Over 33% of Americans seek all-natural alternatives to maintain their health and wellbeing. As holistic remedies can offer relief from stress and stronger immunity to diseases. As well as many nutritional and anti-aging benefits.
The botanical herb, ashitaba has become a staple in holistic health. It offers an opportunity for those looking to boost their longevity. As the plant's many medicinal properties could hold the secret to living a long healthy life.
So wondering how to grow ashitaba plant? Here is your guide to planting and harvesting your own ashitaba.
The History of Ashitaba
Ashitaba has origins in ancient Japanese medicine. It has long gotten used as an herbal remedy for samurai warriors.
They used the plant's power to aid in the body's natural healing process and help fight off infection. It's also used in Asian medicine to help with blood circulation and flushing toxins from the body.
Also called Angelica Keiskei, the plant comes from the carrot family. The plant is now referred to as "tomorrow's leaf." This is for its unique ability to regrow after a leaf has gotten plucked.
The Health Benefits of the Ashitaba Plant
The ashitaba plant contains a unique flavonoid compound, called DMC (Dimethoxychalcone). The plant gets considered a superfood, high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Other ashitaba plant benefits include it's anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, and antimicrobial properties. Studies have even shown that consuming the herb can lengthen one's lifespan by 20%.
It's an excellent botanical to use for a healthy heart, mind, and body. It also offers a natural way to help support the immune and digestive systems. As well as regulates cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Ashitaba can also help to stimulate nerve growth in the body. This works to remove damaged cells and promote healthy new cell growth. This could be beneficial for slowing cancer growth in the body.
How to Grow Ashitaba Plant the Right Way?
To get the benefits, you can buy raw native-grown ashitaba products. Or you can get a green thumb and grow your own ashitaba plants. This gets done by planting a young ashitaba or growing it right from the seed.
These perennial plants are best suited for coastal regions. They thrive in gardens that get sprayed with salt from the ocean. Yet, you can still grow them in your own backyard garden.
Planting Your Seeds
Ashitaba grows best in hardiness zones 4 to 10. Your seeds will thrive in a damp and cool growth environment. Their soil should also remain most, getting watered often.
Your growing plants should also get plenty of sunshine, about 6 hours a day. Yet, they do thrive in semi-shaded areas where the soil stays damp.
It's best to use fresh ashitaba seeds for this. You'll want ones that got harvested at the end of summer or early fall. It also helps to refrigerate the seeds for a few weeks before sowing them.
You can then use a frame to sow the seeds over your soil. These young plants can also get grown indoors until they are ready for the garden. Use small pots to plant the seeds with quality potting soil.
If using pots, be sure they have proper drainage. This helps to keep young plants from becoming waterlogged. As the plant grows, it can then get transported into your garden.
It's helpful to compost your plants every month or so. You can even mulch them in the winter if you're worried about them freezing. Yet ashitaba does tend to grow better during cooler months.
Using Young Ashitaba Plants as an Alternative
If it's tough to find fresh seeds, you can also go with a young plant instead. Plant their roots deep in damp fertile soil. You also want to give plants about 2 feet of space from each other.
Harvesting Those Leaves
You can expect healthy ashitaba plants to grow about 4 to 5 feet tall. Note that the plant's first year won't show too much growth.
You'll notice in the plant's second year that it will show signs of beginning to bloom. The key is to prune your plants before they bloom.
You can also divide their shoots. Do this by removing them from the plant to make new plants.
You'll want to take special care when harvesting the leaves. You want to remove the mature stem and ashitaba leaf from the plant. You don't want to remove the full stalks.
It's best to do this in the early hours of the day. This is so a new leaf may have a chance to take the old one's place.
If planning to make a powder of crushed leaves for tea, the leaves should then get dried. Do this by grouping the leaves together then hang them upside down. You also want to store them in a dry environment until ready to use.
Using Your Ashitaba Plant for Better Wellbeing
This edible plant offers leaves that have a celery-like flavor to them. You can serve them fresh in a salad. Or cook the plant roots in dishes like soups and rice bowls.
The most popular way to consume ashitaba is by drinking it, also called longevity tea. You can make the tea using the plant's dried leaves and stems. This way you will get all the health benefits that ashitaba tea offers.
The leaves can also get used in smoothies or juices. The average dosage includes about one or two leaves a day. This will provide you with the nutritional health benefits of the plant.
Adding Ashitaba to Your Daily Wellness Routine
Now you've got the knowledge on how to grow ashitaba plant the right way. Growing your own plant is a great way to make ashitaba part of your holistic lifestyle. As it can offer you the secret to a longer, healthier life.
Not ready to use your green thumb yet? Or interested in trying the tea before making the commitment to grow and harvest your own plants?
The Kenko tea brand offers natural quality-grade ashitaba tea products. They come straight from native Japanese farmers, using the best harvesting techniques.
Learn more about Kenko's line of raw ashitaba tea. As well as how it can help improve your health and wellbeing one sip at a time.