Shatavari Root

Also known as

Asparagus racemosus, Catavari, Satavari, Shaqaqule Hindi, Songga Langit.

Introduction 

Shatavari is a traditional Ayurvedic antispasmodic; an aphrodisiac, demulcent, digestive, diuretic, galactogogue, and is often used for infertility and for women's health.

Constituents 

Steroidal saponins & glycosides (shatavarin, sarasapogenin, diosgenin), isoflavones, mucilage, alkaloids, asparagamine, sistosterol.

Parts Used 

The root, rhizomes and stem.

Typical Preparations 

As an infusion or a tincture. The fresh root is often candied or made into preserves to give it a sugary sweet flavor.

Summary 

Shatavari is highly regarded as an herb for women's health, and it is the most important herb in Ayurvedic medicine for problems connected to women's fertility. The name Shatavari is from an Indian word meaning "a woman who has a hundred husbands". It is used as a menstrual regulator, to help prevent miscarriage, for menopausal symptoms with hot flushes, irritability, irregular memory and dryness, for lactation, loss of libido, infertility, as an aphrodisiac, and for the female reproductive organs. Shatavari is also used as a tonic for circulatory, digestive, and respiratory organs, ulcers, bronchial infections, diarrhea, rheumatism, diabetes, bleeding ulcers, gastritis, Crohn's disease, dysentery with bleeding, dry cough, sore throat, inflammation in the lungs due to dryness and heat, male fertility and impotence, building body mass and muscle tissue, nourishing the blood, the immune system, calming the nerves, and insomnia. Externally it is used to treat stiffness in the joints.

Precautions