Asparagus – Aristotle and Nero were presented with it and the Romans were cultivating it by 200BC. When Rome fell it was cutlivated in Syria, Egypt and Spain. In the 18th century it appeared in France and England. It can still be found in the wild, although I have not seen it.
Like many things it was used as a medicine in Europe long before it was used as a food. It was used for stings, heart palpitation, toothaches and venereal disease.
Ayurveda finds it tridoshic and sattvic if fresh and local. It is best cooked as soon after picking as possible. The Romans had a saying “quicker than to cook asparagus!”. It is calming to the nerves, strengthening to reproductive systems, tonic for the heart….
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