SATAVARI (INDIAN ASPARAGUS)

Description

Asparagus racemosus is a climber having stems up to 4 m long. Its roots are both fibrous and tuberous.
Shatavari has small pine-needle-like phylloclades (photosynthetic branches) that are uniform and shiny green. In July, it produces minute, white flowers on short, spiky stems, and in September it fruits, producing blackish-purple, globular berries. It has an adventitious root system with tuberous roots that measure about one metre in length, tapering at both ends, with roughly a hundred on each plant.

Chemical constituent:
Shatavarin IV is a glycoside of sarsasapogenin having 2 molecules of Asparagus rhamnose and 1 molecule of glucose [Figure 1]. The major bioactives (Chemical constituents) of Asparagus species are shown in Figure 2. Sarsasapogenin and shatavarin I-IV are present in roots, leaves, and fruits of Asparagus species.
Properties:
Rasa-Madhura,Tikta
Guna-Snigdha,Guru.
Vipaka-Madhura.
Virya-Sheeta.
Karma-Balance vata and pitta.
Benefits:

1. Female Reproductive Health-Shatavari supports women through every stage of their lives. The main constituents of Shatavari are steroidal saponins that suggest its use as an estrogen regulator. This modulation helps to regulate menstrual cycles, manage PMS symptoms, alleviate menstrual cramps, and control the amount of blood lost. It may help with fluid retention and uncomfortable bloating often suffered before a period.
2. Breast milk production-Young mothers usually find it difficult to breastfeed their newborns due to very little milk production. This can happen due to a variety of reasons such as anemia, low blood pressure, or simply stress. Taking Shatavari every day helps to facilitate and regulate milk production. This method is ideal for the nourishment of young babies so that their immune system becomes stronger. Shatavari is a natural herb so it doesn’t cause any harm to the child.
3. Fertility issues- consuming it fertility problems can be kept at bay and the chances of conception becomes high as it is a powerful herb.
4. Gastric problems-Shatavari is known to treat gastric problems. The dried roots of Shatavari are turned into powder and it can be made into a juice. The consumption of this juice is ideal to cure ulcers and other ailments occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. If this plant is consumed regularly, it can also cure gastroparesis.
5. Immune System-Research has shown that Shatavari plays a very important role in stimulating immune cells. This is assumed to be due to the steroidal plant compound contained within the root “sapogenin”, a potent immune stimulator. It increases the body’s resistance during normal and immune-suppressed conditions, helping to boost immunity during immune-suppressed conditions and aiding in the recovery of the immune system itself. Sapogenins will also stimulate the cells that fight infection, reducing the overall population of infection-causing cells.

Is Shatavari safe?
It’s safe to eat it in small amounts, and doing so will allow you to reap its antioxidant and immune-boosting benefits.
Contraindication: Shatavari, as part of the asparagus family, should be avoided by anyone with an allergy to asparagus. Always consult your health care practitioner if you have questions related to your particular condition.