Traditional Wisdom from Ayurveda and Modern Science

Shatavari, or Satamuli, scientifically known as Asparagus racemosus , has a long history of therapeutic applications in different systems of medicine. Originally, Satamuli meant ‘one with a hundred roots’, ‘ sata ’ meant ‘hundred’, and ‘ muli ’ meant ‘root;’ whereas ‘Shatavari’ is referred to as ‘one woman with a hundred husbands’ or ‘protector against hundred diseases.’ In traditional medicine, Shatavari is described as Atirasa (rejuvenator), Shatavirya (possesses potency of hundred), Bahusuta (possesses many children), Vari (that which protects), Vira (power, energy, hero), Bhiru (tiger), and Narayani (which balances mind, body, and spirit). It also exerts potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immune-enhancing properties, which can benefit diverse lifestyle disorders. It is also mentioned extensively as the ‘Queen of Herbs.’ Since ancient times, in different medical systems, including Ayurveda and Unani, the roots are considered stomachic ( ruchya ), tonic ( deepana ), aphrodisiac ( vrishya / vajikarana ), purgative ( grahani ), and neurorejuvenating ( majja dhatu ). Unani describes Shatavari as an emmenagogue or a stimulator of blood flow in the pelvis area and uterus ( mudir haiz ), ovulation inducer ( mwallide mani ), and aphrodisiac ( muqawwi bah ) and as useful for infectious diseases such as leucorrhoea and gonorrhea. In modern science, Shatavari is one of the plants extensively studied phytochemically and pharmacologically for its wide-spectrum therapeutic applications. A series of in vitro, in vivo , and clinical studies have demonstrated broad-spectrum safety and therapeutic benefits of Shatavari. Furthermore, phytochemical, pharmacological, and therapeutic profiling could reinvent Shatavari as a panacea for lifestyle diseases.