Shatavari – Health Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects

Shatavari is a popular Ayurvedic herb which is also called Asparagus racemosus. It is a part of the asparagus family. It’s also an adaptogenic herb that helps you to cope with both physical and emotional stress.

Shatavari is considered to be a general health tonic that helps in boosting the vitality, making it a staple in ayurvedic medicine.

Shatavari has several health benefits which make it a very useful plant in Ayurvedic medicine and apt for several home remedies. Let us look at the benefits one by one.

Health Benefits of Shatavari:

• It has antioxidant properties

Shatavari consists of sapnosis that are high in antioxidants that help to stop the free radicals from making any damage. They also fight oxidative stress and the diseases caused by it.

In the year 2004, it was found that there is an existence of a new antioxidant in Shatavari called the racemofuran. Apart from this Asparagamine A and racemosol were also found in Shatavari.

• It has anti-inflammatory properties

Racemofuran is an antioxidant found in Shatavari which also has significant anti-inflammatory properties. Racemofuran works similarly like an anti-inflammatory drug known as COX2 inhibitors. The anti-inflammatory property helps to reduce swelling and pain from arthritis.

• Improving female reproductive

The most traditional use of Shatavari is to use it to improve female reproductive disorders. It can also be used to treat other female health conditions. It has been surveyed that Shatavari is more useful in improving conditions of PCOS and other hormonal imbalances in the female body.

• Reducing symptoms of menopause

Apart from using Shatavari to improve female reproductive health, Shatavari can also be used to treat the symptoms of menopause. Menopause comes with a series of hot flashes and night sweats.

According to a study it was found that the symptoms of menopause had gradually reduced after the consumption of Shatavari. Shatavari consists of racemosus that helps the body by  reducing the symptoms of the menopause.

• Anti-anxiety

Shatavari has a very good effect on people who are fighting against anxiety and depression. According to the study on animals considering the effects of Shatavari, it was found that it reduces the level of anxiety in rats. It also contains serotonin which stimulates happiness and lowers anxiety and depression.

• Diabetes

Shatavari is a promising treatment for diabetes. Diabetes can damage kidney that can tamper with the whole blood circulation in your body and shatavari can be used to treat this diabetic nephropathy. Several studies have revealed that the use of shatavari can protect kidney tissues against any abnormal changes.

Shatavari also helps to reduce the level of blood sugar and cholesterol in the body when consumed regularly.

Because of limited research in shatavari, it is difficult to determine all the possible used of shatavari. Here in this article, we will let you know some known uses of shatavari that you can also try at home.

Uses of Shatavari

• Use shatavari to regulate milk flow while breastfeeding. Shatavari consists of a substance called galactagogue that boosts the milk flow in lactating mothers. Using shatavari or its supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding is safe but it is better to consult with a doctor before consuming any such thing.

• It has been known to promote the diuretic effect in humans. This helps to protect the body against several diseases. Shatavari also promotes the function of the kidney.

• It helps in Lowering blood sugar. People struggling with high blood sugar can be at risk of type 2 diabetes. It helps to maintain blood sugar in the body which can prevent the risk of type 2 diabetes in all age groups.

• It can be used to fight your way through alcoholism. It has been found useful in the treatment of alcohol addiction.

• It helps in Relieving coughs. It has been found that the shatavari root extract acts as a very effective remedy in relieving coughs. The drug codeine phosphate is a prescription cough medicine that contains Shatavari. The juice of shatavari root is widely used as a cough remedy in India.

• It can be used in treating diarrhoea.

• It also helps in improving the gastric ulcers.

• It boosts the immune system.

• Use of shatavari has indicated to promote health and energy in the body.

• Reduces anxiety levels.

Despite several benefits of Shatavari, there are also side effects of the same If used excessively. As of now the usage of shatavari has not been explored as much compared to the other herbs.

Here are some side effects which you must be aware of before using shatavari.

Side Effects of Shatavari

Shatavari lowers blood sugar. It must not be used with hypoglycemia. If the blood sugar is at a normal level then avoid the use of shatavari without discussing it with your doctor as it can cause the blood sugar to inhibit can cause hypoglycemia in the body.

• Shatavari is very beneficial but it must not be used on the skin without discussing with your doctor. It has several adverse effects on the skin like itching, redness, rash, eye irritation, etc.

• Shatavari helps to promote digestion but when taken in an excessive amount, it can cause the upsetting of the stomach.

• Excessive intake of shatavari can increase the pace of your heart. It is also not allowed for people suffering from asthma as it can cause a breathing problem.

• Shatavari is a diuretic hence it must not be taken with other diuretic drugs or it may cause severe danger to your health.