Asparagus

Asparagus

   Asparagus (Asparagus Officinalis), also known as sparrow grass, is a vegetable which has been grown from early times in ancient Egypt and in the Roman Empire. Because it is rare and pretentious to both growing and cooking conditions, the plant is considered to be a delicacy.


Description of Asparagus


   Asparagus is a plant which grows spontaneously in hay fields. It is cultivated in different varieties. In the earth it has a strong rhizome. The leaves are scale shaped, and the fruits are actually linear ramifications of the stems. The flowers are small, of a whitish-green color. The fruits are of red color.




Properties of Asparagus plant


   The vegetable contains phosphate and vitamin B, which gives it remineralizing and stimulating properties. Also, it has rare nutrients: copper, iron, zinc, manganese, chrome, calcium, sodium, potassium, which give it depurative, and laxative properties and make it a hepatic and renal drainer.




Treatments


   Next to its qualities of being a refined vegetable, asparagus is also used in natural medicine. It is used to control some stomach affections, clean the liver, lungs and intestines of their wastes and toxins. Apart from its depurative effects, the vegetable also has a protecting action on the arteries. Consumed regularly, it prevents the development of arteriosclerosis and cleans the blood.

   For cases of physical or intellectual asthenia, anemia and convalescence, the asparagus diet is recommended, consumed in its raw state.


   Also, for treating cardio-vascular erythrism, the raw asparagus diet is recommended. Consuming this vegetable stimulates the decrease of glycosuria and increases diuresis, a reason why it is recommended to diabetics.


   The asparagus stem has the property of eliminating toxins from the digestive trap. The pulp of the asparagus stem is used, its exterior side being first cleaned.


   The asparagus root, boiled in vinegar, is used in treating paradontosis. The asparagus tea is used for its diuretic actions.


Mixtures


   In order for it to be consumed, the asparagus has to be very fresh. Most often it is consumed in the form of a salad. A way of preparing this salad is: the asparagus is  cleaned of fibrous threads, is washed, cut into pieces having lengths of about 4-5cm and boiled in salt water for about 20 minutes. In a bowl, the sauce formed of vinegar, oil, mustard, pepper and salt is mixed. After that the asparagus is drained and mixed with the sauce. The asparagus juice is consumed along with carrot juice, having a diuretic action.


Warning


   Asparagus is not recommended to those with affections of the urinary system - cystitis, prostatitis, and gonorrhea - and neither in cases of acute articulacy rheumatism, because of its high content of purines. 


See also:



Asparagus Asparagus spp

Common Names : 

Asparagus , Satavari

Botanical Name : 

Asparagus spp

Family : 

LILIACEAE    Lily Family

Common Uses: 

Aphrodisiac - Culinary - Kidney - Medicinal Food - Women's Tonics

Properties: 

Aphrodisiac- Depurative- Diuretic- Hypotensive- Refrigerant

Parts Used: 

rhizome, stem

Constituents: 

steroidal saponins & glycosides (shatavarin, sarasapogenin, diosgenin), isoflavones, mucilage, alkaloids, asparagamine, sistosterol.

Asparagus Uses & Benefits :

There are over 300 species in the asparagus family, many are used medicinally, grown as ornaments or eaten as vegetables, the most well-known species, Asparagus officinalis, commonly referred to as just asparagus. Asparagus is a healthy vegetable and a useful diuretic and laxative. Asparagus racemosus, is the species used in India for medicinal purposes.

Asparagus How to Use

Asparagus - for : Kidney and Heart Tonic
Asparagus is a good source of vitamins C, A, B, and E. Regular consumption of this nutritious vegetable is considered tonic to all the body's systems, especially the kidneys (A gentle diuretic) and heart (lowers cholesterol).

Asparagus - for : Laxative
The virtues of Asparagus are well known as a diuretic and laxative (10)

Shatavri - for : Female Fertility and Libido
Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus, is highly regarded in Ayurveda as an herb for women's health, fertility and libido. Shatavri is an important tonic for the female reproductive systerm, and is used to treat irregular periods, for menopausal symptoms, to increase lactation, and as an aphrodisiac.
Ayurvedic Medicine

- Tastes (Rashas) : - Energy (virya): - Dosha : Vata_neutral
Known in India as Shatavari, asparagus has been a treatment for infertility and lack of libido in women for thousands of years, and is regarded as one of the most important herbal tonics for women.

Asparagus Side Effects:

Consult with a physician before using if pregnant or nursing

How to Use: Asparagus

Preparation Methods & Dosage : Teas, tinctures, and as a culinary vegetable.

History and Traditions & Folklore

It appears to have been cultivated in the time of Cato the Elder, 200 years B.C., and Pliny mentions a species that grew near Ravenna, of which three heads would weigh a pound. Asparagus is noticed by Gerard in 1597, and in 1670 forced Asparagus was supplied to the London market. The virtues of Asparagus are well known as a diuretic and laxative; and for those of sedentary habits who suffer from symptoms of gravel, it has been found very beneficial, as well as in cases of dropsy. The fresh expressed juice is taken medicinally in tablespoonful doses. 2 . There is a recipe for cooking asparagus in the oldest surviving book of recipes, Apicius�s third century AD De re coquinaria, Book III. It was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, who ate it fresh when in season and dried the vegetable for use in winter 1 The name Shatavari, refering to the species used in Ayurvedic medicine is Asparagus racemosus, is from an Indian word meaning "a woman who has a hundred husbands"