Family Name: Liliaceae
Botanical Name(s): Asparagus racemosus, Asparagus sarmentosus, Asparagus gonoclados, Asparagus adscendens
Popular Name(s): Asparagus, Wild asparagus, Asparagus root, Satavari.
Parts Used: Tuberous Roots
Habitat: This is found in the jungles around 8,000 feet altitude throughout India, especially Northern India.
Description: A much-branched, spinous under-shrub, with tuberous, short rootstock bearing numerous fusiform, succulent, tuberous roots. The plant contains triterpene saponins - Shatavarin I - IV, which are phytoestrogen compounds.
Uses: The roots are emollient, cooling, nervine, tonic, constipating. They are useful in nervous disorders, dyspepsia, and tumors, scalding of urine, throat infections, tuberculosis, cough, bronchitis and general debility.