Shatavari or Asparagus is an Ayurveda herb that helps women to healthy and fit. Shatavari plays an important role in maintaining the periods and equalising hormones in the female body.It’s also an adaptogenic herb. Adaptogenic herbs are said to help your body cope with physical and emotional stress. Shatavari is considered a general health tonic to improve vitality, making it a staple in Ayurveda medicine.This article discusses how the herb, Shatavari helps women in keep themselves healthy and fit.

Shatavari derives its name due to the presence of numerous roots or tubers in a single plant. In Sanskrit Shatam means hundred and Vari means root. hence Shatavari means a plant with hundreds of roots. Shatavari is known as the Queen of the Herbs for female health and libido. It has been used for 1000s of years as a general female tonic and hormone balancer. Holding a prominent position in the ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda, its texts claim that it can strengthen a woman to the point where she is capable of supporting 1,000 husbands

Supporting women through every stage of their lives, Shatavaris main constituents are steroidal saponins that suggest its use as an oestrogen regulator. This modulation helps to regulate menstrual cycles, manage PMS symptoms, alleviate menstrual cramps and control the amount of blood lost. Shatavari greatly helps with fluid retention and may also be helpful with the uncomfortable bloating often suffered before a period.

This versatile herb can be very helpful to women who have fertility issues due to stress or immune-mediated problems, with Shatavari supporting proper immunological function. It supports the mucous membranes as it contains mucilage, this lines and protects the membranes of the cervix which is helpful for women with low cervical mucous. Adequate cervical mucous allows sperm to swim freely through the cervix.

The saponins contained in Shatavari have been shown to have an anti-oxytocin effect which in turn may help uterine contractions subside - protecting against threatened miscarriage. Consultation with an Ayurvedic or Naturopathic Practitioner is advised before using Shatavari for this condition.

Due to its oily, heavy nature, Shatavari nourishes the female reproductive system from within to relieve menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness, hot flashes and insomnia. This phytoestrogen-rich herb naturally helps to balance the hormones responsible for many of the more unpleasant symptoms associated with this change in life. Shatavari also stimulates and balances the production of happy hormones; endorphins, serotonin and dopamine - meaning it can greatly reduce mood swings, irritability and menopause induced depression. You can also purchase pure Shatavari Capsules HERE

Shatavari works as an aphrodisiac for women by bringing all the symptoms of womens sexual health, through all the changes of a womans life, into balance. Research shows that Shatavari increases blood flow to the female genital area, enhancing sexual sensation, sensitivity and increasing vaginal lubrication. It is known to have a hormone balancing effect, making it useful for women who experience loss of libido as a side effect of the menopause.

In men studies show it to be an excellent aphrodisiac when combined with Ashwagandha. It promotes the size, strength and stiffness of the penis and can treat impotence and sexual debilitation. It has also been shown to increase spermatogenesis in men, providing higher sperm counts and a larger percentage of healthy sperm.

Research has found that Shatavari is an excellent herb for cleansing the gut. It improves digestion by increasing the activity of digestive enzymes lipase and amylase. Lipase aids fat digestion whereas amylase helps with the digestion of carbohydrates. In addition to this, Shatavari promotes gastric emptying and normalises the motility of intestines. Intestinal motility disorders are abnormal intestinal contractions, such as spasms and intestinal paralysis. Abnormal intestinal motility describes a variety of disorders in which the gut has lost its ability to coordinate muscular activity because of internal or external causes. Shatavari can also help with the treatment and management of gastric ulcers.

Studies show that Shatavari plays a very important role in stimulating immune cells. This is thought to be due to steroidal plant compound contained within the root sapogenin, a potent immune stimulator. It enhances the body’s resistance during normal and immune-suppressed conditions, helping to boost immunity during immune-suppressed conditions and aiding in recovery the immune system itself. Sapogenins also stimulate the cells that fight infection, reducing the overall population of infection-causing cells.

Antioxidants help prevent free-radical cell damage. They also battle oxidative stress, which causes disease. Shatavari is high in saponins. Saponins are compounds with antioxidant abilities.

According to a 2004 study, a new antioxidant called racemofuran was identified within shatavari root. Two known antioxidants — asparagamine A and racemosol — were also found.

Racemofuran, which is found in shatavari, also has significant anti-inflammatory capabilities. According to the book Medicinal Cookery: How You Can Benefit from Nature’s Pharmacy, racemofuran acts similarly in the body as prescription anti-inflammatory drugs known as COX-2 inhibitors. These types of drugs are thought to reduce inflammation without serious digestive side effects.

  

According to a 2000 study on mice, shatavari root juice is a natural cough remedy in West Bengal, India. Researchers evaluated its cough-relieving abilities in coughing mice. They found shatavari root extract stopped cough as well as the prescription cough medicine codeine phosphate. More studies are needed to determine how shatavari works to relive coughs.

Shatavari is used as a folk remedy for diarrhea. Diarrhea may cause serious problems, such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

According to a 2005 study, shatavari helped stop castor oil–induced diarrhea in rats. More study is needed to see if shatavari has comparable results in humans.

Diuretics help your body get rid of excess fluid. They’re often prescribed for people who have congestive heart failure to remove excess fluid from around the heart. Prescription diuretics may cause serious side effects.

According to a 2010 study on rats, shatavari is used as a diuretic in ayurveda. The study found that 3,200 milligrams of shatavari had diuretic activity without causing acute side effects. More study is needed on humans before shatavari can be safely recommended as a diuretic.

Ulcers are sores in your stomach, small intestine, or esophagus. They may be very painful. They can cause serious complications, such as bleeding or perforation.

According to a 2005 study on rats, shatavari was as effective at treating medication-induced gastric ulcers as ranitidine (Zantac). Ranitidine is a drug commonly prescribed to treat ulcers. Shatavari was less effective against stress-induced ulcers.

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in your kidneys. As they pass through your urinary tract, they may cause excruciating pain.

Most kidney stones are made of oxalates. Oxalates are compounds found in some foods, such as spinach, beets, and french fries.

In a 2005 study, shatavari root extract helped prevent the formation of oxalate stones in rats. It also increased magnesium concentration in the urine. Proper levels of magnesium in the body are thought to help prevent the development of crystals in the urine that form kidney stones.

Possible side effects and risks

According to 2003 research, ayurvedic medicine considers shatavari “absolutely safe for long term use, even during pregnancy and lactation.” Still, there’s not much scientific research on the side effects of shatavari supplementation. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t use it until more studies are done and it’s proven safe.

There are still more health benefits for this wonder herb which cannot be explained in a single article. However if you are interested to know more about this herb and how to use it personally, you can contact our Ayurveda experts at mail@ayushvedah.com . Our experts will personalise the mode of usage and will prescibe the dosage so that you can get the complete effect from this herb