Asparagus racemosus Shatavari PFAF Plant Database

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Asparagus racemosus - Willd.

Common Name

Shatavari

Family

Asparagaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Found at elevations up to 1,200 metres in the Himalayas, eastwards from Kashmir[240]. Broad-leaved forests along streams or valleys at elevations of 2100 - 2200 metres in western China[266].

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, India.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Asparagus racemosus is a PERENNIAL growing to 7 m (23ft).
It is hardy to zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Habitats
Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Root; Stem. Edible Uses: Tender young shoots - cooked as a vegetable[272]. A preserve prepared from the blanched shoots is said to be very agreeable[2]. The tuber are candied as a sweetmeat[2]. The only flavour is said to be that of the sugar[2]. The roots are 5 - 13cm long[243].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Alterative; Antispasmodic; Aphrodisiac; Demulcent; Digestive; Diuretic; Galactogogue; Infertility; Women's complaints.

Shatavari (this is an Indian word meaning 'a woman who has a hundred husbands') is the most important herb in Ayurvedic medicine for dealing with problems connected women's fertility[238]. The rhizome is a soothing tonic that acts mainly on the circulatory, digestive, respiratory and female reproductive organs[238]. The root is alterative, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diuretic, galactogogue and refrigerant[240, 243]. It is taken internally in the treatment of infertility, loss of libido, threatened miscarriage, menopausal problems, hyperacidity, stomach ulcers and bronchial infections[238]. Externally it is used to treat stiffness in the joints[238]. The root is used fresh in the treatment of dysentery. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for use in treating other complaints[238]. The whole plant is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, rheumatism, diabetes and brain complaints[243].

Other Uses
Soap. The squeezed root is used for washing clothes[272].

Cultivation details

Easily grown in any good garden soil[200]. Prefers a rich sandy loam[1]. This species is not very frost-hardy and generally needs to be grown in a frost-free or fairly frost-free climate[200, 238]. It can be grown as a half-hardy perennial in areas where the winter is too cold for it to survive outdoors. The tubers are harvested in the autumn, stored in a cool frost-free place and replanted in the spring[238]. The rots of this species are commonly collected from the wild for medicinal use. Overcollection in some areas of its range are causing conservation concerns[272]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and then sow in spring or as soon as the seed is ripe in early autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 25°c[134]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a sunny position in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer[K]. Division in early spring as the plant comes into growth.

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Expert comment

Author
Willd.

Botanical References
200266

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2]Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.

Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[134]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation. An interesting article on Ensete ventricosum.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.

[240]Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).

Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[243] Medicinal Plants of Nepal

Terse details of the medicinal properties of Nepalese plants, including cultivated species and a few imported herbs.

[266] Flora of China

On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

[272]Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal

Excellent book, covering over 1,500 species of useful plants from Nepal together with information on the geography and peoples of Nepal. Good descriptions of the plants with terse notes on their uses.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
champak chakraborty	Wed Jun 22 10:23:09 2005

Link: allayurveda ayurveda,ayurvedic remedies,free online consultation,herbal products,curative yoga,online shopping

Elizabeth H.
rajeev gulati	Fri Sep 28 2007

IS RAJASTHAN SUITABLE FOR ASPARAGUS. IS UP SUITABLE FOR ASPARAGUS. CAN SOMEBODY SUGGEST HIGHLY PROFITABLE EXOTIC/HIGH VALUE PLANTATION /GROWING IN AROUND DELHI. NEED GUIDANCE FOR AGRICULTURE ACTIVITY IN RAJASTHAN

Elizabeth H.
Dr.K.S.Jayashree	Thu Dec 15 2005

shathavari is also has a synonym in sanskrit "Shathamuli" both refers to the plant having hundred roots(rhyzomes) inturn understood as hundred offsprings not the hundred husbands. this plant is so named because of its characteristic innumerable no. of roots. this plant is virtualy used to treat both male and female infertility thus considered as one effectiving in begetting children.

Elizabeth H.
S K Sinha	Tue Jan 24 2006

Ayuveda Herbs

Elizabeth H.
	Wed Feb 8 2006

“Antiulcer and Antioxidant Activity of Asparagus racemosus WILLD and Withania somnifera DUNAL in Rats,” Bhatnagar M, Sisodia SS, Bhatnagar R, Ann NY Acad Sci, 2005; 1056: 261-78. (Address: Dr. Maheep Bhatnagar, Department of Zoology, University College of Science, Mohan Lal Sukhadia University, Udaipur-313001, India. mbhatnagar@yahoo.com ).

Elizabeth H.
runningman@rock.com	Thu May 25 2006

Where do I buy asparagus racemosus? runningman@rock.com

Elizabeth H.
	Thu Jun 1 2006

Asparagus racemosus can be cultivated in large scale which will give money to farmers. I strongly feel that in North East India, farmers should go for Satavari cultivation.

Elizabeth H.
	Tue Aug 8 2006

Asparagus racemosus - a medicinally important plant can be propagated through tissue culture technique which save lots of time and money. Asparagus racemosus due to its slow growth faces lots of problem which can be solved through tissue culture.(Address : Mohommad shahid Department of Botany, DAVPG College, Dehradun. Emailid:- mdshahid30@yahoo.com)

Elizabeth H.
Dr.S.K.Agarwalla	Tue Jan 9 2007

Children love the jam made out of its roots. Jam added to milk makes a delicious drink

Elizabeth H.
ARUN	Sun Feb 18 2007

very nice , i looking for many details about alkaloids

Elizabeth H.
Ken Fern, Plants for a Future	Sun Feb 18 2007

There has been very little scientific research into the medicinal activity of this plant and we have been unable to find out much information as to the medically active constituents found in the rhizome. We do know that it contains saponins and these have anti-cancer properties. The fibres found in the rhizome also seem to exert a cancer-preventing ability. The rhizome also contains polysaccharides, but we have been unable to find any information on whether medically active alkaloids are also to be found.

Elizabeth H.
mashitha p	Thu Apr 26 2007

hislop school of biotechnology has established a protocol for the tissue culture of asparagus racemosus.It is also engaged in a project related to this plant.

Elizabeth H.
jeetainder roy gour	Thu Feb 22 2007

galactogogue effect of roots are seen with asparagus racemosus

Elizabeth H.
krishna pant	Wed Dec 19 2007

I am working on micropropagation of Asparagus racemosus in Nepal. If anybody has any information regarding this species please send it to me.

Elizabeth H.
SANTOSH KUMAR	Tue Apr 10 2007

There has been vast scientific research into the medicinal activity of this plant and we have been known about 50 type of phytochemicals of different groups such as Steroidal Saponins,Glycosides,Alkaloids, Polysaccharides, Mucilage, and Isoflavones which have wide range of medicinal properties.The Phytochemicals which have been found and reported their medicinal properties, Steroidal Saponins (Antioxytocic), Shatavarins I-V(Antioxytocic,Immunomodulator),Immunoside (Immunomodulator),Anthocynanin (Immunomodulator, Antioxidant, blood cholesterol reducer),Cyanidin Gycosides (Anti-protozoal), Phytoecdysteroids(Antimicrobial), Glycoside-AR-4 (Anti-protozoal), Asparagamine A (Antioxytocic, Antitumor), Racemofuran(Antioxidant), Diosgenin (Hepato-protector, Antitumor) besides much research and scientific validity about importance and medicinal benefit, still some gaps of knowledge about this herb.The gaps of knowledge are about toxicity of this herb.As par the toxicity are concern this herb is very safe as reported by several authers but, in recent RK Goel reported that it have some teratogenicitic effect (Indian j. Experimental Biology 44 (7)570-573).

Elizabeth H.
Margrit	Tue May 15 2007

wholesaler:

herbatrade Asparagus racemosus radix

Elizabeth H.
amal	Thu Aug 30 2007

i would like to know some latest research (molecular level) on asparagus.

Elizabeth H.
S N Muruli	Sun Sep 2 2007

I want to know where can i buy asparagous racemosus plants in bulk?

Elizabeth H.
rattan deep singh	Wed Oct 31 2007

what new research i can do in asparagus racemosus in terms of its anti microbial, antioxidant or immunomodulatory activity

Elizabeth H.
rajan	Thu Nov 29 2007

S N Muruli Sun Sep 2 2007 I want to know where can i buy asparagous racemosus plants in bulk? Please get in touch for further discussion.

Elizabeth H.
pratibha	Fri Dec 7 2007

shatavari is taken by women only or men can also take in case if there is any problem regarding sperm count etc.

Elizabeth H.
aaa	Wed Feb 27 2008

Yes, men also can take Asparagus specially for erection.

Elizabeth H.
dr gayathri bhat bams ms( prasuti tantra &stree roga)	Thu Apr 24 2008

Shatavari has sweet taste,after digestion it gets the state of sweet, it has cooling property, hence it is useful in incresasing the breast milk. By research it is found that Shatavari has folic acid and estrogen in it. hence useful in treating diseases of reproductive system. Wonderful drug for pregnancy and infertility.

Elizabeth H.
srija	Thu May 22 2008

what is the nutritive value of the leaves , shoots and roots individually???

Elizabeth H.
y a kawade	Sun Aug 17 2008

wonderful herb. can it be used as fodder for milching animals? where can i get seed of this for plantation over 1 acer.

Elizabeth H.
suresh	Thu Sep 11 2008

It is a ideal medication for women during menopause and during lactation. However it is ironical that there is not many clinical documentation done on its galactogogue action

Elizabeth H.
swapnil	Sun Nov 30 2008

shatavari is good medicinal plant.

Elizabeth H.
hemanth immanni	Fri Dec 19 2008

we want to experimentally test the immunomodulatory functions of Asparagus racemosus. so please send any research artiles relating in this aspect.

Elizabeth H.
anish	Wed Feb 4 2009

tissue culture through various explants from mother plant

google

Elizabeth H.
saravana	Sat Feb 21 2009

LIST OUT THE PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS PRESENT IN ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS...

www.google.com

Elizabeth H.
Dipak	Wed Feb 25 2009

We are planning to cultivate Asparagus about 4 hactor of land in Chitwan district.I know female kurilo is better to plant but it is difficult from seed to identify which is female or male?

Elizabeth H.
Naren deshar	Thu Apr 16 2009

hello sir i am from nepal and i am thin and dont have muscles in my bodies one friend suggest me to take this asparagus racemosus which in came in market in the form of SHATAVAR CHORON (PATANJALI) i have taken this but also no change in my bodies .... can u help me to gain some muscles in my bodies if u do that i will be thank ful to u ND

Elizabeth H.
dr.jeetendra d guhilot	Sun Apr 26 2009

im an ayurvedic physician doing research in aphrodiasiac activities of shatavari.which chemical in shatavari helps in increasing sperm count & how? where 2 found these details in scientific manner.

Elizabeth H.
botgto	Thu Oct 8 2009

Dear Dr. Jeetendra, If the asparagus root has to be taken in powder form, then how do we take it. Do we take a teaspoon of powder with the water or how and how much and how many times a day should we take the powder. Thank you so much

Elizabeth H.
Santosh Kumar Singh	Thu Nov 26 2009

Dear Sir, Please send ne details of the cultivation and hrvesting of Shatawar. Is this plant harvest two times in a year or one time. Give detais at an early. Hope cosider from your side. Santosh Kumar singh , Ranchi.

Elizabeth H.
Rajesh Kudesia	Mon Jan 18 2010

It is very rewarding crop & can be cultivated in any area in UP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, any part of India Nepal. You can earn Rs 4 lac per acre. For good quality of Yellow shatawar seed please contact rk_kudesia@yahoo.co.in. I am cultivator of this.

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