Asparagus medicinal: description, useful properties, application

In this article we will tell you what is asparagus medicinal. Many on their private plots are planting this ornamental plant. In everyday life it is called a Christmas tree or a hare's eye.

Asparagus officinalis. Description

It's such a pretty tall plant. Its stem is covered with soft needles. In August, bright red fruits-boxes also ripen. This perennial grass is still used to decorate bouquets and decorate the garden. In fact, this plant is called - asparagus medicinal. It belongs to the family of asparagus, the genus of asparagus. She came to us from North America. However, now wild species of this herb can be found in the forests of the foothills of the Caucasus, in the fields of Eastern Europe.

And in Siberia, she feels great. The plant is very decorative, beautiful and not particularly demanding for attentive care. Where does the asparagus grow? On any soil and under any conditions. Propagated by dividing the rhizome, as well as seeds that mature at the end of summer, drop out of the seed box. Then next spring begin their life cycle. Asparagus officinalis looks like a fairly tall bush with the main trunk. A small number of lateral branches leave it. The main trunk and branches are covered with small needles, soft to the touch. They are called cladodia. The leaves are small scales that fit tightly against the trunk of the plant. They have a dark green color with a purple tint. In August, a lot of bright red berries are formed on plants after flowering, these are fruits in which seeds of the plant are under the layer of pulp. Asparagus is a plant that must be planted on a plot of land. Where to plant it? For planting and cultivation, it is necessary to isolate a slightly shaded place from the direct sun rays with loose nutrient soil. Plants should be planted at a distance of 30-40 centimeters from each other. The size of the rows is 50 centimeters. When collecting young shoots, 1-2 sprouts are left to continue the formation of the bush and further reproduction of the new shoot.

Healing properties

In addition to decorativeness, asparagus medicinal fully justifies its scientific name. Roots, trunks and seeds contain a large number of nutrients and vitamins. This group of vitamins C, nicotinic acid, thiamine and many others. In addition, it is in the medicinal asparagus that substances such as saponins and chelidonic acid are contained. They help in the fight against kidney disease, the urinary system. Infusions from the green parts of the plant struggle with hair loss, dandruff. Decoction of rhizomes - an indispensable assistant in the treatment of bronchial diseases.

Asparagus can be eaten

If you are interested in edible plants, then know that this asparagus to such and refers. Her young shoots are used for food. To do this, in the early spring, when the plant is just beginning to break out from under the ground, it is necessary to excavate 10-15 centimeters from the soil, rinse thoroughly.

And then use it in cooking. However, if the plant has risen sufficiently high above the surface of the earth, it becomes unsuitable. Because the trunks become hard and tasteless. From the petioles of asparagus prepare the first and second dishes. But for asparagus salad slightly boiled. And then cut.

Salads

Salad with asparagus and greens turns out delicious, refreshing, original. In addition, it is also useful and vitamin. However, there is a dish that includes meat products.

You just need to add a little boiled chicken and spices to make a salad with asparagus. It can be eaten when hungry. Let's notice, that on appeal such salad does not concede to popular dishes from vegetables. Other edible plants can also be used to create the dish. For example, nettles or dandelions.

For long-term storage, shoots are washed, slightly dried from excess moisture and then frozen. In this form, the medicinal asparagus can be stored all winter and used for cooking. Asparagus is very tasty and nutritious. But it does not have sharp flavors and flavors. Many gourmets note that the taste of asparagus is similar to the taste of beans or baked pumpkin. The plant has a large number of dense fibers. They give a special crunch to the cooked dish.

Use in folk medicine

What is useful asparagus medicinal? The properties of this plant are really curative. Therefore, asparagus medicinal often used by homeopathic doctors and folk medicine men. So, for example, folic acid, found in the juice of green parts of the plant, helps to form the fetus correctly. That is, the juice is indicated for use during pregnancy. Helps and with diseases of the circulatory system, asparagine, contained in parts of the plant, promotes the expansion of blood vessels and eliminates the formation of blood clots. Antioxidants found in asparagus are tireless helpers in the fight against aging. Many ancient healers attributed the asparagus property of curing male diseases, such as impotence, early ejaculation. Therefore even now doctors prescribe a diet with this plant for the treatment of purely male diseases. Many guys are using asparagus, as a medicinal plant, helped to become a father. After all, the substances in the green part of the plant, potassium salts and useful acids contribute to the maturation of a large number of full spermatozoa. Decoction of rhizomes helps women and women during lactation. Daily intake of one glass of medicinal drink contributes to the production of milk.

Recipes of traditional medicine. How is medicinal asparagus applied?

Let's look at a few recipes for disease prevention and treatment.

With cystitis, it is necessary to brew one spoonful of dry broth of rhizomes with hot water. Take three times a day after meals.

Insist 100 grams of young asparagus shoots in one liter of hot water. After drinking throughout the day. Take at least three days. So you can remove the swelling of the tissues, make the kidneys work.

Decoction of rhizomes asparagus officinalis helps cope with exacerbation of gout, lowers blood pressure, decreases heart rate with increased heart rate.

From tachycardia helps and infusion mature parts of the plant. Crushed dry asparagus is brewed like tea. After drink in small sips during the day. At a time, take no more than 100 grams of infusion. The course of treatment is 10 days, then - a break for 2 weeks.

Even the berries of this plant are used in homeopathy. A decoction of 100 grams of fruit per liter of water can reduce the increased excitability, improve sleep. When collecting berries, plants should use protective gloves. Since substances in the soft tissue of the fruit can cause irritation on the skin. Berry before use in the treatment should be carefully dried. In its raw form, fruits can not be consumed.

How to prepare a vitamin cap with asparagus? Mix in proportions 1: 1 dried asparagus stems, dogrose berries and cranberry leaves. Brew as a tea: 1 tablespoon of collection per 0.5 liters of water. This vitamin drink will help to cope with respiratory diseases, will strengthen immunity.

Asparagus officinalis is applied safely not only by traditional medicine doctors, but also traditional medicine. The extracts and essences of this plant are used in the production of medicines in the countries of South America and China.

Contraindications to the use and use of asparagus

However, asparagus infusions also have contraindications. They can cause allergic reactions, in the form of rashes on the skin and intolerance of the body. Do not use asparagus for people with asthma and skin problems. Contraindication is the age of the patient.

Infusions and decoctions of asparagus are not prescribed for children under 15 years of age. Overdose can lead to a decrease in blood pressure and a slowing of the heart rate. All medicines from asparagus must be used only after consultation with the therapist.

How correctly to collect asparagus medicinal for manufacturing medical infusions and medicines?

Collecting the green part and rhizomes spend in the spring months. That is, when the plant has not yet blossomed at full strength and has not blossomed. The green part must be cut in the morning, when the dew comes off.

Then then grind into small parts. Dry in a cool, dark place with fresh air. Rhizomes for medical use are excavated in autumn, when the plant is fully ripe, and the first frosts will strike. Roots must be excavated, thoroughly rinsed under running hot water, cut off all damaged parts. Then the rhizomes are ground into parts, 3-4 centimeters in size, and left to dry. Although you can not dry the roots. Put them in a plastic bag and send it to the freezer. After use at any time in fresh form or for making infusions.

The frozen roots of medicinal asparagus contain more nutrients than those that have been dried.

Another type of asparagus

However, do not confuse the asparagus with the medicinal with the ordinary. The latter grows throughout the territory of our country. Although many of the medicinal properties are inherent in this plant. But it has in its composition a large number of poisons, which makes it harmful for taking inside. Asparagus ordinary - a plant that grows no more than 20 centimeters, has no lateral growth and at the end of summer. Also, it does not bear fruit.

A small conclusion

Asparagus officinalis, the use of which is wide enough both in folk and traditional medicine, can be called a storehouse of nutrients and vitamins. Cultivation of this plant can do any, not even an experienced horticulturist.