Uses of Shatavari

Shatavari is the Sanskrit name of the plant Asparagus racemosus, which has been used as a tonic herb for thousands of years in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. Shatavari is experiencing a revival of interest and use in the modern world, based on the many anecdotal reports of its powerful ability to restore various systems in the human body. Recently, the scientific community has taken an interest in this legendary herb and has found that it does indeed possess some remarkable qualities and actions that may be beneficial for human health.

History

• Shatavari means "women with a hundred husbands" and is considered to be the prime tonic herb for the female reproductive system. It was also commonly used in cases of general debility and was thought to both nourish and protect from disease. Shatavari is also currently marketed as female libido booster by many Internet sites, although research into this area is difficult to come by.

Fertility

• Shatavari as an important female herb has earned a reputation for being able to promote and raise fertility levels in women and has been used as such since ancient times. A study published in the "Advances in Obstetrics & Gynecology" examined an Ayurvedic herbal formula that contains shatavari as well as several other herbs including aloe vera and Saraca indica and found that the rate of conception more than doubled in the women who received the herbal supplement (see link in References).

Depression

• As a general tonic for nourishing the human body and mind, shatavari is considered close to unequaled in Ayurvedic medicine. In a study done in Varanassi, India and published in "Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior" in January 2009, researchers studied shatavari's effects on rats behavior in several tests for depression (see link in References). They found that an extract of shatavari, administered for seven days, significantly increased antidepressant activity and mediated oxidative stress due to the tests administered.

Immune System

• The use of shatavari to provide an all-around benefit in certain situations makes it an adaptogen. In a study published in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology," scientists in India tested animals given shatavari extract against Bordetella pertussis, the bacteria known to cause whooping cough (see link in References). They found that the shatavari-treated animals experienced a lower mortality rate and an improved overall health status than the untreated animals.

Potential

• As an herb with thousands of years of ancient use and profound implications in the modern world, shatavari stands poised to become a popular herbal remedy worldwide. An herb that can make you feel less depressed, improve your immune response and may be able to improve fertility rates in women is a valuable addition to modern herbal medicine.