What is Shatavari?
Shatavari is an ayurvedic plant which has various medicinal properties. It is known by various names the scientific name is Asparagus racemusos, it is the member of the asparagus family. Shatavari or asparagus shoots are green in color and look like a spiky stem with tiny leaves on the top. The young shoots of asparagus can be used as a vegetable in your diet. It is an Adaptogenic herb that helps our body copes up with mental and physical health. Since stress affects our body, health professionals say it is helpful and recommend it for our overall health. Shatavari is considered as a health tonic and is a staple in ayurvedic medicine. It is known as the queen of herbs.
History
Shatavari’s origin is from India and is grown throughout the country. It comes from asparagus family and extremely beneficial for women it has been used for over 1000 years as a general tonic for women. Shatavari holds a prominent position in the history of Ayurved. It is chiefly a herb which is meant for treatment or management of problems affection women’s health and also hormonal issues among them. Shatavari means the plant of a hundred roots, “a woman who has one thousand husbands” as it gives women many reserves. Studies claim that it can strengthen women’s reproductive-system and cure various health issues, especially in the woman.
Nutritional benefits
Mentioning below the nutritional value of Shatavari/asparagus racemusos
Shatavari/ asparagus
| Shatavari/ asparagus | |
| Nutritional value per 100grams | |
| Nutrient | Nutrient value |
| Calories | 20000 cal |
| Protein | 2200 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 3380 mg |
| Dietary fibers | 2100 mg |
| Minerals | |
| Iron | 1.14 mg |
| Calcium | 24 mg |
| Manganese | 0.158 mg |
| Zinc | 0.54 g |
Benefits of Shatavari
1. Helps treat fertility issues in women
Shatavari is rich in phytoestrogens, which is responsible for balance in various hormones in a woman’s body. The hormones which regulate our feelings and emotions. It contains steroidal saponins, which regulates and helps in purification of blood and balancing of the hormones, it supports the overall health of women during their menstrual cycles. Also, it helps in reducing the pain and mood swings and also regulates the flow of blood. It helps with fluid retention and also helps with uncomfortable bloating suffered before periods.
Due to the presence of steroidal saponins, it helps during menopausal symptoms like insomnia, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness. These saponins also have anti-oxytocin effects. Oxytocin is the hormone that initiates uterine contractions. By antagonizing this hormone, it actively reduces painful cramps that women face during the time of their periods.
2. Helps to lower down mental stress and anxiety
Stress is a universal issue and affects every one of us at some point in life. It can be anything from work to personal life. Regular intake of Shatavari releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine which are happy hormones and Shatavari helps combat stress and anxiety, which helps in relaxing your mind and also fights depression. A 2009 study has shown that antioxidants in Shatavari have a good amount of anti-depressing ability. They also affect the neurotransmitters in the brain which communicates information to the brain and can help in lowering down depression.
3. Helps in boosting the immune system
It is used in Ayurveda as an immunity booster. The roots of the plant are used as a “Rasayana” for immunostimulation it helps the body fight against the diseases and speeds up recovery time. It contains sapogenin, improves the body’s resistance. It makes the immune cells competitive to fight with diseases and infections reducing the overall infected cells in the body that cause infections.
Moreover, studies show that animals treated with Shatavari are having an increased number of anti-bodies in them helping them fight infections these animals also recover faster than the other animals and improve their overall health of the animal.
4. Shatavari encourages good digestive health
According to Ayurved, Shatavari is a natural digestive supporter. It is used for the treatment of digestive related disorders. It is said that many diseases are due to dietary habits, and it is true that our stomach is the root cause of many health problems. Shatavari is an excellent gut cleaner. It detoxifies the intestine and promotes digestive enzymes like lipase and amylase work better. Lipase is responsible for the digestion of fats while amylase takes part in the digestion of carbohydrates.
Consuming Shatavari in powder form gives relief in gastric infections such as dysentery, vomiting and chest burn. The anti-inflammatory properties of Shatavari help and protects the digestive system from inflammation. When the gut is unable to perform or coordinate muscular activities in the case of intestinal paralysis. Shatavari is used as a cure because it helps reverse the conditions and maintain gut health.
5. Shatavari helps in curing kidney stones
Kidney stones are hard stone-like deposits, which form due to excess of uric acid or calcium in the body. When they pass through your urinary tract, sometimes the size of the stone is so big that it causes excruciating pain in the lower abdomen.
A study in 2005 shows that Shatavari root extract prevented the formation of oxalate stone in rats and also increased the magnesium concentration in their urine, a proper level of magnesium in the body helps prevent forming of crystals that form kidney stones.
It also helps in the treatment of diabetes, as it can protect against kidney failure and controls blood sugar levels and stimulates insulin production in the body if consumed regularly.
Other benefits
- It cures respiratory disorders, infections like cough, cold breathing problems, tonsilitis, etc Shatavari or asparagus in your diet can help in curing that problem, it is also effective for asthma patients.
- Shatavari improves the production of breast milk in lactating moms and it is a natural herb so it does not have any side effects on the baby.
- It has anti-aging properties, the saponins in Shatavari roots reduce the free- radical skin damage that is the reason behind wrinkles. It also helps and prevents collagen breakdown.
- Helps in treating stomach ulcers and sore mouth.
How to use Shatavari
Shatavari comes in the form of powder, liquid extracts or tablets. Mainly taken in powdered form with warm milk or ghee (clarified butter) or honey.
The tablets and capsules are user-friendly and simple to carry and eat. Shatavari is not studied that well by humans and therefore there is no standardized dose for it.
Possible side effects of Shatavari
It is the best herb and is safe for long term use. However, there is no much research on the effects of Shatavari supplements, and therefore the following points can be considered.
- Excess consumption may cause problems, so if you are allergic to asparagus, try and avoid its consumption.
- Shatavari may also lead to weight gain in some people.
- Women who have hormonal-sensitive issues or medical conditions like breast cancer or fibroids should avoid the consumption of Shatavari as it contains estrogen-like compounds, which harm our body.
- Shatavari tablets or powder are easily available with ayurvedic retailers or the well known Patanjali outlets.Also Read: How To Boost Fertility To Get Pregnant
