The Japanese are known for their meticulous approach to health and self-care, and it pays to take a leaf out of their book when it comes to wellness remedies. One such example is a relatively obscure anti-aging plant that acts as a fountain of youth in Japan: the getto plant.
Characterized by its large green leaves, white flowers, and red berries, this plant is predominantly found on the island of Okinawa in southwest Japan. Okinawa is renowned for its significant centenarian population and boasts one of the highest life expectancies globally.
Getto: A Fountain of Youth
Maxi-Mag reported Shinkichi Tawada’s two-decade study on the anti-aging getto plant, conducted at the University of the Ryukyus. Tawada, an agronomy professor in Nishihara, experimented with nematodes. One group consumed getto, while the control group did not. Results showed a 22.6% increase in the lifespan of getto-fed nematodes.
In Okinawa, it is a common herbal tea ingredient and found in traditional dishes. It’s also used in beauty products by local women to combat wrinkles. Whether in leaves or roots, getto is rich in anti-aging components like resveratrol, antioxidants, and grape extracts.
Available in some Asian grocery stores, it can be used for herbal tea, flavoring noodles, or wrapping rice cakes. Beyond its anti-aging benefits, getto, when consumed as a beverage, exhibits hypotensive, diuretic, and anti-ulcerogenic properties.
