Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari)
Premier women's tonic in Ayurveda that supports reproductive hormones, fertility, and lactation — the female counterpart to ashwagandha.
Shatavari, meaning 'she who possesses 100 husbands,' is the premier women's tonic in Ayurvedic medicine. This adaptogenic root supports female reproductive health, hormonal balance, and lactation. Also has general adaptogenic, digestive, and immune-supporting properties. The female counterpart to Ashwagandha.
Contains plant compounds that gently support estrogen balance
Supports stress adaptation and resilience
Supports breast milk production
How Shatavari works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
500-1000mg root extract, 1-2x daily
Take with food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Root extract standardized to saponins | Recommended |
| 🧪Root powder | Alternative |
| 💧Liquid extract | Alternative |
Traditional preparation in warm milk. Modern extracts are convenient.
Minimum: 8 weeks
Optimal: 16 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Traditionally taken with warm milk or ghee. Can be taken any time with food.
Supported reproductive health
Better adaptation to stress
Improved milk production
Traditional use but consult practitioner
Traditional galactagogue; generally considered safe
May have additive diuretic effects
Phytoestrogenic — discuss with doctor
Tip: Take with food
Top studies from 13+ peer-reviewed papers
Foong SC et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2020)
“Due to extremely limited, very low certainty evidence, we do not know whether galactagogues have any effect on proportion of mothers who continued breastfeeding at 3, 4 and 6 months.”
Kurmi A et al. • Chemistry & biodiversity (2026)
“The uses of this plant in some of the marketed traditional products, nano-formulations and clinical trial aspects have also been included.”
Ajgaonkar A et al. • Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2025)
“Shatavari root extract improved the milk volume and maternal satisfaction about lactation, indicating its potential as a safe, effective galactagogue.”
Oyovwi MO et al. • Current nutrition reports (2025)
“It is also crucial for pregnant and breastfeeding women to consult healthcare professionals before using Shatavari due to potential interactions and contraindications.”
Banerjee P et al. • Journal of the American Nutrition Association (2025)
“This systematic-review examined the effects of Shatavari.”
What would you like to do next?
Ashwagandha
7.5/10Reduces cortisol and anxiety while improving sleep quality and physical recovery in stressed adults.
Vitex
7.5/10Leading herb for women's hormonal balance, with strong evidence for PMS relief and menstrual cycle regulation.
Dong Quai
8.5/10Promotes blood circulation and menstrual regularity — a cornerstone of Chinese medicine for women's health for 2,000+ years.
Black Cohosh
7.5/10Leading herb for menopause symptoms, particularly hot flashes, with evidence comparable to low-dose estrogen for some women.
Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research