Botanical Index No. 63

Asparagus

asparagus officinalis

Medicinal Actions

Antiaging, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiinflammatory, Antileukemic, Antioxidant, Antirheumatic, Antiviral, Cardiosedative, Cardiotonic, Contraceptive, Depurative, Detoxicant, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective, Hypotensive, Immunostimulant, Laxative, Litholytic, Nematicide, Sedative, Spermicide

Primary Conditions Treated

Bitter Demulcent DNA-Sparing Acne Anemia Anorexia Arthrosis Asthma Bacteria Bladder Stone Cancer mouth pharynx Cardiopathy Cholecystosis Constipation Cough Cystosis Diarrhea Dropsy Dyspepsia Dysuria Fertility Gout Gravel HIV Hemoptysis Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Immunodepression Inflammation Insomnia Jaundice Kidney Stone Leukemia Nematode Nervousness Neurosis Pain Parasite Rheumatism Schistosomiasis Sore Sore Throat Stomatosis Stone Stroke Toothache Tuberculosis UTI Virus Water Retention Worm Xerostomia

General Dosage

Food farmacy; 1 tsp powdered seed in juice; 45–60 g rhizome; 1 tbsp fresh root; 1.5 g dry root; 1.5 g:7 g alcohol, 8 ml water. “Daily dosage is 45 to 80 g; a typical single dose is 800 mg”.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2d. Contraindicated in inflammatory kidney disorders. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. Commission E reports contraindications of inflammatory and renal diseases and adverse effects of allergic skin reactions. Ironically, the diuretic shoots, which we eat, are not approved for therapeutic use. Allergic reactions occur very rarely. Workers canning asparagus may get “asparagus scabies”. Interactions with other drugs unknown.

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