**2. Methodology**

### **2.1 Search criteria**

Original articles, research papers published in journals and in PubMed central, Google scholars on plants of interest (*Asparagus laricinus Burch.*, *Asparagus africanus Lam.*, *Asparagus officinalis L.*, *Asparagus racemosus* and *Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessop)*, and medicinal uses were studied, and related articles and papers were also taken into consideration. The two species, *Asparagus laricinus Burch.* and *Asparagus africanus Lam.* were the first choice according to the research studies at the laboratory of authors for their pharmacological activities and toxicology. The other three species of interest were randomly selected from an enormous number of Asparagus species retrieved when the key words "Asparagus species with medicinal properties" were used in the search.

#### **2.2 Data analysis**

The available literature was especially studied for historical, etymological, morphological, phytochemical and pharmacological aspects of *Asparagus laricinus Burch.*, *Asparagus africanus Lam.*, *Asparagus officinalis L.*, *Asparagus racemosus* and *Asparagus densiflorus (Kunth) Jessop*. Priority was given to ethnobotanical reports, laboratory work and clinical trials carried out on all five species. Finally, results were obtained from all collected data and literature studied.
