Shatavari is a beautiful medicinal herb used for centuries in Ayurveda medicine system. The name shatavari in Sanskrit means “having hundred roots”. It is a rejuvenating herb that helps women in various stages of life – in pregnancy, during lactating, menopause and at old age. Not just women both children and men can get benefit from shatavari herb.

Asparagus racemosus is the botanical name for shatavari. In Ayurveda it is also known as Rasayana herb or rejuvenating and immunity building medicinal herb.  Plant belongs to contain many tuberous roots. One plant can produce hundreds of such tuberous roots and these roots are useful as medicine.

Benefits of shatavari for all:

1. improving male reproductive health and male fertility
2. good for blood sugar balance
3. used in improving digestive health
4. It has anti-inflammatory property
5. Builds healthy immune system
6. Reduces irritability and anger – improves mood
7. Reduces constipation, stomach ulcers and diarrhea
8. Soothes and improves respiratory tract performance
9. Improves energy level and helps in strengthening overall system.
10. Supports overall health of women – reduces menopausal symptoms
11. Promotes breast milk production in lactating women
12. Applying on skin to reduce redness

Shatavari is used in Ayurveda to balance vata and piita dosha. It has a cooling effect on the system. If a person is suffering from excess pitta, consuming shatavari helps. It acts as a tonic for digestive system and improves blood hormone levels. It improves normal estrogen hormonal productivity and utilization.

How to use Shatavari ?

Generally, Shatavari is taken as tablet, powder or in the form of liquid (extract).

Shatavari powder is available in medicine stores or pharmacy can be taken with milk, ghee, sugar, or honey. Shatavari root liquid extract and tablets are also available in pharmacy and Ayurveda herbal centers.

Shatavari powder can be combined with dry fruits such as dates, figs, and raisins. Add ¼ tsp of shatavari powder to the dry fruits and run in food processor, prepare laddu. Eating these energy balls will help to improve stamina in girls.

One can add ½ tsp Shatavari powder to a glass of milk, add turmeric (1/4 tsp), rock sugar or jaggery little, cardamom powder and  mix and boil. For women this recipe also helps to relieve stress during pregnancy.

To reduce skin dryness and to get fresh look, mix ghee and shatavari powder in equal ratio. Apply this on skin. Wash after few minutes using warm water.

For inflamed skin, mix ½ tsp shatavari powder, ¼ tsp turmeric powder and ¼ tsp red sandalwood powder – mix with little water or milk to prepare a paste. Apply this on inflamed skin to reduce the inflammation.

If you have preexisting or chronic condition, talk to your doctor before consuming shatavari. Do not mix shatavari with regular medicines that you take as it can cause reaction.

Image credit:

Asparagus flower: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Saraswatiayurveda.com, indiamart.com