WHEN certain buddies of mine decided to once again take up the hobby of setting up and maintaining tropical fish aquariums, we vectored directly to our usual complete source for this enervating undertaking, our schoolmate Wilson Ang, founder and head of Bio-Research. This was after a fairly long hiatus, mind you, because time and circumstance had managed to pry many of us away from this hobby. In my case, I lost all my fish (accumulated over many years and placed in a humongous 400 gallon tank and a smaller 110 gallon tank) to a wrongly applied cleaning agent by a contractor many moons ago. Right then and there, I decided to spend more time – and money – in my other hobby, serious amateur photography, with the Camera Club of the Philippines as an ideal venue for this avocation. But this is another topic for another time.
While in the main corporate offices of Bio-Research in Sucat Road in Paranaque, we realized that our good friend Wilson had gone beyond his traditional setting of tropical and marine fish. He had managed to accumulate distributorships for what looked like a serious water pump and waste-water treatment business, among other things. But more important, he managed to convert his 4 hectare property into what he hopes will be a suitable habitat for the various flora and fauna he has accumulated – and continues to accumulate – over the years, some for sale and some for keeps. (Read about some of what he is doing in this area in my son Jayvee’s blog, A Bugged Life.
But what struck me was a little project that Wilson had started to undertake. In the herbal gardens that he has strewn all over the property, he has a specific medicinal plant that seems to be sprouting successfully.
The name of this herbal plant is ASHITABA, one of the elite among plants considered for their medicinal qualities. Legend has it that an old Japanese man went off to an island basically to spend his last moments on this earth, having been diagnosed with terminal cancer. He is said to have observed a tribe of old, sickly, and decrepit looking monkeys head off to a certain place where he witnessed them eating some vegetation daily. The result? The monkeys that ate these plants – that turned out to be the Ashitaba medicinal plant – soon got well and went back to where they came from, only to be replaced by a steady stream of incoming sick monkeys. So, hoping against hope, our terminally sick man partook of these plants and, before long, found himself strong enough to go home where he was diagnosed free of the dreaded disease.
It seems that Ashitaba is well known and has been documented in Ming dynasty Chinese medicine records of the 16th century. It is said that Ashitaba is, strictly speaking, a weed, which accounts for its ability to propagate so quickly. Containing a considerable amount of chlorophyll, it naturally does best in areas with full sunshine. I placed the samples Wilson gave me in different parts of my garden and validated this observation.
Wilson Ang is now giving back, in a way, to people by propagating this plant and giving it for free to friends. Thus, the samples he gave me are being planted and, hopefully, will multiply so that I can spread them around to the sick people in my village. But what I plan to do is turn over a reasonable number of these plants to our village garden club, many of the members belonging also to the senior group, so that they can plant them and take care of distributing the leaves to those who need them.
Another name of the plant is the TOMORROW LEAF. Why so? Well, it seems that the more one plucks leaves from these plants, the more they propagate new leaves even more lushly the very next day. And after a reasonable growth, one can cut the stem and plant the cutting to generate yet another plant. I found many related sites through Google Search and will post some of them here so anyone can do further research on this plant. It seems that the plant is good in tackling the following disorders (per the handout given to me by Wilson):
Lungs, Coughing, Asthma, Digestive System, Intestinal problems, Kidneys and Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract bleeding, Liver, Gall Bladder, Hepatitis, Gall Stones, Suppression of growth of cancer cells, Constipation, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Blood Poisoning, Skin Allergies, Rheumatism, High Cholesterol levels, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and a host of others too many to list down.
As proof of the effectivity of the plant, he trotted out a staffer of his who has had the unfortunate situation of living in an area with both air and ground pollution. She had developed a hacking, wheezing cough that was not amusing at all and extremely convenient for all concerned. After only three days of munching on four leaves a day, she improved dramatically. I have been taking the leaf (4 a day) for a week now, and noticed that my blood sugar level has gone down by a significant measure, since I self-test every other day.
Does it work? I am betting that this medicinal herb is what it is touted to be.
Wilson gives the plants to friends for free. But some others have taken advantage of his generosity, because he found that one person who had apparently gotten a couple of plants from him had developed a small patch somewhere in the north where he sells the leaves for P3 each. Oh well.....
http://www.organicashitaba.com/
http://www.organicashitaba.com/articles.html
http://www.helium.com/items/851529-ashitaba-chinese-herbal-medicinal-plant
The Tomorrow Leaf: A Healing Herb
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player piano... Hello :) I bookmarked this site. Thanks heaps for this!... if anyone else has anything, it would be much appreciated. Great website Super Pianoforte Links http://www.en.Grand-Pianos.org Enjoy!...----- PING: TITLE: Rediscovering Lost Eden by Bio Research | Jayvee Fernandez on Technology and New Media in the Philippines URL: http://abuggedlife.com/2009/02/10/rediscovering-lost-eden-by-bio-research/ DATE: 02/20/2009 01:21:31 PM IP: 208.113.193.11 [...] For those of you who have read my dad’s column on the Ashitaba Leaf, you can easily propagate the shrub ocne you procure it from them. The [...]----- -------- Read More
Gup pm po... pwede po ba malaman kung saan pwede makakuha ng ashitaba... i am residing po sa angeles city, pampanga, at sa lungs po yun sakit ko... hope na you'll respond po.. thanks in advance...
Just like to ask: where can we get this Ashitaba leaf/stem so we can plant them and distribute to our family and friends.
Hi,
I am very interested in this medicinal plant. I hope you could send samples of the plant here in Mindanao..Thank you.
Thank you for a very important info.A lot of people will benefit from this herb.I am residing in Mexico,Pampanga,is there a farm or garden near us to go where we can have/purchase this wonder herb.My address is Blk.10 Lot 11 Sto.Domingo Village,San Jose Matulid,Mexico.A one kilometer away from SM Pamp.Also interested to propagate this herb to help my mother & others.God Bless You.
Dear Mr. Fernandez
I read with great interest your enlightening article on the Ashitaba herbal plant. I am a regular customer of Bio-Research here in Sucat, Paranaque where I buy my aquarium supplies from them being a tropical fish hobbyist myself. Do you think Mr. Ang would be generously willing enough to give me some free plants despite me not being one of his friends as I have never met him yet. If not, where can I get some of these plants? Hoping for your prompt reply soon. Thank you very much.
Rubin L. Tan
Is this for real?!
I am a Baguio City resident and i'm extremely interested with this Ashitaba or Tomorrow Leaf. I am hoping this can help some sick friends and a family member, apart from myself (my kidney is a bit sick).
How can i possibly get a starter plant? Please advise. Thanks a lot!
Dear Mr. Fernandez,
I read your column with interest about ASHITABA. Is this herbal plant available for sale in bio-research stores? If not where else can i buy this herbal plant in Metro-Manila?
Where can i buy Ashitaba herbal? Is it available in some chinese herbal stores?
Hi.
Where can I get or buy a leaf or a whole plant?
Thanks.
Good day!
I find this article to be helpful.
I have a problem with the muscle of my eye for 14 years now, which the top doctors have diagnosed as idiophatic (arising spontaneously or from an obscure or unknown cause). I have been treated with steroids from the start since there is no known cure for my unknown problem. I would like to get hold of this herb so I can try if it can heal this problem of mine.
Where and how can I have a seed of this herb? I'm here in Santiago City, Isabela and will be going to Manila this week. Will the Bio-Research in Sucat, give me one to propagate?
Thanks and God bless.
Raymon
Sir;
Good day.
May I know where can I get a pc. of this
ashitaba plant?
Please e-mail to me the address or tel Nos.
I am very interested because I am now taking the wheat grass juice in some juice stand in the malls.
Thank you very much.
Where can I buy this herbal plant?
Could you please let us know where we can get or buy the plant?
hi! does wilson sell the plants to the public? how much is he selling them for, and are these available in the bio research branches? thanks!
Where can I buy this leaf?
hi im interested to Ashitaba where can I get this plant right now Im here in Kuwait Ill be there in the Philippines on May2009 tnx pls email me the Info tnx for sharing this article hope for your email
well thats good news but i just hope we can have it here in our place ...im too far General Santos City hope we can get some so i can start sharing it too here
thanks
where can i get this plant?
My mom's sick, she's 75 yrs old and maybe it will help her
may i know where (in metro mla) can i buy this ashitaba healing herb?
many thanks.
Hi!!! Your article is very informative. I would like to inquire from you on where can I buy the plant. My father is diabetic and I believe this would be of great help for his health. I am currently staying in la Union.
Hello!
Where can I get these plants? Our nanny who's been with us for over 30 years would rather have herbal treatments/supplements rather than medicines. Also, my Mom is hypertensive and I would like her to try these out.
Thank you for sharing this.
Jacky R. Mauleon
I read with much interest your article on the Tomorrow Leaf.
My son and I are both asthmatic, and I've have been found to have hypertension as well as gall bladder and kidney diseases. I'm also concerned about my churchmates who are ill but could not afford the high cost of medicines. Further, the side effects of synthetic medicine add to our discomfort.
Could you share the Tomorrow Leaf with us and may I look forward to seeing you at your convenience.
God bless,
Salustiano Robledo
I would like ask for the plant organica ashitaba, on how could help have one, then able to share it when it grows and propagate.
Please insert / add the picture of the herbs / plants if you can.
Thanks,
Rey Hilario
Dear Sir;
I'm interested to plant and propagate "ashitaba" plant or tomorrow leaf, where can I get or buy for the seedlings? or cutting?, after reading all the medicinal value of this wonderful plant I think this is the answer to my wife long time suffering from joints pain and blood sugar.
I visited also the website you mention in your article, where they are selling capsules ashitaba, I believe fresh leafs is more effective, if you could help me it will be a relieve to my wife suffering pain.
Thank & Regards
Simeon D.Capati,Jr.
Im from Tuguegarao City, where can be the nearest place to get/buy this ashitaba plant?
I am a believer in herbal remedies and live in a village with lots of empty lot with cogons growing. Would like to put it to more productive use and help others. How can I get some of Tommorow leaves (plant) to propagate and eventually give to people who might need it. Thanks
Where can I buy the ashitaba plant?
Hi,
I'm a person who goes for herbal treatment. I'm afraid of antibiotics due to the side effects it gives me. I'm interested of growing this kind of plant (Ashitaba) for my own personal needs. I'm working abroad but I go home yearly and have a house in Cavite. I would like to know the address of the person who is growing this plant and hoping that he will share some for me to grow also in my garden. Thanks.
Hi Mr. Fernandez,
After I read your article regarding Ashitaba, I really want to have one on our little garden at home. Please let me know where I can buy the plant. My mother is suffering from different diseases right now such as hypertension, gout, constipation and others due to old age.
Thank you very much.
can you send me some info where can i get this ashitaba plant ill be there in the philippines on MAY 2009 tnx
Hi,
It's very timely that I found this information. My family needs this. How and where can we get this plant. We are here in Cebu. And how much?
We really need to have some of this plant, asap!
Thanks.
Thanks.
hi im so interested with the plant that you featured. would you mind if i ask where i can get and buy that plant here in manila?thanks!
im from cebu sir. meron po ba dito sa cebu nag aalaga ng ganyan? if makapunta po ako ng manila, saan po ako pwede makahingi.
thanks.
Can you please tell me how to get one. Thanks.
Please help me secure this plant, so I can help my best friend lower her blood sugar.
Thank you and more power!!
Hi, I am interested to have this plant. How can I reach you by phone. What is your address. I am a believer in herbal medicine. I'm 61 yrs old. Thanks for replying. Regards.
Arthur of Cainta
Thank you very much for the Ashitaba information. Please give me one to propagate it. I urgently need it for my health. God Bless You.
can you provide a picture of this ashitaba plant?
sir... may i ask for some ashitaba plant to propagate too.... i want to try it on my gallstone... thank you
and finally its heaven send..probably could help my wifes type 2 diabetes. Please help me provide this miraculous plant for instant medication... thank you so much.
I am diabetic and beilieve that herbal cure could help me lower and or stabilize my blood sugar. I am currently in Singapore and I would appreciate if you could let me know how to get hold of Ashitaba. I will be in Manila in April, is it available in there?
Your help will be appreciated.
Hi, thank you for the information regarding ashitaba's health benefits. Gardening is a hobby and am interested to grow them. Please tell me how to get them? thanks again.
Hello.
I am interested with the plant also. You know where I can buy (plant or seed). God Bless!
carmela
sir: may i ask where can i buy or get ashitaba plant to propagate? i want to try its healing effect. thanx
Many thanx for sharing about this herbs. I m from Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. Do u know where can i get it in my country or anywhere nearby my country?
Thanx again.
sir: I am wondering why your ashitaba is different from pictures of ashitaba ib other websites. they look like more of a celery
sir: I am wondering why your ashitaba is different from pictures of ashitaba in other websites. they look like more of a celery
Well, if this herb does what its touted to do, well and good. But i hope everyone takes it with a grain of salt. If it is that effective and "miraculous", how come the FDA has not approved it with a seal? With such wonders, doctors can all retire and just hand out this miracle leaf for patients to munch for a cure of their illness.
Hi! It's good to know that there are still some people like your family who really wants to help others. We already have your ashitaba plant. And we're sharing the good news with friends and acquaintances. But there's one question on my mind right now. I've been surfing the internet for ashitaba plant image. I was wondering why the plant that we have is different from the image/pictures of the ashitaba plant on the web. Just what MDC commented, it really looks like a celery but only much more bigger leaves. One more thing, I'm really curious about the place called Lost Eden. Is that for public or exclusive for your family and friends only?