Shatavari possesses traditional importance in the ‘Hindu’ religion, known as ‘Queen of herbs’ due to its peculiar nature of promoting love and devotion. This powerful herb was first mentioned in Rig Veda and Atharva Veda. Shatavari herb is used as a powerful aphrodisiac (Vaajikarana) and tonic (Rasayana) for thousands of years in India.

The word ‘Shatavari’ comprises two Sanskrit words which precisely mean “she who has hundreds (Shat) of partners or husbands (var)” however in therapeutic benefits it is perceived as “she who has the potential to cure hundreds of diseases” or “she who has one hundred roots”.

In Ayurveda, Shatavari herb is perceived as a female tonic since it is a rejuvenating herb. It plays a crucial role in the physiological events of women’s life. From female infertility to pregnancy and from menarche to menopause Shatavari benefits are astounding of which managing the reproductive health of women is major.

Other Names for Shatavari

The scientific name of Shatavari is Asparagus Racemosus (Asparagaceae family). It is also called as Asparagus, Wild Asparagus, Asparagus Root, Shatavar, Shatamuli, Shatavarmul, Shatavali, Kilwari, Shatapadi, Satamuli, Satavari.

Benefits of Shatavari 

• Anti-inflammatory (reduces edema)
• Antioxidant (help in fighting against free-radicals).
• Anti-anxiety effects (balances hormones)
• Anti-tubercular
• Anti-epileptic
• Boosts Immune System
• Facilitates treatment of diarrhea
• Cough relief
• Helps in the treatment of ulcers (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, etc)
• Helps in the treatment of kidney stones by preventing the formation of oxalate stones
• Recommended for patients having blood sugar as it lowers blood sugar levels.

Uses of Shatavari

• It is traditionally used for Premenstrual syndrome and sexual illness.
• It helps in strengthening the female reproductive system and thereby resolves infertility related problems.
• Intake of Shatavari powder improves the production of breast milk in lactating women.
• Shatavari is very effective in preventing gas formation in the alimentary canal which further reduces the abdominal distension.
• It is traditionally used in the treatment of arthritis, diarrhea, edema, chronic and common fevers.
• Shatavari has shown its potency in the long-term treatment of diabetes, cough, and abdominal ulcers.
• It helps in the relaxation of cardiac systems and this is necessary for patients suffering from arrhythmias and palpitations.
• It helps to decrease cholesterol levels in the blood and reduces lipid accumulation, which prevents the chances of heart attacks.
• Since it is rich in natural dietary fibers, it helps in preventing obesity by reducing overeating.

Recommended dosage for Shatavari

The ayurvedic dosage of Shatavari varies according to its variant, age, severity of patients. Different forms of Shatavari products

Forms/ Products	Preparation	Dosages/ Day
Churna/ Powder	The Churna can be taken with honey or milk or lukewarm water.	¼-½ teaspoon twice
Syrup/ Arishta	It is in decoction form of Churna with some additives.	1-2 teaspoon
Tablet/ Capsule/ Vati	It can be taken with milk or water after meal.	1-2 Vati twice
Juice/ Kashayam	It is taken by adding the same quantity of water and take it up with an empty stomach.	2-3 teaspoons
Paste/ Avaleha	It can be taken with water.	¼-½ teaspoon

Precautions while using Shatavari

• Shatavari has a diuretic effect. Hence, you shouldn’t use it if you are already consuming any herb or medicine with diuretic properties.
• Shatavari helps lowering blood sugar so avoid this herb if you have low blood sugar or you consume any other drug or herb with similar properties.
• If you are allergic to Asparagus or any of its chemical constituents, do not consume it. It may induce allergic reactions like rash, itching, tachycardia, red eyes, breathing difficulty, etc.

FAQs

How long does Shatavari take to work?

Our body’s discomfort or diseased state is mostly because of the imbalanced doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). It depends on how much provoked these doshas of your body are to determine its therapeutic output duration. 

How to take Shatavari Powder?

You can consume Shatavari Churna or Shatavari powder with cow milk, honey, or warm water.

1: Shatavari for breast milk, weight gain, pregnancy, or hormonal imbalance control

Cow milk + Cow ghee + Shatavari Powder/ Shatavari Kalpa

2: Shatavari for weight management, energy gain, or menstrual discomfort

Shatavari Powder + lukewarm water

Can we take Shatavari with water?

Yes. You can take Shatavari powder with warm water. It will help you in maintaining low body weight.

Is Shatavari good for weight Gain?

Shatavri Churna for weight gain works wonders. It has some chemicals in its composition which stimulate the hunger receptors in the body while augmenting muscle strength. It is considered to be a natural and efficient method for weight gain.

How to take Ashwagandha and Shatavari for weight gain?

Ashwagandha commonly referred to as Indian ginseng is an efficient natural testosterone booster. Promoting natural testosterone in our body helps us to gain a healthy weight without excess fat deposition.

Whereas Shatavari due to its Balya properties helps gain weight and build great strength while removing the toxic substances and water weight from the body.

Since they share common effects, their combination is quite unique and impressive for weight gain.

You can make a paste of Shatavari seeds with honey and consume 1 teaspoon of Shatavari powder. It will efficiently improve your appetite and help you gain a healthy weight.

How to use Ashwagandha and Shatavari Safed Musli?

You can consume a perfect blend of Safed (White) Musli, 1 teaspoon of Shatavari, and Ashwagandha with a glass of milk daily. It works wonderfully in boosting sexual power by building more testosterone in the body and helps in weight gain.

How to make Shatavari Kalpa?

Shatavari Kalpa can be prepared with Shatavari root and sugar. Sugar used in this preparation is 5 times the quantity of Shatavari.

What are the health benefits of Shatavari Kalpa?

Shatavari Kalpa is an efficient weight gaining preparation of Shatavari herb. It effortlessly increases memory retention and intellect; strengthens and boosts the testosterone levels in the body.

Is Shatavari safe?

Shatavari herb is an incredibly safe supplement for our body. Other than mild side effects like headache or nausea etc. on its over-dosage there are no notice-worthy aftereffects.

Is Shatavari estrogenic?

Yes, Shatavari is estrogenic. Though much weaker than the estrogen produced by our body, these phytoestrogens induce an anti-estrogenic effect in the female body by competing with estrogens for estrogen receptors.

Can I take Shatavari during periods?

Yes, you can take Shatavari during your periods. Moreover, it has miraculous effects in dysmenorrhea (Painful periods) treatment since it contains saponins that hamper the oxytocic activity on uterine muscles to suppress unnecessary painful contractions without evident pelvic pathology.

Can Shatavari be taken during Pregnancy?

Shatavari in pregnancy is more than safe due to its extraordinary benefits. They are:

Anti-abortifacient effect: The medicinal Shatavari preparations like Shatavari Sidha Ghrita (Ghee cooked with Shatavari root powder) or Shatavari Kalpa are clinically recommended in threatened abortion in Ayurvedic practice.

Antenatal Care: In classical Ayurvedic texts, Aacharya Charaka, Sushruta, and Kashyapa recommend Shatavari herb for the objective of antenatal care to help the baby grow in strength with a nicely proportioned body and complexion basically referring to it as a ‘super baby’.

Care of Pregnant lady: Shatavari herb in Ayurveda is highly regarded due to its Balya (strength promoter), Jeevaniya (erythropoietic), and Medhya (mental fitness) qualities. It strengthens the body of pregnant women. It fights pre-eclampsia in pregnant women and also reduces the chances of perinatal deaths.

What are the benefits of Shatavari Powder for Breast Milk?

Shatavari has been used as a galactagogue for hundreds of years. It was recommended by ancient Ayurvedic practitioners for women with reduced breast milk and is still in a healthy trend even in the modern era.

What are the benefits of Shatavari Powder in menopause?

Most of the menopausal discomfort or problems like palpitations, hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety, insomnia, and atrophy of cervix, etc. are associated with aggravated estrogen levels.

The chemical entities possessing the same nature as that of phytoestrogens in Shatavari herb occupy some of the estrogen receptors giving the body an anti-estrogenic effect.

How much Shatavari to take for menopause?

Body physiology varies from person to person. You must consult your physician regarding the dosage for menopause symptoms.