The Tomorrow Leaf ….

…..a blast of vitality… stay young, in good health and enjoy long life. 


The chalcones were found to inhibit thromboxane 2 - they inhibit the inflammatory process, unique to Ashitaba (The Tomorrow Leaf) ) and rarely found anywhere in the natural world!


This plant is being studied for nerve growth factor, cancer, menopause, and a sundry of disease conditions.


Ashitaba’s name, in Japanese (in English: Tomorrow's Leaf or Earth Growth), refers to an interesting botanical fact. If its leaves are picked in the morning, new leaves will be in place by the next morning. 

Thus its called the Tomorrow's Leaf ;)

Angelica keiskei, more widely known under the japanese name of Ashitaba, literally "Tomorrow's Leaf") is a not frost tender perennial plant from the angelica genus with an average growth height of 50–120 cm endemic to Hachijō-jima, though it is artificially cultivated in Izu Ōshima, Nii-jima, To-shima and parts of Honshū as well. 

Traditional it is seen as a major contributor to the supposedly healthier, extended lives of the local residents what may be based on its substantial levels of vitamin B12 and chalconoids that are unique to this species of angelica. The tonic attributes of Ashitaba are thought to be of use to anyone in need of a blast of vitality.

Ashitaba plant

In fact, one of the greatest Japanese medical men, Kaibara Ekiken, described it as a powerful tonic medicine over three hundred years ago. As if often true of tonic plants, islanders use it to increase milk flow in the mother and sex drive in the father!

* Photographer: User: Sphl * Date Taken: September 14, 2005 *
Location: Machida City, Tokyo
Source ja:File:Angelica_keiskei_leaves.jpg

In traditional medicine, the plant is seen to be a strengthening tonic. The Izu Islands used to be a place of exile, criminals and social outcasts relegated to these desolate islands as a form of punishment. The exiles were forced to withstand poor diets and hard labor. They foraged for food gathering their sustenance from the rock and sand. Surprisingly, historic records indicate that despite harsh circumstances, the exiles were healthy and lived long lives. Tradition attributes this unlikely healthfulness to the continual consumption of Ashitaba.

Kaibara Ekiken, described it as a powerful tonic medicine over three hundred years ago. This plant is being studied for nerve growth factor, cancer, and a sundry of disease conditions.

At one point in Edo period the haulms yellow sap was effective used in the external treatment of smallpox, which prompted Kaibara Ekken to describe the herb in his Yamato honzō under the name of ashitagusa as "a powerful tonic drug". 

In folk medicine it is attributed to be diuretic, tonic, improve digestion, and applied topically to speed wound healing and prevent infection. Also its nutritive qualities are said to be the factor behind the originally insular exiles' never waning stamina in the face of their arduous compulsory labor. 

For similar reasons, it serves as pasture for cows all over the place, reckoned to improve the milks quality as well as the yield and keeping them healthy at the same time. It has to be pointed out that most of this claims have yet to be proven in clinical trials, while studies substantiated furocoumarins in several plant components; an agent known to increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and may cause dermatitis. 

Nonetheless modest conditions for cultivation and fast rate of growth, with optimal temperatures ranging between 12-22 degrees, have led many locals to plant ashitaba in herb gardens, flower pots and even backyards. 

These days the main usage of the edible aerial parts, in particular the stipes and leaves, as well as its taproot, is in regional cuisine, where they are prepared as soba, tempura, shōchū, tea and ice cream amongst others. 

Note that ashitaba closely resembles Angelica japonica, but can be distinguished by its blooming period which lasts from May to October whereas A. japonica's is only between May and July; another indicator is the characteristic color of its sap. The larvae of the Common Yellow Swallowtail are known to feed frequently on the plant.

The Science of Ashitaba

Chemical Constituents

Coumarins: psoralen, imperatorin,columbianagin,isorhazelpitin, rhazelpiton, selinidin Chalcones: xanthoangerol

4-hydrodexydelisin glycosides: isoquercitrin. Ruteorin. Angelic acid. Bergapten.

Vitamins: β-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, iron

As a consequence of its many and varied traditional uses, the plant has been the subject of scientific research. One of the first findings was that the yellow color of the juice is due to pigments known as chalcones-compounds almost unique to Ashitaba. Chalcones are rarely found anywhere in the natural world! Research has shown that the unique healing properties of Ashitaba are at least partly due to these unique compounds.

Chalcones were revealed to be antibiotic and active against staphylococcus in vitro

Chalcones were found to work on the mucus membrane in the stomach and suppress the excessive secretion of gastric juice which in turn prevents ulcers

The chalcones were found to inhibit thromboxane 2 - they inhibit the inflammatory process

So what are you waiting for?.... 

Simply take 4 leaves each meal as part of fresh salad with your favorite dressings or add to soup :)

Source : Wikipedia,
PLANET BOTANIC

Bibliography
1) Tooru Okuyama, Miraculous Ashitaba, Heart shuppan, 1994
2) Kimie Baba, Healthy vegetable Ashitaba, Chikuma shuubansha, 1995
3) Hida, Medicinal herb Ashitaba, Tsuchiya shyoten, 1991
4) Kazuo Izawa, Color Encyclopedia of Medicinal Herbs, Shufunotomo-sha, p501, 1998

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