Superfood Spotlight: Ashitaba

There are superfoods and then there are superfoods. Lately, we've been totally nerding out on all the black and gold bottles from Sun Potion filled with what they call "transformational foods" like tonic herbs, mushrooms, medicinal plants and incredible superfoods. We asked brand founders, Scott and Nitsa to fill us in on all the fine print about these incredible foods starting with ashitaba, an incredible leaf that few of us know know much about... WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: This plush, resilient member of the Angelica family has been affectionately named ashitaba or “tomorrow’s leaf” in Japanese, because it is known to replenish the growth of its leaves within 24 hours of harvest. Indigenous to the rocky shoreline of Japan, Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei) is a tonic herb that has been revered for supporting beauty and longevity in Japanese folk medicine for centuries. This plant is currently being researched for its unique spectrum of health benefits; it is reported to support healthy cell regeneration, blood, digestion, skin and mood. WHY YOU SHOULD TRY IT: Ashitaba is one of the ​few terrestrial plants to contain substantial levels of B vitamins (specifically B6 - which helps to regulate healthy sleep patterns and mood as well as vitamin B12 - commonly found in meat, B12 helps the body to produce red blood cells, nourishes nerve cells, and supports in production of DNA). As it is rare to find these B vitamins in a plant, the ​ashitaba leaf and stem ​offer a wonderful, bio-available, whole-food source of B vitamins and is a great alternative to meat. In addition, ashitaba contains chalcones - unique polyphenols found in its thick yellow sap - which are being researched for their strong antioxidant action and as precursors of nerve growth hormone (NGH), an essential player in neuron health and development. LET’S GET TOGETHER: As with all tonic herbs, ashitaba is most effectively taken in small, regular doses over a lifetime. We like to mix a teaspoon of organic Ashitaba Powder by Sun Potion into a glass of spring water and drink first thing in the morning. It is also great blended into tea, juice, a smoothie, nut milk potion or even salad dressing. Ashitaba can even be applied topically to aid in healing blemishes. Just mix a half teaspoon into rose water and dab onto skin. Leave on for 15-20 minutes.

from The Chalkboard http://ift.tt/1zcDp8a
via IFTTT