidney and liver functions as well as promote cholesterol levels. Poria cocos, which is often used in beauty products for its moisturising effects, aids digestion and improves appetite.

In addition, Swissôtel Nankai Osaka’s Amrita Spa offers facial and body treatments that incorporate the use of Chinese herbs which have been specially blended to holistically treat body conditions – Spirit, Blood and Water.

Guests who would like a holistic Chinese herbal experience can enjoy the Chinese Herbal Relaxation Package that includes:

• Overnight accommodation
• 60-minute Chinese Herbal body massage
• Chinese Herbal Medicine Cuisine dinner course at Empress Room
• Staywell@Swissôtel breakfast at Café Swiss

The Chinese Herbal Relaxation Package is available until 30 December 2009. Room rates start at JPY 38,150 nett per room per night for single occupancy, and start at JPY 66,300 per room per night for double occupancy. Reservations must be made three days prior to arrival and are subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

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