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.
Get an additional 10% off your order of Kenko Ashitaba when we refer you.
Use the coupon: ashitabaplant.com
Ashitaba sounds more effective than Gynura Procumbers, just basing it on what I read from your comparison. But how effective is it? What are the big differences of both plants in terms of usage and intake?
I'm not sure about how gynura procumbens work and how it's taken because I personally have not tried it. But I've read several blogs and articles about its health benefits and pretty much they offer the same good stuff – well, maybe primarily the exception here is the chalcones which the real ashitaba has and the local ashitaba does not.
Got interested to know more about Ashitaba and its benefits. with some side effects, I am considerate of using herbal instead of chemical
Today, more and more people are looking for ways they can be more healthy. One way many people choose to do this is by eating organic foods. An organic supplement can deliver nutrients to our bodies in their most pure form.
Ashitaba really has a lot of health benefits so it's good to know how it looks like compared to Gynure Procumbers.
Yup. So if you are interested to go for the gynura procumbens which grow abundantly in the Philippines, then watch out for Sulit ads. The plant (pot) is being sold for only P20/each (FREE Delivery within Metro Manila).
It's nice that it's immediately available in Metro Manila.
one should really make sure that he's buying and taking the correct food… this would surely form part of the herbs' list im buying. thanks. Yahweh bless. ralph. 🙂
Thanks for considering, Ralph. When it comes to making a decision on whether to buy organic or synthetic supplements, it is better to seek out the organic type. The reason behind this is that it has more vitamins and less toxins.
It's my first time to read about Ashitaba and it's good to know about its health benefits.
Thanks for dropping by, Peachy. I hope this article served you well to expand your knowledge on another medicinal plant. 🙂
I have been growing Ashitaba plants for 5 to 6 months. I am so excited to have this rare real plant growing, thanks for article.
But it is driving me crazy that I have to wait a full year to harvest and they it will die once it goes to seed. I just thought by now I should be able to make some tea with the leaves or put a leaf in my green smoothies. I have only 4 leaves per plant still, is there a number of leaves I can watch for before I start harvesting?
thanks
Karen
Hi Karen, how hot or cold is it there in the area where you are growing the ashitaba plants? The temperature and exposure to the sun may be two large factors affecting the plant's growth. Normally within a month's time you can see more than 20 leaves. I'm not sure why it's not the same in your case. I encountered a time when we did not water one pot of ashitaba for days and all the leaves turned brown and dried out. But after harvesting those that are bad, new and good ones grew in about a week and we can harvest about 3-4 leaves in a week.
Hello, may I know where can I get real ashitaba? thanks.
Hi Smple Amity, you can buy the seeds from Horizon Herbs or Amazon. Shipping from US to the Philippines can be done through Forex Cargo, Johnny Air or POBOX.ph.
May nagoffer na sakin sampaloc daw ito ung facebook site nila, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashitaba-Angelica-keiskei-koidzumi-for-Sale/300232080121742 kaso 1800 per pot, mahal nga eh.
Ai oo mahal nga.
Ay parehas tayo smple. Kaya nag antay muna ako pero nung nakita ko ulit facebook nila nag sale, bumili na ako dalawa.1500 lang each. Wala eh. Naghanap na ako kung saan saan lahat sila 3000 or 1800 per pot, wala na bumababa. Try mo antayin sale nila malamang mag ssale ulit yun.
Thanks for sharing. If you want cheaper, you can grow them from seeds.
I'm working here in Saudi, My wife brought 1 stem from the Philippines last November and it's growing fast, I have already cut 8-10 leaves and eat them raw..I notice that some leaves are turning black on the edges, is it because of the cold weather?
Hi Jolz, there are two possibilities. It could be because of temperature and you can be right to assume that it's the cold weather causing that. Another is the formation of sooty mold that roots from the secretion of small bugs that suck the sap from the ashitaba plant. You can physically wash away the molds and keep the other plants not infected by the "disease" away. Remove those with black edges and make sure that they don't infect the others.
Ms. Santos, I've been consuming Ashitaba for 10 plus years. I purchase my product through ashitaba.com.
Hachi Jo Island Corporation.
P.O. Box 660337, Arcadia, CA 91066-0337
Email: customerservice@ashitaba.com
How do I verify I'm getting the real thing?
Hi Steven. I'm not sure where you can get the same service but here in the Philippines, we can have The National Museum verify it for us.
hi, you can buy real ashitaba for 1500 pesos in quezon city circle……there’s a plant store there that sells ang grow real ashitaba (angelica keiskei) and they also have gynura precumbens.
Thanks for the share. Would you know how many stems each plant has and how tall their plants are already for that cost?
Hi brightdallas! Would you know if they are open any day of d week and wat time? I would like to buy for my mom who is currently battling cancer. Tnx in advance!
Hi, Rochkirstin and Nikko. Brightdallas is right, the ashitaba and gynura procumbens are sold there. At P1,500 the ashitaba are around a foot tall. The shops are there daily but it is always safer to go on weekends because most stalls are open early then, to anticipate the bigger flux of customers. I think at even 7am most are open.
Thanks for the reply. This is definitely helpful! 🙂
my sister bought a seed of ashitaba in japan thru a friend and its really hard to propagate they were so sensitive, we grew only a few pots. but tnx to her we got the real one as shown in the picture japanese ashitaba. they looks like celery in full growth.
Hi there. Thanks for dropping by and telling about your experience with growing real ashitaba. Hope you can also share the progress of the planting in the next few weeks /. months. 🙂
My parents have this in our back yard and they've been taking it in their shakes for months now.. I had no clue it was that rare. Hmmmm time for me to research on how to propagate it..
Nice! It only takes some few pots for you to start growing ashitaba. Read my article on tips on how to grow ashitaba until harvest time.
I want to share how I grow my ashitaba plants. I am so obsessed to propagate this plant because it helps to lower my blood pressure. I eat the leaves and stems fresh, dried them and made as tea and capsule. I started from seeds which I bought from Horizon Herbs. You can follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/waffles.ashitaba
Thanks for sharing! For sure, you are an inspiration to those who are also planning to propagate the ashitaba plant.
Wow. A very informative post! Thank you for the info!
You're much welcome.
Oh wow, I had never heard of these, but they definitely sound very beneficial and healthy.
Yup. Now you know the difference.
I have been here before and read this already but this post made me know of Ashitaba so much, I can now relate on TV commercials where they are saying about this plant and I am telling my Mom and siblings about this post.
Thanks for sharing the word.
This is great! I just learned something new!
I'm glad to be of help.
I have never heard of the herb before but it looks like it has a lot of great properties.
Michelle F.
Yup, there are many published documentations about ashitaba now that's accessible to everyone online.
well, honestly I'm a newbie in herbs and stuff. But analyzing its pros and lot, I'd really love to dive more in this area and explore similar health packs like this. Thanks!
By reading more and more about herbs and their medicinal properties, you will just be amazed at how they are much readily available and how they can treat diseases powerfully. Ashitaba is just one of the many examples.
This is the second time I've heard of this Ashitaba, I'm very curious about what it does but it sounds like finding the true plant is very difficult1
You're right. Growing ashitaba requires patience and not many people have a successful attempt at it.
I have never heard of Ashitaba. I may have to check it out.
Yes, you can start learning by browsing through this site. Thanks.
Thank You For The World Of Information I Never Knew Thank You!
I'm glad to be of help. You're welcome!
Never heard of this either. But it sounds interesting. You gave me tons of informative information. Thanks
I'm glad to be of help. You're welcome!
very nice info. as of today a lot of fakes coming out so much better that consumer knows and have an idea about this
True. This article will help a lot of people and hopefully they read this before buying the gynura procumbens instead of the real ashitaba.
I've never even heard of this stuff, but now I'm really curious to know more
Nice to hear that. Continue learning and you'll thank yourself for it. 🙂
What does this plant do or for that matter what do you take them for?
There are many diseases that ashitaba can help treat. The very popular ones are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, slow metabolism and high blood sugar (diabetes).
Hmm…but what are some of the health benefits of the plant?
Health benefits include treating metabolic syndrome, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar, improving overall health and making you feel more energized. You can find more by reading more articles in this site. 😉
Green leafy are healthy, these will detoxify our body.
That's right. I love vegetables.
Ashitaba really has a lot of health benefits!!!
More than most people can ever think of
I haven't heard of ashitaba before, but it's so interesting to learn about new alternative plants that can be used instead of industrial medicine.
Right. More doctors are also appreciating herbal medicine and recommending ashitaba to their patients.
I've never heard of this plant. Amazing how many different varieties there are around.
Yup, ashitaba is from the celery family.
Wow, it's hard to believe that companies are getting away with selling fake versions of the ashitaba plant! Hopefully more articles like this will educate the public and shut down the fakers.
Right now I have read only two more similar articles tackling about the difference. There should be more publicized information to help the public improve learning on ashitaba.
I totally agree with your opinion on being informed even if we can´t access the product. It is interesting to read the comments as well where people help each other. 🙂
I am happy to know that there are really those who read all the comments and reviews of products including researching for testimonials before deciding to buy.
I've never heard of this before.. but sounds like something companies will do.. everyone tries to sell something for what its not worth..
Yeah sadly some are like that.
I really don't understand how it's still possible to sell one thing and call it another. It should really be illigal but they can always find a loophole I guess…
Many people are fooled into thinking because they don't know about the product enough. Reading more about ashitaba and discovering this page at least will help them to differentiate.
This is really interesting! I don't know much about the plant, but I guess sometimes these kinds of things happen
Time is really due for the lack of knowledge to end.
i don't have ashitaba but i have gynure procumbens. i had been using procumbens even when i'm in dubai. it's really helpful in lowering my blood pressure. i used to eat 7 leaves daily before breakfast, i got it from my pocket garden. so why don't u try it?
There are no formal scientific documentation on gynura procumbens as of date. Only proven medicinal facts about ashitaba are present and you can find it online.
http://www.apjtb.com/zz/20135/3.pdf
We have ashitaba in our backyard. My father likes eating it freshly picked. Oh, so that's how chalcone plant looks like pala.
Yup, it's very yellow! 🙂
I'm growing jiaogulan seeds from great yao mountains right now. Maybe will try ashitaba next, or maybe andrographis next
Sounds like you're into growing herbs on your own. That's nice!
Regards
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I am fortunate enough to be able to propagate Gynura Precumbens in Arizona and has given a lot to friends and family who are all eating the leaves either fresh from the pot or mixed with salads, etc. One of our closest friend had kidney problems and had a reading of 32; the doctor recommended Dialysis. After regularly eating this plant, he went back to the doctor for check-up and amazingly, he didn’t have to get Dialysis at all. He was able to lower his sugar level by just regularly eating this herb. My husband and I have both been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes since the late 90s. Eating 3 or 4 leaves twice a day has helped us maintain our sugar level. We still take our medications, but this plant has been very helpful.
Pinay40 a friend gave me “ashitab” but turned out to be Gynura Precumbens.. because I told her my mama has ckd. And we are preventing for dialysis. I panicked that I got nt the real ashitaba but as you mentioned Gynura Precumbens was able to help your friend. I am delighted. So I can still let my mom eat the leaves?!