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]

10. 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.