More Information:
Other Common
Names
Asparagus Root
Page Number
In Ancient
Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs
154
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Asparagi Radix /Tuber
Pinyin
Tian Men Dong
Treasures
Yin Jing, Qi and Spirit
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 Spirit 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 Spirit 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 Spirit
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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