Asparagus, which has the scientific name Asparagus officinalis, is a popular vegetable used in a variety of dishes (like here, here and here). Serve asparagus shoots stir-fried, steamed, grilled, or toss it in soups or pasta dishes — it can be prepared many ways. This slender plant is a great source of vitamins and minerals that can benefit your overall health, no matter how you prepare it. In this article, we explore how its roots are used in different natural health treatments.
Asparagus Root Defined
Asparagus root is native to Europe, the Middle East, Western Siberia, and Northern Africa. It is popular and is now being cultivated in almost every part of the world. It has been referred to as the "Queen of Herbs" due to its several medicinal qualities. It's quite common to see asparagus spears on the dining tables of people who are health conscious or trying to lose weight, as asparagus is low in calories, which makes it a valuable addition to a weight loss plan. The calories per cup of asparagus are only 20.
Health Benefits of Asparagus
There are many varieties of asparagus available. Adding white asparagus to soups is common. As with green asparagus, purple asparagus can be roasted, grilled or stir-fried. Asparagus is an excellent source of vitamin K, which supports bone health, as well as B vitamins. It provides high amounts of vitamin B2 that helps maintain amino acids to build proteins that support the body's many functions. Additionally, it is a good source of vitamin B6 that is responsible for producing essential hormones like serotonin and melatonin. It also has high levels of vitamin C and folic acid.
The plant's roots are widely used in herbal medicine, specifically Chinese medicine, thanks to its numerous therapeutic properties. The ingestion of fresh asparagus extract derived from the plant's roots can help improve digestive health, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and it also promotes a healthy pregnancy. The anti-inflammatory properties of asparagus roots are also beneficial to skin health and effective in preventing cutaneous conditions.
Asparagus Root and Chinese Medicine
Wild asparagus root, otherwise known as tian men dong in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a Yin tonic and a spirit tonic. It is able to open the heart, prolong life as well as tonify sexual functions in both male and female. In Chinese herbalism, it is traditionally being used as a major lung tonic. It moistens and purifies the lungs, helps with breathing, removes toxins from the respiratory tract, and improves all respiratory functions.
The asparagus root has great benefits for the skin and the skin is considered to be a part of the lung function. Prolonged consumption of asparagus root can make the skin become soft, supple, and smooth, as good skin is the result of healthy lungs and pure blood. It is beneficial to people with dry skin due to a dry environment or internal dryness.
Asparagus root opens up the heart centre, which allows Shen to flourish. It is being manifested as feelings of patience, goodwill, and peace of mind.
Also, asparagus root promotes the production of kidney Yin and prolonged use can be helpful for sexual weaknesses. Despite its best use as a love tonic, it is often used in tonics that are designed to help with frigidity or impotence on a physical level. In addition, its natural diuretic properties dispel heat and pain in the neck, chest and feet, while increasing urine output.
Asparagus Root and Ayurvedic Medicine
In Ayurvedic medicine, asparagus root is being used to regulate hormones and is best known as an aphrodisiac. However, other uses include the treatment and prevention of dyspepsia, diarrhea, and gastric ulcers. Some practitioners will use asparagus root to help with the treatment of nervous system disorders, liver diseases, inflammation, and certain infections. A 2018 study conducted by a team of researchers in Spain (Jaramillo-Carmona et al.) also revealed that certain compounds in asparagus, called steroidal saponins, can prevent colon cancer.
Asparagus Root and Western Medicine
Asparagus root increases urination to draw fluid out of the body, therefore acting as a mild diuretic. The saponins found in the root are believed to contain antibiotic properties. It is recommended to relieve urinary tract inflammation (UTI) and prevent kidney stones by eliminating urinary metabolites.
Research has been conducted on asparagus root and its health effects on the urinary tract and kidneys, and the research supports its use. It has also been confirmed to be a mild diuretic.
Other Health Benefits of Asparagus Root
When taken regularly, asparagus root is believed to improve feelings of love and compassion. It contains steroidal glycosides, and this could be the reason why it has gained a reputation for increasing positive feelings. It is also a nutritive tonic that helps relieve some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome, general exhaustion, and tuberculosis. In addition, it is a nutritive tonic for the lungs.
Also, asparagus root is a restorative tonic for the female reproductive system and it can help relieve menstrual cramps, enhance fertility, and improve the flow of breast milk. It can also help in relieving the swelling associated with rheumatism, bloating, and throat soothing dryness.
When Not to Use Asparagus Root
If you have fluid retention due to heart or kidney disease, it should be remembered to not take any asparagus root. In fact, by doing so, it may actually just worsen the condition.
As asparagus season is fast approaching, consult your TCM practitioner, Ayurvedic doctor or holistic doctor who specializes in herbal medicine, as to how you can improve your overall health by using wild asparagus roots.
Originally published on Aug 20, 2008
