Ashitaba and Depression

Depression refers to any downturn in mood, which may be relatively transitory, perhaps due to a loss, a change in environment or weather. This is differentiated from Clinical depression which is marked by symptoms that last two weeks or more and are so severe that they interfere with daily living.

Sometimes a depressed mood be triggered by internal processes such as with illness, changes in hormonal levels, and seasonal factors including a lack of sunlight and the mood is often accompanied by an inability to concentrate, and insomnia.

The potent chalcones in ashitaba have been shown to promote metabolism and the proper functioning of organs, which in turn can balance hormonal levels and promote the feeling of well being thus alleviating depression. The chalcones can also aid sleep so that the person can regain energy and the ability to concentrate.

Illnesses and changes in cognition that occur in psychoses and dementias, to name but two, can lead to depression. Scientists have demonstrated the possibility that dementia and peripheral neuropathy can be prevented by taking medicinal foods such as Ashitaba daily. Ashitaba contains Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) stimulators. NGF is a protein essential in the development and survival of certain neurons in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. NGF also aids neurotransmitters and is expected to be effective in preventing and treating Alzheimer-type dementia. In 2005, Italian scientists at Pavia University found that when people first fall in love they have high levels of the nerve growth factor (NGF) [that "honeymoon glow"], so it thought that NGF may also play a role in relieving depression.