A friend to women’s health, shatavari is a herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Ayurveda is a system of medicine which is ages old and shatavari has contributed as a medicinal remedy since its initiation. 

Shatavari herb comes from the family asparagus racemosus. The name shatavari has been derived from Sanskrit meaning “having hundred roots”. It is a herb that is said to be women friendly because of the many benefits that it provides to feminine health at every stage of their life, from menstruation, to menopause and beyond. 

The herb, shatavari, is known to support women’s reproductive systems. It has been an effective herb in curbing menstrual pain and preventing menopause symptoms as well. Basically, in the whole life cycle of women, shatavari have been there to aid their health whenever changes occur in their bodies, even in pregnancy. 

Nutritional profile of shatavari:

Shatavari has bioactive components that promote good health by preventing the risk of cancer, heart diseases and other chronic illnesses. 

Shatavari has multiple nutrients and minerals including:

• Manganese, which is a coenzyme that helps to break down carbohydrates, proteins and cholesterol; 
• Copper, that helps the body make red blood cells;
• Zinc, helps your body fight bacteria and viruses by boosting your immune system;
• Cobalt, also supports the formation of red blood cells;
• Potassium, which helps reduces the effects of sodium on blood pressure; 
• Selenium, is a trace mineral that is used as a supplement that helps in creating DNA;
• Calcium, an essential mineral in bone-development;
• And magnesium that helps the heart, nerves, muscles and other parts of the body run smoothly. 
• Vitamins like vitamin A are also an essential component of shatavari. 
• One can also find fatty acids like gamma-linolenic which are beneficial for the treatment of arthritis. 

Properties of shatavari:

Shatavri has medicinal properties that help keep your health in check. It is highly recommended to include shatavari in your daily routine because of the multiple health benefits it has due to its:

Anti-oxidizing properties:

Anti-oxidizing properties of shatavari helps fight the radical cells in your body that cause internal damages to cells and tissues. Shatavari consists of saponins which are substances that prevent risks of various illnesses including serious illnesses like cancer. Saponins are also considered an advantageous alternative in alcohol withdrawal from your body. 

Shatavari produces antioxidants like asparagamine A, racemofuran and aerosol that prevent damages and the risk of diseases in your body. The anti-oxidizing properties can help deal with the risk associated with diabetes.

Anti-inflammatory properties:

Shatavari has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the inflammation of lungs. It could be helpful in the management of bronchitis by dilating air passages and improving breathing and respiratory activities. Shatavari’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the symptoms of diabetes. 

Anti-aging properties:

Presence of saponins makes shatavari an anti-aging root that can be consumed to improve the skin texture, reducing the wrinkles on your skin. The signs of aging are visible on skin because it starts getting loose and you develop wrinkles but with a poor lifestyle and environmental conditions these symptoms start to show early. Consuming shatavari can help prevent aging symptoms in people. 

Adaptogen properties:

Shatavari can also be considered as an adaptogen as it can reduce the stress level in your body. It has anti-depressing properties that help improve neurotransmitter activities that may be associated with depression and anxiety. The adaptogenic property of shatavari is also a factor why it is considered a useful option in alcohol withdrawal.

A study on rodents was published in 2015 that shows shatavari has strong antidepressant properties that proved beneficial when used on rodents. 

Diuretic properties:

Diuretics are used to remove excessive fluid from your body. They are often prescribed to people to fight against urinary tract problems and infections. But prescriptions could be problematic sometimes and when we have ayurvedic remedies at our dispensation why not go with them and maintain our health. 

Shatavari’s diuretic properties maintain the health of the urinary bladder ensuring smooth removal of fluids from the body and can also help in the removal of kidney stones. 

Health benefits of Shatavari:

Let’s discuss the many health benefits associated with shatavari and how it will help a person to improve their overall health. 

Reproductive health of women:

Shatavari is a female-friendly herb because it promotes reproductive health of women by treating any issues related to the female reproductive system. Shatavari consists of steroidal saponins that is why it is used as an estrogen regulator. 

It helps to regulate the menstrual cycle, manage symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, helps to alleviate menstrual cramps and heavy blood flow. 

Reducing symptoms of menopause:

Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness and discomfort, sleep disturbance and others. These symptoms can make abrupt changes in a woman’s lifestyle. Consuming shatavari can reduce these symptoms and can help a woman go through this phase with ease. 

Supports lactation:

Women might face issues while breastfeeding, and in such cases using shatavari to improve the milk production can be beneficial. During breastfeeding, milk is produced by a hormone called prolactin. Shatavari can act as a galactogogues that will help in boosting the milk production in the breastfeeding phase of women. 

Hormone balancing:

Women face various health issues because of hormone imbalance. One such major issue is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in which women will face irregular periods which will cause mood swings, irritation and imbalance in lifestyle and other issues. Shatavari can help maintain hormonal balance that will help women deal with the issues that come along. 

Women have to undergo mood swings caused by hormonal imbalance due to menstruation, pregnancy, menopause which could be hindrance in their life. Mood swings affect women’s life in various ways affecting their personal, professional and social space. These days could be a challenge for women, but such days can be dealt with by ensuring to consume shatavari as a part of their daily routine and a healthy diet. 

Relieves cough:

Shatavari can be used as a home remedy to cure cough. The seasonal cough could be bad for people and would cause issues in your daily routine making you feel tired and fatigue might take over your body, decreasing your productivity and might be a cause of fever sometimes. 

Adding shatavari to your diet can be beneficial as it is considered a good remedy to cure cough. 

Maintains blood sugar level:

The anti-oxidizing and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce the risk of diabetes and in its management by lowering your blood sugar levels. Shatavari can help reduce the insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells which eventually helps in increasing the glucose uptake by cells and tissues. 

Risks associated with shatavari:

Lack of research on humans:

Shatavari’s benefits are numerous but all these have been discovered and proven by the research done on animals. The animal researches have shown wonders, however more human research is needed to understand how it works on humans. 

Allergies:

If you are allergic to asparagus, you might develop rashes, itchy skin, itchy eyes, breathing issues so you need to avoid consuming shatavari in any form. It is always better to consult a dietician before you can start consuming shatavari on a regular basis. 

Medicinal interaction:

It is advised not to use shatavari if you are already on medication especially of prescribed medicines for your ongoing illness. The interaction of shatavari herb and medically prescribed drugs might not go well for you. Adding shatavari should be advised by your doctor if you are undergoing any treatment. 

Use of shatavari:

• Shatavari can be used in the form of supplements that are available in the form of tablets/capsules, powder and liquid.
• You can take the supplement tablet directly by mouth with the help of water or milk as you like. 
• The powder can be added to water or milk as recommended by your nutritionist or in the morning or before sleeping. You can also add the powder in your smoothies, shakes, or your weight loss drinks and soups. 
• The liquid form of shatavari can be used in your food or drinks to consume. You can either consume adequate amounts of shatavari twice a day or you can consult your nutritionist to help determine the amount of shatavari intake for your body. 

Conclusion: 

Shatavri has multiple health benefits that will keep your health on track. You can buy shatavari online to get it’s multiple health benefits. Taking it as a supplement in your daily life can help you consume adequate amounts of shatavari along with a healthy diet. 

Since, there is minimal research of shatavari on humans to confirm the finding, it will be beneficial for you to consult an expert before using the herb for a specific reason.