In this article we will tell what is asparagus officinalis. Many in their personal plots plant this ornamental plant. It is commonly called a herringbone summer or bunny eyes.
Asparagus officinalis. Description
This is such a fairly tall plant. Its trunks are covered with soft needles. In August, bright red box fruits also ripen. This perennial grass is still used for decorating bouquets and for decorating the garden. In fact, this plant is called medicinal asparagus. It belongs to the asparagus family, genus asparagus. She came to us to sites from North America. However, now wild species of this grass can be found in the forests of the foothills of the Caucasus, in the fields of eastern Europe.
And in Siberia, she feels excellent. The plant is very decorative, beautiful and not particularly demanding for careful care. Where does asparagus grow? On any soil and under any conditions. Propagated by dividing the rhizome, as well as seeds that ripen in late summer, fall out of the seed box. Then next spring they begin their life cycle. Asparagus officinalis looks like a fairly tall bush with a main trunk. A small number of lateral branches depart from it. The main trunk and branches are covered with small needles, soft to the touch. They are called treasures. Leaves, on the other hand, are small scales that fit snugly against the trunk of a plant. They have a dark green color with a purple tint. In August, a large number of bright red berries form on plants after flowering, these are fruits in which seeds of the plant are located under a layer of pulp. Asparagus is a plant that needs to be planted on a personal plot. Where to plant her? For planting and cultivation, it is necessary to highlight a place slightly shaded from direct sunlight with loose nutrient soil. Plants should be planted at a distance of 30-40 centimeters from each other. The row spacing is 50 centimeters. When harvesting young shoots, 1-2 sprouts are left to continue the formation of the bush and further reproduction of the new shoots.
Healing properties
In addition to decorative, asparagus officinalis fully lives up to its scientific name. Roots, trunks and seeds contain a large amount of nutrients and vitamins. This is a group of vitamins C, nicotinic acid, thiamine and many others. Among other things, it is asparagus officinalis that contains substances such as saponins and chelidonic acid. They help in the fight against kidney disease, urinary system. Infusions from the green parts of the plant fight hair loss, dandruff. A decoction of rhizomes is an indispensable assistant in the treatment of bronchial diseases.
You can eat asparagus
If you are interested in edible plants, then know that this asparagus is one of those. Her young shoots are eaten. To do this, in the early spring, when the plant is just beginning to break out of the ground, it is necessary to dig 10-15 centimeters from the soil, rinse thoroughly.
And then use in cooking. However, if the plant has risen high enough above the surface of the earth, it becomes unusable. Because the trunks become hard and tasteless. The first and second dishes are prepared from asparagus petioles. But for the salad, the asparagus is slightly boiled. And then cut.
Salads
Salad with asparagus and herbs turns out to be tasty, 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 fillet and spices to make a salad with asparagus. You can eat it when hungry. Note that this salad is not inferior in popularity to popular vegetable dishes. You can also use other edible plants to create the dish. For example, nettles or dandelions.
For long-term storage, the shoots are washed, slightly dried from excess moisture and then frozen. In this form, medicinal asparagus can be stored all winter and used for cooking. Asparagus officinalis is delicious and nutritious. But it does not have sharp aromas and tastes. Many foodies note that the taste of asparagus is similar to that 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 traditional medicine
How useful is medicinal asparagus? The properties of this plant are truly healing. Therefore, asparagus officinalis is often used by homeopathic doctors and folk healers. So, for example, folic acid, located in the juice of the green parts of the plant, helps the fetus to form properly. That is, the juice is indicated for consumption during pregnancy. It helps with diseases of the circulatory system, asparagine, which is contained in parts of the plant, helps to dilate blood vessels and eliminates the formation of blood clots. The antioxidants found in asparagus are tireless helpers in the fight against aging. Many ancient healers attributed to asparagus the 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. The use of asparagus as a medicinal plant helped many guys to become a father. After all, the substances located in the green part of the plant, potassium salts and beneficial acids contribute to the maturation of a large number of full sperm. A decoction of rhizomes also helps women during lactation. Daily intake of one glass of a healing drink contributes to the production of milk.
Recipes of traditional medicine. How is medicinal asparagus used?
Let's look at a few recipes for disease prevention and treatment.
With cystitis, it is necessary to brew one tablespoon of dry broth of rhizomes with hot water. Take three times a day after meals.
Insist 100 grams of young shoots of asparagus officinalis in one liter of hot water. After drinking all day. Take at least three days. So you can remove the swelling of the tissues, make the kidneys work.
A decoction of rhizomes of asparagus officinalis helps to cope with an exacerbation of gout, blood pressure decreases, and the pulse decreases with an increased heart rate.
From tachycardia, an infusion of mature parts of the plant also helps. Ground dried asparagus is brewed like tea. After drinking in small sips during the day. Take no more than 100 grams of infusion at a time. 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 increased excitability, improve sleep. When picking plant berries, you must use protective gloves. Since substances in the soft tissue of the fruit can cause irritation to the skin. The berry must be thoroughly dried before use in treatment. In raw form, fruits can not be consumed.
How to prepare vitamin collection with asparagus? Mix dried asparagus stems, rosehip berries and lingonberry leaves in 1: 1 proportions. Brew as tea: 1 tablespoon of collection per 0.5 liters of water. This vitamin drink will help to cope with respiratory diseases, strengthen immunity.
Asparagus officinalis is used safely not only by traditional medicine, but also traditional. Squeezes and essences of this plant are used in the manufacture 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 skin rashes and intolerance to 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. Overdosing can lead to lower blood pressure and slow heart rate. All preparations from asparagus officinalis should be used only after consulting a physician.
How to collect medicinal asparagus for the manufacture of medicinal infusions and potions?
The green part and rhizomes are collected in the spring months. That is, when the plant has not yet blossomed in full force and has not bloomed. The green part must be cut in the morning when the dew comes down.
Then grind it into small pieces. Dry in a cool dark place with fresh air. Rhizomes for medical use are dug up in the fall, when the plant is fully ripe, and the first frosts will hit. The roots must be dug up, washed thoroughly under running hot water, cut off all damaged parts. Then the rhizomes are crushed into parts, 3-4 cm in size, and left to dry. Although you can not dry the roots. Putting them in a plastic bag, send them to the freezer. After use at any time fresh or for the manufacture of infusions.
The frozen roots of asparagus officinalis contain more nutrients than those that have been dried.
Another kind of asparagus
However, do not confuse asparagus officinalis with ordinary. The latter grows throughout our country. Although many medicinal properties are inherent in this plant. But it has a large number of poisons in its composition, which makes it harmful for ingestion. Common asparagus - a plant that grows no more than 20 centimeters, does not have lateral shoots and at the end of summer. Also, it does not bear fruit.
Little conclusion
Medicinal asparagus, the use of which is quite widespread in both folk and traditional medicine, can be called a storehouse of nutrients and vitamins. Any, even not quite experienced amateur gardener can grow this plant.