Shatavari
Shatavari is coined as the “Queen of Herbs”. It has been used for centuries as a hormone balancer and a general tonic to uplift female health and libido. Generally, it is used as physical and emotional stress reliever but it also manages other diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus, bacterial and fungal infections, infertility, depression, and cancer.
Description of Shatavari –
Shatavari in Sanskrit means, ” the plant with hundred roots “. This is a female_friendly herb, which is obtained from the roots of the Asparagus racemosus plant belongs to the Liliaceae family.
It is usually branched, woody, a spinous climbing shrub that grows to a height or length of 1-2 meters. Just like its name suggests, it is an absolute remedy for almost 100 types of diseased conditions.
Ayurvedic Indications –
• Deepana (enhances stomach fire)
• Pachana (helps in digestion)
• Rochana (stimulates appetite)
• Anulomana (improves breathing)
• Jwaraghana (useful in fever)
• Mehhara (treats UTIs)
• Prameha (manages diabetes)
• Rasayan (rejuvenates the whole body)
• Balya (improves muscle strength)
• Grabhaprada (treats infertility)
• Medhya (improves intelligence)
• Poushtika (good for nutrition)
Chemical components –
It is blessed with an abundance of phytochemicals that not only strengthens the immune system but also shields the body against a vast number of infections and promote overall health and well-being.
The active constituents present in it also help in treating carcinogenic conditions. These chemical components that bestow the plant its medicinal properties include steroidal saponins known as Shatavari’s, Oligosaccharides, mucilage, isoflavones, alkaloids, flavonoids like rutin and quercetin, and sterol such as sitosterols.
It is an excellent source of healthful nutrients and minerals such as manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, potassium, selenium, calcium, and magnesium.
Shatavari formulations –
• Shatavari Guggulu
It is used for pacifying the aggravated Vata Doshas, stimulating the neuromuscular functions, strengthening the muscles, revitalizing the nerves, and treating conditions like paralysis and hemiplegia.
* Dosage –
1-2 tablets twice a day with water or warm milk on an empty stomach.
• Shatavari Kalpa
It is an ancient Ayurvedic concoction of Shatavari and elaichi that not only enhances the production of breastmilk but also reduces pain, fatigue, and general weakness in the mother by balancing the pitta and Vata doshas. This formulation also can be taken by women of all ages to improve immunity and stamina during their menstruation, postnatal period, and also pregnancy.
* Dosage –
1-2 tsp preferably with warm milk, twice a day.
Health benefits of Shatavari –
• Blessing for female reproductive system
It helps in treating endometriosis but also maintains hormonal levels within the blood. It strengthens the female reproductive organs and enhances the maturation of the eggs into follicles. It is a powerful uterine tonic, thus improves fertility.
• Enhances libido
It is a natural aphrodisiac, this helps in reducing mental stress and anxiety and stimulates the hormones for increasing libido in both men and women. It also increases virility and stamina in men.
• Beneficial for male reproductive system
It has powerful spermatogenic properties that are extremely useful for treating teratozoospermia (Abnormal sperm shape), Oligospermia ( low sperm count), hypothermia (low volume of semen), asthenozoospermia (Sperm motility), and enhances spermatogenesis (Sperm production). Being a natural antioxidant, it improves the production of male hormones like testosterone and luteinizing hormone. It is also beneficial in erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.
• For lactation
Shatavari is a powerful galactagogue. It holds high significance in lactating women to boost the secretion of milk from the mammary glands. It not only heals the new mom after childbirth but also helps in improving the production of breastmilk for feeding the newborn.
• For hormone regulation
It is well known for its influence on the adrenal glands. A prescribed amount of root powder not only helps women beat PMS symptoms but also facilitates hormone regularisation in women trying to conceive.
Other benefits of Shatavari –
• Promotes cardiac functioning
• Enhances digestion
• Treats wounds and ulcers
• Manages diabetes
• Beneficial in respiratory problems
• Prevents anxiety and depression
Dosage –
The effective therapeutic dosage of Shatavari may vary from person to person depending upon the age, body strength, effects on appetite, severity, and condition of the patient.
• Churna /Powder
one fourth to half tsp, twice a day, mixed with milk or warm water
• Arishta or Aqueous Tincture
1-2 tsp, twice a day
• Vati or Tablet/capsule
1-2 vote, twice a day
• Kashayam or Juice
2-3 tsp once a day
• Avaleha
one fourth to half tsp, once a day
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