Ethnobotany and Phytochemistry of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari), a member of the Asparagaceae family, has held a special position in Ayurveda since ancient days because of its adaptability in preventing and healing a wide range of ailments. From the ancient folklore usage through Ayurveda to present-day life, it is popular among therapeutic plants due to the presence of various bioactive chemicals such as steroidal glycosides, saponins (Shatavarins), polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and vitamins. Roots are in a majority of applications, along with leaves, blossoms, and stems. Additionally, it has been used as a food and food supplement from ancient days. In Ayurveda, roots and other parts are mainly used for their effects on sexual wellness and also as an adaptogen, galactagogue, immunomodulatory agent, and many more. Modern science has documented its significant effects, as already mentioned in ancient texts, and also anticancer, antidepressant, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, antimicrobial, and many more effects are newly presented here in a logical manner. Steroids and polyphenols are responsible for the majority of its physiological properties. During the last few decades, this drug has gained much interest among the scientific community, which is now working on this on multidimensional levels to establish it as a potent medicinal plant for multiple ailments. The present chapter covers the journey of this extremely valuable herb from ancient folklore, with a detailed exploration of Ayurvedic and scientific data, to the 21st-century scientific arena, in a systematic way to highlight future research prospects, leading the way to affordable modern medicine.