Shatavari – Organic

Asparagus racemosus

Common names:
Shatavari, Wild Asparagus, Sparrow Grass, Kurilo, Satawar, Shatmuli, .& many more.

Family: Asparagaceae

Plant Parts Used: Root

Description & Habitat:
A creeping shrub found throughout Sri Lanka, India and into the Himalayan range up to 1400m in elevation, extending into South East Asia, Australia & Africa. Growing up to 2 metres, preferably rocky soil, needle like leaves, produces small white flowers after the rain. The root system is complex with tuberous roots that grow up to a metre in length and varied in number, some plants producing more than 100.

Main Active Constituents:

1. Steroidal saponins – shatavarin I to VI
2. Alkaloids – pyrrolizidine alkaloid asparagamine A
3. Mucilage
4. Tannins
5. Isoflavones
6. Polysaccharides
7. Flavonoids – quercetin, rutin
8. Essential Oils
9. Sterols – sitosterol
10. Essential Fatty Acids

Nutritional Constituents:

Vitamins: A, B1, B2, B9 (Folic Acid), C & E
Minerals: Magnesium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Manganese, Copper, Cobalt, Potassium & Selenium.

Main Actions:

1. Nutritive Tonic
2. Galactagogue
3. Aphrodisiac
4. Adaptogenic
5. Anti-spasmodic
6. Anti-diarrhoeal
7. Diuretic
8. Anti-depressant
9. Laxative
10. Antacid
11. Anti-neoplastic
12. Demulcent
13. Anti-microbial
14. Hypotensive
15. Immunomodulatory
16. Anti-hepatotoxic
17. Anti-lithiatic
18. Anti-tussive
19. Anti-bacterial
20. Anti-protozoal
21. Hypo-glycaemic
22. Analgesic

Medicinal Uses/Applications:

Reproductive System
• breastmilk production
• sexual debility
• promote conception/infertility
• menopausal symptoms i.e. hot flushes, dry vagina
• leukorrhoea
• gonorrhoea
• threatened miscarriage
• endometriosis
• premenstrual symptoms i.e. mood swings
• menorrhagia
• dysmenorrhea
• regulate ovulation
• impotence
• spermatorrhea

Gastrointestinal System
• dyspepsia/Indigestion
• dysentery
• diarrhoea
• stomach ulcers
• hyperacidity
• biliousness
• liver complaints
• irritable bowel syndrome
• haemorrhoids
• crohns disease
• boosts appetite

Urinary System
• gleet
• dehydration
• urinary tract infections
• kidney & bladder stones

Respiratory & Immunity
• lung abscesses
• haematemesis
• cough
• bronchitis
• throat infection
• AIDS
• chronic fevers
• herpes
• tumours
• general debility/fatigue

Cardiovascular System
• hypertension
• cardiac debility

Nervous System
• anxieties
• depression
• easing alcohol withdrawal
• insomnia
• headaches
• stress
• epilepsy
• hyperactivity
• restless sleep
• disturbing dreams
• anger, jealousy, irritation, resentment, & hatred

Musculoskeletal System
• stiffness of joints & muscles
• arthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis

Dosage (3 x daily):
Decoction: 7 – 10gm

Contraindications/Interactions:
No known drug interactions.
No known contraindications.
Shatavari is used to promote conception, so is considered safe BUT it has been known in folk lore when taken in doses far in excess of those normally used that it can promote abortion.
Compatible with breastfeeding.

Naturalus Products with Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari):
Shatavari Root Tea

History & Folklore:
Considered to be the most important herb for womens reproductive health. Shatavari literally means the plant of one hundred roots which has been transformed into she who has one hundred husbands, as it gives women boundless reserves of energy! Shatavari tubers were once candied and eaten as a sweetmeat. The fresh juice was drunk with honey &/or mixed in milk. In Ayurvedic medicine it is known as the Queen of Herbs as it promotes love & devotion, prevents ageing, improves mental function, vigour and vitality.

Research Links:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19038322
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17135157
http://shatavari.in/RECENTSTUDIES%20ON%20SHATAVARI…

Organic Shatavari Asparagus racemosus (root)

Available in black kraft bags.