Considered a general health tonic by many, Shatavari or Satawar is a medicinal herb. Also known as Asparagus Racemosus, it helps regulate the body's system.
First discovered in 1799, Shatavari or Asparagus Racemosus is a staple ingredient in numerous Ayurvedic medicines. Due to its distinct nature of improving sexual wellness, it's known as 'Queen of Herbs.'
Shatavari plants can grow to a height or length of 1-2 meters and thrive equally well in well-drained, rocky, and gravelly soils. Shatavari in Hindi is also known as Satavar, Satmuli, or Satavari.
How to Use Shatavari?
Shatavari is available in different forms. Here are some of them.
Shatavari Powder
Shatavari Powder or Shatavari Churna can be consumed in milk along with honey. You can also choose to apply the same on your skin after making a paste from the same ingredients. It will help you get rid of fine lines and wrinkles.
If you're lactose intolerant, consume Shatavari powder or Shatavari Churna with warm water, almond milk, or soya milk too.
In Ayurveda, Shatavari powder is a herb that boosts hair growth. All you need to do is take a tablespoon of Shatavari powder or Shatavari Churna with water every day.
Shatavari Tablets
Typically Shatavari tablets or Shatavari Capsules can be consumed twice a day in a dose of 500 milligrams.
Shatavari tablets are the easiest way to consume Shatavari. While choosing Shatavari tablets, be sure to check whether it is for men or women. Also, look at the Shatavari tablet ingredients and ensure that all the ingredients contribute to the reason you have chosen to take Shatavari.
Shatavari Extract
Shatavari extract is another way to consume Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus). Shatavari extract is the juice extracted from a Shatavari plant. Shatavari extract has a bitter-sweet taste and has an oily texture.
Shatavari extract is also used to soothe wounds and improve digestion.
To get Shatavari's whole host of benefits, ensure that your Shatavari extract is prepared from organic roots of Shatavari. Ensure to check the ingredients as some Shatavari extract products are either mixed with tiny amounts of alcohol or are made specifically for women for breast enlargement.
Combine 30 drops of Shatavari extract with water, mix it well, and drink it.
Shatavari Granules
Shatavari granules or Shatavari Kalpa is an ayurvedic formulation of Shatavari and Elaichi. It is manufactured and sold by various brands online.
Shatavari Granules or Shatavari Kalpa can be consumed with milk. Mix 1-2 tablespoons in milk and have it twice a day or as directed by your physician.
Now that you've understood the different ways of consuming Shatavari, let's get into the uses, benefits, and side effects of Shatavari.
Side Note: Shatavari Kalpa is usually made for lactating women to boost milk production. If you are a man, be sure to speak to your doctor before taking Shatavari Kalpa.
What is Shatavari Kalpa?
Shatavari Kalpa is processed Shatavari with sugar in its granular form. Shatavari Kalpa is believed to be more palatable than raw Shatavari. It is a concoction made up of Shatavari herb and cardamom (elaichi). It is enriched with multiple medicinal properties, especially for women who are lactating.
Benefits and Uses of Shatavari
Some of the Shatavari benefits and Shatavari uses, also known as Asparagus Racemosus uses, are:
1. Shatavari Powder (Satawar) Benefits for Weight Gain
Amongst the many Shatavari powder benefits, weight gain is one of the most prominent ones.
Due to its strength and rejuvenating properties, Shatavari can gain weight. Moreover, it helps the body fight outside infections that may cause weight loss.
Health experts highly recommend Shatavari powder or Shatavari Churna for weight gain as it helps increase female libido. Moreover, Shatavari's price is also quite affordable.
2. Shatavari For Sexual Wellness
Shatavari helps in resolving fertility-related problems. As it is a natural aphrodisiac, Shatavari can help women deal with stress and anxiety. In addition to that, it can increase libido among women. It is also known for increasing stamina.
3. Shatavari Kalpa Benefits and Uses for Pain
Shatavari Kalpa is an ancient blend of Shatavari and Elaichi known to reduce fatigue and pain.
Shatavari Kalpa uses include memory retention and overall nourishment of the body.
It helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, which can help prevent heart attacks.
4. Shatavari Benefits and Uses for Cough Relief and Boosting Metabolism
Drinking Shatavari juice with warm water is excessively beneficial for getting rid of cough. For maximum benefits, it should be consumed regularly.
5. Shatavari Benefits for Mood
Women experience greater mood shifts due to hormonal issues brought on by menstruation and pregnancy. As Shatavari is a natural aphrodisiac, it helps reduce anxiety and lifts your mood.
Further, Shatavari plant uses are many, including a boost to the immune system and tissue regeneration.
6. Shatavari as a Diuretic
One of the most common problems women face is the prevalence of UTIs. As a popular diuretic, Shatavari is responsible for flushing out harmful toxins from the body, giving you a natural detox.
7. Shatavari and the Female Immune System
Shatavari plays a significant role in stimulating the female immune system. The sapogenins present in the root of Shatavari increase the body's resistance to infections, diseases, and allergies.
8. Shatavari for Treating Wounds and Ulcers
Due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties, Shatavari (Satawar) helps treat ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcers, mouth ulcers, and canker sores.
Moreover, the juice extracted from the Shatavari plant leaves can be used for addressing wounds.
9. Shatavari and estrogen
The constituents of Shatavari are steroidal saponins that are essentially estrogen regulators. What does this mean? They effectively ensure that your periods are regularized, manage your PMS symptoms, alleviate menstrual cramps, and minimize bloating.
10. Shatavari and breast milk production
New mothers and young mothers often find it difficult to produce milk for their newborns to feed on. Good thing that Shatavari is a galactagogue. This means it helps to facilitate milk production. This is essential for newborns for the sake of their nourishment and for strengthening their immune systems.
Shatavari Tablets Benefits and Uses
One of the vital Shatavari tablets benefits includes reducing edema (rising quantity of fluid in the body) and balancing hormones. These tablets also get recommended to patients with high sugar levels as they help lower blood sugar levels.
Shatavari tablet uses include reduced abdominal distention and diarrhea treatment, arthritis, and chronic fevers.
It also helps prevent obesity as it is rich in natural dietary fibers.
Shatavari Side Effects
For those wondering if Shatavari has any side effects, the answer is yes. Here are some of the Shatavari side effects.
- If you suffer from low blood sugar levels, you must avoid Shatavari, as it's known for lowering blood sugar levels in individuals.
- If you're allergic to asparagus, avoid Shatavari at all costs. It may cause allergic reactions like itchy eyes, rash, dizziness, difficult breathing, or fast heart rate.
- If you're already consuming herbs with diuretic properties, try to avoid Shatavari as it may have a diuretic effect.
Conclusion
Shatavari is not a fad. It has been used in Ayurvedic herbs and medicine for centuries. The 'Queen of Herbs' has enormous physical and mental health benefits.
From boosting the immune system, increasing memory retention to enhancing sexual wellness, Shatavari does wonders for your health.
The best thing about this supplement is that it can be consumed in different ways; Shatavari Powder or Shatavari Churna, Shatavari Tablets, Shatavari Granules, or any other form that works for you.
That said, you must consult a doctor before adding a high dose of Shatavari to your diet.