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	Asparagus
	Most people are acquainted with this elegant vegetable and its green stalks and tender sweet tips. However, it is the underground roots and rhizomes that are dried and used medicinally. Research supports the use of asparagus root primarily for conditions of the urinary tract and kidneys, largely on the basis of animal studies that indicate it functions as a mild diuretic. This means it draws fluid out of the body by increasing urination. Because of this action, asparagus root may be beneficial in several conditions associated with the kidneys and urinary tract.

	Browse Sections:
	Summary Other Names Description Traditional Internal Uses Traditional Topical Uses Indications Actions Constituents / Nutrients		Pharmacological Summary Scientific Research / Actions Research Precautions / Contraindications Interaction with Medications Possible Side Effects Dosage References

	Common Name
	Asparagus
	Botanical Latin Name / Classification
	Asparagus officinalis / cochinchensis
	Parts Used
	Roots, rhizomes, shoots, and seeds.
	Other Names
	Sparrowgrass, Tien Men Tong, and Shatavari. Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Description
	Native to Europe, the Middle East, Western Siberia, and Northern Africa, asparagus has grown so popular as an elegant vegetable that it is now cultivated worldwide. It also has a centuries-long history of use in herbal medicine. The sweet edible stalks, or shoots, are green, with either a white or a bluish-red tinge. The plant sports fern-like foliage, yellow-green flowers, and bright red berries. Asparagus root, the part most often used medicinally, consists of the plant's fresh underground shoots along with the rhizome and roots, which are dug up and air-dried in autumn. Extracts of the seeds and roots are sometimes used as flavorings in alcoholic beverages. Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Traditional Internal Uses
	Root preparations of asparagus are widely considered to be diuretic and laxative. Folk medicinal use of asparagus root includes treatment of heart disease, hypertension, and rheumatism (Leung and Foster, 1996; Wren, 1988). The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that consuming wild asparagus helped in the prevention of bee stings. This may possibly be due to the uric acid metabolism of the extremities for which asparagus is known (making it useful in the treatment of gout). The red berries (on female plants) were regarded as a contraceptive (Leung and Foster, 1996). India's asparagus species, A. racemosus, or shatavari, which means "she who has a hundred husbands," is used to strengthen the female reproductive system, and is also administered for diuretic and anti-inflammatory purposes by traditional Ayurvedic practitioners (Lad and Frawley, 1986). The Commission E approved the use of asparagus root in irrigation therapy for inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and for prevention of kidney stones. Traditionally, the root has been used as diuretic, laxative, and to treat neuritis and rheumatism (Leung and Foster, 1996). Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Traditional Topical Uses
	Many home skin formulas reportedly employ asparagus shoots to rid the face of dirt and blemishes. Due to the substantial amounts of vitamin A within it, asparagus has been shown to improve skin conditions such as acne and rosacea. Medical studies show a reduction in lines and wrinkles, good acne control, and some psoriasis relief, all from using creams containing significant vitamin A sources such as asparagus topical preparations. Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Indications
	Primary Indications: Kidney Disorders, Kidney Stones, Urinary Tract Infections and Inflammation, Bladder Infections (Cystitis), Gout Secondary Indications: Neuritis, Rheumatism, Reproductive System, Constipation Other Indications: Cardiovascular Disorders, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Acne, Psoriasis, Wrinkles, Contraception, Tooth Decay (Cavities / Caries), Parasites / Parasitic Infections, Immunity / Immune Disorders, Insect Bites and Bee Stings Primary Indications: Swelling / Inflammation Other Indications: Coughing Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Actions
	Antiparasitic, Diuretic, Laxative, Anti-Inflammatory Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Constituents / Nutrients
	The main constituents include inulin, asparagusic acid, and eight fructo-oligosaccharides (Leung and Foster, 1996). The two glycosidic bitter principles, officinalisnin-I and officinalisnin-II, are isolated from the dried root and yield b-sitosterol, sarsasapogenin, and nine steroidal glycosides (named asparagosides A to I, in order of increasing polarity) (Leung and Foster, 1996). Other constituents include asparagine, tyrosine, succinic acid, arginine, a-aminodimethyl-g-butyrothetin (a methylsulfonium derivative of methionine), fat, and sugar (Stecher, 1968). Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Pharmacological Summary
	Asparagus roots are thought to possess diuretic and hypotensive properties, and to enhance the renal elimination of water (Bruneton, 1995; Leung and Foster, 1996). Although asparagus herb (the stalk and fernlike foliage) has also been found to increase urine production and therefore act as a diuretic, its actions are much weaker than that of the root. The root also contains substances called saponins believed to have antibiotic properties. Test tube studies indicate that asparagus may even have cancer-fighting properties. Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Scientific Research and Pharmacologicial Actions
	The fructo-oligosaccharides, the most frequently studied constituents in asparagus, alter fecal microflora beneficially, particularly in elderly patients (Mitsuoka et al., 1987). Shoot saponin constituents have been found to have some activity against human leukemia HL-60 cells in vitro (Leung and Foster, 1996; Shao et al., 1996). Immune stimulant effects of roots may benefit cancer patients receiving chemotherapy (Thatte and Dahanukar, 1988). Root constituents may be found, as were those in Chinese asparagus, A. cochinchinensis, to inhibit SA (Boik, 1995) and mouse S-180 leukemia cells (Huang, 1993). In other studies, Indian shatavari root was found to reduce gastric emptying time comparably to metoclopramide (Dalvi et al., 1990), an effect that may relieve heartburn. Animal studies show that shatavari increases macrophage activity and prevents intraperitoneal adhesions in laboratory animals, an effect that may prevent postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions (Rege et al., 1989). Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Research
	"Healing Urinary Tract Infections Naturally" "Why Does Urine Smell After Eating Asparagus?" Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Precautions / Contraindications
	Inflammatory kidney diseases. Note: No irrigation therapy should be administered if edema exists because of functional heart or kidney disorders. Do not consume Asparagus Shoot if you are pregnant or nursing. Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Interaction with Medications
	None documented. Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Possible Side Effects
	In rare cases, allergic skin reactions. Additionally, an interesting result of taking asparagus root can be a distinctive odor in the urine. If this is the case for you, don't worry - it's harmless. According to one study of 800 volunteers, about 40% of people have this reaction. The latest findings indicate that it's more likely the ability to detect the odor rather than the tendency to generate it that is at play. Researchers speculate that those who smell it have inherited a specific genetic trait. Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	Dosage
	Unless otherwise prescribed: 45-60 g per day of cut rhizome. Dried Extract: Generally, capsules containing dried powdered extract measure between 200 mg and 600 mg. Take two capsules, one to two times each day with water at mealtimes. Infusion (Tea): 45-60 g of cut herb in 150 mL water. Fluid Extract 1:1 (g/ml): 45-60 mL. Tincture 1:5 (g/ml): 225-300 mL. Special Tips: When using asparagus root as a diuretic, it's very important to drink plenty of water to help literally "flush" the urinary tract. To relieve urinary tract inflammation: Take 1 teaspoon (5 mL) liquid extract diluted in 1/4 cup of water four times a day. To prevent kidney stones: Take 1 teaspoon liquid extract diluted in water twice a day OR 2 capsules twice a day. Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products
	References
	1. Boik, J. 1995. Cancer and Natural Medicine: A Textbook of Basic Science and Clinical Research. Princeton, Minnesota: Oregon Medical Press. Bruneton, J. 1995. Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants. Paris: Lavoisier Publishing. 2. Dalvi, S.S., P.M. Nadkarni, K.C. Gupta. 1990. Effect of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) on gastric emptying time in normal healthy volunteers. J Postgrad Med 36(2):91-94. 3. Hamilton, E.M.N. and E.N. Whitney. 1982. Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 2nd ed. New York: West Publishing. 4. Huang, K.C. 1993. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 5. Lad, V. and D. Frawley. 1986. The Yoga of Herbs. Sante Fe, N.M.: Lotus Press. 6. Leung, A.Y. and S. Foster. 1996. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 7. Mitchell, S.C., R.H. Waring, D. Land, W.V. Thorpe. 1987. Odorous urine following Asparagus ingestion in man. Experientia 43(4):382-383. 8. Mitsuoka, T., H. Hidaka, T. Eida. 1987. Effect of fructo-oligosaccharides on intestinal microflora. Nahrung 31(5-6):427-436. 9. Rege, N.N. et al. 1989. Immunotherapeutic modulation of intraperitoneal adhesions by Asparagus racemosus. J Postgrad Med 35(4):199-203. 10. Shao, Y. et al. 1996. Anti-tumor activity of the crude saponins obtained from asparagus. Cancer Lett 104(1):31-36. 11. Stecher, P.G. (ed.). 1968. The Merck Index: An Encyclopedia of Chemicals and Drugs, 8th ed. Rahway, N.J.: Merck & Co., Inc. 12. Stephens, J.M. 1994. Asparagus-Asparagus officinalis L. Fact Sheet HS-546, Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extention Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. 13. Thatte, U.M. and S.A. Dahanukar. 1988. Comparative study of immunomodulating activity of Indian medicinal plants, lithium carbonate and glucan. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 10(10):639-644. 14. Wren, R.C. 1988. Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. Essex: The C.W. Daniel Company Ltd. Additional Resources Jiangsu Institute of Modern Medicine. 1977. Zhong Yao Da Ci Dian (Encyclopedia of Chinese Materia Medica), Vols. 1-3. Shanghai: Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publications. Note This material was adapted from The Complete German Commission E Monographs-Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. M. Blumenthal, W.R. Busse, A. Goldberg, J. Gruenwald, T. Hall, C.W. Riggins, R.S. Rister (eds.) S. Klein and R.S. Rister (trans.). 1998. Austin: American Botanical Council; Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications. 1. The Overview section is new information. 2. Description, Chemistry and Pharmacology, Uses, Contraindications, Side Effects, Interactions with Other Drugs, and Dosage sections have been drawn from the original work. Additional information has been added in some or all of these sections, as noted with references. 3. The dosage for equivalent preparations (tea infusion, fluidextract, and tincture) have been provided based on the following example: Unless otherwise prescribed: 2 g per day of [powdered, crushed, cut or whole] [plant part] Infusion: 2 g in 150 mL of water Fluid Extract 1:1 (g/mL): 2 mL Tincture 1:5 (g/mL): 10 mL 4. The References and Additional Resources sections are new sections. Additional Resources are not cited in the monograph but are included for research purposes. Our thanks to the following information resources: MedicinesComplete.com, WholeheatlthMD.com. Browse Sections \| View Asparagus products