When was it discovered?

Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei koidzmi) has been a treasure herb in the Orient for over 2000 years. The oldest written record of the medicinal value of ashitaba appears in a Chinese book first published in the Ming Dynasty written by Dr. Lee (1518-1593). This book was then translated into Latin, English, German, Russian and became internationally famous as a publication on Oriental Medicine.

In the West, little is known about the world of Herbal Medicine. Of all the plant species in the world, only five percent (5%) have been cataloged. One quarter (1/4) of these have been found to have medicinal qualities.

Dr. Kimie Baba, MD
Osaka University of Pharmacy

It is only during these last 30 years that ashitaba has been studied and Dr. Kimie Baba discovered the chalcones so unique to ashitaba. This plant became the target of research because the people of Hachijo Island are known for their longevity. When all aspects of their life style were analyzed the determination was that the consumption of ashitaba was a major contributor to their extended lifetime. This is made more interesting by the fact that the Hachijo Island (one of the seven Izu Islands) used to be a place of exile. Criminals and social outcasts were 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 and despite these harsh circumstances, the exiles were healthy and lived long lives.

See how AshitabaGreen has helped others by reading our testimonials

Back to FAQ's