Latin: Asparagus racemosus Willd. Family: Liliaceae Vernacular names: Sanskrit - Shatavari; Hindi - Satavari; English - Asparagus; Gujarat - Ekalkanto; Bengali - Satmuli Part Used: leaves, roots
Ayurvedic Energetics: Doshas: VP- ; K+ Pharmacological Action: galactogogic, antispasmodic, antidiarrhetic, demulcent, refrigerant, diuretic, aphrodisiac, tonic, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antitumor Clinical Research: There are saponins in the roots of A. racemosus collected throughout India. There are several reports of galactogogic activity. One study showed that A. racemosus increased the weight of mammary tissue and milk yield in estrogen-primed rats. Other studies report antioxytoxic and anti-ADH activity in these saponin fractions isolated from the roots. Another study measuring growth promotion indicated an anabolic action of the plant. No studies to date are available which evaluate the effect of Shatavari on serum prolactin levels but several groups are currently preparing such investigations. Aqueous extracts of the roots were reported to have lipase and amylase activities. Traditional Uses: diarrhea, dysentery, inflammatory bowel conditions, blood purification, biliousness, edema, dyspepsia, rheumatic joint pains, gonorrhea, galactogogue, nervousness, fever Indications: to increase milk production, nervousness, gastritis, diarrhea, female aphrodisiac, general nutritive tonic, spastic colon, fever
Formulations and Dosage:
Satyavati, GV, Raina, MK, and Sharma, M, Medicinal Plants of India,
Vol. 1., Ind. Council on Med. Res., New Delhi, 1976.
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