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Asparagus
Asparagus racemosus Willd., Liliaceae, shathavari in samskrit, is an important plant in Ayurveda. The species occurs in the wild throughout the tropical part of India.
The leaf-like structures of the species of Asparagus are modified short stems, called cladophylls. About a dozen species and varieties are cultivated in gardens, for their fascinating ‘foliage’.
Asparagus racemosus produces an enormous number of very fragrant flowers on long stems and at this time most of the cladophylls are shed. The flowers are illustrated.
Asparagus gonocladus Baker, which occurs in the wild and also in gardens, is often confused with Asparagus racemosus. The twigs of both the species (Asparagus racemosus on the left) are shown in the photograph to highlight the differences. The cladophylls of Asparagus racemosus are narrower and flat to lenticular, in cross section, while those of Asparagus gonocladus are larger and trigonal in cross section. The size and number of the tuberous roots, for which the species are grown, also differ. The root tubers of Asparagus racemosus are more numerous and smaller than those of Asparagus gonocladus, which are shown in the photograph. The inflorescences of Asparagus gonocladus are short bearing less than a dozen flowers.
The tuberous roots of Asparagus racemosus are a refrigerant, demulcent, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, alterative, anti-diarrhoeal and anti-dysenteric. The herb is used as a tonic, and a galactagogue. Fresh root juice is mixed with honey and given in dyspepsia. Roots are a constituent of a medicinal oil used for nervous and rheumatic disorders.
The roots of Asparagus gonocladus are aphrodisiac, given in goitre, and boiled in oil applied to cutaneous diseases.
Asparagus officinalis L., a temperate species cultivated in most parts of the world, is a laxative, cardiac stimulant, sedative, tonic and aphrodisiac. The roots are used in jaundice and congestive torpor of the liver.
Asparagus officinalis is the commercial asparagus, whose succulent young shoots are rich in protein. They are canned in enormous quantities and consumed in various forms. The starchy tuberous roots are used in soups.
Asparagus adscendens Roxb., Asparagus punjbensis L., and Asparagus sarmentosus L., are also used medicinally, in India.
Saraspogenin (a saponin) was isolated from both Asparagus racemosus and Asparagus gonocladus. Asparagin, present in most of the species is a diuretic and cardiac stimulant, also used in dropsy and chronic gout. An essential oil, asparagin, and tyrosin were found in Asparagus officinalis