Ashitaba contains a sticky yellow sap, not found in other plants known as chalcones, which are polyphenol compounds unique to Ashitaba. Chalcones in Ashitaba, mainly consisting of Xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin, has several beneficial bioactive effects, such as a antibacterial effect, an antitumour effect and an effect on lipid metabolism (inhibition of fat accumulation and enhancement of fat burning). Chalcones are potent anti-oxidants which help to protect our organs from destructive free radicals and slow down aging. Research published in the September 2002 issues of Nutraceutical World, shown that Ashitaba out-performed a range of herbs including green tea, dandelion, fennel, black tea, chamomile, Saint Johns Wort and sage for its antioxidant potential.

This trace mineral has been found to stimulate the body’s production of interferon. Its helps the immune system by boosting the activity of natural killer cells, a type of white blood cell that attacks invading germs. Dr. Otto Warburg, a Nobel Prize winning biochemist, stated that germanium helped to increase the delivery of oxygen to cells. He believed that boosting the oxygen supply to healthy cells slowed the growth of tumours.

Ashitaba is rich in chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants that collects strong energy from the sun. The molecule of chlorophyll is almost identical to hemoglobin molecule in red blood cell and is often referred as “nature’s blood”. Besides the ability to stimulate the production of red blood cells, it is also an excellent agent for cleansing the blood and liver and promotes the growth of friendly bacteria in the digestive tract.