Shatavari root has been used for thousands of years as an Ayurvedic treatment to stoke libido in men and women and support the female body through all stages of life.

A thick, succulent root belonging to the Asparagus family, Shatavari (or Asparagus recemosus) grows throughout Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka. Traditionally known for its power to balance hormones naturally and nourish the reproductive system, the herb can be used to support women from first cycle to post-menopause. And as a potent adaptogenic herb, it possesses the ability to bring your body back to baseline when triggered by a stress response.

Ahead, our team discusses some Shatavari benefits for stress, hormones, mood swings, and all things sexual health.

1. Stress Reduction

Shatavari is a product of its environment — thriving in harsh climates. By supplementing with Shatavari, we can internalize this same adaptive energy ourselves.

While Shatavari doesn’t stop stress from occurring in the first place, as an adaptogenic herb, it helps the body respond, instead of react, to perceived environmental threats. Adaptogens are gentle herbs that help your system adapt to stress, partly by modulating the release of the stress hormone, cortisol. Including adaptogens like Shatavari in your regimen can help your body curb cortisol and lessen the manifestations of stress when it occurs.

2. Hormone Balance 

Now more than ever, we’re aware of the endocrine disruptors that surround us in our daily lives, from pesticides to plastics. One of the main benefits of Shatavari is that it supports hormonal harmony from within even if we can’t always avoid toxins in our environment.

One way adaptogens work is by helping tone the HPA axis, or the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, a pathway of operating signals in your endocrine system. Together, these 3 glands respond to perceived threats and tell other glands throughout the body how to react, regulating their release of different hormones.

By way of the HPA axis and its effect on glands like the ovaries or the thyroid, Shatavari has the potential to help refine your hormonal response and balance production levels. In particular, Shatavari has been used to support women who suffer from low natural estrogen due to menopause or medical interventions.

For healthy hormonal balance, Sex Dust® is a stimulating Shatavari supplement containing additional adaptogens and herbs like Shilajit, Epimedium, Schisandra, and Maca, which target stress to support healthy hormonal balance.*

3. PMS Relief

One of the most notable Shatavari benefits for women is its ability to relieve PMS symptoms. Shatavari has been used as a traditional remedy to help soothe PMS symptoms, while also providing a dose of folic acid for good measure. Its hormone-balancing properties help regulate estrogen levels, reducing the severity of common premenstrual complaints like bloating, night sweats, and irritability. A small study showed that an herbal mixture including Shatavari significantly reduced hot flashes. Meanwhile, it can help support a healthy inflammatory response, making it a valuable herb for menstrual health.

4. Juiciness

Shatavari literally gets the juices flowing in your body. By coating and soothing mucus membranes, it restores moisture in tissues from the yoni to the face.

Optimized hormones help keep your body supple and lubricated. This is one reason women find support in Shatavari for their sexual and reproductive wellbeing. The Shatavari herb increases the production of prolactin, a hormone that plays an important role in breastfeeding. Because of its reputation as a lactation support, many mothers use a Shatavari supplement to encourage breast milk production.

5. Sexual Health

Primarily used to support sexual health, Shatavari is a powerful aphrodisiac and has been called “the female Viagra.” By bringing hormonal harmony, Shatavari in turn supports a healthy reproductive system, strengthening the uterus and supporting fertility.

Studies have concluded that Shatavari is rich in the compounds shatavarin and sarsasapogenin, which are considered precursors to female sex hormones. In Sanskrit, Shatavari can be translated to “she who has one hundred husbands.” With this insight, it’s easy to see why many recommend Shatavari to support the female reproductive system.

In Ayurvedic medicine, this root is known as the ultimate women’s tonic and libidinal booster. But it’s just as appropriate in tonics for men, with the potential to support arousal and testosterone.

Targeted to spark a fire, Sex Dust® is a natural libido supplement that harnesses the power of Shatavari with other aphrodisiacs like Shilajit and Epimedium, or “horny goat weed” to help supercharge your sex life with regular use. Consider adding one of these supplements to increase libido if you want to spice up your sex life.

6. Immune Support

If you want to boost your immune system, this Ayurvedic herb just might be the answer. Shatavari is being studied for its believed immunomodulatory properties, meaning it could help regulate the immune response. Numerous animal studies suggest that regular consumption of Shatavari could help balance the immune system. In promising research done on rats, the herb was found to help relieve cough, diarrhea, kidney stones, and ulcers.

7. Antioxidant Properties

Shatavari contains copious amounts of antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals, thereby preventing them from causing oxidative damage in your body.

Essentially, when free radicals that lack an electron pairing accumulate in your body, they steal electrons from other molecules, damaging them in the process. Antioxidants like those found in Shatavari are free radical scavengers that “turn off” chaotic free radical activity by volunteering their own electrons to pair with instead.

High in saponins, asparagamine A, and racemosol, Shatavari offers your body bountiful antioxidant benefits to help defend against oxidative stress damage internally and externally, such as in your skin.

8. Skin Care 

In addition to its health benefits, Shatavari also comes with benefits for your skin. In a study from 2015, the saponins in the Shatavari herb helped reduce the free-radical damage that shows up as wrinkles. Importantly, it also halted the breakdown of collagen, which helps your skin maintain its youthful elasticity. Further, because it helps support a healthy inflammatory response, it can help promote clear, breakout-free skin.

How to Take Shatavari 

Shatavari supplements are available in pill, powder, and tincture form. Because the quality of adaptogenic supplements and other vitamins can vary widely, it’s important to buy from a brand you trust, preferably one that is transparent about their purity and sourcing. Our organic Shatavari powder supplement is a 10:1 concentrate sourced from the Bangalore region of Northeastern India. It’s cultivated according to high standards and harvested using a solvent extraction.

A light, pillowy powder with a mild vegetal sweetness and a slight bitter aftertaste, this organic Shatavari powder pairs well with vanilla, banana, and chocolate. Use between ⅛-¼ tsp daily in your favorite beverages, snacks, and desserts.

If you’re looking for a host of adaptogens to help you with hormonal balance or to target libido and sexual health specifically, Sex Dust® is your stimulating supplemental blend. Its smoky cacao flavor pairs well with coffee, black tea, hot water with a splash of milk, or cocoa.

Takeaways 

A helpful plant ally to lean on during PMS, menstruation, and menopause, Shatavari is considered the ultimate women’s tonic in Ayurveda medicine. It has the power to nourish the reproductive system, support lactation and lubrication, soothe menstrual cramps, bloating, hot flashes, night sweats, and irritation, and support women’s hormonal balance.

More than that, it can offer a libidinal boost to both men and women and as an adaptogenic root can help your body adjust to environmental triggers, preventing a cascade of cortisol and its negative effects.

With thousands of years of history behind its use, Shatavari supplementation can be a powerful way to support internal balance and build vibrant health from the inside out. From pubescence to postmenopause, whether you’re in a state of healing or a state of health, consider the many benefits of Shatavari powder for hormonal harmony. For a complete holistic approach to hormone balance, consider also adding these hormone balancing foods in your diet alongside a Shatavari supplement.