Asparagus racemosus- curer of a hundred diseases

KINGDOM: plantae
Clade:angiosperm
Genus:asparagus
Species:a. racemosus
- Shatawari means "curer of a hundred diseases" (shat: "hundred"; vari: "curer").Botanically described in 1799.
- Common throughout Sri Lanka, India and the Himalayas.
- Smallpin-needle-like phylloclades, white flowers, blackish-purple, globular berries, adventitious root with roughly a hundred on each plant.
- It has antioxidant, immune-stimulant, anti-dyspepsia and antitussive effects, phytoestrogenic properties.

- steroidal saponins, shatavaroside A and shatavaroside B together with known saponin, filiasparoside C, were isolated from the roots of Asparagus racemosus, which actually is beneficial for hyperlipidemic and hyperglycemic patients.
- Used in gonorrhea, piles, diabetes, rheumatism, cough, diarrhea, dysentery, gastric troubles and headache, also for increasing lactation.
- Nutrients per 100gm:
Energy: 20 kcal
Protein: 2.20gm
Carbohydrate: 3.88gm
Fat: 0.12gm
Sugar: 1.44gm

Courtesy - Shrajana Singh ( intern dietician- PGI Chandigarh)