Hello everyone, hope all of you are doing well and are keeping healthy and happy. Coined in ayurveda as the queen of herbs, Shatavari has been used for centuries as a hormone balancer and a general tonic to uplift female health. Being a powerful adaptogenic herb, it not only relieves one from physical and emotional stress but also manages diabetes, mellitus, prevents high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This herb helps improve stamina, energy, endurance, metabolism and immunity.
Some interesting facts
- Shatavari is considered as the most important herb for women in the ayurvedic herbal apothecary
- It contains phytoestrogens which are plant compound functionally similar to ovarion and placental estrogens and their active metabolites
- It also has adaptogen which are a group of plant drugs which improve defence mechanisms of the body
- Shatavari promotes physical and mental health as well as provides strength and long life
- Shatavari is loaded with antioxidants and is a great source of phytochemicals
- Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that promote good health
- Number of phytochemicals like steroidal saponins, alkaloids, mucilage are present in shatavari
- Apart from this, flavonoids such as quercertin and rutin is also present in shatavari
- Shatavari also contains sterols such as sitosterol
- There are various minerals present abundantly in shatavari roots such as copper, manganese, zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium and potassium
- It also contains vitamins such as vitamin A and ascorbic acid
- Essential fatty acids such as gamma linolenic acid is also found in this amazing herb
- Gamma linolenic acid is very beneficial for the treatment of arthiritis, diabetes, high cholesterol levels, heart diseases and even depression
Ayurvedic properties
- Rasa : Sweet, bitter
- Virya : Cooling
- Vipak : Sweet
- Guna : Guru, snigdha, sattvic
- Balances pitta and vata
- Can increase kapha due to its heavy nature
Benefits of shatavari for women
- It supports good reproductive health for women
- Helps women in maintaining hormonal balance and regulate menstrual cycle
- Helps regulate estrogen in females
- Shatavari is beneficial in management of premenstural syndrome like cramps, bloating and fluid retention
- It helps strengthen the female reproductive organs and enhances maturing of eggs into follicles
- Helps regulate periods, prevents scanty or high bleeding
- Reduces mood swings
- Helps maintain healthy levels of breast milk production
- Increases fertility, quality of eggs and libido
- It helps cure leucorrhoea – white discharge
Other benefits
- Acts as an anti depressant
- Is anti ulcer
- Contains number of antioxidants : ensures reduction of free radicals
- Helps cures gastric problems
- Acts as a diuretic
- Boosts immunity
- Helps to manage diabetes
- Supports the male reproductive system
- Helps with sperm growth and libido
Two types
- There are two types of shatavari
- White and pale
- Pale off white one is better
- Shatavari is also available in powder form, ready made kalpa tablets and capsules
How to consume shatavari ?
- Consume it with warm milk and honey
- With warm water and with juice in summers
- It can also be consumed with ghee
- You can also have it in form of tea and pickle recipe
How much to consume ?
- Dosage quantity should not be more than 3-5 grams
- Start with 1/4 tsp initially
Side effects
- May increase kapha
- Has diuretic properties : may interfere with some medications
- Running nose, coughing, sore throat are some of the other side effects
- If you’re allergic to asparagus, avoid this supplement
- Seek medical attention, if you’re experiencing any allergic reactions