Musali

Description

Asparagus adscendens Roxb. is a prickly, suberect shrub with white tuberous roots, smooth stems, and angled, greyish-white branches with ascending cladodes (needle-like leaves). It has small, white, bisexual flowers arranged in racemes and produces a globose, fleshy berry. The plant is a valuable medicinal resource, particularly its roots, which are used in Ayurveda for various disorders and as a tonic.

Useful Parts

Root

Benefits

1. Sexual and Reproductive Health:The rhizomes are used as an aphrodisiac, increasing testosterone, improving blood circulation to the genitals, enhancing sperm count and quality, and helping with erectile dysfunction. 2. Digestive Health:The roots are effective in treating diarrhea and dysentery, and it has been used for its demulcent (soothing) properties to manage stomach issues. 3. Immune Support:Asparagus adscendens is used to boost the immune system, act as a general health tonic, and help the body deal with stress. 4. Nervous System and Cognition:The root extract has demonstrated significant memory-enhancing properties and shows protective effects against oxidative stress in the brain, suggesting potential in treating nervous disorders. 5. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory:The plant's active compounds and extracts exhibit antioxidant properties and help reduce oxidative stress, which can be beneficial for overall health and in combating various diseases. 6. Urinary Health:It is traditionally used to alleviate urinary disorders and symptoms like dysuria and chronic leucorrhea. 7. Anti-infective Properties:Both its antifungal and antifilarial properties have been noted in traditional medicine, with recent research suggesting potential in treating various infectious diseases.

Pharmacological Action

The root yields asparagin. Sapogenins A and B, isolated from the root, were identi?ed as stigmasterol and sarsasapogenin.

Rasapancakam

Rasa: Madhura, Tikta

Guna: Guru, Snigdha

Virya: Sita

Vipaka: Madhura

Dosha Karma: Vatapitta shamaka