Join The Ashitaba Club!

  • Get access to exclusive discounts, education and videos!
  • Keep up on the latest research and trends in Japanese healing.

Enter your email to join the club!

 
 

Difference Between Japanese Ashitaba and Gynura Procumbens

Angelica Keiskei Vs. Gynura Procumbens

Top: Angelica Keiskei (Genuine researched ashitaba) Bottom: Gynura Procumbens (Sold as ashitaba but has no relation)

The truth is, most sellers of ashitaba plants in the Philippines are not really selling Japanese ashitaba but a different plant called Gynura Procumbens. I bet that all plants sold in Sulit.com.ph with the name “ashitaba” are in fact Gynura Procumbens. Those “ashitaba” sold in Greenhills Shopping mall (the open air place in the middle) are also Gynura Procumbens.

Where Can You Buy the Real Ashitaba in the Philippines?

It has been said that there’s one found in Sucat/Rizal. Rumors had it that it belongs to a bioresearch site that gives out ashitaba leaves [samples] for free. But what they have is actually Gynura Procumbens. So you don’t have to waste your time and effort to know and commute to go to their area only to find out it’s not the one you’re truly searching for.

There are no big plantations of ashitaba pioneering in the Philippines as of now. Ashitaba in pots and their seeds are mostly passed on from friends, relatives or acquaintances who imported the plants from Singapore or Japan (the nearby Asian countries).

I bet that if there are known growers of ashitaba in the Philippines, they don’t intend to sell ashitaba plant just yet as well. This is so that they can more properly propagate tomorrow leaves in their own plantations. And this is why we still don’t see much of the real ashitaba from Japan widespread in the public marketplace.

Here are the most telling differences of ashitaba and Gynura Procumbens.

Appearance of the Leaves

The leaves of Gynura Procumbens appear to be darker green in color, in contrast to ashitaba leaves. Also, while the leaves of Gynura Procumbens are like the normal leaves of most plants (oval-shaped with no ridges), Japan ashitaba leaves are more defined with ridges.

Break the stem of each plant. Look for the yellow liquid that comes out.
This sap is called chalcones, the powerful agent Japan ashitaba has and
Gynura Procumbens does not. Chalcones can cure cysts, pustules and a
wide array of other ailments.

Chalcones

End Notes

The real ashitaba not being widespread in the Philippines does not mean
that you should not know about them. The least you can do is not to be
deceived by the misconceptions.

A Comparison Of Top Ashitaba Suppliers Get an additional 10% off your order of Kenko Ashitaba when we refer you. Use the coupon: ashitabaplant.com

91 Comments

  1. Mai Flores August 31, 2013 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos September 11, 2013 Reply
  2. Traveling Morion September 1, 2013 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos September 11, 2013 Reply
  3. Franc September 1, 2013 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos September 11, 2013 Reply
    • Franc May 7, 2014 Reply
  4. isaymymind September 3, 2013 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos September 11, 2013 Reply
  5. Peachy Adarne September 3, 2013 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos September 11, 2013 Reply
  6. karinheart September 12, 2013 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos September 12, 2013 Reply
    • smple amity September 14, 2013 Reply
  7. Rochkirstin Santos September 14, 2013 Reply
    • smple amity September 18, 2013 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos September 18, 2013 Reply
    • 31aded02-21a3-11e3-945d-000bcdca4d7a September 20, 2013 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos September 20, 2013 Reply
    • JOLZ January 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos January 7, 2014 Reply
  8. Steven Neely February 10, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos February 11, 2014 Reply
  9. brightdallas February 11, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos February 11, 2014 Reply
    • Nikko Paul Pasion February 25, 2014 Reply
    • M.H. Tungol March 15, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos March 17, 2014 Reply
  10. Anonymous February 28, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos February 28, 2014 Reply
  11. Chezky April 25, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  12. waffleashitaba April 26, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  13. P Bishop May 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  14. Amanda T May 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  15. Cococute Manaloto May 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  16. Kung Phoo May 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  17. bxcrochet May 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  18. Saad Ansari May 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  19. Rena McDaniel May 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  20. Heather Heinlein May 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  21. Lisa May 7, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  22. Michele D May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  23. MaryJane Tauyan May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  24. Sharon Ruggieri May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  25. Rebecca Swenor May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  26. Julie Tucker May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  27. Ian LLoyd FErnandEz May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  28. Alyssa Collazo May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  29. Ave T May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  30. EmmaT May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  31. thriftybelow.com May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  32. Paula - Buenos Aires May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  33. Natalie S. May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  34. Joanna Sormunen May 8, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  35. Emelina Spinelli May 9, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  36. sherwin gomez May 11, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
    • Javier Garcia September 22, 2014 Reply
  37. Kath Rivera May 12, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  38. theblackninja May 21, 2014 Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos August 28, 2014 Reply
  39. CV.ASHITABA TRAWAS INDUSTRY June 27, 2014 Reply
  40. Pinay40 May 28, 2016 Reply
  41. Liza November 28, 2018 Reply

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *