Asparagus officinalis

Asparagus officinalis
Family:Asparagus officinalis; Antibiotic; Antispasmodic; Aperient; Cancer; Cardiac; Demulcent; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Laxative; Sedative; Tonic.
Common name:Asparagus
Asparagus has been cultivated for over 2000 years as a vegetable and medicinal herb. Both the roots and the shoots can be used medicinally they have a restorative and cleansing effect on the bowels kidneys and liver. The plant is antispasmodic aperient cardiac demulcent diaphoretic diuretic sedative and tonic. The freshly expressed juice is used. The root is diaphoretic strongly diuretic and laxative. An infusion is used in the treatment of jaundice and congestive torpor of the liver. The strongly diuretic action of the roots make it useful in the treatment of a variety of urinary problems including cystitis. It is also used in the treatment of cancer. The roots are said to be able to lower blood pressure. The roots are harvested in late spring after the shoots have been cut as a food crop and are dried for later use. The seeds possess antibiotic activity. Another report says that the plant contains asparagusic acid which is nematocidal and is used in the treatment of schistosomiasis.

Herbal Database

01.01.2005 01:31 []