Asparagus

Scientific Name(S): Asparagus officinale L. Family: Liliaceae

Common Name(S): Garden asparagus

Asparagus is a type of vegetable obtained from one species within the genus Asparagus , specifically the young shoots of Asparagus officinalis . It has been used from very early times as a culinary vegetable, owing to its delicate flavour and diuretic properties.

Botany: Asparagus is a dioecious perennial herb with scale-like leaves and an erect, much-branched stem that grows to a height of up to 3 meters. Asparagus is native to Europe and Asia and is widely cultivated. The part used as a vegetable consists of the aerial stems, or spears, arising from rhizomes. The fleshy roots and, to a lesser degree, the seeds have been used for medicinal purposes.

History: Asparagus spears are widely used as a vegetable and are frequently blanched before use. Extracts of the seeds and roots have been used in alcoholic beverages, with the maximum levels averaging 16 ppm. The seeds have been used in coffee substitutes, diuretic preparations, laxatives, remedies for neuritis and rheumatism, to relieve toothache, to stimulate hair growth and as cancer treatments. Chinese medicine has used them to treat parasitic diseases. Extracts are said to have served as contraceptives. Home remedies have employed the topical application of preparations containing the shoots and extracts to cleanse the face and dry acneiform lesions.

Uses of Asparagus

The stalks are commonly eaten. Roots, seeds and extracts of these have been used as a treatment for varous ills and as a diuretic.

Side Effects of Asparagus

None known except for pungent odor in urine of almost half those who eat it.

Toxicology: There are no reports of serious toxicity from the ingestion of asparagus or its extracts. There is one report of botulism poisoning following the ingestion of improperly home-preserved asparagus.

Summary: Asparagus is cultivated universally and used as a vegetable. The stalks are cooked and eaten and extracts of the seeds and roots have been used as flavorings. Preparations of asparagus have been used in folk medicine of different nations, although there is little evidence to support any consistent pharmacologic effect. Asparagus is noted for its ability to produce a pungent odor in the urine of many persons consuming it.

The health benefits of herbs and dietary supplements have a lot to do with lifestyle choices. If you want to eat better, maybe you should investigate nutrition information. If you're showing signs of pregnancy, then you should be especially mindful of what you ingest.