I have been asked a lot of questions about multiple health benefits of ashitaba in the past months. It seems that more people are being informed about this wonder plant. And as I mentioned in some comments published, I’m just glad to share good information and great news to readers online. Another questions that keeps on popping nowadays is if ashitaba can be any good to pregnant women and nursing moms. Is ashitaba safe to take? Does it have any side effects? Does it require prescription from the doctor? These are the questions we hope to be able to answer in this article.
Ashitaba for Pregnant Women and Nursing Moms
Before anything else, I’d also take this chance to report that I have seen bottles of DONG QUAI being sold now in GNC outlets you can find in malls. I have asked their staff about the benefits of dong quai and his answer was that it is beneficial for PMS symptoms in women. I believe I have tackled that topic before and you can read it here.
However, I don’t think that it’s the same Japanese Dong Quai or Ashitaba that they have there because ashitaba has a lot more benefits than solely that.
To recap, some of the benefits include improving your immunity system; relieving from Gl tract disorders, acute gastritis, chronic gastritis, carcinoma, melanoma, anemia and chronic fatigure; increasing production of sperm in men; treating asthma and common colds, hemorrhoids, and the list goes on.
But this just tells us that even other variety of plants belonging to the same family of dong quai (Angelica sinensis) are good for the health.
The Angelica Family has a history as a medicinal herb and health food since ancient times in both China and Japan. In Mainland China and Taiwan, the root of the Angelica Senesis has been popular for thousands of years and is frequently called the “Woman’s Ginseng.”
On the other hand, Japanese ASHITABA, has an anti-viral property that is not present in dong quai. The Japanese ASHITABA extract is a gentler medicine that can be taken frequently and at bed time without the stimulating effect that dong quai has, especially on women. Because it is gentler, it can be tolerated better by peri-menopausal women, pregnant women and nursing moms.
ASHITABA – Good for Lactagogue
Ashitaba is a useful lactagogue, that is, an agent which induces the secretion of mother’s milk. There is an anecdotal evidence from Japan concerning a cow that was fed with ashitaba and it recorded high milk production. By analogy, ashitaba could be used with mastitis or low milk production after delivery. Also, people in Hachi Jo Island in Japan believed that “ashitaba stimulates more milk in mothers but also animals.”
Furthermore, Dr. Toru Okuyama, Meiji University, College of Pharmacy
discussed that ashitaba has significant amounts of Vitamin B12 found in the
root and is beneficial for anemia and PMS symptoms which can include
breast tenderness, bloating, sleep disturbances and irritability.
FAQs
Is ashitaba safe to take?
Yes, ashitaba is safe to take during pregnancy and after pregnancy. The recommended dosage is four to six capsules a day as nutrition for pregnant womanโs nutrition. As the fetus grows, it consumes on nutrition from the motherโs body. So, pregnant women should take adequate balanced diet. This is to prevent miscarriage, premature delivery or handicapped babies diet to shortage of proper nutrition, especially if the expecting mom is short of vitamins, minerals and nourishment found in vegetables.
Here’s a nutritional fact comparison of Hachi Jo Island Ashitaba (100g edible parts) and other vegetables:
Does consuming ashitaba have any side effects?
Just like any other vegetable we take, ashitaba is a natural product containing only minerals and plant nutrition. It will only improve our health by stimulating our body.
Does it require prescription from the doctor?
At this point, please note that medicine is still different from food supplements. Ashitaba in any form is not considered as medicine but the latter. So we draw the difference: Medicine is prescribed by a doctor for specific treatment of some particular disease or illness with an expectation of direct or indirect effect.
On the other hand, food supplement is a kind of food that does not cause any side effect or any harmful effect, but supplies the necessary nourishment, prevent disorder of body and organ function and help them improve the natural power of recovery to maintain good health. Simply put, the answer is no. But if you’re experiencing harmful effects (i.e. allergic reactions), it’s best to consult with the doctor prior to taking it.
Is there harm if one stops consuming ashitaba?
There is no harm to stop halfway, but if you continue, the condition of your health will be enhanced, it will improve the function of the heart, liver, kidney, intestines and so on. As a result, the bodyโs natural recovering power or resistance against illness will strengthen.
It's nice than even expectant moms can benefit from ashitaba too.
Ashitaba also has been known to increase activity of the central nervous system, which gives increased strength and energy and soothes headaches which can accompany problems of expectant moms.
I wish I had known this 2 years ago. While it is so easy for other mothers to produce milk, I on the other is just totally the opposite.
Oh, that's another problem. I heard cabbage leaves stop breast milk from coming in. Just put cabbage leaves like how you would line your bra with a breast pad to stop leakage.
I have a pregnant friend who is asking about ashitaba and I will recommend this blog post too. I'm glad it will also help pregnant moms too. Thanks for this ๐
You're welcome. It's also good to know that ashitaba has other healing properties aside from fertility benefits. It can be used by both men and women for a variety of conditions.
so this Ashitaba gives similar health properties that those of sea foods specially clams . I'll share na lang this post to my niece who is 5-months preggy.
Yes and as you can see, ashitaba plant is a multi-faceted herbal remedy, and it can have great effects on women.
I have no idea that ashitaba works also for preggy and nursing moms. Thanks for giving this helpful information I might recommend this on my family member.
It has been used in ancient Chinese medicine for years with great results, and now people in Western society are beginning to see what a great natural solution ashitaba can be.
Wooww I don't really know about Ashitaba unti I discovered in on this blog. It's good to know it's perfect for soon to be moms. I must recommend this to my preggy friend ๐
Yes. In traditional Chinese medicine, the root is boiled or soaked in wine, then removed and the liquid is ingested.
Through this blog, this plant already proves a lot in terms of healing and preventing diseases. Galeeeng! :))
Thanks, Michael. ๐ If you're more interested, you can search the web for many articles about the wonders of this ashitaba plant.
If I have a dog that has tumors and possibly cancerous tumors, can taking ashitaba capsules work for healing dogs as well?
Hi Anthony. I'm not sure how ashitaba works on animals. You should visit the veterinarian for advice.
Its nice to know that this is safe for pregnant women and new moms too..
Yup. Then again, there will always be some exceptions are some people are more sensitive to herbs. Thus visiting and consulting a doctor will be for the best.
It's good that pregnant women can also enjoy the benefits of Ashitaba.
Pregnant women should take in food with more care. Many herbalists believe that herbs are often better, cheaper, and healthier than their medical counterparts. However, many medical professionals do not recommend herbal remedies for pregnant women, since safety has not been established through extensive research.
That's nice. Moms can take safer medicines and Ashitaba can do that especially the Japanese ones. What I concern is the duration of this herb to take effect but if you are just maintaining your health, it's not bad to try.
The duration of its effects depends on the person's system but I think anywhere between six months to a year of regular intake would bring promise for sure.
Never heard of ashitaba before, great info! There's a possibility of us trying for a second child later this year (or if i'm being honest, my husband wants to) and this would be added to our "must try" supplements plan if we succeed ๐
Ohh nice. Go for a second child if you're well decided and when you are positive about it. Make sure that you're healthy. ๐
I think my sister in Hawaii, who just gave birth to 2 cute boys (twins) would be needing this especially that she's both breast-feeding them.
You may suggest her to take ashitaba capsules as they're safe. ๐
I wonder what component in Ashitaba can help produce more milk? When I gave birth two years ago, the lactation consultant here in California swears by malunggay! It has been the "buzz" word for nursing moms. Do you take it as long as you are nursing?
Yup, I think so. To be sure, you can ask a medical practitioner.
The ashitaba leave can eat derectly for a pregnant women ? I’m pregnant and I have diabitis .
It is just a plant with an abundance of chalcones which are also present in celery so yes it is totally safe to take when pregnant.