ASHITABA

Scientific classification edit

Kingdom: Plantae

Clade: Angiosperms

Clade: Eudicots

Clade: Asterids

Order: Apiales

Family: Apiaceae

Genus: Angelica

Species: A. keiskei

Binomial name

Angelica keiskei

Angelica keiskei, commonly known under the Japanese name of ashitaba (アシタバ or 明日葉), literally
"tomorrow's leaf", is a species of flowering plant in the carrot family. It is native to Japan, where it is
found on the Pacific Coast.[1] It is endemic to the area of the Bōsō Peninsula, Miura Peninsula, Izu
Peninsula, and the Izu Islands. It has been widely cultivated outside its natural range

Etymology

- Ashitaba derives from the Japanese words ashita (tomorrow) and ba (leaf), which relates to the plant's
ability to regenerate new leaves after taking cuttings.

- Angelica derives from Latin for angel. Keiskei derives from Ito Keisuke, the 19th century Japanese
botanist, also referred to as the father of modern Japanese botany.

Botany

Ashitaba is a herbaceous, perennial plant growing to a height of 50 to 120 centimeters. Roots are stout,
conic, or cylindric. Flowers are hermaphrodite (having both male and female organs). Plant is self-fertile
and regenerative. Harvesting a leaf at the break of day often results in a new sprout growing overnight.

Constituents

- Substantial in vitamin B12 and chalconoids.

- All genus members contain furocoumarins.

- Roots have yielded psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, and angelicin.

- Study isolated seven compounds: 1-cerotol (1), daucosterol (2), stigmasterol (3), quercetin-3-O-β-D-
glucopyranside (4), luteolin-7-rhamno-glucoside (5), luteolin-7-O-α-D-glucpyranoside (6) and steviol-l3-
O-β-glucopyranoside 19-β-glucopyranosyl ester octaacetate (7). (5)

Properties

- Considered tonic, diuretic, appetite stimulant, wound healing and anti-infective.

- Fumocourmarin increases sensitivity to sunlight and may cause photodermatitis.

- Studies have suggest anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, antioxidant,

antiproliferative, chemopreventive, antidiabetic activities.

Parts used

Constituents
- Substantial in vitamin B12 and chalconoids.
- All genus members contain furocoumarins. 
- Roots have yielded psoralen, bergapten, xanthotoxin, and angelicin.
- Study isolated seven compounds: 1-cerotol (1), daucosterol (2), stigmasterol
(3), quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranside (4), luteolin-7-rhamno-glucoside (5),
luteolin-7-O-α-D-glucpyranoside (6) and steviol-l3-O-β-glucopyranoside 19-β-
glucopyranosyl ester octaacetate (7). (5)

Properties
- Considered tonic, diuretic, appetite stimulant, wound healing and anti-
infective.
- Fumocourmarin increases sensitivity to sunlight and may cause
photodermatitis. 
- Studies have suggest anti-cancer, antibacterial, antiviral, hepatoprotective,
antioxidant, antiproliferative, chemopreventive, antidiabetic activities. 

Parts
used
Roots,
leaves,
stems.

Uses
Edibility /
Nutrition
- Consumed as vegetable and medicine for hundreds of years.
- Leaves, roots and stems are edible.
- Leaves are eaten raw or cooked.
- Roots are cooked or pickled.
- In Japan, used in the preparation of soba, tempura, socho, tea, ice cream,
etc.
- Rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. 
Folkloric
- In Japan, the yellow sap from stems and stalks once used for external
treatment of smallpox.
- Roots traditionally used as diuretic, laxative, analeptic, and galactagogue. 
- Used as remedy for bowel disturbances, dysuria, arthritis, and immune
diseases.
- In Chinese medicine, believed to activate Qi and Xue. Use in the treatment
of menstrual problems. Also believed to increase kidney yin and yang qi.
- Used as lactagogue, to increase mother's milk

Uses

Edibility / Nutrition

- Consumed as vegetable and medicine for hundreds of years.

- Leaves, roots and stems are edible.

- Leaves are eaten raw or cooked.

- Roots are cooked or pickled.

- In Japan, used in the preparation of soba, tempura, socho, tea, ice cream, etc.

- Rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

Folkloric

- In Japan, the yellow sap from stems and stalks once used for external treatment of smallpox.

- Roots traditionally used as diuretic, laxative, analeptic, and galactagogue.

- Used as remedy for bowel disturbances, dysuria, arthritis, and immune diseases.

- In Chinese medicine, believed to activate Qi and Xue. Use in the treatment of menstrual problems. Also
believed to increase kidney yin and yang qi.

- Used as lactagogue, to increase mother's milk