Benefits of Shatavari for Female Wellness

Shatavari is one of Ayurveda’s most cherished herbs for supporting female health and reproductive function.

Known as “the Queen of herbs” (alongside Tulsi), research and traditional use suggest Shatavari has numerous benefits for female health and wellness, from the onset of menses through menopause.

In this article, you’ll learn specifics about Shatavari’s researched benefits for female wellness, including how it supports hormonal function, libido, premenstrual symptoms, stress response and more.

What is Shatavari?

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) belongs to the asparagus family and is considered a powerful adaptogen and female tonic in Ayurveda. It can also be used to support male reproductive function in some cases.

Native to India and the Himalayas, Shatavari’s taste is sweet and bitter, and therefore commonly recommended to balance Pitta dosha types. 

However, its effects on regulating internal heat can also provide support for all three doshas depending on the person.

Shatavari’s rich history of traditional use, coupled with the growing demand for natural female tonics and energizers, has made it the subject of various research studies. 

In the next sections, we’ll explore the science and traditional use of this ancient herb.

Is Shatavari Good For Female Health?

As noted in our previous article, Ayurvedic Herbal Royalty: Shatavari, fifth generation Ayurvedic physician Bharat Vaidya, M.D., said, 

“If Ashwagandha is the king of Ayurvedic herbs, then Shatavari is the queen, alongside Tulsi.”

In other words, Shatavari is the go-to Ayurvedic herb for female health and wellness during all stages of a woman’s life.

Shatavari is considered a female rejuvenator, an adaptogen (a class of herbs that creates resilience to stress), a whole-body tonic, and an immune supporter.

It’s also been traditionally used as a beauty aid for skin and hair.

Bottom line: chances are, if you visited an Ayurvedic practitioner for female support, they would likely recommend Shatavari in addition to other supportive modalities.

Effect Of Shatavari On Females

As you’ve just learned, Shatavari is one of Ayurveda’s best-known female rejuvenators and reproductive support herbs.

Traditional Vedics recommend Shatavari for females various reasons, including: 

• Reproductive support
• Libido
• PMS 
• Menstrual cramps/pain
• Menopausal symptoms
• Healthy hormonal function
• Healthy uterine function
• Perimenopausal complaints
• Menopausal complaints
• Immune support
• Respiratory support
• Digestive health
• To balance bodily fluids
• Heat-related issues (like hot flashes)

Research also suggests Shatavari provides a wide range of support for various aspects of female wellness, which we’ll examine next.

Benefits of Shatavari for Female Libido

The word, “Shatavari” has been roughly translated to mean “100 spouses,” or “who possesses a hundred husbands or acceptable to many”, referring to its effects on reproductive wellness and female libido. 

It is also believed to promote love and devotion in traditional Ayurvedic philosophy, and is thus used as an aphrodisiac.

Research also suggests the phytoestrogenic compounds in Shatavari may have a positive effect on libido and female sexual function.

Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that mimic natural estrogens in the body and can help promote various aspects of hormonal health and function. 

Shatavari For Female Hormonal Balance

As you’ve just learned, Shatavari root contains phytoestrogen plant compounds. Scientists believe these compounds are responsible for much of Shatavari’s positive effects on female hormonal balance—from the reproductive years to menopause.

Shatavari is also an adaptogen, which suggests it may also benefit hormonal balance via its effects on the HPA (hypothalamus pituitary adrenal) axis.

The HPA Axis governs the body’s stress response and various aspects of endocrine/hormonal function, balance, and output. 

When HPA Axis function is optimal, it can have a positive downstream effect on various types of hormones related to reproductive function, stress, cognitive function, energy, and more.

Shatavari For Female Stress Relief

Part of Shatavari’s role as a tonic is to nourish and balance the physical, mental, and emotional effects of stress.

Shatavari’s positive effects on stress in females are well-documented in Ayurvedic tradition and studies.

Research suggests its effects on stress and mental/emotional health stem from:

• Its adaptogenic properties, which support the body’s stress response.
• Its potentially positive effects on the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine likely via its antioxidant properties.
• Its positive effects on promoting a normal inflammatory response, which plays a key role in stress resistance.

Although more research is needed to understand the broad-reaching effects of Shatavari on female stress response, Ayurvedic practitioners have relied on it for centuries to support women during times of physical, mental, and emotional stress.

Does Shatavari Balance Hormones?

As previously discussed, Shatavari has been traditionally used to support various facets of female hormone balance, including: 

• The reproductive years, as a female tonic, uterine toner, for libido, to support repproductive health and development, and for postpartum complaints.
• PMS symptoms like relieving cramps and bloating, minimizing irritability, and reducing breast tenderness.
• Perimenopause and menopause to help ease symptoms related to diminishing estrogen such as vaginal dryness, waning libido, emotional upset, sleeplessness, hand grip strength, and musculoskeletal function.

Its long history of use in Ayurveda, coupled with emerging research, suggests Shatavari may provide excellent support for female hormonal balance.

For holistic women’s health and wellness, you can opt for a single herb like Shatavari, or a women’s multiherbal like Essential Female for full spectrum support.

Who Cannot Take Shatavari?

Shatavari has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda, and at regular doses is considered safe, even during pregnancy and breastfeeding and for long-term use. That being said, we strongly advise checking with your doctor or midwife before taking Shatavari if pregnant or breastfeeding as every body is different, and dosage may vary.

In addition, Shatavari’s potential impacts on estrogen may not be beneficial for everyone. If you have an underlying health condition, you should always check with your healthcare practitioner for individual recommendations.

How To Find Sustainably-Sourced Shatavari

Due to its long-history of traditional use and emerging clinical research, the demand for Shatavari is high. 

Unfortunately, the plant is now considered endangered in its natural habitat due to unethical harvesting practices, combined with habitat destruction and deforestation. 

This is why it’s so important to source herbs, like Shatavari, from companies committed to sustainable cultivation and growing.

At Organic India, all of the company’s herbs, including Shatavari, are grown using regenerative organic farming practices that support the environment, plant diversity, and human health. 

The Shatavari used in Organic India’s formulas is grown on our cooperative of regenerative organic farms and never harvested from its native habitat. 

These practices ensure this legendary herb is available for generations’ to come.

To learn more about Shatavari, check out the following articles:

• Shatavari vs. Maca vs. Ashwagandha: A Comparative Guide
• Herbs For Women’s Health: Shatavari
• DIY Herbal Face Mask For Dry Skin (3 Options_

Interested in trying Shatavari to support female wellness? Check out Organic India’s Shatavari Hormonal Balance and Essential Female made with regenerative organic Shatavari and other traditional Ayurvedic herbs.