the tuberous root in gout, puerperal diseases, lactic disorders, haematuria, bleeding disorders and also recommends it for hyperacidity.
The plant contains saponins—shatavarins I—TV. Shatavarin IV is a glycoside of sarsasapogenin. The saponin in doses of 20—500 mcg!ml produces a special blockade of syntocinon (oxytocin) -induced contraction of rat, guinea-pig and rabbit uteri in vitro and in situ. It also blocks the uterine spontaneous motility.
The dried root yields sitosterol; 4,6- dihydroxy-2-O-(2’ hydroxyisobutyl) benzaldehyde and undecanyl cetanoate, and contains a large amount of saccharine matter, mucilage and minerals—Ca (0.172), Cu (0.033), Na (14.60), K (8.32), Mg (0.169), Mn (0.0074), Ni (0.105) and Zn (0.072) mg!g(dry weight).
The root was found to reduce gastric emptying time comparable to that of metoclopramide. (I Postgrad Med, 1990, 36(2), 91—94).
The root extracts exhibited antiallergic activity in animal studies.
The root, when fed orally, acted as immunomodulator against induced sepsis and peritonitis in rats and mice.
Asparagus sarmentosus Linn. has been equated with Mahaa-shataavari. Other related sp. are Asparagus curillus Buch.-Ham., A. fihicinus Buch.-Ham. and A. gracilis Royle.
Dosage Dried root—3—6 g powder. (API Vol. IV.)
Asphodelus fistulosus Linn. Synonym A. tenufolius Cay.
Family Liliaceae.
Habitat Most parts of the plains from West Bengal westwards to
Punjab and Gujarat, as a field weed.
English Asphodel.
Unani Piyaazi, Khunsaa, Asraash. (Asphodelus ten ufolius Cay, is
equated with Shellot, Gandanaa.)
Folk Bokat.
Action Seeds—diuretic; applied externally to ulcer and inflamed parts.
Seeds contain an ester, 1-0-17-me- thylstearylmyoinositol. The seed oil yields myristic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic acids, beta-amyrin and beta-sitosterol. The oil, due to its high linolenic content (62.62%), may be of therapeutic value in preventing atherosclerosis.
The mineral elements present in the weed are iron 178.4, zinc 44.5 and copper 6.4 ppm. A triterpenoid, lupeol and quercetin are also present.
