Ashitaba is an herb that is not commonly known or used as much as other herbs. It is a leafy green herb related to the carrot and is edible like the carrot, although it is known to be quite bitter. Ashitaba is a rapidly growing herb, with regenerative abilities. It likes the cold so is better placed in shady areas of your garden. It originated in the Izu Peninsula and islands south of Tokyo and locals use the herbs as both food and for its medicinal use.
The herb can be eaten raw, dried, boiled or in a juice. You can eat both the leaves and the stalks. The roots can be pickled and the leaves are good for using in tea, casseroles, soups and supplements. It is best used steeped for 15 minutes in hot water.
Health benefits of Ashitaba
Ashitaba has great anti-ageing capabilities, especially when it comes to cognitive abilities. One study in 2013 showed it could help cognitive abilities and memory caused by Alzheimer’s disease and ageing. Another more in-depth study showed Ashitaba brought about autophagy, a process of fasting that helps the body to release toxins. It also works to help clear out the liver caused by excess alcohol and to regenerate cells concerning aging.
Cleaning and detoxing your cells
There is a natural substance in Ashitaba called 4,4′-dimethoxychalcone also known as DMC. This substance helps clear out toxins that increase the aging process and hence lead to disease. It is possible with further studies that DMC will assist many people in being healthier when their bodies start aging. Other researchers have investigated different flavonoids to see if they could find compounds that start the process and they found that fasting could assist. Flavonoids have many beneficial effects on our body. Everything from anti-inflammatory properties to protecting us against brain degeneration and even cancers. Tests to find compounds of flavonoids have been carried out over time on many different types, including those with a natural cell-protective capacity, like the grape skins containing resveratrol. Ashitaba performed well and even better sometimes than other compounds. When these were tested on worms and fruit flies, the DMC allowed the lifespan to increase by about 20 percent making it a good contender for more analysis.
Benefits of Ashitaba
There are many benefits of Ashitaba as it can help with maintaining a healthy heart, weight loss, to reduce fever, decrease blood pressure, improves arthritic pain, heal wounds faster, raise immunity to counter infections, protect against the flu, assist in digestion, cleanse the liver as well as assist in improving your memory. Why not discuss your options with your naturopath to see if this wonderful herb can help you?
