by Eric Yarnell, ND, RH(AHG)
Last updated 17 Mar 2022
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Table of Contents
Interchangeability of Species
Advanced Clinical Information Discussion in सुश्रुतसंहिता: चिकित्सास्थान (Suśruta-saṃhitā: Cikitsāsthāna, volume 4) Botanical Information Harvest, Cultivation, and Ecology |
Clinical Highlights
Shatavari is the quintessential Ayurvedic female reproductive tonic (as ashwagandha is the male) and hormone modulator.
Shatavari is also an immunomodulating adaptogen.
Shatavari is extremely safe.
Shatavari is moderately potent, and its best effects are seen with long-term use.
Shatavari is also an immunomodulating adaptogen.
Shatavari is extremely safe.
Shatavari is moderately potent, and its best effects are seen with long-term use.
Clinical Fundamentals
Part Used: the tuberous roots are used, generally dried.
Taste: Acrid, soapy, and bitter, this root is fairly unpleasant tasting.
Major Actions:
Major Organ System Affinities
Major Indications:
An herbal formula featuring shatavari but also containing Saraca indica (asoka tree), Centella asiatica (gotu kola), Terminalia chebula (chebulic myrobalan), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice),Sida cordifolia (country mallow), kukkutandatvak bhasma (egg shell burned to ash), and zaharmohara bhasma (powdered serpentine, mostly magnesium silicate) was studied in a double-blind trial in 40 Indian women with surgical menopause (Goyal, et al. 2004). Compared to placebo, the herbal formula was significantly superior at physical, psychological, and social quality of life after 3 months of treatment. There were no adverse effects.
A double-blind trial in 20 English menopausal women randomized them to shatavari extract 1 g per day (made from 26.5 g of fresh roots) or placebo for 6 weeks (O'Leary, et al. 2021). Hand grip strength improved significantly with shatavari compared to placebo, and muscle biopsies showed various signs of shatavari significantly countering sarcopenia. There were no signs of improvement in bone strength or health.
A case series found a combination of shatavari 5 g and Mucuna pruriens (cowhage) seed 5 g daily helpful for male-factor infertility (Palep 2003).
Though shatavari is widely and commonly used as a galactagogue, one randomized clinical trial failed to show any benefit for secondary lactational failure (Sharma, et al. 1996). A double-blind trial compared 60 mg/kg of shatavari root powder (apparently in three divided doses) to placebo taken with milk for 30 days in 60 lactating East Indian women (Gupta and Shaw 2011). Serum prolactin levels increased significantly (about threefold) with shatavari compared to placebo. Infant weight and subjective happiness were also significantly improved with treatment compared to placebo. There was no toxicity.
Major Constituents:
The steroidal saponins of shatavari are known as shatavarins, asparagosides, asparanins, and curillosides (Hayes, et al. 2008 and 2006; Feng, et al. 2002). Sarsapogenin is also present. Others include shatavarosides and filiasparosides (Sharma, et al. 2009).
An alkaloid called asparagamine A has been isolated from the roots of shatavari (Sekine, et al. 1994). It has a very unusual monoester pyrrolizidine base with several additional rings forming a cage-like structure. Its relevance to any medicinal effects is unknown. There is no reason to think it has any toxicity like other more typically-structured pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Adverse Effects: Shatavari is extremely safe.
Rodents do not show any signs of toxicity when given high doses of shatavari (Jetmalani, et al. 1967). No toxicity was detected in rats treated with large doses of shatavari while in utero or afterward (Prabha, et al. 2004). Rats show no toxicity after taking up to 2 g/kg of an ethanol extract of shatavari for 24 hours (Jagannath, et al. 2012). Another found no mortality in rodents even at a dose of 64 g/kg, showing its LD50 is higher than even this astronomically high level (Narendranath, et al. 1986).
Contraindications: None known
Drug Interactions: There are no known drug interactions with shatavari. An aqueous extract of shatavari had no effect on CYP3A4 enzymes in rat hepatocytes (Borse and Kamble 2015). Such studies are very poor at predicting effects in humans.
Taste: Acrid, soapy, and bitter, this root is fairly unpleasant tasting.
Major Actions:
- Female reproductive tonic
- Hormone modulator (Lalert, et al. 2018; Karimi Jashni, et al. 2016)
- Galactagogue (Bhutada 1999; Vihan and Panwar 1988; Narendranath, et al. 1986; Sholapurkar 1986)
- Immunomodulator (Kaur, et al. 2017; Tiwari, et al. 2017; Gautam, et al. 2009 and 2004)
- Adaptogen (Krishnamurthy, et al. 2013; Muruganandam, et al. 2002; Bhattacharya, et al. 2000; Rege, et al. 1999)
- Phytoestrogen (Busayapongchai and Siri 2017; Pandey, et al. 2005)
Major Organ System Affinities
- Female reproductive tract
- Immune system
Major Indications:
- Anovulatory cycles
- Female hormone imbalance
- Lactation, insufficient (Gupta and Shaw 2011)
- Low libido
- Menorrhagia
- Miscarriage, prevention
- Miscarriage, threatened
- Dysmenorrhea (Jetmalani, et al. 1967)
- Menopausal symptoms (O'Leary, et al. 2021; Goyal, et al. 2004; Singh and Kulkarni 2002)
- Premenstrual syndrome (Jetmalani, et al. 1967)
- Infertility, female
- Infertility, male (Palep 2003)
An herbal formula featuring shatavari but also containing Saraca indica (asoka tree), Centella asiatica (gotu kola), Terminalia chebula (chebulic myrobalan), Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice),Sida cordifolia (country mallow), kukkutandatvak bhasma (egg shell burned to ash), and zaharmohara bhasma (powdered serpentine, mostly magnesium silicate) was studied in a double-blind trial in 40 Indian women with surgical menopause (Goyal, et al. 2004). Compared to placebo, the herbal formula was significantly superior at physical, psychological, and social quality of life after 3 months of treatment. There were no adverse effects.
A double-blind trial in 20 English menopausal women randomized them to shatavari extract 1 g per day (made from 26.5 g of fresh roots) or placebo for 6 weeks (O'Leary, et al. 2021). Hand grip strength improved significantly with shatavari compared to placebo, and muscle biopsies showed various signs of shatavari significantly countering sarcopenia. There were no signs of improvement in bone strength or health.
A case series found a combination of shatavari 5 g and Mucuna pruriens (cowhage) seed 5 g daily helpful for male-factor infertility (Palep 2003).
Though shatavari is widely and commonly used as a galactagogue, one randomized clinical trial failed to show any benefit for secondary lactational failure (Sharma, et al. 1996). A double-blind trial compared 60 mg/kg of shatavari root powder (apparently in three divided doses) to placebo taken with milk for 30 days in 60 lactating East Indian women (Gupta and Shaw 2011). Serum prolactin levels increased significantly (about threefold) with shatavari compared to placebo. Infant weight and subjective happiness were also significantly improved with treatment compared to placebo. There was no toxicity.
Major Constituents:
- Saponin glycosides
- Complex carbohydrates
The steroidal saponins of shatavari are known as shatavarins, asparagosides, asparanins, and curillosides (Hayes, et al. 2008 and 2006; Feng, et al. 2002). Sarsapogenin is also present. Others include shatavarosides and filiasparosides (Sharma, et al. 2009).
An alkaloid called asparagamine A has been isolated from the roots of shatavari (Sekine, et al. 1994). It has a very unusual monoester pyrrolizidine base with several additional rings forming a cage-like structure. Its relevance to any medicinal effects is unknown. There is no reason to think it has any toxicity like other more typically-structured pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
Adverse Effects: Shatavari is extremely safe.
Rodents do not show any signs of toxicity when given high doses of shatavari (Jetmalani, et al. 1967). No toxicity was detected in rats treated with large doses of shatavari while in utero or afterward (Prabha, et al. 2004). Rats show no toxicity after taking up to 2 g/kg of an ethanol extract of shatavari for 24 hours (Jagannath, et al. 2012). Another found no mortality in rodents even at a dose of 64 g/kg, showing its LD50 is higher than even this astronomically high level (Narendranath, et al. 1986).
Contraindications: None known
Drug Interactions: There are no known drug interactions with shatavari. An aqueous extract of shatavari had no effect on CYP3A4 enzymes in rat hepatocytes (Borse and Kamble 2015). Such studies are very poor at predicting effects in humans.
Pharmacy Essentials
Tincture: 1:2–1:4 w:v ratio, 30% ethanol
Dose:
Acute, adult: 3–5 ml up to q2h for short periods of time (rarely used this way)
Chronic, adult: 3–5 ml tid
Glycerite: 1:3–1:4 w:v ratio, 75%+ vegetable glycerin
Dose: same as tincture
Capsules: often standardized to 15% saponins
Dose:
Acute, adult: 1–2 g per dose up to q2h for short periods of time (rarely used this way)
Chronic, adult: 1–2 g bid-tid
Powder: 3–4 g tid–qid, mixed traditionally with milk but can mix with plant-based milk or water
Decoction: simmer 3–5 g of root in 250 ml of water for 30 min, strain, and drink 1 cup tid
If you need help formulating with this herb, or any other, you can use the formulation tool. Remember that when using this herb in a formula, due to synergy, you can usually use less.
Dose:
Acute, adult: 3–5 ml up to q2h for short periods of time (rarely used this way)
Chronic, adult: 3–5 ml tid
Glycerite: 1:3–1:4 w:v ratio, 75%+ vegetable glycerin
Dose: same as tincture
Capsules: often standardized to 15% saponins
Dose:
Acute, adult: 1–2 g per dose up to q2h for short periods of time (rarely used this way)
Chronic, adult: 1–2 g bid-tid
Powder: 3–4 g tid–qid, mixed traditionally with milk but can mix with plant-based milk or water
Decoction: simmer 3–5 g of root in 250 ml of water for 30 min, strain, and drink 1 cup tid
If you need help formulating with this herb, or any other, you can use the formulation tool. Remember that when using this herb in a formula, due to synergy, you can usually use less.
Other Names
Latin synonyms:
Current correct Latin binomial: Asparagus racemosus Willd
Asparagopsis abyssinica Kunth
Asparagopsis acerosa Kunth
Asparagus acerosus Roxb
Asparagopsis brownei Kunth
Asparagopsis decaisnei Kunth
Asparagopsis floribunda Kunth
Asparagopsis hohenackerii Kunth
Asparagopsis javanica Kunth
Asparagopsis retrofracta Schweinf ex Baker
Asparagopsis sarmentosa Dalzell & A Gibson
Asparagopsis subquadrangularis Kunth
Asparagus dubius Decne
Asparagus fasciculatus R Br
Asparagus jacquemontii Baker
Asparagus penduliflorus Zipp ex Span
Asparagus petitianus A Rich
Asparagus stachyoides Spreng ex Baker
Asparagus tetragonus Bresler
Asparagus zeylanicus Hook f
Geitonoplesium scandens Hassk
Protasparagus acerosus (Roxb) Kamble
Protasparagus jacquemontii (Baker) Kamble
Protasparagus racemosus (Willd) Oberm
Protasparagus zeylanicus (Hook f ) Kamble
English Common Names: shatavari, Indian asparagus, satavar, satawari, shatamull, buttermilk root, climbing asparagus, water root, wild asparagus, wild carrot
Assamese Common Name: শতমূল (satomul)
Bengali Common Name: শতমূলী (satamuli)
Dogri Common Names: sainsarbel, satmooli, shatavar
Dutch Common Name: shatavari
German Common Name: indische Spargel
Gujarati Common Name: શતાવરી shatavari
Hindi Common Names: शतमूली (shatamuli), शतावरी (shatavari, literally "100 roots," "100 husbands," or "acceptable to many"), शतवीर (shatavir), सतावरी (Satawari), अहेरु (aheru), बर (bar), बहुपुत्री (bahuputri), बहुमूला (bahumula), बहुसुता (bahusuta), भीरू (bhiru), मधुकर (madhukar), नारायणी (narayani), पीवरी (pivari), वरी (vari), वातारि (vatari)
Kannada Common Names: ಆಷಾಢಿ ಬೇರು (ashadi beru), ಹಲವು ಮಕ್ಕಳ ತಾಯಿ ಬೇರು (halavu makkala taayi beru),ಶತಾವರಿ (shatavari)
Kashmiri Common Names: सेज्नान (sejnana),सेज्-पान् (sēj-pān)
Konkani Common Name: सतावरी (satavari)
Malayalam Common Names: ശതാവരി (sathavari), ചതവലീ (chatavali), സതവലീ (satavali)
Mandarin Chinese Common Name: 长刺天门冬 cháng cì tiān mén dōng
Marathi Common Names: शतमूली (shatamuli), शतावरी (shatavari), आसवेल (aasvel), दिसमावळी (dismavali), सहस्त्रमूली (sahastramuli), शितागौर (shitagaur)
Meitei (Manipuri) Common Name: নুংগাৰৈ (nunggarei)
Mizo Common Names: âr ke bâwk
Nepali Common Name: सतमूली (satamuli), सतावरि (satavari)
Ngan'gi Common Name: yerrwuwu
Oriya Common Name: ବରୀ (vari)
Pali Common Name: शतमूली (satamuli)
Punjabi Common Names: ਛੋੱਟਾ ਕੇਲੂ (chhotta kelu), ਲਸ਼ੋਰੀ (lashori), ਸ਼ਤਾਵਰ (shatawar)
Russian Common Name: Спаржа кистевидная
Sanskrit Common Names: शतमूली (satamuli), शतावरी (satavari), हिरण्यस्रिंगी (hiranyasringi)
Tamil Common Names: தண்ணீர்விட்டான் (tannir-vittan), ஐக்குஞ்சு (aikkuncu), சிக்குவை (cikkuvai),மதசாரணை (mata-caranai), மிகுந்தவனம் (mikunta-vanam), பரணை (paranai), புருபீரு (purupiru), தூசுப்பு (tucuppu), வரிவரி (varivari), விபுதசத்துரு (viputacatturu)
Telugu Common Names: శతావరి (shatavari), అబీరువు (abiruvu), చెల్ల (cella), చందమామ గడ్డలు (chandamama gaddalu), పిల్లపీచ (pilla-pitsara), పిల్లి తేగలు (pillitegalu)
Thai Common Name: rak sam sip
Tulu Common Name: ಉದುರಿಬೂರು (uduriburu)
Turkish Common Name: kuşkonmazi
Urdu Common Name: ستاور (satawar)
Current correct Latin binomial: Asparagus racemosus Willd
Asparagopsis abyssinica Kunth
Asparagopsis acerosa Kunth
Asparagus acerosus Roxb
Asparagopsis brownei Kunth
Asparagopsis decaisnei Kunth
Asparagopsis floribunda Kunth
Asparagopsis hohenackerii Kunth
Asparagopsis javanica Kunth
Asparagopsis retrofracta Schweinf ex Baker
Asparagopsis sarmentosa Dalzell & A Gibson
Asparagopsis subquadrangularis Kunth
Asparagus dubius Decne
Asparagus fasciculatus R Br
Asparagus jacquemontii Baker
Asparagus penduliflorus Zipp ex Span
Asparagus petitianus A Rich
Asparagus stachyoides Spreng ex Baker
Asparagus tetragonus Bresler
Asparagus zeylanicus Hook f
Geitonoplesium scandens Hassk
Protasparagus acerosus (Roxb) Kamble
Protasparagus jacquemontii (Baker) Kamble
Protasparagus racemosus (Willd) Oberm
Protasparagus zeylanicus (Hook f ) Kamble
English Common Names: shatavari, Indian asparagus, satavar, satawari, shatamull, buttermilk root, climbing asparagus, water root, wild asparagus, wild carrot
Assamese Common Name: শতমূল (satomul)
Bengali Common Name: শতমূলী (satamuli)
Dogri Common Names: sainsarbel, satmooli, shatavar
Dutch Common Name: shatavari
German Common Name: indische Spargel
Gujarati Common Name: શતાવરી shatavari
Hindi Common Names: शतमूली (shatamuli), शतावरी (shatavari, literally "100 roots," "100 husbands," or "acceptable to many"), शतवीर (shatavir), सतावरी (Satawari), अहेरु (aheru), बर (bar), बहुपुत्री (bahuputri), बहुमूला (bahumula), बहुसुता (bahusuta), भीरू (bhiru), मधुकर (madhukar), नारायणी (narayani), पीवरी (pivari), वरी (vari), वातारि (vatari)
Kannada Common Names: ಆಷಾಢಿ ಬೇರು (ashadi beru), ಹಲವು ಮಕ್ಕಳ ತಾಯಿ ಬೇರು (halavu makkala taayi beru),ಶತಾವರಿ (shatavari)
Kashmiri Common Names: सेज्नान (sejnana),सेज्-पान् (sēj-pān)
Konkani Common Name: सतावरी (satavari)
Malayalam Common Names: ശതാവരി (sathavari), ചതവലീ (chatavali), സതവലീ (satavali)
Mandarin Chinese Common Name: 长刺天门冬 cháng cì tiān mén dōng
Marathi Common Names: शतमूली (shatamuli), शतावरी (shatavari), आसवेल (aasvel), दिसमावळी (dismavali), सहस्त्रमूली (sahastramuli), शितागौर (shitagaur)
Meitei (Manipuri) Common Name: নুংগাৰৈ (nunggarei)
Mizo Common Names: âr ke bâwk
Nepali Common Name: सतमूली (satamuli), सतावरि (satavari)
Ngan'gi Common Name: yerrwuwu
Oriya Common Name: ବରୀ (vari)
Pali Common Name: शतमूली (satamuli)
Punjabi Common Names: ਛੋੱਟਾ ਕੇਲੂ (chhotta kelu), ਲਸ਼ੋਰੀ (lashori), ਸ਼ਤਾਵਰ (shatawar)
Russian Common Name: Спаржа кистевидная
Sanskrit Common Names: शतमूली (satamuli), शतावरी (satavari), हिरण्यस्रिंगी (hiranyasringi)
Tamil Common Names: தண்ணீர்விட்டான் (tannir-vittan), ஐக்குஞ்சு (aikkuncu), சிக்குவை (cikkuvai),மதசாரணை (mata-caranai), மிகுந்தவனம் (mikunta-vanam), பரணை (paranai), புருபீரு (purupiru), தூசுப்பு (tucuppu), வரிவரி (varivari), விபுதசத்துரு (viputacatturu)
Telugu Common Names: శతావరి (shatavari), అబీరువు (abiruvu), చెల్ల (cella), చందమామ గడ్డలు (chandamama gaddalu), పిల్లపీచ (pilla-pitsara), పిల్లి తేగలు (pillitegalu)
Thai Common Name: rak sam sip
Tulu Common Name: ಉದುರಿಬೂರು (uduriburu)
Turkish Common Name: kuşkonmazi
Urdu Common Name: ستاور (satawar)
Interchangeability of Species
Many species of Asparagus have historically been used as medicine. Many of these have been confirmed in preclinical research. Some of these may have activity as deep and broad as shatavari, particularly A. sarmentosus (shatavari kizhanna). A. officinalis (garden asparagus) and A. cochinchinensis (天門冬 tiān mén dōng ["heavenly gate winter"], Chinese asparagus, tenmendō, cheon mung dong) from Europe and China, respectively, have, in particular, shown immuno- and inflammation-modulating properties (Zhang, et al. 2018; Choi, et al. 2018; Lee, et al. 2009; Jang, et al. 2004).
Other potentially medicinal species include A. filicinus (fern asparagus), A. curillus (also called shatavari), A. suaveolens (bushveld asparagus), A. setaceus (climbing asparagus fern), A. aethiopicus (Sprenger's asparagus, foxtail fern), A. virgatus (broom asparagus), A. warneckei (Warnecke's asparagus), A. schoberioides (chikap-muk), A. flagellaris (wild asparagus), and A. africanus (kadankode) (Quattrocchi 2016).
Many methods, including genetic testing and microscopy, have been developed to authenticate raw materials (Hasan, et al. 2016; Boonsom, et al. 2012).
Other potentially medicinal species include A. filicinus (fern asparagus), A. curillus (also called shatavari), A. suaveolens (bushveld asparagus), A. setaceus (climbing asparagus fern), A. aethiopicus (Sprenger's asparagus, foxtail fern), A. virgatus (broom asparagus), A. warneckei (Warnecke's asparagus), A. schoberioides (chikap-muk), A. flagellaris (wild asparagus), and A. africanus (kadankode) (Quattrocchi 2016).
Many methods, including genetic testing and microscopy, have been developed to authenticate raw materials (Hasan, et al. 2016; Boonsom, et al. 2012).
Advanced Clinical Information
Additional Actions:
The herbo-mineral preparation Satavar Mandur (which features shatavari) protected rats against ulcers due to stress, aspirin, and ethanol (Datta, et al. 2002). It did this by increasing mucus and other defenses, not by lowering gastric acid or pepsin levels.
In a clinical trial of 8 healthy East Indian men, 2 g shatavari powder in water stimulated gastric motility as much as metoclopramide 10 mg (Dalvi, et al. 1990).
Additional Indications:
In one open clinical trial, 32 adults with duodenal ulcer were given 3 g shatavari powder four times daily for an average of 6 wk (Singh and Singh 1986). Most patients recovered completely.
- Anti-ameba (Roy, et al. 1971)
- Antibacterial (Mandal, et al. 2000b)
- Antidepressant (Dhingra and Kumar 2007)
- Antidiuretic hormone antagonist (Gaitondé and Jetmalani 1969)
- Antineoplastic (Sharma and Jaitak 2018; Mitra, et al. 2012; Rao 1981)
- Antitussive (Mandal, et al. 2000a)
- Gastric motility stimulator (Dalvi, et al. 1990)
- Gastroprotective, anti-ulcer (Bhatnagar, et al. 2005; Datta, et al. 2002)
- Litholytic (Jagannath, et al. 2012)
- Neuroprotective (Lalert, et al. 2018)
- Radioprotective (Kamat, et al. 2000)
- Uterine relaxant (Gaitondé and Jetmalani 1969)
The herbo-mineral preparation Satavar Mandur (which features shatavari) protected rats against ulcers due to stress, aspirin, and ethanol (Datta, et al. 2002). It did this by increasing mucus and other defenses, not by lowering gastric acid or pepsin levels.
In a clinical trial of 8 healthy East Indian men, 2 g shatavari powder in water stimulated gastric motility as much as metoclopramide 10 mg (Dalvi, et al. 1990).
Additional Indications:
- Aspirin adjunct, gastroprotective
- Duodenal ulcer (Singh and Singh 1986; Kishore, et al. 1980)
- Dyslipidemia
In one open clinical trial, 32 adults with duodenal ulcer were given 3 g shatavari powder four times daily for an average of 6 wk (Singh and Singh 1986). Most patients recovered completely.
सुश्रुतसंहिता: चिकित्सास्थान (Suśruta-saṃhitā: Cikitsāsthāna, volume 4) (Bhishagratna KKL 1911)
Chapter XXVII - Elixirs (rasayana) for invulnerability to disease
Now we shall discourse on the recipes and modes of using elixirs and rejuvinators of the human organism which will make it invulnerable to the inroads of any disease or of decay (Sarvopaghata-Shamaniya-Rasayana).
Metrical Texts: A wise physician should (invariably) prescribe some sort of tonic (Rasayana) for his patients in their youth and middle age after having their systems (properly) cleansed by the applications of a Sneha and purifying remedies (emetics and purgatives). A person whose system has not been (previously) cleansed (Sodhana) with the proper purifying remedies (emetics and purgatives) should not, in any case, have recourse to such tonics inasmuch as they would fail to produce the wished-for result, just as the application of a dye to a piece of dirty cloth will prove non-effective.
Now we shall describe the remedial measures and agents for the maladies due to the aggravated Doshas, both mental and physical, which have already been described (in several places). Old age and senile decay would be arrested (lit. perpetual or life-long youth would be secured) by drinking milk, cold water, honey and clarified butter, either severally or jointly (i.e., in any combination taken one, two, three or four at a time), in early life (just on or just before the completion of the process of organic development).
Vala-Kalpa: A Pala [~40 g] or half a Pala weight of the (powdered) roots of the Vala should be well-stirred in cow’s milk and taken (every day), and the patient or the user should not be allowed to stir out of his room as prescribed before (during the entire course of taking the medicine). He should be advised to take a meal consisting of boiled rice, milk and clarified butter after the medicine had been fully digested. Premature old age and senile decay would be arrested for a period of twelve years by taking this elixir continuously for twelve days in the foregoing manner, whereas an extension of its course to a hundred days would add a hundred summers to the duration of his youthful age. Ati-vala, Naga-vala, Vidari, Satavari may be similarly taken for the same purposes, with this distinction that the (powders of] the Ati-vala should be taken with water, those of the Naga-vala, with honey, whereas Vidari and the Shatavari powders should be taken with milk. The regimen of diet and conduct as well as the beneficial results produced therefrom should be the same (as from the use of Vala). The present remedies are recommended to persons seeking strength or suffering from an attack of hematemesis or hematochezia [tuberculosis].
Now we shall discourse on the recipes and modes of using elixirs and rejuvinators of the human organism which will make it invulnerable to the inroads of any disease or of decay (Sarvopaghata-Shamaniya-Rasayana).
Metrical Texts: A wise physician should (invariably) prescribe some sort of tonic (Rasayana) for his patients in their youth and middle age after having their systems (properly) cleansed by the applications of a Sneha and purifying remedies (emetics and purgatives). A person whose system has not been (previously) cleansed (Sodhana) with the proper purifying remedies (emetics and purgatives) should not, in any case, have recourse to such tonics inasmuch as they would fail to produce the wished-for result, just as the application of a dye to a piece of dirty cloth will prove non-effective.
Now we shall describe the remedial measures and agents for the maladies due to the aggravated Doshas, both mental and physical, which have already been described (in several places). Old age and senile decay would be arrested (lit. perpetual or life-long youth would be secured) by drinking milk, cold water, honey and clarified butter, either severally or jointly (i.e., in any combination taken one, two, three or four at a time), in early life (just on or just before the completion of the process of organic development).
Vala-Kalpa: A Pala [~40 g] or half a Pala weight of the (powdered) roots of the Vala should be well-stirred in cow’s milk and taken (every day), and the patient or the user should not be allowed to stir out of his room as prescribed before (during the entire course of taking the medicine). He should be advised to take a meal consisting of boiled rice, milk and clarified butter after the medicine had been fully digested. Premature old age and senile decay would be arrested for a period of twelve years by taking this elixir continuously for twelve days in the foregoing manner, whereas an extension of its course to a hundred days would add a hundred summers to the duration of his youthful age. Ati-vala, Naga-vala, Vidari, Satavari may be similarly taken for the same purposes, with this distinction that the (powders of] the Ati-vala should be taken with water, those of the Naga-vala, with honey, whereas Vidari and the Shatavari powders should be taken with milk. The regimen of diet and conduct as well as the beneficial results produced therefrom should be the same (as from the use of Vala). The present remedies are recommended to persons seeking strength or suffering from an attack of hematemesis or hematochezia [tuberculosis].
Botanical Information
Botanical Description: Shatavari is a woody, perennial vine (can grow as a shrub). The stem has sparse, recurved spines. Stems are round in cross section, green, and slender (not usually >2 cm diameter). Shatavari lacks true leaves, instead having linear (slightly triangular in cross section, grooved) cladodes (modified stem tissue) in clusters of 2–6, each up to 1.5 cm long, with narrow bases and acute, sharp tips. The inflorescences are racemes up to 5 cm long sparsely or in clusters. Flowers are bisexual, 5–6 mm in diameter, with 6 white oblong free tepals. There are 6 stamens that are adherent to the tepals and have tapered filaments. The three stigmas are recurved and have minimal or not styles. The ovary is globose and 3-celled. The fruit is a red berry 4–6 mm in diameter that becomes purple when fully ripe. There are 2–3 black seeds per fruit, each being 2 mm in diameter and globular. Roots are numerous and fusiform (hence the common name), succulent and tuberous in bundles with a diameter of 0.5–1.5 cm.
Native range: Shatavari is common throughout India, Nepal, the Himalayas, and Sri Lanka where it is indigenous. It has been spread to many other areas including Southeast Asia and northern and western Australia. It preferes growing in rocky soils at around 1000–1400 m altitude. It is common in moist deciduous forests, bamboo brakes, scrub jungle, plains, fall lands, and forest borders.
Native range: Shatavari is common throughout India, Nepal, the Himalayas, and Sri Lanka where it is indigenous. It has been spread to many other areas including Southeast Asia and northern and western Australia. It preferes growing in rocky soils at around 1000–1400 m altitude. It is common in moist deciduous forests, bamboo brakes, scrub jungle, plains, fall lands, and forest borders.
Harvest, Cultivation, and Ecology
Cultivation: Cultivation of shatavari (both A. racemosus and A. sarmentosus is widespread. These species prefer sandy loam to medium black soil (often prepared with farm yard manure or fertilizer), good drainage, and soil pH 6–8. It is generally grown from seeds that are raised to seedlings then transplanted. Seeds are traditionally soaked in cow urine before being planted to resist disease. Frequent weeding is needed, particularly when the crop is young. After seedlings are transplanted they should be irrigated every 4–6 days initially. In areas receiving 800–1200 mm of rainfall no further irrigation is generally needed once plants are mature. Staking is needed to support growing plants. Starting 20–30 months after transplanting, the first root crop can be harvested, and then every 12–14 months thereafter. Harvesting before 20 months is possible but will result in a much lower yield.
Micropropagation in vitro has been proposed as one alternative method of cultivation of the plant (Saxena and Bopana 2009).
Wildcrafting: It does not appear advisable to wild craft this herb as it may be overharvested.
Ecological Status: Though good data are not readily available, many sources suggest that wild shatavari is over exploited in the wild and this leaves it in a threatened position (Saxena and Bopana 2009; Chaudhuri 2007)
Micropropagation in vitro has been proposed as one alternative method of cultivation of the plant (Saxena and Bopana 2009).
Wildcrafting: It does not appear advisable to wild craft this herb as it may be overharvested.
Ecological Status: Though good data are not readily available, many sources suggest that wild shatavari is over exploited in the wild and this leaves it in a threatened position (Saxena and Bopana 2009; Chaudhuri 2007)
References
Bhatnagar M, Sisodia SS, Bhatnagar R (2005) "Antiulcer and antioxidant activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd and Withania somnifera Dunal in rats" Ann NY Acad Sci 1056:261–278.
Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Chakrabarti A (2000) "Adaptogenic activity of Siotone, a polyherbal formulation of Ayurvedic rasayanas" Indian J Exp Biol 38(2):119–128.
Bhutada SG (1999) "Effect of herbal antistressor AV/ASE/14 and galactagogue Payapro on milk production in buffaloes during summer" Indian Vet Med J 23(2):135–136.
Boonsom T, Waranuch N, Ingkaninan K, et al. (2012) "Molecular analysis of the genus Asparagus based on matK sequences and its application to identify A. racemosus, a medicinally phytoestrogenic species" Fitoterapia 83(5):947–953.
Borse SP, Kamble BB (2015) "Effect of Ayurvedic Rasayana botanicals on CYP3A4 isoenzyme system" J Integr Med 13(3):165–172.
Busayapongchai P, Siri S (2017) "Simple assay for screening phytoestrogenic compounds using the oestrogen receptor immobilised magnetite nanoparticles" IET Nanobiotechnol 11(4):395–402.
Chaudhuri AB (2007) Endangered Medicinal Plants (Dehli: Daya Publishing House).
Choi JY, Park JW, Kim JE, et al. (2018) "Dose dependence and durability of the therapeutic effects of Asparagus cochinchinensis fermented extract in an ovalbumin-challenged asthma model" Lab Anim Res 34(3):101–110.
Dalvi SS, Nadkarni PM, Gupta KC (1990) "Effect of Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) on gastric emptying time in normal healthy volunteers" J Postgrad Med 36(2):91–94.
Datta GK, Sairam K, Priyambada S, Debnath PK, Goel RK (2002) "Antiulcerogenic activity of Satavari mandur—an Ayurvedic herbo-mineral preparation" Indian J Exp Biol 40(10):1173–1177.
Dhingra D, Kumar V (2007) "Pharmacological evaluation for antidepressant-like activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd in mice" Pharmacol Online 3:133–152.
Feng J, Chen DF, Sun QZ, et al. (2002) "Asparosides A and B, two new steroidal saponins from Asparagus meioclados" J Asian Nat Prod Res 4(3):221–226.
Gaitondé BB, Jetmalani MH (1969) "Antioxytocic action of saponin isolated from Asparagus racemosus Willd (shatavari) on uterine muscle" Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 179(1):121-129.
Gautam M, Diwanay S, Gairola S, et al. (2004) "Immunoadjuvant potential of Asparagus racemosus aqueous extract in experimental system" J Ethnopharmacol 91(2–3):251–255.
Gautam M, Saha S, Bani S, et al. (2009) "Immunomodulatory activity of Asparagus racemosus on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity: Implications for immune adjuvant potential" J Ethnopharmacol 121(2):241–247.
Goyal M, Giri S, Kolhapure SA (2004) "Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Menosan in the management of postmenopausal syndrome with special reference to improvement in the quality of life: A prospective, double blind, randomized, placebo- controlled, phase III clinical trial" Medicine Update 12(8):39–48.
Gupta M, Shaw B (2011) "A double-blind randomized clinical trial for evaluation of galactogogue activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd" Iran J Pharm Res 10(1):167–172.
Hasan N, Ahmad N, Zohrameena S, et al. (2016) "Asparagus racemosus: For medicinal uses and pharmacological actions" Int J Adv Res 4(3):259–267.
Hayes PY, Jahidin AH, Lehmann R, et al. (2006) "Asparinins, asparosides, curillins, curillosides, and shavatarins: Structural clarification with the isolation of shatavarin V, a new steroidal saponin from the root of Asparagus racemosus" Tetrahedron Lett 47(49):8683–8687.
Hayes PY, Jahidin AH, Lehmann R, et al. (2008) "Steroidal saponins from the roots of Asparagus racemosus" Phytochemistry 69(3):796–804.
Jang DS, Cuendet M, Fong HHS, et al. (2004) "Constituents of Asparagus officinalis evaluated for inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase-2" J Agric Food Chem 52(8):2218–2222.
Jagannath N, Chikkannasetty SS, Govindadas D, Devasankaraiah G (2012) "Study of antiurolithiatic activity of Asparagus racemosus on albino rats" Indian J Pharmacol 44(5):576–579.
Jetmalani MH, Sabins PB, Gaitondé BB (1967) "A study on the pharmacology of various extracts of shatavari--Asparagus racemosus (Willd)" J Res Ind Med 2:1–10.
Kamat JP, Boloor KK, Devasagayam TP, Venkatachalam SR (2000) "Antioxidant properties of Asparagus racemosus against damage induced by gamma-radiation in rat liver mitochondria" J Ethnopharmacol 71(3):425–435.
Karimi Jashni H, Kargar Jahromi H, Ghorbani Ranjbary A, et al. (2016) "Effects of aqueous extract from Asparagus officinalis L roots on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormone levels and the number of ovarian follicles in adult rats" Int J Reprod Biomed (Yazd) 14(2):75–80.
Kaur P, Robin, Makanjuola VO, et al. (2017) "Immunopotentiating significance of conventionally used plant adaptogens as modulators in biochemical and molecular signalling pathways in cell mediated processes" Biomed Pharmacother 95:1815–1829.
Kishore P, Pandey PN, Pandey SN, Dash S (1980) "Treatment of duodenal ulcer with Asparagus racemosus Linn" J Res Indian Med Yog Homeo 15:409–415.
Krishnamurthy S, Garabadu D, Reddy NR (2013) "Asparagus racemosus modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain monoaminergic systems in rats" Nutr Neurosci 16(6):255–261.
Lalert L, Kruevaisayawan H, Amatyakul P, et al. (2018) "Neuroprotective effect of Asparagus racemosus root extract via the enhancement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and estrogen receptor in ovariectomized rats" J Ethnopharmacol 225:336–341.
Lee DY, Choo BK, Yoon T, et al. (2009) "Anti-inflammatory effects of Asparagus cochinchinensis extract in acute and chronic cutaneous inflammation" J Ethnopharmacol 121(1):28–34.
Mandal SC, Kumar CKA, Mohana Lakshmi S, et al. (2000a) "Antitussive effect of Asparagus racemosus root against sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice" Fitoterapia 71(6):686–689.
Mandal SC, Nandy A, Pal M, Saha BP (2000b) "Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd root" Phytother Res 14(2):118–119.
Mitra SK, Prakash NS, Sundaram R (2012) "Shatavarins (containing shatavarin IV) with anticancer activity from the roots of Asparagus racemosus" Indian J Pharmacol 44(6):732–736.
Muruganandam AV, Kumar V, Bhattacharya SK (2002) "Effect of poly herbal formulation, EuMil, on chronic stress-induced homeostatic perturbations in rats" Indian J Exp Biol 40(10):1151–1160.
Narendranath KA, Mahalingam S, Anuradha V, Rao IS (1986) "Effect of herbal galactogogue (Lactare) a pharmacological and clinical observation" Med Surg 26:19–22.
O'Leary MF, Jackman SR, Sabou VR, et al. (2021) "Shatavari supplementation in postmenopausal women improves handgrip strength and increases vastus lateralis myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation but does not alter markers of bone turnover" Nutrients 13(12):4282.
Palep HS (2003) "Semen analysis parameters and effect of treatment with Asparagus racemosus and Mucuna pruriens" Bombay Hosp J 45(3):416–419.
Pandey SK, Sahay A, Pandey RS, Tripathi YB (2005) "Effect of Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) rhizome on mammary gland and genital organs of pregnant rat" Phytother Res 19(8):721–724.
Quattrocchi U (2016) CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology, 5 volumes (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press).
Rao AR (1981) "Inhibitory action of Asparagus racemosus on DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats" Int J Cancer 28(5):607–610.
Rege NN, Thatte UM, Dahanukar SA (1999) "Adaptogenic properties of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine" Phytother Res 13(4):275–291.
Roy RN, Bhagwager S, Chavan SR, Dutta NK (1971) "Preliminary pharmacological studies on extracts of root of Asparagus racemosus satavari), Willd, Lilliaceae" J Res Indian Med 6:132–138.
Saxena S, Bopana N (2009) "In vitro clonal propagation of Asparagus racemosus, a high value medicinal plant" Methods Mol Biol 547:179–189.
Sekine T, Fukasawa N, Kashiwagi Y, et al. (1994) "Structure of asparagamine A, a novel polycyclic alkaloid from Asparagus racemosus" Chem Pharm Bull 42(6):1360–1362.
Sharma R, Jaitak V (2020) "Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) targeting estrogen receptor α: An in-vitro and in-silico mechanistic study" Nat Prod Res 34(11):1571–1574.
Sharma S, Ramji S, Kumari S, Bapna JS (1996) "Randomized controlled trial of Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) as a lactogogue [sic] in lactational inadequacy" Indian Pediatr 33(8):675–677.
Sharma U, Saini R, Kumar N, Singh B (2009) "Steroidal saponins from Asparagus racemosus" Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 57(8):890–893.
Sholapurkar ML (1986) "Lactare-for improving lactation" Indian Practitioner 39:1023–1026.
Singh KP, Singh RH (1986) "Clinical trial on satavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd) in duodenal ulcer disease" J Res Ay Sid 7:91–100.
Singh SK, Kulkarni KS (2002) "Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Menosan in post-menopausal symptoms: A short-term pilot study" Obstet Gynaecol Today 7(12):727–730.
Tiwari N, Gupta VK1, Pandey P, et al. (2017) "Adjuvant effect of Asparagus racemosus Willd derived saponins in antibody production, allergic response and pro-inflammatory cytokine modulation" Biomed Pharmacother 86:555–561.
Vihan VS, Panwar HS (1988) "A note on galactagogue activity of Asparagus racemosus in lactating goats" Indian J of Animal Health 27:177–178.
Visavadiya NP, Narasimhacharya AVRL (2005) "Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of Asparagus racemosus in hypercholesteremic rats" Indian J Pharmacol 37(6):376–380.
Zhang ZH, Fan ST, Huang DF, et al. (2018) "Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum NCU116 fermentation on Asparagus officinalis polysaccharide: Characterization, antioxidative, and immunoregulatory activities" J Agric Food Chem 66(41):10703–10711.
Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Chakrabarti A (2000) "Adaptogenic activity of Siotone, a polyherbal formulation of Ayurvedic rasayanas" Indian J Exp Biol 38(2):119–128.
Bhutada SG (1999) "Effect of herbal antistressor AV/ASE/14 and galactagogue Payapro on milk production in buffaloes during summer" Indian Vet Med J 23(2):135–136.
Boonsom T, Waranuch N, Ingkaninan K, et al. (2012) "Molecular analysis of the genus Asparagus based on matK sequences and its application to identify A. racemosus, a medicinally phytoestrogenic species" Fitoterapia 83(5):947–953.
Borse SP, Kamble BB (2015) "Effect of Ayurvedic Rasayana botanicals on CYP3A4 isoenzyme system" J Integr Med 13(3):165–172.
Busayapongchai P, Siri S (2017) "Simple assay for screening phytoestrogenic compounds using the oestrogen receptor immobilised magnetite nanoparticles" IET Nanobiotechnol 11(4):395–402.
Chaudhuri AB (2007) Endangered Medicinal Plants (Dehli: Daya Publishing House).
Choi JY, Park JW, Kim JE, et al. (2018) "Dose dependence and durability of the therapeutic effects of Asparagus cochinchinensis fermented extract in an ovalbumin-challenged asthma model" Lab Anim Res 34(3):101–110.
Dalvi SS, Nadkarni PM, Gupta KC (1990) "Effect of Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) on gastric emptying time in normal healthy volunteers" J Postgrad Med 36(2):91–94.
Datta GK, Sairam K, Priyambada S, Debnath PK, Goel RK (2002) "Antiulcerogenic activity of Satavari mandur—an Ayurvedic herbo-mineral preparation" Indian J Exp Biol 40(10):1173–1177.
Dhingra D, Kumar V (2007) "Pharmacological evaluation for antidepressant-like activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd in mice" Pharmacol Online 3:133–152.
Feng J, Chen DF, Sun QZ, et al. (2002) "Asparosides A and B, two new steroidal saponins from Asparagus meioclados" J Asian Nat Prod Res 4(3):221–226.
Gaitondé BB, Jetmalani MH (1969) "Antioxytocic action of saponin isolated from Asparagus racemosus Willd (shatavari) on uterine muscle" Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther 179(1):121-129.
Gautam M, Diwanay S, Gairola S, et al. (2004) "Immunoadjuvant potential of Asparagus racemosus aqueous extract in experimental system" J Ethnopharmacol 91(2–3):251–255.
Gautam M, Saha S, Bani S, et al. (2009) "Immunomodulatory activity of Asparagus racemosus on systemic Th1/Th2 immunity: Implications for immune adjuvant potential" J Ethnopharmacol 121(2):241–247.
Goyal M, Giri S, Kolhapure SA (2004) "Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Menosan in the management of postmenopausal syndrome with special reference to improvement in the quality of life: A prospective, double blind, randomized, placebo- controlled, phase III clinical trial" Medicine Update 12(8):39–48.
Gupta M, Shaw B (2011) "A double-blind randomized clinical trial for evaluation of galactogogue activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd" Iran J Pharm Res 10(1):167–172.
Hasan N, Ahmad N, Zohrameena S, et al. (2016) "Asparagus racemosus: For medicinal uses and pharmacological actions" Int J Adv Res 4(3):259–267.
Hayes PY, Jahidin AH, Lehmann R, et al. (2006) "Asparinins, asparosides, curillins, curillosides, and shavatarins: Structural clarification with the isolation of shatavarin V, a new steroidal saponin from the root of Asparagus racemosus" Tetrahedron Lett 47(49):8683–8687.
Hayes PY, Jahidin AH, Lehmann R, et al. (2008) "Steroidal saponins from the roots of Asparagus racemosus" Phytochemistry 69(3):796–804.
Jang DS, Cuendet M, Fong HHS, et al. (2004) "Constituents of Asparagus officinalis evaluated for inhibitory activity against cyclooxygenase-2" J Agric Food Chem 52(8):2218–2222.
Jagannath N, Chikkannasetty SS, Govindadas D, Devasankaraiah G (2012) "Study of antiurolithiatic activity of Asparagus racemosus on albino rats" Indian J Pharmacol 44(5):576–579.
Jetmalani MH, Sabins PB, Gaitondé BB (1967) "A study on the pharmacology of various extracts of shatavari--Asparagus racemosus (Willd)" J Res Ind Med 2:1–10.
Kamat JP, Boloor KK, Devasagayam TP, Venkatachalam SR (2000) "Antioxidant properties of Asparagus racemosus against damage induced by gamma-radiation in rat liver mitochondria" J Ethnopharmacol 71(3):425–435.
Karimi Jashni H, Kargar Jahromi H, Ghorbani Ranjbary A, et al. (2016) "Effects of aqueous extract from Asparagus officinalis L roots on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis hormone levels and the number of ovarian follicles in adult rats" Int J Reprod Biomed (Yazd) 14(2):75–80.
Kaur P, Robin, Makanjuola VO, et al. (2017) "Immunopotentiating significance of conventionally used plant adaptogens as modulators in biochemical and molecular signalling pathways in cell mediated processes" Biomed Pharmacother 95:1815–1829.
Kishore P, Pandey PN, Pandey SN, Dash S (1980) "Treatment of duodenal ulcer with Asparagus racemosus Linn" J Res Indian Med Yog Homeo 15:409–415.
Krishnamurthy S, Garabadu D, Reddy NR (2013) "Asparagus racemosus modulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and brain monoaminergic systems in rats" Nutr Neurosci 16(6):255–261.
Lalert L, Kruevaisayawan H, Amatyakul P, et al. (2018) "Neuroprotective effect of Asparagus racemosus root extract via the enhancement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and estrogen receptor in ovariectomized rats" J Ethnopharmacol 225:336–341.
Lee DY, Choo BK, Yoon T, et al. (2009) "Anti-inflammatory effects of Asparagus cochinchinensis extract in acute and chronic cutaneous inflammation" J Ethnopharmacol 121(1):28–34.
Mandal SC, Kumar CKA, Mohana Lakshmi S, et al. (2000a) "Antitussive effect of Asparagus racemosus root against sulfur dioxide-induced cough in mice" Fitoterapia 71(6):686–689.
Mandal SC, Nandy A, Pal M, Saha BP (2000b) "Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd root" Phytother Res 14(2):118–119.
Mitra SK, Prakash NS, Sundaram R (2012) "Shatavarins (containing shatavarin IV) with anticancer activity from the roots of Asparagus racemosus" Indian J Pharmacol 44(6):732–736.
Muruganandam AV, Kumar V, Bhattacharya SK (2002) "Effect of poly herbal formulation, EuMil, on chronic stress-induced homeostatic perturbations in rats" Indian J Exp Biol 40(10):1151–1160.
Narendranath KA, Mahalingam S, Anuradha V, Rao IS (1986) "Effect of herbal galactogogue (Lactare) a pharmacological and clinical observation" Med Surg 26:19–22.
O'Leary MF, Jackman SR, Sabou VR, et al. (2021) "Shatavari supplementation in postmenopausal women improves handgrip strength and increases vastus lateralis myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation but does not alter markers of bone turnover" Nutrients 13(12):4282.
Palep HS (2003) "Semen analysis parameters and effect of treatment with Asparagus racemosus and Mucuna pruriens" Bombay Hosp J 45(3):416–419.
Pandey SK, Sahay A, Pandey RS, Tripathi YB (2005) "Effect of Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) rhizome on mammary gland and genital organs of pregnant rat" Phytother Res 19(8):721–724.
Quattrocchi U (2016) CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology, 5 volumes (Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press).
Rao AR (1981) "Inhibitory action of Asparagus racemosus on DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats" Int J Cancer 28(5):607–610.
Rege NN, Thatte UM, Dahanukar SA (1999) "Adaptogenic properties of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine" Phytother Res 13(4):275–291.
Roy RN, Bhagwager S, Chavan SR, Dutta NK (1971) "Preliminary pharmacological studies on extracts of root of Asparagus racemosus satavari), Willd, Lilliaceae" J Res Indian Med 6:132–138.
Saxena S, Bopana N (2009) "In vitro clonal propagation of Asparagus racemosus, a high value medicinal plant" Methods Mol Biol 547:179–189.
Sekine T, Fukasawa N, Kashiwagi Y, et al. (1994) "Structure of asparagamine A, a novel polycyclic alkaloid from Asparagus racemosus" Chem Pharm Bull 42(6):1360–1362.
Sharma R, Jaitak V (2020) "Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) targeting estrogen receptor α: An in-vitro and in-silico mechanistic study" Nat Prod Res 34(11):1571–1574.
Sharma S, Ramji S, Kumari S, Bapna JS (1996) "Randomized controlled trial of Asparagus racemosus (shatavari) as a lactogogue [sic] in lactational inadequacy" Indian Pediatr 33(8):675–677.
Sharma U, Saini R, Kumar N, Singh B (2009) "Steroidal saponins from Asparagus racemosus" Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 57(8):890–893.
Sholapurkar ML (1986) "Lactare-for improving lactation" Indian Practitioner 39:1023–1026.
Singh KP, Singh RH (1986) "Clinical trial on satavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd) in duodenal ulcer disease" J Res Ay Sid 7:91–100.
Singh SK, Kulkarni KS (2002) "Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Menosan in post-menopausal symptoms: A short-term pilot study" Obstet Gynaecol Today 7(12):727–730.
Tiwari N, Gupta VK1, Pandey P, et al. (2017) "Adjuvant effect of Asparagus racemosus Willd derived saponins in antibody production, allergic response and pro-inflammatory cytokine modulation" Biomed Pharmacother 86:555–561.
Vihan VS, Panwar HS (1988) "A note on galactagogue activity of Asparagus racemosus in lactating goats" Indian J of Animal Health 27:177–178.
Visavadiya NP, Narasimhacharya AVRL (2005) "Hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of Asparagus racemosus in hypercholesteremic rats" Indian J Pharmacol 37(6):376–380.
Zhang ZH, Fan ST, Huang DF, et al. (2018) "Effect of Lactobacillus plantarum NCU116 fermentation on Asparagus officinalis polysaccharide: Characterization, antioxidative, and immunoregulatory activities" J Agric Food Chem 66(41):10703–10711.