Shatavari - The Queen of Herbs
Scientific Name: Asparagus racemosus
Family: Asparagaceae
English Name: Sparrow grass
Common Names: Satavar, Shatavari, Shatmool, Shatvir, Sainspour.
This amazing herb is also known as the "Queen of Herbs", is found growing naturally all over India. It is a woody prennial climber growing to 1-2 metre in height and needs a support. It was introduced by me in the herbal garden of Govt. SRML Model HSS, Jammu and is growing there successfully. Due to its high demand because of its multidimensional properties to cure many ailments of man, Shatavar has become endangered. Deforestation and habitat destruction have put this species under severe threats. So it is advisable to introduce this herb in all the herbal gardens and kitchen gardens. It contains adventitious root system with tuberous roots tapering at both ends with approximately 100 per mature plant. It is, for this reason, it is called Shatavari which means one who has hundred husbands or even Shatmool translating to one with hundred roots. These roots are the parts of the plant that finds use in various medicinal preparations.
Small white flowers are produced on short spiky stems in the rainy season and produce fruits during the onset of winters. Its fruits are small green in colour and turn red after ripening. leaves are like pine needles, small and uniform. It has needle-like phylloclades (photosynthetic branches) and is deep shining green in colour.
Scientific Name: Asparagus racemosus
Family: Asparagaceae
English Name: Sparrow grass
Common Names: Satavar, Shatavari, Shatmool, Shatvir, Sainspour.
This amazing herb is also known as the "Queen of Herbs", is found growing naturally all over India. It is a woody prennial climber growing to 1-2 metre in height and needs a support. It was introduced by me in the herbal garden of Govt. SRML Model HSS, Jammu and is growing there successfully. Due to its high demand because of its multidimensional properties to cure many ailments of man, Shatavar has become endangered. Deforestation and habitat destruction have put this species under severe threats. So it is advisable to introduce this herb in all the herbal gardens and kitchen gardens. It contains adventitious root system with tuberous roots tapering at both ends with approximately 100 per mature plant. It is, for this reason, it is called Shatavari which means one who has hundred husbands or even Shatmool translating to one with hundred roots. These roots are the parts of the plant that finds use in various medicinal preparations.
Small white flowers are produced on short spiky stems in the rainy season and produce fruits during the onset of winters. Its fruits are small green in colour and turn red after ripening. leaves are like pine needles, small and uniform. It has needle-like phylloclades (photosynthetic branches) and is deep shining green in colour.
Medicinal importance of Shatavari
It is recommended in Ayurveda texts for prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsia and as a galactagogue. Some other important medicinal properties are:- It is known to build ojas, the precious fluid in the body that governs vitality, immunity and sound sleep.
- In Ayurveda, it is recommended to promote love and loyalty (Aphrodisiac).
- It has antihepatotoxic and immunomodulatory properties.
- It is used to treat nervous disorders and hyperacidity.
- It improves milk production (galactagogue) and is recommended as a general tonic to improve vigour and vitality.
- It is rejuvinator of the female reproductive system as its use under medical supervision improves fertility, regulates menstruation, balances hormonal secretions and tones up the whole body.
- It improves sexual debility and cures impotency in males.
- It increases the count of white blood cells.
- It improves immunity and reduces the risk of infectious diseases.
- It has detoxifying properties and helps in flushing the toxins from the body.
- It helps in healthy digestion and cures indigestion.
Note: One is advised to consult professionals before use.
