- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and also parts of Africa and Australia. Asparagus racemosus
- Sanskrit
- Shatavari
- Other names
- Indische asperge
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Unani medicine
Asia · Herb · № 122
Asparagus racemosus
Herb · Asia
Shatavari
Asparagus racemosus
In Ayurveda an important rejuvenating remedy for women, used for breastfeeding and stomach complaints. Studies are small and of variable quality.
Safety notes
May cause allergy in people allergic to asparagus. Use in pregnancy or hormone-sensitive conditions only with a doctor's advice.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Ayurvedic materia medica: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
Preparation
The root as powder in milk, as decoction or in Ayurvedic blends. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
The Sanskrit name is often translated as 'she who has a hundred husbands', referring to its reputation as a fertility herb. Ody describes it as the Ayurvedic counterpart of European asparagus.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Lowers blood sugar, cooling, diuretic, nourishing, tonic, promotes milk flow, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic; for dysentery, diarrhoea, inflammation, kidney and liver complaints, rheumatism, indigestion, gonorrhoea.
Preparation and amount
Tea 12–20 ml; decoction 56–112 ml; powder 3–6 g; juice with milk.
Caution: Serious illnesses such as infections, cancer or hepatitis need a doctor: there is no evidence that this remedy cures them.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionPowder and kitchen