Shatavary: The grace and the strength of the woman

One of the most powerful rejuvenating herbs in Ayurvedic medicine, Shatavari is commonly used in India for conditions affecting the female reproductive system, including the mood swings and irritation associated with premenstrual syndrome, as well as menopausal hot flashes.

Sometimes translated as “she who possesses 100 husbands,” Shatavari also has a reputation as a fertility-enhancing plant that improves the health of both male and female reproductive tissues.


Native to India, Shatavari belongs to the same family as the common asparagus and has nourishing, soothing, and cooling properties that help with many conditions in which the body and mind are overheated, depleted, or out of balance ― including heartburn, indigestion, diarrhea, inflammation of the urinary tract, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Shatavari is often prescribed in India to improve the production of breast milk in nursing mothers, though there has been relatively little scientific research to verify its effectiveness in this area. Researchers have paid more attention to Shatavari’s immuno-modulating properties. Studies show that the herb strengthens the immune system by enhancing the functioning of macrophages ― the immune cells responsible for digesting potentially destructive organisms and cancer cells.

Scientists have also discovered that Shatavari helps the immune system recover more quickly from exposure to toxins by protecting blood-producing cells in the bone marrow and by enhancing the production of immune-regulating messenger molecules.

In terms of the ayurvedis constitution, Shatavari contains both the bitter and sweet tastes. It balances both Vata and Pitta, but can mildly increase Kapha if taken in excess.

CONSTITUENTS
Shatavari is rich in active constituents such as galactose, arabinose, steroidal, glycosides and saponins.


TYPICAL PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGE

Shatavari Herbal Powder-
Take 3 to 10 grams, 1/2 to 2 teaspoons daily, Spread over the day.
Use mixed with juice or milk.
or as directed by an herbal practitioner.