SHATAVARI

Sanskrit and Hindi -- Shatavari

English -- Indian Asparagus, Hundred Roots , Asparagus roots

Family : Asparagaceae

Introduction

Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus, is a climbing plant which grows in low jungles areas throughout India. This sweet and bitter herb is particularly balancing to Pitta Dosha.

In India, Shatavari is considered the women's equivalent to Ashwagandha. The name translates to "she who possesses 100 husbands", referring to the herbs rejuvanitive effect upon the female reproductive organs. In Australia the herb is more often used to treat gastrointestinal disorders and as an external wash for wounds.

The healing qualities of Shatavari are useful to a wide array of ailments. It is well known for it effects on the female reproductive system. It is also effective in a number of other systems of the body and is therefore of use to both men and women.

Properties

• Nutritive tonic,
• rejuvenative,
• aphrodisiac,
• galactogogue
• laxative
• antispasmodic,
• Antacid
• diuretic
• antitumor
• demulcent

Indications

Shatavari is perhaps best known as a female rejuvanitive. It is useful for infertility, decreased libido, threatened miscarriage, menopause, leucorrhea and has the ability to balance pH in the cervical area. Dry membranes, such as those on the vaginal wall, are also brought into balance through the herbs demulcent action.
Men may benefit from the herb as well in the treatment of impotence and general sexual debility. In addition to it's applications for reproductive organs, Shatavari is also quite effective for stomach ulcers, hyperacidity and diarrhea. Dry and irritated membranes in the upper respiratory tract are soothed by this herb making it useful in cases of bronchitis and chronic fevers. It is believed to bring into balance all of the body's fluids.

Medicinal Uses

Many of these benefits abound because Shatavari contains phyto-estrogens, hormones that normalize estrogen levels and also play an important role in preserving women's long term health. Clinical studies suggest that plant estrogen's are better than drugs for hormone balancing since they do not produce negative side effects such as uterine cancer. This gentle herb will promote an easier balanced life.

For men it is a nutritive tonic similar to ginseng. Because Shatavari is a gentle herb which regulates growth, is a systemic tonic, and is calming, it is considered, along with Ashwagandha and Bhrami, to be excellent for children. It is also recommended for seniors because it soothes the systemic dryness which is part of the natural aging process. For post-menopausal women it is especially good when taken with a cup of saffron milk.

Shatavari has a strong rejuvenating, nurturing, and stabilizing effect on excessive air, gas, dryness and agitation in the body and mind. As such it is traditionnaly used for nervousness, anoxeria, insomnia, hyperactive children, and people who are underweight. It promotes positive emotions while calming airy sensitivity and the fiery emotions such as irritability, anger, jealousy, resentment, and hatred. It also helps with pain, agitated sleep, disturbing dreams, and those who have weak emotional and physical heart. In Ayurveda this amazing herb is known as the "Queen of Herbs" because it promotes love and devotion.

The male reproductive system will also benefit from Shatavari. It may be used in cases of sexual debility, impotence, spermatorrhea, and inflammation of sexual organs.