Wednesday, January 9, 2019

Shatavari


Asparagus racemosus

 

Monograph
  1. Plant Family:
    • Liliaceae, or the lily family [1]
  2. Habitat & Cultivation:
    • Shatavari is native to India (‘shata’= hundred, and ‘vari’= cures) but grows anywhere that is humid and tropical. [1]
  3. Parts Used:
    • Root [1]
  4. Herbal Actions:
    • Adaptogen
    • Reproductive tonic (female and male)
    • Uterine tonic
    • Galactagogue
    • Immunomodulating
    • Antimicrobial
    • Anti-candidal
    • Demulcent
    • Nervine
    • Nutritive [1]
  5. Indications:
    • Threatened miscarriage
    • Low libido
    • Lactation struggles
    • PMS (*taken throughout the cycle, during follicular and luteal phase, estrogen modulatory effect can decrease excess estrogens associated with PMS)
    • Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea
    • Digestive issues
    • Infertility [1]
  6. Plant Constituents:
    • Steroidal saponins, alkaloids, mucilage [2]
  7. System Affinities:
    • Gastrointestinal
    • Reproductive
    • Nervous
    • Lymphatic
    • Immune
  8. Energetics:
    • Bitter, sweet, cooling, oily, heavy [3]
  9. Safety:
o    Traditionally prepared in milk or ghee. Methanol-based preparations yield larger extracts and have been associated with adverse effects in pregnancy. [1]
  1. Interactions:
    • None known. [2]
Personal Experience
  1. Organoleptics:
    •  The root is pale yellow. Smells sweet. Very hard, difficult to grind.
  2. Preparation Method:
    • Tincture: (1:3 in 40%) 40-80 drops, 3x/day.
    • Hot Decoction: 2 tsp dried herb per 1 cup water. Decocted for 10-15min and steeped for 40min. Drink 2 cups/day.
    • Capsules: 2 capsules (powdered herb) 3x/day. [1]
  3. Usage Notes:
    • I made a tincture of this herb to be part of my menstrual cycle blend. The finished product is quite pleasant - it's sweet and mild, and reminds me of a green apple candy. Not noticing the bitter qualities at all. It definitely has a cooling and moistening effect. I think it helped to settle my stomach today.

Sources:
  1. Zollinger, R. & Riccio, L. (2019). Week 1 Study Questions. Bastyr University: WI-19_MW5125-A Botanicals 5: Holistic Gynecologic Health
  2. Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
  3. Frawley, D. & Lad, V. (2001). The Yoga of Herbs. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press.

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