Shatavari: The natural friend of endocrine system

 

   Shatavari is a tall climbing under shrub found all over India. It is widely known as Asparagus. According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Shatavari have excellent Rasayana guna (Rejuvenation property ) and is used as an ingredient in many of the Rasayana oushadhi. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Shatavari as a Galactagogue (increases breast milk production ) and as a rejuvenation agent. The plant contains constituents like Shatavarin, Sarsapogenin etc. The controlled usage of Shatavari can enhance memory capacity and improves intellect. Shatavari is a general herb of choice to balance the hormone actions. 

Botanical name : Asparagus racemosus Will  

Family :  Liliaceae

Habitat: Found through out India

PARTS USED

• Roots 

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda

Charaka Samhita – Balya varga (Promotes strength)

Susruta Samhita – Vidarigandhadi gana

Pharmacological action

• Galactagogue 
• Rejuvenation
• Diuretic 
• Tonic  

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Rasayana (Rejuvenation property)
• Medhya ( promotes intellect )
• Balya (Promotes strength)
• Vrishya (Aphrodisiac )
• Sthanyavardhaka (Galactagogue )

Therapeutic indication

• Galactagogue (Sthanyavardhaka ) – Paste of Shatavari prepared by stirring with milk is taken along with one glass of milk and it can act as Galactagogue.  
• Rejuvenation (Rasayana) – Ghee prepared from Shatavari (Shatavari ghrtha) is taken on daily basis and can act as a rejuvenation agent.
• Hoarseness of voice (Swarabheda)- Powder of Shatavari along with honey and ghee is useful in controlling Hoarseness of voice

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 5 g

Decoction (Kashaya)- 90 ml

Juice (Swarasa)- 10-20 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations

• Shatavari ghrtha
• Shatavari taila
• Shatavari kwatha
• Shatavari guda

Morphology :

       A tall climbing under shrub with aerial and green stem. The roots are adventitious and leaves are scale like. Inflorescence is raceme. Flowers are pedicellate. Fruits are berry type.

Vernacular names of Shatavari

English – Wild Asparagus 

Hindi- Shakakul

Malayalam – Shatavari 

Synonyms of Shatavari

• Satapadi
• Bahusuda
• Sukshmapatra
• Vari

RASAPANCHAKA – SHATAVARI 

Rasa- Madhura (Sweet) Tikta (bitter) 

Guna-  Guru (Heavy)

Vipaka- Madhura (sweet)

Virya- Sita (cold)

  Shatavari alleviates Vata dosha due to sweet taste and decreases Pitta dosha due to the cold potency. The plant is also found to have excellent memory enhancing actions. It is widely used in balancing of female healthy as it supports the dynamics of female system. Similar to Yashtimadhu (Glycirrhiza glabra) Shatavari also is highly beneficial in improving the voice quality.Dr. Varun Ram Raj, is leading the research for Ayurvedatarian single herbs and herbal combinations for making the availability of high quality herbal as well as Ayurvedic products to the globe including Shatavari. 

Researches on Shatavari

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3869575/

2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258448671_Asparagus_racemosus_Shatavari_A_Versatile_Female_Tonic

Frequently asked Questions

1) Is Shatavari good for increasing Breast milk production ?

   Yes, According to Ayurveda, Shatavari is used as a Sthanyavardhaka oushadha (Galactogogue ). Paste of Shatavari can be taken along with milk to increase breast milk production. Always take this herb after consulting an Ayurveda doctor.

2) What are the uses of Shatavari guda?

 Shatavari guda is used mainly in Bleeding disorders(Raktapitta) and in PCOD. Always take this herb after consulting an Ayurveda doctor.

3) What is course duration of intake of Shatavari herb?

   The course duration of intake of Shatavari herb depends upon the health condition of an individual. The dosage and duration is finalised after proper Ayurveda consultation.