Description
Medicinal Parts
The medicinal parts of the plant are the herb and the rhizome with roots.
Flower and Fruit
Thin pedicles measuring from 2 to 20 mm long produce 1 to 3 flowers from the nodes. The plants are usually dioecious. The perigone of the male flowers is about 5 mm long, funnel-shaped and whitish to greenish-yellow. The perigone is longer than the cauline leaves and has oblanceolate sections that are twice as long as the perigone tube. The stamens are oblong and almost as long the filaments. The perigone of the female flowers is much smaller. The fruit is a pea-sized, brick-red round berry that is up to 8 mm thick. The seeds are black with wrinkly stripes and are 3 to 4 mm wide.
Leaves, Stem, and Root
Asparagus officinalis is a perennial with a short, woody root stock. In the wild, the plant typically reaches heights of 30 to 100 cm, but cultivated plants may grow to 150 cm. The stem is erect, glabrous, and smooth, later inclined with numerous erect to leaning branches. The scale sections at the base have short spurs. The round, needlelike phylloclades are in clusters of 4 to 15 that are 5 to 25 cm long and about 0.5 cm thick. The root stock produces a few ascending shoots that are as thick as a finger, fleshy, white, and red or blue-reddish tinged. (This is the edible asparagus.) The female plants are often slimmer than the male, which are shorter and stockier.
Characteristics
The fruit is considered to be poisonous, but that has not been substantiated.
Habitat
The plant grows in central and southern Europe, the Middle East, western Siberia, and northern Africa. It is cultivated in many places.
Production
Asparagus herb consists of the above-ground parts of Asparagus officinalis. Asparagus root consists of the rhizome with roots of Asparagus officinalis, which are dug up and air-dried in autumn, and also the fresh underground shoots.
Not to be Confused With
This variety is sometimes confused with other types of asparagus cultivated in the Mediterranean region.
Other Names
Sparrow Grass
Actions & Pharmacology
Compounds: Asparagus Herb
Flavonoids: including rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin
Steroid saponins
Effects: Asparagus Herb
Animal experiments indicate the herb has a mild diuretic action.
Compounds: Asparagus Rhizome and Root
Steroid saponins: including asparagosides A, B, D, F, G, H, I, the bitter steroid saponins, aspartic saponin I
Amino acids: among them sulphur-containing aspartic acid, the esters 3-mercapto- butyric acid, 3-methylthio-isobutyric acid, diisobutyric acid disulphide
Fructans: asparagose, asparagosine
Effects: Asparagus Rhizome and Root
Animal tests indicate that the root has a diuretic effect. The main active principles are flavonol glycoside and furostanol and spirostanol glycosides, mainly derivatives of sarsapogenin. The distinctive odor of the urine after an individual has eaten asparagus is believed to be caused by methylmercaptan.
Indications & Usage
Asparagus Herb
Unproven Uses
Preparations of Asparagus are used as a diuretic, although the effectiveness for the claimed application has not been sufficiently documented.
Asparagus Rhizome and Root
Approved by Commission E:
- Infections of the urinary tract
- Kidney and bladder stones
Unproven Uses
Traditional uses of the root include application for nonspecific inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and for prevention of kidney and bladder stones (irrigation therapy). Among other folk medicine uses are dropsy, rheumatic conditions, liver disease, bronchial asthma, and gout. These applications have not been proved.
Chinese Medicine
The root is used to treat irritable cough, coughing with blood, dry mouth and throat, and constipation.
Homeopathic Uses
Uses in homeopathy include kidney stones and cardiac insufficiency.
Contraindications
Asparagus Rhizome and Root
Because of the irritating effect of saponin, the drug should not be administered in the presence of kidney diseases. In the case of reduced cardiac and/or kidney function, irrigation therapy should not be attempted.
Precautions & Adverse Reactions
Asparagus Herb
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. The plant has a low sensitization potential through skin contact. The berries are considered poisonous, although there is no proof of this.
Asparagus Rhizome and Root
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. When used in irrigation therapy, ensure ample fluid intake. There is a low sensitization potential, particularly among workers in canning factories who can become prone to asparagus scabies.
Dosage
Asparagus Rhizome and Root
Mode of Administration
The cut rhizome is used for teas, as well as other galenic preparations for internal use. When used in flushing-out therapy, ensure ample fluid intake.
How Supplied
- Capsules: 170 mg, 320 mg
- Liquid extract
Daily Dosage
800 mg of the drug.
Homeopathic Dosage
5 to 10 drops, 1 tablet, or 5 to 10 globules 1 to 3 times daily, or 1 mL injection solution twice weekly sc (HAB1).
