Asparagus racemosus (Satavar, Shatavari, or Shatamull) is a species of asparagus common throughout Sri Lanka, India and the Himalayas. It grows one to two metres tall and prefers to take root in gravelly, rocky soils high up in piedmont plains, at 1,300–1,400 metres elevation).It was botanically described in 1799. Due to its multiple uses, the demand for Asparagus racemosus is constantly on the rise. Due to destructive harvesting, combined with habitat destruction, and deforestation, the plant is now considered ‘endangered’ in its natural habitat.

Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) is recommended in Ayurvedic texts for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsia and as a galactogogue. A. racemosus has also been used successfully by some Ayurvedic practitioners for nervous disorders.

Shatawari has different names in the different Indian languages, such as Shatuli, Vrishya and other terms. In Nepal it is called Kurilo. The name Shatawari means “curer of a hundred diseases” (shat: “hundred”; vari: “curer”).

Shatavari is mentioned under six important rasayanas in ayurveda. Rasayanas are those plant drugs which promote general well being of an individual by increasing cellular vitality or resistance. This bitter sweet herb is especially used in Ayurveda to correct Pitta dosha imbalance.

Shatavari: This powerful herb strengthens the female organs, enhancing fertility and sexual vitality. Works on the reproductive, respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. Excellent herb to cool Pitta and to bring moisture and lustre to the skin, while nourishing the cells and tissues. Shatavari soothes and protects the dry and inflamed membranes of the lungs, stomach, kidneys and sexual organs. Found in our Pitta spicebodhi herbal body bar and our spicebodhimama massage oil.

Asparagamine A, a polycyclic alkaloid with antitumor activity against a variety of cell lines was isolated from the dried roots and subsequently synthesized to allow for the construction of analogs.

Two new steroidal saponins, shatavaroside A and shatavaroside B together with a known saponin, filiasparoside C, were isolated from the roots of Asparagus racemosus.

Five steroidal saponins, shatavarins VI-X, together with five known saponins, shatavarin I (or asparoside B), shatavarin IV (or asparinin B), shatavarin V, immunoside and schidigerasaponin D5 (or asparanin A), have been isolated from the roots of Asparagus racemosus.

Isoflavone, 8-methoxy-5,6,4′-trihydroxyisoflavone 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

Asparagus racemosus is an important medicinal plant of tropical and subtropical India. Its medicinal usage has been reported in the Indian and British Pharmacopoeias and in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. It is mainly known for its phytoestrogenic properties. In Ayurveda, Asparagus racemosus has been described as a rasayana herb and has been used extensively as an adaptogen to increase the non-specific resistance of organisms against a variety of stresses. Besides use in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery, the plant also has antioxidant, immunostimulant, anti-dyspepsia and antitussive effects.”

The roots are used in Ayurvedic medicine, following a regimen of processing and drying. It is generally used as a uterine tonic, as agalactogogue (to improve breast milk), in hyperacidity, and as a general health tonic.

The reputed adaptogenic effects of Shatavari may be attributed to its concentrations of saponins,known as Shatavarins.

conclusion

Shatavari or Asparagus racemosus is a popular herb aptly called the “Female Health Formula”. Asparagus racemosus is the most commonly used Asparagus species in ayurveda and indigenous medicine in India. The plant is called shatawar in Hindi and in Sanskrit this plant is called shatavari which means ‘able to have one hundred husbands’. In Ayurveda this amazing herb is known as the “queen of herbs” because it promotes love and positive emotions and is very useful in strengthening the reproductive system of women. It is also a very important herb for women’s overall health and vitality
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