Shatavari Ghrit – Health Benefits and Ayurvedic Importance!

Abstract

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is a tender climbing plant which grows in tropical regions and in hills above 5000 feets. Shatavari is a herb which is a unique herb which works on both men and females, and in lactating mothers. Shatavari is a female friendly herb, used as hormonal balancer and it uplift the female health and libido, it manages diabetes, in treatment of fungal bacterial infections, infertility. Shatavari treats endometriosis, maintains the hormonal level in blood, strengthens the reproductive organ and enhances maturation of eggs into follicles. By consuming shatavari it would be very helpful to people who are trying to conceive. Shatavari with elaichi not only enhances production of breast milk but reduces pain and provides overall nourishment to the mother. In this article, we are going to discuss it in detail!

Shatavari Ghrita, Benefits Of Shatavari Ghrita

Introduction

Shatavari is an ayurvedic herb used in both men and females. It is a tender climbing herb and has many medicinal properties. This drug is the main invigorating ayurvedic medicine for women as ashwagandha in men. Used for regulating menstruation, ovulation, and it helps to improve lactation and is useful in infertility, fridigity, uterine swellings and is equally useful in men who deals with problems like sexual debility, spermatorrhoea and who suffers from low sperm count. It is used to treat depression as it shows that shatavari has some antioxidants which are useful in treating depression and shows a major impact on neurotransmitters in the brain. Shatavari is found in many parts of tropical India, it has thorny leaves, slender stems, and many white fragrant flowers. There are 2 varieties of shatavari – Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) Maha shatavari (Asparagus sarmentosus). One of the formulations of shatavari is in the form of ghrit which is used in medicine and in treatment of panchkarma.

Qualities Of Shatavari

Shatavari has madhura (sweet) tikta (bitter) taste, guru (heavy) and snigdha (oily) guna. It has cold veerya with madhura vipaka which changes after digestion. Shatavri balances pitta and vata dosha but it increases kapha dosha. The part used in shatavari is the root. It has certain medicinal properties.

Shatavari Benefits

  • Shatavari is used in treatment of migraine, inflammation of urinary bladder, and many problems arising from malnutrition due to general debility.
  • For women – It cleanses the reproductive system, it maintains the hormonal system if taken daily with milk. After hysterectomy it is helpful. Women suffering from recurrent abortion shatavari is beneficial. It helps to maintain a normal pregnancy. Shatavari improves breast size. It is helpful in lactation.
  • For men – It increases the sperm count and is beneficial to cure sexual insufficiency. It improves shukral (semen) quality and quantity.
  • Shatavari is used to relieve weakness and increase muscle tone so it is highly beneficial to gym people.
  • Shatavari has coolant property so it is helpful in acne as shatavari balances the hormones.
  • Due to its bitter property it is helpful in gastritis.
  • Shatavari is helpful in diabetes patients or in neuropathy or the persons who suffer from irritation in the toes.
  • Shatavari is an aging drug as it acts as a rasayan.
  • It supports the respiratory system, digestive system, and is helpful in the immune system.
  • Shatavari is used to cure acidity.
  • Root of shatavari is used to treat recurrent urinary tract infections, haematuria.
  • Shatavari is used for weight gain as it must be mixed with pippali and powder must be added in any type of shake that is very beneficial in weight gain.

Shatavari Side Effects

  • As shatavari is imitating estrogen so in women who have more levels of estrogen can cause breast tenderness. There are many formulations of shatavari such as- shatavari ghrita, shatavari churan, shatavari gulam (a type of jam), shatavari mandoor.
  • Rashes
  • Itchy eyes
  • Dizziness
  • Asthma worsens
  • Heart rate increases

Shatavari Ghrita

This is the main formulation of shatavari which is used to treat urinary tract disease, calculi. It is a form of herbal ghee formulation. Shatavari ghrita is very useful in burning the stomach and other aches. Shatavari balances pitta and vata dosha.

Pathya – Hot items should be avoided, drinks, frozen and many juices must not be taken. Delayed meal time should be avoided, spicy foods, canned foods.

Side Effects – Diabetic patient, cardiac patient, lactating mothers must take shatavari under guidance as its overdose may cause indigestion.

Shatavari provides nourishment to the body.

As ghrit has property of snehan, agni deepan, daha nashan, and pacify vata and pitta dosha so it is helpful in gastrointestinal disorders, as it provide cytoprotective protection to linings of stomach and as ghrit has this property so it is helpful and causes no injury to lining of epithelium, and it provides lubrication to the linings of stomach so causes abrasions.

Principle – In this herbal ghee, herbs are infused in ghee with water and then solid herbs are filtered out.

Ingredients Used In Shatavari Ghrita

  1. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
  2. Water for decoction
  3. Ghrita (cow ghee)
  4. Ksheer (cow milk)
  5. Chandana (Sandalwood)
  6. Yashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
  7. Musta (Cyperus rotundus)
  8. Madhu (honey)
  9. Yashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
  10. Adrika (Asphaltum) shilajit
  11. Pattura
  12. Kamala (Nelumbo nucifera)
  13. Kakoli (Fritillaria roylei)
  14. Ksheera kakoli (Roscoea purpurea)
  15. Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus) green gram
  16. Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides)
  17. Sharkara
  18. Jivanti (Leptadenia reticulata)
  19. Mridvika (Vitis vinifera)
  20. Tugaksheeri (Bambusa bambos)
  21. Kasheruka (Scirpus grossus)
  22. Truti (Elettaria cardamomum)
  23. Kana (Piper longum)
  24. Utpala (Nymphaea stellata)
  25. Mashaparni (Teramnus labialis)
  26. Riddhi (Vigna cylindrica)
  27. Vriddhi (Habenaria intermedia)
  28. Karkatshringi (Citrullus colocynthis)
  29. Chinnaruha (Tinospora cordifolia) indian stem
  30. Meda (Litsea monopetala)
  31. Mahameda (Polygonatum verticillatum)
  32. Jivaka (Malaxis accuminata)
  33. Rishabhaka (Manilkara hexandra)
  34. Ervaru (Cucumis melo)
  35. Kasheruka (Scirpus grossus)
  36. Pradaundarika (Nelumbo nucifera)

Dosage

10-20 mg per day with warm milk.

Method Of Preparation

Shatavari ghrita is made by 1 part of shatavari root, 4 part of ghee, 8 part of water with 8 part of milk over medium flame until all water evaporates and only ghee remains.

Uses Of Shatavari Ghrita

  • Amenorrhoea (Shatavari help in treating numerous hormonal problems as it maintain the level of blood enhances the maturation of eggs into follicles).
  • Weakness
  • Low sperm count (Shatavri is improving men’s health as it helps in treating oligospermia (low sperm count), it enhances spermatogenesis. Shatavari is a natural oxidant that helps in maintaining testosterone and luteinizing hormone.
  • Acidity (amlapitta) – Shatavari has anti flatulent properties so reduces gas in the alimentary canal, prevents bloating hence increases appetite and better absorption of nutrients in the body.
  • It rejuvenates all dhatus and show specific effect on reproductive system (As shatavari has shita virya and madhura vipaka and being oily in nature it calm the pitta dosha and vata dosha and due to cold nature it aggravate kapha dosha which shows positive effect on dhatus).
  • IBS (gout, colitis)
  • Shatavari enhances breast milk and improves general weakness and provides nourishment
  • Shatavari improves cardiac functions as it strengthens the heart muscles and further reduces the risk of atherosclerosis.
  • Shatavari plays important role in alleviating blood sugar level as it reduces the breakdown of starch into glucose which turn into low blood glucose level
  • The powder of shatavari with honey treats urinary tract infections.

Conclusion

In the nutshell it can be concluded that shatavari is a very beneficial drug and the most important drug used in ayurveda. Shatavari is a tropical drug which is bitter in taste. Shatavari nourishes the body tissues and it has rejuvenating properties. There are many formulations of shatavari such as shatavari ghrita, shatavari mandoor, shatavari churna. Keep using this and stay safe and healthy!