Shatavari | Indian asparagus | All the Health Benefits
October 23, 2021
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), also called satavar or Indian asparagus, is a medicinal plant native to India that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is a member of the asparagus family, and the roots of the plant are used medicinally. Shatavari is said to promote fertility and have a range of health benefits, particularly for the female reproductive system.
It is also a potent adaptogenic herb, which means that it may help to regulate the body’s systems and improve resistance to stress. Keep reading to learn more about the other health benefits of Shatavari.
What Is Shatavari Used For?
Of all the herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, shatavari is the most renowned for women’s health issues. Shatavari is used for reproductive and hormonal issues, as well as for reducing stress and boosting immunity.
Shatavari contains biochemicals with estrogen-mimicking properties known as phytoestrogens. These biochemical compounds are important during menopause, a time when female-estrogen levels decline. Phytoestrogens can supply needed hormones to relieve hot flashes, weight gain, and other common menopausal symptoms.
We use shatavari as one of the primary ingredients in our Happy Hormones Tonic, a unique herbal formula for women that helps to regulate hormones and supports endocrine system health.
What are the Health Benefits of Shatavari?
Shatavari is exceptionally high in antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds. As a result, it offers many powerful health benefits.
Shatavari is Used for Women’s Hormonal Health
Shatavari is perhaps most widely known for its benefits on women’s hormonal health, specifically reproductive disorders. Shatavari has been used for may women’s health issues for thousands of years in Ayurveda—India’s ancient system of medicine. Now, scientific research is verifying the ancient uses of this plant.
A review of studies published in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy in 2018 suggests that shatavari root may improve conditions such as hormonal imbalances and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Recent research on shatavari also suggests that it may reduce the symptoms of menopause. One study tested the effects of shatavari on menopausal symptoms in over 100 women and found that after 12 weeks, women taking shatavari reported a reduction in hot flashes and night sweats.
Shatavari is Used for Enhancing Milk Production
Shatavari is also commonly used as a galactagogue—a substance that boosts milk production during breast-feeding. Studies have found that supplementing with shatavari helps to boost milk supply. However, more scientific research is needed to verify shatavari’s use for enhancing milk production in breast-feeding women. More research is also needed to verify shatavari’s safety during pregnancy.
Please note, we do not recommend our Happy Hormones Tonic while breastfeeding.
Shatavari is High in Antioxidants
Shatavari is naturally high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are oxygen-containing molecules with an uneven number of electrons. The uneven number allows them to easily react with other molecules, causing large chain chemical reactions in your body. These reactions are called oxidation and can either be beneficial or harmful.
Oxidation is a normal and necessary process that takes place in your body. However, oxidative stress occurs when there’s an imbalance between free radical activity and antioxidant activity. This can result in damaged cells and ultimately ill health. Antioxidants can donate an electron to a free radical without making themselves unstable. This causes the free radical to stabilize and become less reactive.
As oxidation is a process that is constantly occurring due to numerous chemical reactions in the body, antioxidants must also regularly work to keep free radicals in balance. When there is an imbalance between free radical activity and antioxidant activity it leads to oxidative stress. When there are more free radicals present than can be kept in balance by antioxidants, the free radicals can start doing damage to fatty tissue, DNA, and proteins in your body. Proteins, lipids, and DNA make up a large part of your body, so that damage can lead to a vast number of diseases over time.
It is very important to include antioxidant-rich foods and herbs in your diet to improve health and longevity. Shatavari is naturally high in antioxidants, particularly a group of antioxidants called saponins. Shatavari actually contains a unique antioxidant called racemofuran, as well as two other known antioxidants—asparagamine A and racemosol.
Shatavari is Used for Immune System Health
Shatavari is often used in Ayurveda as an immunity booster. Studies on animals treated with shatavari root extract show increased antibodies to a strain of whooping cough when compared to untreated animals. The treated animals also recovered faster and had improved health overall. This suggested an improved immune response. Shatavari also has antiviral properties and could be used to treat or prevent viral infections.
Shatavari is Used as an Adaptogen
Shatavari also has adaptogenic properties. Adaptogens are a select group of herbs that support the body’s natural ability to deal with stress. They are called adaptogens because these herbs aid our bodies in adapting and responding to, or recovering from, both short-term and long-term physical or mental stress.
Adaptogens work at a molecular level by regulating a stable balance in the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands—all of which are involved in the stress response. Essentially, they work by “hacking” the stress response in the body.
When we face a stressor, whether physical or mental, our bodies go through what is called general adaptation syndrome (GAS). GAS is a three-stage response: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion. Adaptogens help us stay in the resistance phase longer, via a stimulating effect that holds off the exhaustion. Instead of crashing in the midst of a stressful moment, task, or event, we attain equilibrium and can move through it.
Shatavari’s adaptogenic properties make it useful for combating stress and also helping to enhance overall health and well-being.
Shatavari is Used for Treating Kidney Stones
Kidney stones are hard deposits that form inside your kidneys. As kidney stones pass through your urinary tract, they can cause you excruciating pain. Most kidney stones are composed of oxalates—compounds found in certain foods, such as spinach, beets, and french fries. Shatavari root extract has been shown in animal studies to help prevent the formation of oxalate stones. Shatavari also increased magnesium concentration in the urine. Proper levels of magnesium in the body help prevent the development of crystals in the urine that form kidney stones.
However, more research is still needed on this use. There are, however, many other herbs that are widely known for their ability to remove kidney stones and improve overall kidney health.
Shatavari May Be Anti-Aging
Shatavari may have powerful anti-aging properties. The saponins in shatavari root have the potential to reduce the free-radical skin damage that leads to wrinkles. Shatavari also helps prevent the breakdown of collagen, which is important as collagen helps maintain your skin’s elasticity. Not to mention, the high levels of various antioxidants in shatavari contribute to eliminating free radicals throughout the body, which is a major factor in long-term health and wellness.
What are the Active Compounds in Shatavari?
The medicinal properties of plants are attributed to the bioactive compounds found within them. The key pharmacologic constituents of shatavari root that are considered to be responsible for its numerous health benefits are steroidal saponins, mucilage, and alkaloids.
Is Shatavari Safe?
Shatavari root has been used safely for women’s health, boosting immunity, and overcoming depression for thousands of years. Scientific research today also considers it to be safe for most people. Studies have not found any adverse effects from using shatavari root, but it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before trying anything new. Additionally, there is not enough research to verify it’s safety for pregnant women, but it has long been used safely for women that are breast-feeding.
Summary
Shatavari is a medicinal plant native to India that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is a member of the asparagus family, and the roots of the plant are used medicinally. Shatavari is said to promote fertility and have a range of health benefits, particularly for the female reproductive system.
Shatavari contains biochemicals with estrogen-mimicking properties known as phytoestrogens. These biochemical compounds are important during menopause, a time when female-estrogen levels decline. Phytoestrogens can supply needed hormones to relieve hot flashes, weight gain, and other common menopausal symptoms.
We use shatavari as one of the primary ingredients in our Happy Hormones Tonic, a unique herbal formula for women that helps to regulate hormones and supports endocrine system health.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4027291/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15478181/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15946596/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16387694/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16357948/
True Health Starts with Feeding the Body
