Ashitaba

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ashitaba

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Angelica utilis
• Angelica keiskei f. foliosa
• Archangelica keiskei

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Apiales, it is a member of the Apiaceae family. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Angelica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a highly localized geographical distribution within the natural landscapes of Eastern Asia. Specifically, its occurrence is restricted to the islands of Japan. Within this region, it thrives in unique habitats that support its specialized growth requirements. Because its range is so narrow, the species is considered an endemic element of the Japanese flora. Consequently, understanding its specific environmental needs is crucial for the conservation of this regional botanical treasure.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Angelica keiiskei is characterized by its classification as a herb, exhibiting a growth form that lacks persistent structural support from secondary xylem. As a non-woody plant, it does not develop a true woody stem, instead maintaining a herbaceous structure throughout its life cycle.

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Angelica keiskei has 3 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, leaf, root.

Stem

1. Journal of natural products
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Leaf

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Root

1. In vivo (Athens, Greece)

Chemicals

Angelica keiskei has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 4-Hydroxyderricin, Xanthoangelol, Flavonoids, 3'-carboxymethyl-4,2'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone, 4'-O-Geranylnaringenin.

4-Hydroxyderricin

1. Planta medica
2. Heliyon
3. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics
4. Nutrients
5. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Xanthoangelol

1. Planta medica
2. Heliyon
3. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics
4. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Flavonoids

1. Archives of pharmacal research
2. Redox report : communications in free radical research
3. Drug design, development and therapy

3'-carboxymethyl-4,2'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxychalcone

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

4'-O-Geranylnaringenin

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

7-hydroxycoumarin

1. Natural products and bioprospecting

BORNYL ACETATE

1. Natural products and bioprospecting

Coumarins

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Diterpene

1. Archives of pharmacal research

Galacturonic acid

1. Natural product research

Activities

Angelica keiskei has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Vasorelaxant.

Antioxidant

1. Redox report : communications in free radical research
2. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
3. Heliyon
4. Drug design, development and therapy

Hepatoprotective

1. Heliyon

Vasorelaxant

1. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology

Medicinal Uses

Angelica keiskei has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, COVID-19, Staphylococcus aureus, aging, cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations