ASPARAGUS

Asparagus is a good source of dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6 & several minerals.
Asparagus stalks are high in antioxidants.
Fiber content in Asparagus makes it a good laxative.
It is considered to be an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, diaphoretic, demulcent, laxative & sedative.

Vitamin K in asparagus prevents osteoporosis & osteoarthritis,helps in the repair & formation of the bones.

Asparagus is excellent for those who suffer from retention of liquids. 

It stimulates & strengthens kidney function, prevents kidney-& bladder stones & provides an excellent diuretic action. 

It also revitalizes bladder function, helps in cases of edema & swollen joints & protects small blood vessels from rupturing. 

Asparagus can be used in treatment & prevention of different types of tumors. 

It can also balance female hormonal levels & help pregnant woman against neural tube defects in babies. 

Known in India as Shatavari, asparagus has been a treatment for infertility & lack of libido in women & is regarded as one of the most important herbal tonics for women.

Asparagus is believed to balance & rejuvenate the reproductive system in women. 

It promotes lactation in nursing mothers.

Asparagus is helpful in combating the symptoms of menopause. 

It also helps provide estrogen to women who have had their ovaries or uterus removed.

Asparagus can also be used as an aphrodisiac.

Asparagus was used medicinally to treat toothaches & bee stings.

Other uses include treatment of joint pain, dryness in the lungs & throat, constipation, nerve pain, AIDS & diseases caused by parasites.

The paste of asparagus leaves are used as a topical application in the case of small pox or other skin burns or irritations.

The juice or decoction from the roots of asparagus acts as a good tonic for the body & cleanses the body of toxic matter.

Asparagus is also believed to be a mood booster & it can be used to combat depression.
Being a good nerve tonic, asparagus allays the onset & intensity of epilepsy & hysteria.

Asparagus contains inulin, which consumes the bacteria in the large intestine; thus, it is helpful in maintaining a healthy digestive system.

Known for its cholesterol reducing property, asparagus also lowers blood pressure in a natural manner.

Asparagus oil is used for massage of the head & provides a cooling effect, also reduces inflammations, lower back pain & sciatica & it is also used in treating paralytics.

Eating fresh spears, or spears juiced, provides a strong diuretic action, helps to clean & revitalize kidneys, bladder & relieve edema, especially arising from congestion around the heart. 

The effectiveness of this action may be experienced in strong odour & colour of urine, which is the body’s metabolism, speeding up the excretion of wastes. 

It is also found helpful for people with painful, swollen joints & gout as the herb helps to dissolve uric acid deposits & cholesterol build-up in blood vessels. 

Asparagus root moistens & purifies the lungs, helping with breathing, removing toxins from the respiratory tract & improving all respiratory functions. 

The skin is considered to be a part of the lung function & asparagus root has great benefits for those that have dry skin due to a dry environment or internal dryness.

Asparagus may help alleviate alcohol hangover & protect liver cells against toxins.

PRECAUTIONS:

Its fruit is poisonous.
Asparagus extracts have been used for birth control, so they might harm hormone balances during pregnancy.
Asparagus can cause allergic reactions when eaten as a vegetable or used on the skin.

RECIPES:

Tubers are boiled, peeled & sliced & then dried in the sun. 

Tubers can also be preserved in sugar & eaten like candy.

Tubers are antibiotic & anti-inflammatory. 

Used to treat tuberculosis, bronchitis, dry cough, dry throat, diabetes & breast cancer. 

Water Retention Reducing Soup:

50 g barley
200 g asparagus
bunch fresh coriander
1 tsp fennel seeds
Simmer for 1 hour.
Helpful for reducing water retention, fluid accumulation & easing urinary difficulty.

Summer Asparagus:

500 g asparagus spears
2 tbsp butter
1⁄4 cup chopped green onion
1⁄2 cup chopped tomato
1 avocado, peeled & chopped

Wash asparagus spears & snap off tough ends. 

Place in boiling salted water; cook for 3–4 minutes or until just crisp-tender. 

Drain & arrange on serving plate.

In a small saucepan combine butter with green onion; cook & stir over medium
heat until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. 

Remove from heat & stir in tomato & avocado. 

Pour over the asparagus & serve.

Asparagus Soup:

50 g butter
2 sprigs thyme
1 onion, chopped
2 potatoes finely chopped
500 g asparagus
Pinch of salt
Black pepper
Extra thyme, chopped
Sour cream or yogurt
In a large saucepan, melt the butter & sauté thyme, onion & potatoes for 5 minutes. 

Add a litre of water, cover & simmer until the potatoes are thoroughly cooked. 

Break off the tough ends of the asparagus. 

Cut off the tips of the 8 asparagus spears & put them aside. Finely chop remaining asparagus & add to saucepan when potatoes are cooked. 

Boil rapidly for 5 minutes. 

Boil the 8 spears in separate saucepan for 5 minutes. Drain. 

Puree the soup. 

Add two spears, pepper, chopped thyme & a small dash of sour cream or yogurt to each bowl of soup. 

Serve.

BEAUTY:

You can apply asparagus directly to your skin.
This cleanses the face, dries the sores & treats acne.

MAGIC:

An old Gypsy recipe to make an aphrodisiac calls for the fresh roots of an asparagus plant to be boiled in red wine.
It is said that if any man or woman drinks the wine for 7 consecutive mornings (in place of breakfast), he or she will be overcome by lustful urges.