ASPARAGUS

Alternate Names: Sparrowgrass, Tien Men Tong (Chinese), Shatavari

Parts Used: Root, shoots, seeds.

Properties: Aphrodisiac, Cardiotonic, Demulcent, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant, Female Tonic, Galactagogue, Laxative, Nutritive, Rejuvenative, Reproductive Tonic, Kidney Tonic, Sedative.

Internal Uses: Cancer, Convalescence, Cystitis, Diarrhea, Dysentery, Female Weakness, Fever, Frigidity, Gout, Herpes, Impotence, Indigestion, Infertility, Irritability, Jaundice, Kidney Stones, Memory Loss, Menopause, Posthysterectomy Tonic, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Sexual Weakness, Tuberculosis

Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules

Because Asparagus helps to dissolve uric and oxalic acid it benefits arthritic conditions and kidney stones. It is also a nourishing, blood-building tonic that enhances the health of both male and female reproductive organs. In India, the racemosa species is used to increase sperm count and nourish the ovum.

Topical Uses: Joint Stiffness, Muscle Spasms

Topical Applications: Poultice, compress for muscle spasms and stiff joints.

Culinary uses: Young shoots are eaten raw or cooked in salads and omelets. Root and shoots are added to soups. Seeds can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute.

Energetics: Cool, Bitter, Sweet, Moist.

Chemical Constituents: Essential oil, steroidal glycoside (asparagoside), asparagine, arginine, tyrosine, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercitin, rutin), resin, tannin.

Contraindications: Do not eat raw seeds, as they can be toxic.

Comments: The word Asparagus is from the Persian asparag, referring to tender shoots that can be consumed. Due to its phallic shape, it has long been regarded as an aphrodisiac. The Ayurvedic name, Shatavari, means 'she who has one hundred husbands'. Asparagus root has been used to help one develop peace of mind, a loving nature, a good memory and calm spirit.

The common name Asparagus also includes the species Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) and Asparagus cochinchinensis, which are often used interchangeably with Asparagus officinalis.

-- Phil in KS (pemccoy@yahoo.com), March 05, 2002

Answers

I had no idea there were so many properties to asparagus.........we grow a big patch for eating and freezing and now I need to investigate some other uses. Thanks Phi.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), March 05, 2002.

I'm allergic to all forms of chemicals- & if I happen to be exposed to some which is about any time I leave my own house---if I feel they are really makeing me sick----I eat lots of asparagus---as it is a cleaning agent!!! I was told by a naturalist doctor to do this---it certainly helps!! Fresh is best ---but canned will work also!!

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), March 05, 2002.

Hi All, I just wanted to say that this site has quickly become one of my must-checks, I LOVE this site! You guys are doing a great job here. Diane, you seem very versed in growing the kinda stuff I love to grow;) Thans for the help on the lavender. Now, you say you grow a large plot of asparagus. I Have a small plot, and followed instructions with deep trenches, etc. 2 1/2 years ago. Have yet to eat one morsel! Do you have those impossible hills, or will it grow on level ground? I have a time with weeding this small spot, hilled like it is, and want tons of asparagus eventually. I just had some of my saved seeds sprout and I was thinking of planting them in a different location. Thanks for your time! Smiles! Linda

-- Linda Be (lindabe@ywave.com), March 05, 2002.

Wow, I never realized Asparagus was so good for you. I've got a bed that I've got to move since we built our shed and wasn't looking forward to it. It's a big job to dig it up, but this has given me the incentive to keep it going. Love your daily postings Phil. Been printing them out! Keep em going. Thanks!

-- Annie (mistletoe6@earthlink.net), March 06, 2002.

What's with the italics???

On asparagus...........have you had anything come up??? Are you saying you started from seed?? If you started from seed, I would think this year you MIGHT have something you can eat. Seed takes forever (IMHO) to produce. We started one patch that way and would never do it again. We start with roots. New roots, no harvest the first year. The second year, lightly harvest (don't pick anything with a smaller diameter than a pencil) and only for a month. Each year after that you can harvest more.

Trenches............we fill ours in around the growth so by the second year, there is no trench. Good luck........oh...salt kills weeds and the asparagus loves it.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), March 06, 2002.

Oh, if you have a lot of deer.........don't salt. We found our roots on the top of the ground cause they were "digging" the salt.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), March 06, 2002.

That's funny :8) Okay ... now I'm earning my moderator fee!

Lind Be, when you want to set something off and make it stand out, you can use the asterisk (shift/8) like *this* or the dash like -this- , but don't use the less than/greater than symbols that are on the comma,period keys please! When you do, you actually place html coding in your message and unless you end it, it passes along to the other threads. Not a problem really - just thought I'd mention it. I actally giggled when I noticed it and diane asked what's with the italics. Got it fixed now and it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! LOL Have a great day!

-- Phil in KS (pigfarmerphil@yahoo.com), March 06, 2002.

Oops...How'd I do that?? I don't have a clue, sure didn't mean to emphasis anything. Goofy me! Thanks for understanding Phil. Diane, on a lark I planted the seeds from my bed I planted from roots 2 years ago. I did get shoots last year, but nothing big, and only a few, so didn't harvest them, and some set seed. Sure hope for some shoots to eat this year. The ones I planted look great already, in an indoor pot. Was thinking about starting a new plot of them with these new seedlings. Forever, huh? Maybe I'll just plant them between my monster hills, and fill that in. Hey, thanks for helping me puzzle this out. Se what a great help you guys are? LOL! Thanks! Linda

-- Linda Be (lindabe@ywave.com), March 06, 2002.