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More Information:
Other
Common Names
Asparagus Root
Page
Number In Radiant Health
154
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Asparagi Radix /Tuber
Pinyin
Tian Men Dong
Treasures
Yin Jing, Qi and Shen
Treasure
Rating
*****
Atmospheric
Energy
Cold
Taste
Sweet and Bitter
Organ
Meridian Systems
Lung, Kidney and Heart
Primary
Functions
Nourish Yin and Clear Heat. Moisten the Lungs and
Nourish the Kidney.
Qualities
Use of wild Asparagus root is said to lead to a happy,
mild manner, excellent vitality and beautiful skin. It
is said to strike a balance into the internal functions
of the body.
Wild Asparagus root is highly revered by Taoists who use
the tonic herbs to help them on their paths to radiant
health and to spiritual awareness. It has many
attributes that make it one of the greatest health
promoting herbs.
It has long been one of the most highly prized Shen
tonic herbs consumed by the holymen living in the
various mountainous regions of China and Korea. Wild
Asparagus is said to open up the Heart Center, allowing
Shen to flourish, manifesting as feelings of love, good
will, patience and peace of mind. Regular consumption of
good quality Asparagus root seems to lift a person's
spirits in a way that is consistent with the Taoist
philosophy of attaining happiness. If you take it for
some time, you tend to see things from a broader view,
indeed almost an unlimited view. Taoists mention that by
consuming wild Asparagus root a person gains the ability
to fly. This flying is really the ability to rise above
things that are limited and mundane, even if they seem
very important at the moment. From above, we see things
in their true light, having ups and downs, and unifying
the notions of good and bad, right and wrong, which are
always only relative and ephemeral. The Shen quality of
wild Asparagus root effects the Heart of a man or woman.
This spiritual ability to "fly" is in fact the
freedom of spirit one experiences when one has attained
harmony with Tao and is guided by universal love. Those
who are seeking spiritual attainment should consume good
wild Asparagus whenever it is available.
Wild Asparagus root is also an important Lung tonic. In
common Chinese herbalism, this is the quality most often
refered to when discussing this herb. Asparagus root
moistens and purifies the lungs, aiding in our
breathing, removing toxins from the respiratory tract
and improving all respiratory functions. It increases
the lung's ability to extract Qi from the air we breath.
Asparagus root is especially useful for those who are
exposed to smoke, to dry or smoggy air or who otherwise
are experiencing dryness of the lungs and upper
respiratory passages.
The skin is traditionally considered to be a part of the
Lung function, and sure enough wild Asparagus root has
wonderful benefits for the skin. Prolonged consumption
will make the skin soft, supple and smooth. In the art
of radiant health, this kind of skin is a sure sign of
attainment. Beautiful skin is the result of pure blood
and healthy lungs. Asparagus root is useful for those
who are experiencing dry skin due to a dry environment
or due to internal dryness. Asparagus root is matched by
only a couple of other herbs in its skin improving
ability.
Since the Chinese say that "wisdom comes from the
lungs," it is clear to see why Taoists believe that
wild Asparagus root aids in the development of wisdom.
The Lung function, as it affects our psyche, allows a
person to extract the truth and wisdom out of life's
experiences. It also allows us to let go of that which
is useless and of no lasting value. Throughout life, we
have experiences that are full of lessons. When the Lung
power is strong, we can pass through these experiences
and then let them go. But the greatness of the
experience is in the wisdom we gain. This is the nature
of growth and attainment. Whether an experience is good
or bad in the short run, what is more important is what
we gain on the wisdom plane as we proceed. In this way
our life becomes great. Wild Asparagus in respected at a
level unsurpassed by any other herb in aiding this
ability to let go of the dross of life, emotional waste,
and in allowing us to expand our view of life with each
passing day.
Wild Asparagus root promotes the production of Kidney
Yin, and prolonged use is beneficial for sexual
weakness. Even though its greatest value is in its
"love tonic" attributes, wild Asparagus root
is often used in tonics designed to overcome impotence
or frigidity on the physical level. Wild Asparagus root
has slight diuretic action and removes heat and pains in
the feet, chest and neck.
Taoists emphasize that wild Asparagus root will strike a
balance in the internal functions of the body. It is
said that one who consumes wild Asparagus root for a
long time will feel so light that they can fly. This not
only refers to the spiritual qualities of this amazing
herb, but also to the energy and natural buoyancy it
provides.
Scientific
Data
Asparagus root has been found to induce interferon
production in human beings.
Preparation
and Utilization
Eat one or two wild Asparagus roots each day, raw. Eat
it slowly---almost let it melt in your mouth. Chew well
and breathe deeply. Or cook it with your choice of tonic
herbs.
Primary
Combinations
Wild Asparagus root may be eaten raw. Otherwise it is
generally used in combination with other tonic herbs.
Combine with:
1. American Ginseng and Ophiopogon to tonify the Lung
and Heart Yin and generate fluids
2. Lycium and/or Rehmannia (steamed) to tonify blood and
Kidney yin
3. Anemarrhena, Raw Rehmannia and Phellodendron to
relieve false fire in the upper Warmer
4. Ganoderma, Pearl and Polygonum stem to nurture Shen
Varieties
and Grading
Wild Asparagus is collected in the mountains of Northern
China and Korea. After collecting it, the roots are
cleaned and dried. However, they generally remain moist,
in fact, gummy. Good quality Asparagus root is soft,
chewy, pleasant tasting and mildly sweet. Although wild
Asparagus root is readily available in almost all
Chinese herb shops, really good wild Asparagus root is
quite rare. Most wild Asparagus root is yellow, and this
is excellent, so long as it is clean, moist and sweet.
Connoisseurs tend to buy up entire batches of the really
good stuff quickly. But occasionally you can find red
wild Asparagus root. This is a treasure---it is the herb
that the Taoists call "the flying herb." Buy
as much as you can when you see it, because it probably
won't be there when you go back to the herb shop again.
Contraindications
Do not use this herb if you do not want to have flying
dreams. Do not use this herb if you don't want to become
wise.
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Wild
Asparagus root is a marvelous Shen tonic and Yin tonic.
It was credited by Chinese wise men as being able to
open the heart, prolong life, and also to tonify the
sexual functions of both men and women. It is
traditionally used in Chinese herbalism as a major lung
tonic. Prolonged consumption will make the skin soft,
supple and smooth. In the art of radiant health, this
kind of skin is a sure sign of attainment. Beautiful
skin is the result of pure blood and healthy lungs.
Asparagus root is useful for those who are experiencing
dry skin due to a dry environment or due to internal
dryness.