| Asparagus: Do not pick this plant along roadsides. Auto pollution and field runoff pollution may be concentrated in the roots and shoots. Look for old abandoned fields, best found in the fall when the tall standing, conspicuous mature plants may be seen. Mark plants with a cloth and harvest in the Spring. |
Spanish Medicine: Asparagus officinalis. Spanish: esparraguera; Catalan: esparreguera, Basque: prantzes-porru. White asparagus is as common as house flies in the restaurants and markets of Barcelona. Medicinally the plant is considered a cleansing food, good for the urinary tract. That is, if the urinary tract is not severely diseased. Interestingly: Spanish use this food to prevent or bring relief to kidney stones, urinary tract infections and bladder stones. However, the saponins in the root may have an irritating effect on those suffering from kidney disease. There is scientific evidence suggesting that asparagine in asparagus may be anti leukemia. There is conflicting testimony on the use of this food to treat gout, some suggest it makes it better, others suggest avoiding it, that it may exacerbate the problem. Ayervedic and Chinese traditional practitioners use Asparagus to treat gout.
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| Mature plant to right.
Look for the old dead growth of the prior year when stalking
asparagus. Start in late April and it will pay off at least in
Michigan and the northern tier of states, earlier farther south.
More as an edible wild plant |
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