Health Benefits of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) by Bagchi, Debasis; Bhupathiraju, Kiran; Banik, Samudra Prosad;

Short description:

This vast edited collection details the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, and therapeutic benefits of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari). The book is designed for scientists in natural product research, complementary and alternative medicine, dietitians and nutritionists, food scientists, and other health professionals.

Long description:

This book explores the therapeutic benefits of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari). Known as the “Queen of Herbs”, it has for centuries been used in India as a phytomedicine for the alleviation of symptoms found in various conditions and diseases in humans. Shatavari is rich in steroidal saponins and phytoestrogens and plays an important role in areas of women’s reproductive health including infertility, hormonal imbalances, polycystic ovary syndrome, post-menopause musculoskeletal health, mental fatigue, anti-anxiety, and depression.  It also acts as a galactagogue to enhance post-delivery nutrition and fitness of both mother and child. Ayurvedic literature also demonstrates its potential application for the treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsia, diuretic and nervous disorders, immunomodulatory and neuromuscular dysfunction, inflammation, liver diseases, and infectious diseases.

This vast edited collection details the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacognosy, and therapeutic benefits of Shatavari. It comprehensively details various therapeutic potential applications of Shatavari including antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-aging properties, women’s health, gastrointestinal health, immune competency enhancement, neurological conditions, and depression.  The book also presents information on the herb's dosage, safety, and toxicity aspects.

Highlights of Shatavari that play an etiological and regulatory role in the pathophysiology of human health and well-being include:

• Elixir of female reproductive and sexual health


• Regulation of endocrine function


• Anti-inflammatory activity


• Adaptogenic activity


• Maintaining healthy blood sugar level and blood pressure


• Insulin sensitization


• Neuroprotective activity


• Anti-aging elixir


• Immunomodulatory activity


• Attenuates depression


• Antibacterial and antifungal activity

Designed for scientists in natural product research, complementary and alternative medicine, dietitians and nutritionists, food scientists, and other health professionals, this book offers a wide spectrum of the therapeutic benefits of Shatavari.

Table of Contents:

Part I: Introduction and Overview 1. Traditional Wisdom from Ayurveda and Modern Science  2. Ethnobotany and Phytochemistry of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)  3. Pharmacognosy and Therapeutic Benefits of Asparagus racemosus   4. Therapeutic Potential of Shatavari  5. An Introspect into the Diverse Medicinal Properties of Shatavari  6. Health-Promoting Application of Asparagus racemosus  Part 2: Antioxidant, Free Radical Scavenging, and Anti-Diabetic Efficacy  7. Antioxidant and Free Radical Scavenging Efficacy of Novel Shatavari Saponins  8. Role of Asparagus racemosus in the Amelioration of Diabetes and Associated Complications  Part 3: Women’s Health  9. Shatavari in improving Women’s health  10. Shatavarin IV: A phytoestrogen from Shatavari to enhance Women’s reproductive health and ensure holistic wellbeing of mankind  11. Stress Impairs Women’s Reproductive Health  12. Role of Shatavari in Female Reproductive Health  13. Role of Shatavari in enhancing endocrine function for reproductive health  Part 4: Anti-Aging and Neurophysiological Benefits  14. Anti-Aging Benefits of Shatavari  15. Role of Shatavari in Relieving Psychological Stress  16. Neuro-Phytopharmaceutical Application of Shatavari  Part 5: Gastrointestinal Well-Being  17. Recent Advances in the Application of Shatavari in Peptic Ulcer Management  18. Anti-inflammatory Benefits of Shatavari Saponins by Inhibiting COX-2 and Without Digestive Side Effects  19. Anti-Diarrheal Benefits of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)  20. Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) Exerts Anti-Diarrheal Efficacy by Modulating Electrolyte Imbalance and Dehydration  21. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) as an Effective Therapeutic Remedy for Improving Digestive Health  22. Diuretic Potential of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)  23. Therapeutic Potential of Asparagus racemosus in Kidney Diseases  Part 6: Immune Competence  24. Shatavari Root Extract Eradicates Whooping Cough by Enhancing Immune Competence  25. Asparagus racemosus Root Juice  Part 7: Anti-Psychiatric Effects  26. Shatavari: A Novel Therapeutic to Treat Depression and Anxiety  27. Shatavari as a reliever of stress, dysphoria, and fatigue  Part 8: Anti-Infective Benefits  28. The Role of Shatavari in Fighting Bacterial Infections  29. An Updated Insight on the Antibacterial Properties of Asparagus racemosus   30. Shatavari as an Antifungal Agent  Part 9: Cardioprotective Abilities  31: Novel Cardioprotective Properties of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari)  32: Cardioprotective and Lipid Lowering Effects of Shatavari  Part 10: Pulmonary Health Benefits  33. Pulmonary Health Benefits of Shatavari in Treating the Common Cold and Asthma  34. The Potential of Shatavari in Augmenting Lung Health  Part 11: Other Health Benefits  35. Effects of Precious Bioactive Compounds of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) on Wound and Ulcer Healing  36. Anticancer Properties of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari)  Part 12: Safety and Toxicology  37. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): Safety, Toxicity and Therapeutic Dosage  Part 13: Commentary  38. Commentary from the Editor’s Desk