Ashitaba: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Ashitaba is a large herb that grows primarily in the central region of Japan. Its root, leaf, and stem are used to make medicine.

Ashitaba is used for persistent heartburn, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, constipation, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

The fresh leaves and dried powder are used as food and in beverages.

There is not enough information to know how ashitaba might work. Some chemicals in ashitaba seem to work as antioxidants. Other chemicals might block secretions of stomach acid. But most research has been done on animals or in test tubes, not people.

How does it work ?

There is not enough information to know how ashitaba might work. Some chemicals in ashitaba seem to work as antioxidants. Other chemicals might block secretions of stomach acid. But most research has been done on animals or in test tubes, not people.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Liver disease in people who drink alcohol. Early research shows that taking ashitaba extract twice daily for 12 weeks doesn't improve fatigue or liver function in people who drink alcohol and have early signs of liver disease.
Breast-feeding.
Cancer.
Constipation.
Gout.
Hay fever.
High blood pressure.
High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia).
Persistent heartburn.
Stomach ulcers.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of ashitaba for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Ashitaba is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth at a dose of up to 1000 mg daily, short-term. There isn't enough reliable information available to know if ashitaba is safe or what the side effects might be when taken for longer than 3 months.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ashitaba is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) substrates) interacts with Ashitaba
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Ashitaba might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. In theory, using ashitaba along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before using ashitaba, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some medications changed by the liver include chlorzoxazone (Lorzone) and theophylline (Theo-Dur, others).
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates) interacts with Ashitaba
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Ashitaba might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. In theory, using ashitaba along with some medications that are broken down by the liver might increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before using ashitaba, talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some medications changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), haloperidol (Haldol), ondansetron (Zofran), propranolol (Inderal), theophylline (Theo-Dur, others), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, others), and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of ashitaba depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for ashitaba. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Inamori Y, Baba K, Tsujibo H, et al. Antibacterial activity of two chalcones, xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin, isolated from the root of Angelica keiskei KOIDZUMI. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1991;39:1604-5.

Murakami S, Kijima H, Isobe Y, et al. Inhibition of gastric H+, K(+)-ATPase by chalcone derivatives, xanthoangelol and 4-hydroxyderricin, from Angelica keiskei Koidzumi. J Pharm Pharmacol 1990;42:723-6.

Ogawa H, Nakashima S, Baba K. Effects of dietary Angelica keiskei on lipid metabolism in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2003;30:284-8.

Kang MH, Park YK, Kim HY, Kim TS. Green vegetable drink consumption protects peripheral lymphocytes DNA damage in Korean smokers. Biofactors 2004;22:245-7.

Ogawa H, Ohno M, Baba K. Hypotensive and lipid regulatory actions of 4-hydroxyderricin, a chalcone from Angelica keiskei, in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2005;32:19-23.

Sugii M, Ohkita M, Taniguchi M, et al. Xanthoangelol D isolated from the roots of Angelica keiskei inhibits endothelin-1 production through the suppression of nuclear factor-kappaB. Biol Pharm Bull 2005;28:607-10.

Tabata K, Motani K, Takayanagi N, et al. Xanthoangelol, a major chalcone constituent of Angelica keiskei, induces apoptosis in neuroblastoma and leukemia cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2005;28:1404-7.

Maronpot RR. Toxicological assessment of Ashitaba Chalcone. Food Chem Toxicol. 2015;77:111-9.

Kwon D, Yoon S, Carter O, Bailey GS, Dashwood RH. Antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of Angelica keiskei, Oenanthe javanica and Brassica oleracea in the Salmonella mutagenicity assay and in HCT116 human colon cancer cells. Biofactors. 2006;26(4):231-44.

Noh HM, Ahn EM, Yun JM, Cho BL, Paek YJ. Angelica keiskei Koidzumi extracts improve some markers of liver function in habitual alcohol drinkers: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. J Med Food. 2015;18(2):166-72.

Bae UJ, Ryu JH, Park BH, Bae EJ. Angelica keiskei Root Extract Attenuates Bile Duct Ligation-Induced Liver Injury in Mice. J Med Food 2022;25(4):435-442.

Fu K, Gao X, Hua P, et al. Anti-obesity effect of Angelica keiskei Jiaosu prepared by yeast fermentation on high-fat diet-fed mice. Front Nutr 2023;9:1079784.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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