Are you looking for a new do-it-all herb or supplement? Ashitaba could be just what you need.
It's not some new-age solution, though it is holistic. People in Japan and on the islands that surround it have used this plant as a treatment for thousands of years.
What is Ashitaba, other than an ancient remedy? Learn more about it below.
Ashitaba is a Japanese plant, sometimes called Kenso or Leaves of Tomorrow. It's a homeopathic treatment for a range of gastrointestinal issues - like heartburn.
People use both fresh leaves and dried powder in teas when utilizing this earth medicine.
The plant itself is part of the carrot (root vegetable) family and it grows very quickly - which means it's a sustainable option. Once it's taken from the ground, the plant looks a little bit like a stalk of celery with carrot-top like leaves.
Harvesters plant Ashitaba as a crop, but it's also found organically in well-shaded areas throughout the winter and spring growing seasons.
People have been using this plant for thousands of years, to treat a whole list of things. More on that later.
What Makes Ashitaba So Special?
Like any other plant, it has a mix of vitamins and minerals that do your body good. In particular, Ashitaba has
- Fiber
- Iron
- Vitamins E, B1, B2, C, and K
- Magnesium
- Calcium
- Lutein
- Alpha Carotene
- Quercetin
- Catechin
- Chlorophyll
- Chalcones (isobavachalcone, xanthoangelol, 4-hydroxyderricin)
The next question is what do all those vitamins and minerals do for your body that make this plant so superior? Here's your answer.
What Does Ashitaba Do in the Body?
That unique combination of organic substances can . . .
Help with Weight Loss
If you're trying to shed some pounds, then you may want to take an Ashitaba supplement. It increases the hormone adiponectin in the body, which can reduce blood sugar levels and encourage fat cell destruction.
There was even a study on this, where people saw a reduction in waist circumference while taking the herb after just 8 weeks.
Part of the fat loss is thanks to the herb decreasing levels of PARR-y in the body - which is a key factor in creating new fat cells.
It can also help with visceral fat - which is the dangerous kind of fat that exists around your stomach. The more visceral fat someone has, the more at risk they are for obesity-related disorders.
Finally, it's thought to reduce insulin sensitivity, which can make blood sugar more stable for diabetics.
It's Thought to Reduce Blood Pressure
Another thing this super plant is believed to do is help with high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and heart attacks - just like visceral fat.
On that note - losing weight can help lower blood pressure, which shows that many of Ashitaba's benefits build on themselves.
How does it work with blood pressure? A study showed that the plant reduced blood pressure in rats by blocking Angiotensin-converting enzyme (or ACE).
ACE blockers are what pharmaceutical companies use to treat high blood pressure with traditional medication.
Pretty impressive for a plant, right?
It May Prevent Memory Loss
In yet another study, the plant was shown to improve long and short term memory in mice. The study used drugs to induce memory loss in the rodents, then treated them with Ashitaba for a period of time.
The mice performed better on cognitive tests after the round of Ashitaba supplements.
It May Prevent the Flu
Feeling sneezy and trying not to get a flu shot? (If you're at a higher auto-immune risk please still get a flu shot)
Researchers exposed healthy cells to the flu virus and those with Ashitaba did not replicate or get infected by the virus.
This is a novel approach to preventing the flu. Current flu vaccines work by infecting people with very low levels of the flu virus, so the body builds up a tolerance.
Ashitaba, on the other hand, blocks the flu virus from infecting cells altogether (at least it did, in this study).
It Can Reduce Inflammation
One of the worst things that can happen in the body is inflammation. It's what makes something swell when we're injured and what makes our eyes feel like they're going to pop out of our head when our sinuses are full.
Ashitaba can reduce inflammation in the body - both short term and long term.
Scientists think it acts on the following inflammation causing or assisting chemicals:
- TNF-Alpha
- Interleukin 5
- Cyclooxygenase 2
- Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
- Nuclear Factor Kappa Beta
- Endothelin 1
It Can Keep You Healthy
Have you heard of free radicals? They're things that get into our bloodstream and oxygen sources that degrade our body's cells.
The best way to counteract them and their effects is by eating a diet high in antioxidants.
A study showed that Ashitaba juice increased antioxidants in mice and rats, during a study.
What are Ashitaba's Other Uses?
Along with all the ones we listed, people use the plant to treat
- Stomach ulcers
- Gout
- Constipation
- Allergies
- Cancer
- Food Poisoning
- And to Increase Breast Milk Production
Your Newest Plant Supplement
Who wouldn't want to try adding Ashitaba to their diet after reading all its preventative effects? The plant's applications are wide and well-researched, though the pharmaceutical industry is yet to recognize it effects.
What is Ashitaba? It's what your body is missing.
We've been selling Ashitaba for years and we believe in it fully. Learn how to add it to your diet with our products here.