Shatavari - A Versatile Female Tonic

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) belongs to the family Liliaceae and is commonly known as Satawar, Satavari, Satamuli. It is found throughout India at low altitudes and has been used for many centuries in Indian medicine. It promotes fertility and has various health benefits, particularly for the female reproductive system. The adaptogenic effect of Shatavari is well documented as it helps regulate the body's systems and improves resistance to physical and emotional stress.

Shatavari has the ability to increase fertility and vitality, and is used both as a general tonic and a female reproductive tonic. In Ayurveda, this amazing herb is used as the primary rejuvenating tonic for the female, as is Ashavagandha for the male. Shatavari is highly effective in problems related to the female reproductive system. Shatavari is a well-known Ayurvedic Rasayana that prevents ageing, improves mental function, increases longevity, enhances immunity, vigour, and adds vitality to the body. The pharmacological activities of Shatavari root extract include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrhoeal, antidiabetic, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory effects. The root of Shatavari has been referred to as a nervine tonic, galactagogue, aphrodisiac, diuretic, and rejuvenating. Shatavari contains alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, phytosterols, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The major phytochemical constituents in the Shatavari roots are steroidal saponins such as Shatavarins. Shatavari has various pharmacological and medicinal properties. Research suggests that Shatavari may provide the following health benefits:

Health Benefits of Shatavri

Shatavari Improves Female Reproductive Health

The most common use of Shatavari is to treat female health conditions, specifically reproductive disorders. Being a rejuvenating herb in Ayurveda, it is considered a female tonic. It increases libido and is beneficial in female infertility. It decreases inflammation of sexual organs and even moistens dry tissues of the sexual organs, enhances folliculogenesis and ovulation, prepares the womb for conception, prevents miscarriages, acts as a postpartum tonic by increasing lactation, normalizing the uterus, and changing hormones. Its use is also advocated in leucorrhoea and menorrhagia. Studies published in Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy suggest that Shatavari improves conditions such as hormonal imbalances and polycystic ovary disease (PCOD). Shatavari is a powerful female-friendly herb that helps in treating numerous hormonal problems. It helps treat inflammation of the lining of the uterus (endometriosis) and strengthens the female reproductive organs, maintains hormone levels within the blood, and enhances the maturation of the eggs. Shatavari is a powerful uterine tonic, and its regular use improves fertility and is helpful in conception. Research suggests that Shatavari reduces the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Shatavari is a natural aphrodisiac and stimulates the hormones for increasing libido in both men and women. It also helps in reducing anxiety and mental stress.

Galactogogue Effect of Shatavari

Shatavari holds high significance in boosting the secretion of milk from the mammary glands in lactating women and is coined as a powerful galactagogue. The activity has been attributed to the action of released corticosteroids or an increase in prolactin.

Antioxidant effects of Shatavari

Shatavari works as an antioxidant agent due to racemofuran, asparagamine A, and racemosol. It helps prevent free-radical cell damage and battles oxidative stress that causes diseases. Research has shown various antioxidant effects of Shatavari, including protection against gamma radiation damage in the liver and lipid peroxidation.

Anti-stress and Antidepressant Role of Shatavari

Shatavari has traditionally been used to combat anxiety and depression by interacting with the serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which are involved in anxiety. Studies show that Shatavari has significant antidepressant activity on stress-induced depression mediated through the serotonergic noradrenergic systems and augmentation of antioxidant defenses.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Shatavari

Shatavari has a significant anti-inflammatory effect. It shows anti-inflammatory action by reducing cytokine production such as interleukin 1β and tumour necrosis factor α, nitric oxide in macrophage cells, myeloperoxidase activity, and through histopathological evidence.

Shatavari as Memory Enhancer

Shatavari work as a nootropic and anti-amnesic agent as it boosts brain performance and enhances cognition and memory. Shatavari prevents the destruction of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine by inhibiting the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in specific brain regions, including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and hypothalamus. The underlying mechanism of these actions of Shatavari can be attributed to its antioxidant, neuroprotective, and cholinergic properties.

Aphrodisiac Effect of Shatavari

Although Shatavari is primarily beneficial for the female reproductive system, it is also helpful in improving men's health. Shatavari root helps treat abnormal sperm shape (teratospermia), low sperm count (oligospermia), low volume of semen (hypospermia), sperm motility (asthenozoospermia), and enhances sperm production (spermatogenesis) due to its powerful spermatogenic properties. Shatavari improves the production of male hormones like testosterone and luteinizing hormone due to its natural antioxidant properties. It also treats conditions like premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.

Hepatoprotective Role of Shatavari

Studies show that Shatavari possesses hypocholesterolemic effects and has the ability to decrease lipid peroxidation. It shows hepatoprotective activity by lowering low-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoproteins, and triacylglycerol levels in the blood. Shatavari also has the potential to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis. The results of the biochemical determinations also showed that pre-treatment with the aqueous extract of Shatavari leads to the amelioration of oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity.

Anti-Diabetic Effect of Shatavari

Shatavari extract shows a decrease in serum glucose levels and a significant increase in insulin release.

Anti-Diarrhoeal Effect of Shatavari

Shatavari is the queen of herbs because it has a strong rejuvenating, nurturing, and stabilizing effect on the body and mind. The plant extract shows antidiarrhoeal activity in diarrhoea, and the results support the traditional uses of Shatavari.

Diuretic and Antiurolithiatic activity of Shatavari

Shatavari possesses significant diuretic activity and prevents the formation of kidney stones by reducing the serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, urea, and creatinine.

Immunomodulatory Role of Shatavari

Shatavari is used in the Indian traditional medicine system to improve the general state of health and stress-related immune disorders. In Ayurveda, Shatavari is used as an immunity booster and helps to improve overall health. Studies prove that Shatavari root extract helps increase antibodies and the enhanced phagocytic activity of the macrophages and polymorphs, suggesting an enhanced immune response of Shatavari.

Conclusion

Numerous studies conducted on different parts of Shatavari prove its potential to be developed as a drug or tonic for female health by pharmaceutical industries.