The Tomorrow’s Leaf : Ashitaba
Herbs are plants that are valued for its aromatic qualities, savory, medicinal, flavoring food, or as fragrances. One of the herbs that is said to have miraculous properties is the magical plant herb called “Ashitaba” (Angelica keiskei).
Ashitaba is also called “tomorrow’s leaf” because when it is clipped from the Japanese soil, a shiny new bud pops up its head— overnight. Originating from Hachico, Japan, ashitaba is a celery–like plant and is said to have a bitter sweet. It grows at an average height of 50-120 cm.
This plant is traditionally seen as major factor of healthier lives of people in Hachico and dubbed as “longevity plant.” Since 1600, this plant has been used for medicinal and food purposes.
There were hundreds of essential benefits of ashitaba but most of these claims need scientific proof. However, there are known benefits of this plant. The most intriguing of the known health benefits is the stimulation of the nerve growth factor. It is also rich in Vitamin B12, which is good for: productions of blood cells, increase attention of concentration, strengthens the immune system and increase the production of growth hormones. Ashitaba can also treat some health disorder such as skin aging, hemorrhoids, neurosis, shoulder stiffness, carcinoma, asthma, and anemia.
If you are interested in growing your own ashitaba, you may consider the following steps:
1. Soak the seed overnight and use fresh seeds for best germination ratios.
2. In the morning, place the seed in moist sand, peat of potting soil for 30 days.
3. At the end of 30-day period, you will plant the moist seeds close to the surface of your planting container or area. The seeds should be just barely covered. Press them down firmly.
4. Germination will begin after 15 days. Keep in mind that the seedlings are very slow-growing. In about 60 days, the seedlings are ready to be transplanted.
5. Place them in 3-4-inch pots filled with a good quality potting mixture. Your pots should have drainage holes. When the plants are about the size of a fist, you can move them to your garden. Ashitaba also grows well in 1-gallon pots with drainage holes.
Center for Bayanihan Economics produces Ashitaba. You can buy it as pot or on a per kilo basis. The cost is Php50.00 per pot and Php 200 per kilo of cuttings.
