Asparagus officinalis.
Botanical name:
ASPARAGUS OFFICINALIS, L. Sparrow Grass. Cultivated, often spontaneous. The shoots a well known vernal luxury, very healthy, diuretic, giving a strong smell to urine, purifying the blood, pectoral, sedative, and sudorific; but the excessive use is said to bring on gout. The root and seeds are aperient, diuretic, aphrodisiac, &c. useful in gravel, nephritis, &c. A peculiar substance, asparagine, found in them. Valuable diet in many diseases of the breast, heart, kidneys and bladder, it allays the inordinate action of the heart. A syrup made with the green part of the shoots, is useful when out of season. Alcohol is made with the berries.
