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Shatavari: A Natural Remedy for Women's Hormonal Balance and Vitality
Every stage of womanhood comes with its challenges. From puberty to pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause—our bodies go through it all! As we go through each stage, our hormones go through a rollercoaster ride, and this can lead to some unpleasant side effects. Your monthly cycle triggers a sudden surge and dip in your hormones, and you must be familiar with what this can mean for your body and your mood.
However, there is one Ayurvedic herb that can help you through all these transformations and cycles. An herb that has been used for centuries to regulate hormones, reduce stress, support the reproductive system, and boost vitality. It is none other than the queen of herbs, Shatavari.
When it comes to the health of women, Shatavari is one of the most important herbs in Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine that focuses on overall health and wellness. Shatavari is an herb that has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners for centuries to improve vitality, hormonal balance, and overall well-being. In this article, we will discuss Shatavari, its importance for women's health, and its traditional Ayurvedic uses.
What is Shatavari?
Shatavari, also called Asparagus racemosus, is a climbing spiny, tropical undershrub belonging to the family Liliaceae. It has small, feathery leaves and small, white flowers. The flowers turn into purple or black berries in a few months. It is one of Ayurveda's most sought-after herbs and part of many formulations. It is a powerful rejuvenating herb that is not only used to treat reproductive and hormonal issues but it is also used to reduce stress and inflammation.
Shatavari has been used since ancient times as a woman-rejuvenating tonic to support and strengthen women at different stages of their lives. It is used during menstruation, menopause, pregnancy, and motherhood. Shatavari is believed to help women cope with various emotional problems and hormonal imbalances.
According to Ayurveda, Shatavari, also classified as an adaptogen and rasayana, is a cell-rejuvenating and stress-reducing herb. It is used in Ayurveda as a woman’s vitality tonic. It is also used as an overall health supplement for improving mental health and well-being, immune system, vitality, digestion, and respiratory health. It balances the Vata and Pitta doshas.
Shatavari is an Ayurvedic herb that has been used for centuries to boost sattva (energy that helps heal) in the body. It boosts ojas too, which is the delicate essence of all the fluids that make us healthy, strong, long-lasting, immune, sensitive, and spiritual. It gives your tissues strength and stamina and keeps your cells healthy and strong, invigorating all your body functions and processes.
Shatavari for Healthy Stress Response
Ayurveda is not about a single herb or a single symptom. Rather, it’s about restoring balance to your whole body. Health problems improve when your systems are able to work in harmony, not just with each other but with your mind, nature, and spirit as well. Like many Ayurvedic herbs, Shatavari has a multi-faceted nature that addresses many imbalances simultaneously. One of its key advantages is that it’s used to reduce stress levels.
According to researchers, stress plays a significant role in hormonal imbalance. Stress affects reproductive health through the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. The effects of stress on reproductive health are linked to menstrual cycles, ovarian function, and other female reproductive health issues. This is why Ayurveda often recommends Shatavari to help manage your stress response. Research indicates that Shatavari contains saponins, which have been shown to protect neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation and slow brain aging.
Shatavari and the Doshas
From an Ayurvedic point of view, when the doshas are not in equilibrium, symptoms manifest. However, when they are in balance, health, vitality, and contentment increase. Shatavari is used to balance both the Vata and Pitta doshas; however, it may slightly raise Kapha due to its "cold"and "unctuous” properties.
Shatavari is a rasayana herb that promotes health, longevity, and youthfulness. Being a plant with "cold" properties, Shatavari can help to mitigate an aggravated Pitta dosha, which tends to cause heat-related symptoms like uterine bleeding and heavy menstrual flow. Shatavari is also used in Ayurveda for menopause and related symptoms like hot flashes, depressed mood, memory loss, and sleep disorders, all of which are symptoms of increased Vata and Pitta doshas.
Since the Vata dosha regulates the movement and action of the body and nervous system, it is also used for anxiety, which is one of the common Vata symptoms. The plant calms the nervous system and promotes sound sleep.
Health Benefits of Shatavari for Women
Satavari promotes the health of women from puberty through menopause and beyond. Below are some potential benefits of Shatavari for women.
1. Reduces PMS Symptoms
The herbal extract of Shatavari has been found to be effective in relieving a variety of menstrual and PMS-related symptoms, such as bloating, irritation, and cramping. This is due to its diuretic effect as well as its anti-spasmodic properties, which can help reduce cramping and alleviate bloating. Additionally, as an adaptogenic herb, it has antidepressant properties, which may be beneficial in the treatment of depression and mood swings associated with PMS in young girls.
2. Boosts Reproductive Health
Shatavari root is a popular Ayurvedic herb for women, especially to treat infertility, because it is adaptogenic, which means it helps balance hormones in the body. Shatavari root contains compounds called shatavarin and sarsapogenin, which are precursors to estrogen and progesterone. These compounds not only help with low levels of estrogen, but they also help balance levels of progesterone, which can help with fertility.
Shatavari stimulates the production of estrogen, which in turn stimulates the production of the luteinizing hormone (LH), which is essential for ovulation.
3. Enhances Libido
Shatavari extract has long been touted as an aphrodisiac that can boost libido and fertility. A 2008 animal study showed that Shatavari extracts significantly improved symptoms of sexual dysfunction and improved performance. While more research is needed in humans, it is recommended for both men and women looking to spice up their sex lives.
Not only can Shatavari help with anxiety and depression, but it can also increase blood flow, give you more energy, reduce dryness in the vagina, and reduce pain during sex. So if you're looking for an herb that can help boost your libido, Shatavari is definitely worth considering!
4. Increases Breast Milk Supply
In addition, Shatavari root has been shown to act as a galactagogue, which means it boosts breast milk supply. A study on nursing mothers with either a low milk supply or other issues with breastfeeding showed a significant rise in prolactin hormones (a hormone that measures the galactagogue effect).
5. Helps With Menopausal Symptoms
A reduction in estrogen levels before menopause can lead to a range of health issues in women, including bone mineral density (BMD) loss and muscle strength loss. Shatavari is a naturally occurring phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that are structurally or functionally related to estrogen. These compounds help regulate sharp hormonal fluctuations and can reduce symptoms such as hot flashes, mood changes, sleep problems, fatigue, and skin and hair problems.
A 2013 clinical trial showed that taking six grams of Shatavari daily for 10 weeks helped perimenopausal women reduce bone loss and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. In another 2021 study, Shatavari supplementation helped improve muscle function in postmenopausal women.
6. Improves Skin Elasticity and Firmness
Shatavari contains more than fifty bioactive compounds, including saponins and glycosides, polysaccharides, alkaloids, isoflavones, quercetin, and many more. Shatavari is rich in antioxidants, which fight free radical damage. Antioxidants prevent the breakdown of collagen and the oxidation of skin lipids, thereby delaying environmental skin aging.
It acts as a potent rejuvenator and a Kapha-receptor, naturally increasing collagen production, skin elasticity, and firmness. It also strengthens the skin’s protective barrier. Studies have shown that compounds found in the Shatavari root prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Shatavari balance female hormones?
Shatavari is an herb that has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners for centuries to improve vitality, hormonal balance, and overall well-being.
2. Does Shatavari regulate periods?
Besides relieving cramps, Shatavari also helps balance hormones in your body, which helps keep your menstrual cycle on track.
3. Is Shatavari good for conceiving?
Shatavari, a pure herb extract, is known to increase the chances of conception in women. It also corrects hormonal imbalances and aids in ovulation. It also nourishes and tones the reproductive system.
The Final Words
Satavari is known as the “Queen of Herbs” due to its numerous health benefits of shatavari and its potent fertility and vitality-enhancing properties. Satavari cools excess Pitta, soothes the mind, and facilitates smooth bowel movements. Due to its numerous health advantages, you may want to incorporate it into your regime as a health supplement. In particular, it may be beneficial for you if you are struggling with infertility, have a lack of libido, a lack of breast milk, or are going through menopause. However, it is recommended to consult with a certified natural health practitioner before attempting to consume Shatavari.
Shatavari is truly a remarkable natural remedy that has been cherished for centuries for its ability to support women’s hormonal balance and vitality. Its rich history and numerous benefits make it a valuable addition to any wellness routine.