Shatavari Benefits and Uses
What is Shatavari?
The Indian Ayurvedic system uses Shatavari as an adaptogenic plant. It translates to “100 wives”, which refers to its supposed ability to please women. It is considered an elixir for women because of its many benefits for female health, including regulating hormones, reducing stress, and providing immunity-boosting properties.
The plant is mild but effectively rejuvenating, nourishing the female reproductive system. It also benefits the digestive system, joints, and nervous system.
Characteristics of the Shatavari Plant
Asparagus racemosus, often referred to by the names Satavar, Shatavari, or Shatamull, is widely grown in India and the northern Himalayas. In rocky, gravelly soils on plains at high altitudes, it grows to a height of 1-2 m. It is grown in the wild as well as in gardens. It is harvested in the summer and fall.
It has rich red berries and, most significantly, a huge web of sweet, tuberous roots. Up to a hundred tubers can be produced by a single Shatavari plant. This is the area of the plant that is utilised in Ayurveda as both a food source and a herbal supplement.
The Shatavari plant has several uses in Ayurveda, including treating colds, coughs, infections, and diarrhoea. Shatavari is sometimes used to increase fertility in women because of its ability to stimulate oestrogen.
It was botanically described in 1799. Since then, Asparagus racemosus has experienced continuous growth in demand due to its numerous uses. The plant is currently regarded as "endangered" as a result of destructive harvesting.
What are the health benefits of using Shatavari?
The Shatavari plant is a tonic to the reproductive organs, immune system and endocrine system. It is a rejuvenator that repairs and regenerates the female organs and tissues. The health benefits of using Shatavari include:
Helps to deal with Depression: It’s easy to fall into depressive episodes now more than ever. Shatavri extract might help with such episodes and other mental ailments that are prevalent today.
Ayurvedic adaptogens, such as Shatavari, help the body become more resilient to stress by enhancing non-specific resistance. The antidepressant effects of Shatavari are likely mediated by the release of both serotonin and noradrenaline. It also might be augmenting antioxidant defences.[1]
Anti-oxidant properties: Roots of Asparagus racemosus, i.e., Shatavri, possess antioxidant properties. Three antioxidant compounds that are found are racemofuran, asparagamine, and racemosol. Antioxidants in our bodies help to reverse the oxidative stress caused by smoking, environmental pollution, radiation, industrial solvents, etc.
Antioxidant supplements may prevent eyesight loss in elderly adults caused by age-related muscle degeneration.[2] Antioxidants help the immune system as well. The immune system is particularly vulnerable to oxidant-mediated tissue injury. It's important to have enough neutralising antioxidants to prevent harm to the immune cells themselves.[3]
Helps in treating diarrhoea: Diarrhoea and dysentery have customarily been treated using Shatavari root in Ayurveda. Diarrhoea results from exposure to parasites or pathogenic bacteria through tainted food or water.
Apart from access to safe drinking water and the use of improved sanitation, plant extracts such as Shatavari can significantly help in treating diarrhoea. Shatavari plant extracts may have an anti-diarrheal effect, and recent research supports the use of this herbal cure as a general therapy for diarrhoea.[4]
Helps in treating Kidney Stones: Kidney stone is a solid substance created by the chemicals in urine. Fever, vomiting, bad-smelling urine and severe pain on either side of the lower back are the main symptoms of kidney stones.
Shatavari's ethanolic extract is well known for its ability to prevent lithiasis (stone formation). The increased level of calcium, oxalate and phosphate ions in the urine is dramatically reduced by it. Additionally, it increases the level of magnesium in the urine, which prevents stones.[5]
Benefits of Shatavari for Female Reproductive Health
Shatavari has a reputation in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for being immensely helpful for the female reproductive organs. It is known to be a nourishing herb that can help improve menstrual flow and regulate hormones. Modern civilization is firmly based on stress, and women are frequently exposed to psychological, emotional, and physiological pressures.
Psychological stress interferes with reproductive health by producing oxidative stress. Increased oxidative stress may alter ovarian physiology and oocyte quality. This can lead to problems with female reproductive health.
Shatavari is thought to address issues with female reproductive health, such as hormonal imbalance, PCOS, follicular growth and development, oocyte quality, and infertility. This may be by its action of lowering levels of oxidative stress and raising antioxidant levels in the body.[6]
Traditional Use of Shatavari in Ayurveda
The Shatavari plant has been used for thousands of years as a tonic for the female reproductive organs. It is considered to be a “cooling” herb in Ayurveda, which means that it reduces inflammation and is good for the body.
Rasa (taste): sweet, bitter
Vipaka (post-digestion taste): Sweet
Virya (action): Cold
Shatavari's Rasayana effect demonstrates that it is advantageous to women at all phases of life. It falls under the categories of Balya (promotes strength), Vayasthapana (promotes longevity), and Shukrajanana (spermatogenic).
It is also categorised as Samshamana since it only calms down the agitated doshas, particularly Pitta, without aggravating or removing the doshas from the body.
Modern Scientific Research on Shatavari
The Shatavari plant has been fairly studied for its medicinal properties and effects. The studies have reviewed and claimed true many ayurvedic claims although many claims remain to be verified. Some of the research is listed below.
- “Impact of stress on female reproductive health disorders: Possible beneficial effects of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0753332218301665
- “Plant profile, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari): A review” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2222180813600493
- “Antiulcer and antioxidant activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd and Withania somnifera Dunal in rats” - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16387694/
- “Antidepressant activity of Asparagus racemosus in rodent models” - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091305708002657
- “Identification of antioxidant compound from Asparagus racemosus” - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15478181/
- “Anti-diarrhoeal potential of Asparagus racemosus wild root extracts in laboratory animals” - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15946596/
How to take Shatavari as a supplement
The Shatavari plant can be taken as a supplement in many forms, including powder, tablets, or capsules. The recommended daily dosage of Shatavari capsules is between 350-700mg. You can also find Shatavari tea, tincture, and extracts.
Capsule
People can consume Shatavari as a supplement by taking it in capsule form. You can take Hesh’s Shatavari Vegan Capsules twice a day after meals for the best results. Take the capsules with a glass of water or warm milk.
Tablet
Tablets can be a good way to take in a concentrated amount of the substance in a regulated and regular way. You can take a Shatavari tablet with water along with 1-2 meals every day. It is recommended to take Shatavari with water, between meals or after a meal.
Powder
Typically, 3 to 5 grammes, or roughly 1 teaspoon, of Hesh’s Shatavari Vegan Powder can be taken in a single dose. After consuming Shatavari, sipping a cup of water can help get the best results from using the supplement.
Is it safe to take Shatavari?
There are no known side effects of taking Shatavari.
However, it is recommended that you speak with your doctor before taking it. You should consult before taking Shatavari if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, or ulcers should also consult with their doctor before taking Shatavari.