Shatavari/Asparagus

Shatavari means “who possesses a hundred husbands or acceptable to many”. It is considered both a general tonic and a female reproductive tonic. Shatavari may be translated as “100 spouses”, implying its ability to increase fertility and vitality. In Ayurveda, this amazing herb is known as the “Queen of herbs”, because it promotes love and devotion. Shatavari is the main Ayurvedic rejuvenative tonic for the female, as is Withania for the male.

It shows antiulcer, antioxidant, antiinflammatory galactogauge, adaptogen, antitusive, antidiarrhoeal, antidiabetic and immunomodulatory properties.

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It has different names in different languages such as Hindi Name(shatavari), Marathi & Gujrathi Name(Satavari), English Name(buttermilk root, climbing asparagus, wild asparagus), kannada name(Majjige gadde- Halavu Makkala Tayi Beru, Ugurele Gida), Tamil Name(Sadavare, Thanneer Vittaan Kizhangu, Thaner Vittan Kilangu, Thaneer Vitaan Kizhangu, Thanneer Vittaan Kilangu), Bengali name(satamuli, Dogri: sainsarbel, satmooli, shatavar), Malayalam Name(sathavari), Arabic name(shakakul, shaqaqul).

Varieties

There are two varieties of Shatavari, with similar medicinal properties and uses.

Satavari – Asparagus racemosus
Maha Satavari – Asparagus sarmentosus Linn

Chemical constituents

Steroidal saponins are thought to be the principal bioactive constituents of shatavari root. These saponins are known as shatavarins I–IV, and they are glycosides of sarsasapogenin. Shatavari root also contains other chemical constituents of note, including racemosides, racemosol, racemofuran and asparagamine A, all of which display antioxidant activity.

Flowers and mature fruits contain quercetin, rutin (2.5% dry basis), and hyperoside, and the leaves contain diosgenin and quercetin-3-glucuronide. A. racemosus roots mainly contain 4 saponins, for example, shatavarin I–IV, the glycosides of sarsasapogenin.

The powdered roots contain 2.95% protein, 5.44% saponins, 52.89% carbohydrate, 17.93% crude fiber, 4.18% inorganic matter, and 5% oil. The root of Asparagus officinalis is more diuretic than its shoot, and the root is recommended in dropsy and is a powerful cardiac sedative.

The major bioactive constituents of Asparagus are a group of steroidal saponins. This plant also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, Mg, P, Ca, Fe, and folic acid. Other primary chemical constituents of Asparagus are essential oils, asparagine, arginine, tyrosine, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin, and rutin), resin, and tannin.

Shatavari has more than 50 organic compounds including steroidal saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, polysaccharides, mucilage, racemosol and isoflavones. The steroidal saponins are biological active constituents of shatavari root. Flavanoids and glycosides of quercitin such as rutin and hyperoside are present in flowers and fruits, whereas quercetin 3-glucuronide is found in leaves of shatavari. Several other bioactive ingredients such as asparagamine, racemosol and kaempferol are extracted from the ethanolic root extract of shatavari

Shatavari known to have a wider range of phytochemical constituents which are mentioned as below.

Kaepfrol-Kaepfrol with Sarsopgenin can be isolated from tuberculous root of A.Racemosus[ Saponins known as Shatavrins, Shatavarin I to VI present.
Furan compound–Racemofuran
Flavenoids-Glycosides of quercetin,rutin, and hyperoside and present in flower and fruits.
Sterols-Root contains sitosterols,4-6-dihydryxy-2-0 benzaldehyde and undecanylcetanoate.
Polycyclic alkaloid-Asparagimne A.
Isoflavones - 8-methoxy-5, 6, 4-trihydroxy isoflavone-7-0-beta-D-glucopyranoside
Cyclic hydrocarbon-racemosol,dihydrophenan-threne.
Trace minerals such as Zinc,Copper,Cobalt,withcalcium,potassium and selenium.
Essential fatty acids-Gamma linoleinicacids,Vitamin A and quercetin.

Properties and Benefits

Rasa (Taste)- Madhura (sweet), Tikta (Bitter)
Guna (Qualities) – Guru (Heaviness), Snigdha (Oily, unctuous)
Taste conversation after digestion – Madhura(sweet)

Veerya (Potency) – Sheetala (Cold)
Effect on Tridosha: Balances Vata and Pitta
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Vrushya – Aphrodisiac
Kshayajit – Useful in chronic respiratory disorders, tuberculosis
Asrajit – Useful in blood disorders, Ayushya, Vaya Sthapani
Rasayanavara – A very good anti ageing medicine
Shukrala – Improves sperm and semen quantity and quality
Stanyada – Improves breast milk production
Medhya – Improves intelligence
Pushtida – Nutritious, improves nourishment
Chakshushya – Improves vision, good for eyes, useful in eye disorders

Pittasrahara – Useful in bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, Menorrhagia, rectal bleeding etc.
Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heartMedhya
Agnivardhini – Increases digestion strength
Balavardhini – Improves strength and immunity
Grahani hara – useful in IBS, sprue, altering diarrhoea and constipation
Rasayani – anti ageing, causes cell and tissue rejuvenation
Arshohara – useful in piles, haemorrhoids
Akshirogahara, Nayanamaya hara – Useful in eye disordersBalada – improves strength and immunity
Gulmajit – Useful in abdominal tumours
Atisarajit – Relieves diarrhoea
Shophajit – Reduces swelling, anti inflammatory
Retodoshahara – Improves sperm quality, improves sperm and semen health and sperm mobility
Garbhaprada – Relieves infertility

Kshataksheenahara – Relieves chest injury, injury with bleeding
Shatavari ankura / Sprouts of Asparagus racemosus –
Kapha – Pittahara – Balances Kapha and Pitta

Rasa (Taste) – Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter)
Arshohara – useful in piles, haemorrhoids
Kshayapaha – useful to improve depleted body tissues, chronic respiratory conditions, tuberculosis
According to Bhojana Kutuhalam 13th chapter, the sprouts of shatavari is bitter in taste, aphrodisiac in nature and alleviates all the three dosha.

Uses, Remedies, Benefits and Application

1) 1 or 2 fresh / dry roots of asparagus is added to a cup of milk and it is cooked for 5 – 10 minutes. Filtered. It is given to the new mothers, early in the morning to improve breast milk production. Even in cattle, this practice is found where the veterinary doctors advice to administer raw Shatavari to the cattle.

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2) 3-5 gram of root powder of Shatavari is administered along with powdered sugar candy/jaggery/Mishri, twice a day. This relieves work exhaustion, numbness, neuritis, fatigue, lethargy, loss of libido etc.

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3) Root powder with honey in recurrent urinary tract infections:5 gram of the powder of Shatavari if consumed regularly during night time for recurrent UTI, spermaturia, haematuria and backache are cured successfully.

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4) In Ayurveda, shatavari has been treated as one of the important herbal Medicines, commonly prescribed to nourish ovary, promote production of reproductive hormones and maintain libido of women. Shatavari is mentioned under six important rasayanas. Rasayanas are herbal medicines, which promote general well being of an individual by increasing cellular vitality and immunity. Shatavari is used to correct pitta and vata dosha of patients.

5) This herb is highly effective in problems related with female reproductive system.

6) Shatavari is one of the well known drugs in Ayurveda, effective in treating madhur rasam, madhur vipakam, seet-veeryam, som rogam, chronic fever and internal heat.

7) Shatavari has also been successfully used by several Ayurvedic practitioners for Nervine disorders, Acid peptic diseases, certain infectious diseases and asa immunomodulant. Main use of this drug is in female disorders specially asa galactagogue and several menstrual disorders.

8) Fresh asparagus is cut into small pieces and soaked in water or else the 5-10 gram powder is added to 300 ml water and kept for a while. This is macerated and filtered.This is given to the individuals, suffering from burning urination and bleeding from urethra.

9) Shatavari is rich in active constituents such as steroidal glycosides, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids (racemosol) and vitamins.

10) Applying Shatavari powder paste along with milk or honey on the skin helps to get rid of wrinkles. It can also help promote wound healing when applied along with coconut oil.

11) Fine powder of equal quantity of Shatavari, Ashwagandha and Kapikacchu are taken and mixed together. This is taken in the dose of 3-5 grams of else this is cooked with a cup of milk for 5 minutes, filtered and consumed.This promotes sexual libido and increases the sperm count too.

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12) Equal quantity of Shatavari and Pippali powder is taken and mixed well. This is taken in a dose of 3-5 gram during night or early in the morning along with Banana juice/ Banana milkshake. Good weight gain is observed if this is carried for 30-40 days.

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13) The drug has ulcer healing effect probably via strenthening the mucosal resistance or cytoprotection. It has also been identified as one of the drugs to control the symotoms of AIDS.

14) As gym supplement : Because of its nutritive properties, coolant nature, anti ageing effect, Shatavari makes an excellent gym supplement. It helps to relieve tiredness quickly and also improves muscle mass.

15) Because of its bitter principles and coolant properties, it is very useful in treating gastritis.

16) Processing with milk : To treat many diseases such as gastritis, for aphrodisiac effect, anti ageing effect, Asparagus racemosus is often boiled with milk and administered.

17) Because of its coolant nature and bitter principles, it is useful in blood imbalance disorders and skin conditions such as acne. Because it balances hormones, it is very useful against hormone imbalance induced acne.

18) It is a very good nerve tonic. It is useful in epilepsy, schizophrenia and neurological disorders. Because of its coolant nature, it is very useful in relieving diabetic neuropathy. It is good for both diabetes and nerve irritation causing burning fingers and toes.

19) Almost all herbal lactation promoting medicines in the market contain Shatavari as a very essential ingredient. It also helps in normal involution of uterus and helps to stop bleeding in the mother, in the initial few weeks after delivery. Hence, it is one of the ideal herbs to be used during lactation period.Apart from improving breast milk production, it also adds nutritive value to it, which helps the baby.

20) Shatavari is useful in every stage of a woman’s life. Its roots are useful in menstruation as it helps in relieving abdominal cramps and spasms. It supports ovulation and fertility. It provides uterine strength and post-pregnancy help in lactation. In menopause, it prevents hot flashes and irritability and hence helps women transit easily through the natural phases of life.

21) Being a source of natural phytoestrogen (a chemical which mimics the natural hormones) Shatavari can be effective in reducing menopausal symptoms.

22) In Ayurveda it is considered a female tonic. Inspite of being a rejuvenating herb it is beneficialin female infertility, as it increases libido, curesinflammation of sexual organs and even moistensdry tissues of the sexual organs enhances folliculogenesis and ovulation, prepares the womb for conception, prevents miscarriages, acts as post partum tonic by increasing lactationand normalizing the uterus and the changing hormones. Its use is also advocated in leucorrhoea and menorrhagia.

23) Being an adaptogen(a substance that improves the body’s ability to adapt to stress), Shatavari has further shown to possess anti-depressant activity and thus acts as a useful anti-stress agent. Oxidative stress and overload of free radicals is a common cause of stress and depression. As per research shatavari improved antioxidant defenses, increased antioxidant enzymes and reduced the damage cause by free radicals. Furthermore, shatavari improved the production of chemicals in the brain that have anti-anxiety, anti-stress and anti-depressant effect. The anti-stress properties of shatavari are due to the presence of flavonoids, polyphenols and saponins. They reduce the production of stress hormones and increase the production of hormones or chemicals that makes one feel calm and happy.

Therapeutic uses

Stanyavardhana: Paste is prepared by triturating with milk and taken along with milk.
Rasayana: Ghee prepared from the paste and decoction of taken with the sugar acts as Rasayana.
Swarabheda: Powder of Shatavaritaken with honey and ghee is useful in Swarabheda.

Side effects

Shatavari is coolant in its potency and sweet in taste. Excessive intake above the prescribed dose can slightly increase the Kapha dosha mainly in Kapha prakriti.
No adverse effects have been reported

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