SHATAVARI- A POTENTIAL DRUG IN AYURVEDA (AN OVERVIEW)

Verma Uma*, Joshi Pravin Kumar and Rout Om Prakash

ABSTRACT

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), (Asparagaceae) is an important medicinal plant of tropical and subtropical India. Its medicinal usage has been reported in the Indian and British Pharmacopoeias and in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. It is swet and bitter in taste. It promotes the receptive power of the mind, is unctuous, cordial and aphrodisiac. It cures the disease caused by the morbidity of vata, pitta and kapha. In Ayurveda, Shatavari is considered a female tonic. In spite of being a rejuvenating herb it is beneficial in female infertility, as it increases libido, cures inflammation of sexual organs and even moistens dry tissues of the sexual organs, enhances folliculogenesis and ovulation, prepares womb for conception, prevents miscarriages, acts as post partum tonic by increasing lactation, normalizing uterus and changing hormones. Its use is also advocated in leucorrhoea and menorrhagia. The present artical includes the detailed exploration of description of the root of A. racemosus reported in the Ayurvedic Brihattrayi.

Keywords: Shatavari, Charak samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Astanga Hridaya.