Shatavari ~ Asparagus racemosus

Shatavari

Latin name: Asparagus racemosus

Family: Liliaceae

Part used: roots, leaves

Habitat: tropical Africa, Java, Australia, India, Sri Lanka, southern parts of China, India (up to 4,000 ft), Himalayas

Main constituents: saponins (shatavarin), alkaloids, proteins, starch, tannin, mucilage, sitosterol, diosgenin

Energetics: bitter, sweet, cooling

Main herbal actions: female uterine tonic, refrigerant, demulcent, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, alterative, antidysenteric, diuretic, galactagogue, hypoglycemic, gastric sedative, phagocytic, cardiotonic, hypotensive, anticoagulant

Minor herbal actions: antidiarrheal, antiamebic, anticancer, enzymatic, antiviral

Main medicinal uses: dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia and menstrual irregularity, menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, irritability, irregular memory, dryness), tumors, inflammations, diseases of blood and eye, tuberculosis, leprosy, epilepsy, night blindness, kidney troubles (dysuria, hematuria), GI troubles (colitis, Crohn’s, dysentery with bleeding, inflammation, hyperacidity, ulcers, gastritis), cough, sore throat, hemoptysis

Minor medicinal uses: underproduction of milk in lactating women, low sperm count

Preparations: 1:5 tincture: 5-15 ml qd; powder: 3-10g qd

Contraindications: sensitivity in allergic individuals

Toxicity: none known

Sources: http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/herbfinder/h_asparagus1.htm; http://www.herbalayurveda.com/therapeutic_detail.asp?ID=70