Shatavari/Asparagus - Health benefits, application, chemical constituents, side effects and many more

 

 Shatavari/Asparagus 


Shatavari means “who possesses a hundred husbands or acceptable to many”. It is considered both a general tonic and a female reproductive tonic. Shatavari may be translated as “100 spouses”, implying its ability to increase fertility and vitality. In Ayurveda, this amazing herb is known as the “Queen of herbs”, because it promotes love and devotion. Shatavari is the main Ayurvedic rejuvenative tonic for the female, as is Withania for the male.

It shows antiulcer, antioxidant, antiinflammatory galactogauge, adaptogen, antitusive, antidiarrhoeal, antidiabetic and immunomodulatory properties.

               Click here to explore more about Antioxidant and Free radicals


It has different names in different languages such as Hindi Name(shatavari),  Marathi & Gujrathi Name(Satavari),  English Name(buttermilk root, climbing asparagus, wild asparagus),  kannada name(Maj...........................read more



Varieties 

There are two varieties of Shatavari, with similar medicinal properties and uses.

  • Satavari – Asparagus racemosus
  • Maha Satavari  – Asparagus sarmentosus Linn



Chemical constituents

Steroidal saponins are thought to be the principal bioactive constituents of shatavari root. These saponins are known as shatavarins I–IV, and they are glycosides of sarsasapogenin. Shatavari root also contains other chemical constituents of note, including racemosides, racemosol, racemofuran and asparagamine A, all of which display antioxidant activity.

Flowers and mature fruits contain quercetin, rutin (2.5% dry basis), and hyperoside, and the leaves contain diosgenin and quercetin-3-glucuronide. A. racemosus roots mainly contain 4 saponins, for example, shatavarin I–IV, the glycosides of sarsasapogenin.

The powdered roots contain 2.95% protein, 5.44% saponins, 52.89% carbohydrate, 17.93% crude fiber, 4.18% inorganic matter, and 5% oil. The root of Asparagus officinalis is more diuretic than its shoot, and the root is recommended in dropsy and is a powerful cardiac sedative.

The major bioactive constituents of Asparagus are a group of steroidal saponins. This plant also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, Mg, P, Ca, Fe, and folic acid. Other primary chemical constituents of Asparagus are essential oils, asparagine, arginine, tyrosine, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercet..........................read more



Properties and Benefits 

  • Rasa (Taste)- Madhura (sweet), Tikta (Bitter)
  • Guna (Qualities) – Guru (Heaviness), Snigdha (Oily, unctuous)
  • Taste conversation after digestion – Madhura(sweet)  
  • Veerya (Potency) – Sheetala (Cold)
  • Effect on Tridosha: Balances Vata and Pitta
  •                 Click here to explore more information about Tridosha (vata-Kapha-Pitta)
  • Vrushya – Aphrodisiac
  • Kshayajit – Useful in chronic respiratory disorders, tuberculosis
  • Asrajit – Useful in blood disorders, Ayushya, Vaya Sthapani
  • Rasayanavara – A very good anti ageing medicine
  • Shukrala – Improves sperm and semen quantity and quality
  • Stanyada – Improves breast milk production
  • Medhya – Improves intelligence
  • Pushtida – Nutritious, improves nourishment
  • Chakshushya – Improves vision, good for eyes, useful in eye disorders
  • Pittasrahara – Useful in bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, Menorrhagia, rectal bleeding etc.
  • Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heartMedhya
  • Agnivardhini – Increases digestion strength
  • Balavardhini – Improves strength and immunity
  • Grahani hara – useful in IBS, sprue, altering diarrhoea and constipation
  • Rasayani – anti ageing, causes cell and tissue rejuvenation
  • Arshohara – useful in piles, haemorrhoids
  • Akshirogahara, Nayanamaya hara – Useful in eye disordersBalada – improves strength and immunity
  • Gulmajit – Useful in abdominal tumours
  • Atisarajit – Relieves diarrhoea
  • Shophajit – Reduces swelling, anti inflammatory
  • Retodoshahara – Imp...........................read more



Uses, Remedies, Benefits and Application

1) 1 or 2 fresh / dry roots of asparagus is added to a cup of milk and it is cooked for 5 – 10 minutes. Filtered. It is given to the new mothers, early in the morning to improve breast milk production. Even in cattle, this practice is found where the veterinary doctors advice to administer raw Shatavari to the cattle.

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2) 3-5 gram of root powder of Shatavari is administered along with powdered sugar candy/jaggery/Mishri, twice a day. This relieves work exhaustion, numbness, neuritis, fatigue, lethargy, loss of libido etc.

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3) Root powder with honey in recurrent urinary tract infections:5 gram of the powder of Shatavari if consumed regularly during night time for recurrent UTI, spermaturia, haematuria and backache are cured successfully.

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4) In Ayurveda, shatavari has been treated as one of the important herbal Medicines, commonly prescribed to nourish ovary, promote production of reproductive hormones and maintain libido of women. Shatavari is mentioned under six important rasayanas. Rasayanas are herbal medicines, which promote general well being of an individual by increasing cellular vitality and immunity. Shatavari is used to correct pitta and vata dosha of patients.


5) This herb is highly effective in problems related with female reproductive system.


6) Shatavari is one of the well known drugs in Ayurveda, effective in treating madhur rasam, madhur vipakam, seet-veeryam, som rogam, chronic fever and internal heat.


7) Shatavari has  also  been successfully  used  by  several Ayurvedic practitioners  for  Nervine  disorders,  Acid  peptic diseases,  certain  infectious  diseases  and  asa  immunomodulant.  Main  use  of  this  drug  is  in female  disorders  specially  asa  galactagogue and  several  menstrual  disorders.  


8) Equal quantity of Shatavari and Pippali powder is taken and mixed well. This is taken in a dose of 3-5 gram during night or early in the morning along with Banana juice/ Banana milkshake. Good weight gain is observed if this is carried for 30-40 days.

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9) Shatavari is rich in active constituents such as steroidal glycosides, saponins, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids (racemosol) and vitamins.


10) Applying Shatavari powder paste along with milk or honey on the skin helps to get rid of wrinkles. It can also help promote wound healing when applied along with coconut oil.


11) Fine powder of equal quantity of Shatavari, Ashwagandha and Kapikacchu are taken and mixed together. This is taken in the dose of 3-5 grams of else this is cooked with a cup of milk for 5 minutes, filtered and consumed.This promotes sexual libido and increases the sperm count too.

             Click here to explore more about Ashwagandha


12) Fresh asparagus is cut into small pieces and soaked in water or else the 5-10 gram powder is added to  300 ml water and kept for a while. This is macerated and filtered.This is given to the individuals, suffering from burning urination and bleeding from urethra. 


13) The drug has ulcer healing effect probably via strenthening the mucosal resistance or cytoprotection. It has also been iden...........................read more



Therapeutic uses

  • Stanyavardhana: Paste is prepared by triturating with milk and taken along with milk.
  • Rasayana: Ghee prepared from the paste and decoction of taken with the sugar acts as Rasa...........................read more  


Side effects 

  • Shatavari is coolant in its potency and sweet in taste. Excessive intake above the prescribed dose can slightly increase the Kapha dosha mainly in Kap...........................read more  




Refrence :

  1. Charaka Samhita
  2. Sushruta Samhita 
  3. Asian Pac J Trop Dis. 2013 Jun; 3(3): 242–251. PMCID: PMC4027291
  4. J Food Sci Technol. 2015 Feb; 52(2): 1176–1181.  PMCID: PMC4325056
  5. Nutrients. 2021 Dec; 13(12): 4282.  PMCID: PMC8708006
  6. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2015 Jul-Dec; 6(2): 415–420.  PMCID: PMC4518422
  7. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND CHEMICAL.  Vol. 1. Jul-Sep 2012.
  8. Bhojana Kutuhalam
  9. Bhavparakash Nighantu 
  10. Dhanvanthari Nighantu
  11. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010 Jul-Dec; 4(8): 215–220.  PMCID: PMC3249924
  12. International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archives 2011; 2(3):855-863
  13. IJAPR | July 2019 | Vol 7 | Issue 7
  14. International Journal of Research and Review.  Vol.8; Issue: 5; May 2021
  15. Sharangdhara Samhita
  16. Ashtang Hridyam 
  17. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). Volume 8 Issue 7, July 2019. ISSN: 2319-7064
  18. Local Tradition and Knowledge
  19. NCBI
  20. PUBMED 
  21. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy.  Volume 103, July 2018, Pages 46-49
  22. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.Vol 7, Issue 8, 2018.
  23. Indian J Psychiatry. 2013 Jan; 55(Suppl 2): S273–S276. PMCID: PMC3705695
  24. Journal of Ayurveda ¦ Volume 16 ¦ Issue 2 ¦ April-June 2022
  25. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. Volume 3, Issue 3, April 2013, Pages 242-251


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