Shatavari Research
15 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
Modulation of Various Pharmacological Pathways by Asparagus Saponins: Special Emphasis on Shatavarin-IV
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.
- Shatavarin-IV is regarded as the most important steroidal saponin responsible for most of the pharmacological effects of Shatavari.
- The present review provides an update on the diverse pharmacological activities of 'Shatavari' and Shatavarin-IV.
- It covers plant metabolic biosynthesis, recent mechanistic pathways underlying key bioactivities and safety aspects.
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): A Promising Ally for Fertility
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.
- Systematic review examining Shatavari efficacy
- Published in Current nutrition reports (2025)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
An Updated Insight on the Chemistry, Ethnobotany, and Health Benefits of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari): With a Special Emphasis on Shatavarin IV
Banerjee P et al. • Journal of the American Nutrition Association (2025)
This systematic-review examined the effects of Shatavari.
- In this regard, a novel Asparagus root formulation, Shevari4T®, has been developed, with Shatavarin IV content exceeding 7.4%, which promises to deliver the goodness of Shatavari, especially for women.
- Shatavarin IV, a sarsapogenin enriched in the roots of Shatavari, is especially beneficial for women's reproductive health and also acts as an effective stressbuster.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Oral galactagogues (natural therapies or drugs) for increasing breast milk production in mothers of non-hospitalised term infants
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.
- Only one study (metoclopramide) reported on the outcome of infant weight, finding little or no difference (mean difference (MD) 23.0 grams, 95% confidence interval (CI) -47.71 to 93.71; 1 study, 20 participants; low-certainty evidence).
- Three studies (metoclopramide, domperidone, sulpiride) reported on milk volume, finding pharmacological galactagogues may increase milk volume (MD 63.82 mL, 95% CI 25.91 to 101.72; I² = 34%; 3 studies, 151 participants; low-certainty evidence).
- Three studies (fennel, fenugreek, moringa, mixed botanical tea) reported infant weight but could not be meta-analysed due to substantial clinical and statistical heterogeneity (I2 = 60%, 275 participants, very low-certainty evidence).
Systematic review of the efficacy of herbal galactogogues
Mortel M et al. • Journal of human lactation : official journal of International Lactation Consultant Association (2013)
Well-designed and well-conducted clinical trials that address the above limitations are necessary to generate a body of evidence as a basis for recommendations regarding herbal galactogogues.
- Five trials found an increase in breast milk production.
- Several limitations exist that affect the validity of the trial results, including small sample size, insufficient randomization methods, poorly defined eligibility criteria, use of poly-herbal interventions, and variable breastfeeding practices among enrolled subjects.
- Given the insufficiency of evidence from these trials, no recommendation is made for the use of herbs as galactogogues.
Impact of stress on female reproductive health disorders: Possible beneficial effects of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
Pandey AK et al. • Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie (2018)
All rights reserved.
- Although shatavari is one of the major health tonics and most popular rasayana drugs to treat reproductive ailments of women, underlying mechanism of shatavari action at the level of ovary remains poorly understood.
- Further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism of shatavari actions at the level of ovary and oocyte that directly impacts the reproductive health of women.Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS.
- All rights reserved.
The use of galactogogues in the breastfeeding mother
Forinash AB et al. • The Annals of pharmacotherapy (2012)
Nonpharmacologic recommendations should be exhausted before adding therapy.
- Nonpharmacologic recommendations should be exhausted before adding therapy.
- Although anecdotal evidence encourages the use of metoclopramide, fenugreek, asparagus, and milk thistle for their galactogogue properties, efficacy and safety data in the literature are lacking.
- Oxytocin and domperidone are potentially available for compounding purposes, but safety data are limited.
Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd) root extract for postpartum lactation: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
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.
- Maternal satisfaction with lactation was higher in the SHT group (52.63% vs. 25.00%, p = 0.008).
- Investigators rated maternal and infant well-being higher for SHT than placebo (80.70% vs. 64.29%).
- Shatavari root extract improved the milk volume and maternal satisfaction about lactation, indicating its potential as a safe, effective galactagogue.
Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of standardized Asparagus racemosus extract for managing menopausal symptoms
Tanwar AK et al. • Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2022)
Standardized shatavari extract significantly reduced hot flashes and improved quality of life in menopausal women compared to placebo.
- Significant reduction in frequency and severity of hot flashes
- Improved menopause-specific quality of life scores
- Well tolerated with minimal side effects over 12-week treatment period
A Standardized Asparagus Racemosus Root Extract Improves Hormonal Balance and Menstrual Health and Reduces Vasomotor Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Yadav P et al. • Journal of the American Nutrition Association (2025)
CL22205 effectively reduces VMS, menstrual discomfort, and hormonal imbalances while improving skin and hair health, offering a safe and natural alternative for perimenopausal symptoms management.
- CL22205 significantly reduced (p < 0.001) total MRS scores and HFWWS vs. placebo and baseline after 120 days of treatment, menstrual symptoms (congestive and spasmodic dysmenorrhea) were improved (p < 0.001).
- CL22205 decreased serum FSH (56.3%), LH (34.3%), and increased AMH (188.1%, p < 0.001) levels.
- CL22205 effectively reduces VMS, menstrual discomfort, and hormonal imbalances while improving skin and hair health, offering a safe and natural alternative for perimenopausal symptoms management.
Shatavari supplementation in postmenopausal women alters the skeletal muscle proteome and pathways involved in training adaptation
O'Leary MF et al. • European journal of nutrition (2024)
Our analyses indicate that shatavari may support muscle adaptation responses to exercise.
- Our analyses indicate that shatavari may support muscle adaptation responses to exercise.
- These data provide useful signposts for future investigation of shatavari's utility in conserving and enhancing musculoskeletal function in older age.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Shatavari Supplementation in Postmenopausal Women Improves Handgrip Strength and Increases Vastus lateralis Myosin Regulatory Light Chain Phosphorylation but Does Not Alter Markers of Bone Turnover
O'Leary MF et al. • Nutrients (2021)
Shatavari may improve muscle function and contractility via myosin conformational change and further investigation of its utility in conserving and enhancing musculoskeletal function, in larger and more diverse cohorts, is warranted.
- Handgrip (but not knee extensor) strength was improved by shatavari supplementation (shatavari +0.7 ± 1.1 kg, placebo -0.4 ± 1.3 kg; p = 0.04).
- Myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation, a known marker of improved myosin contractile function, was increased in VL following shatavari supplementation (immunoblotting; placebo -0.08 ± 0.5 a.u., shatavari +0.3 ± 1 arbitrary units (a.u.); p = 0.03).
- Shatavari increased the phosphorylation of Aktser473 (Aktser473 (placebo -0.6 ± 0.6 a.u., shatavari +0.2 ± 1.3 a.u.; p = 0.03) in VL.
Efficacy and safety of Shatavari root extract in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Mhatre Y et al. • Frontiers in endocrinology (2026)
Shatavari root extract oral administration can be a safe and effective potential intervention for women with PCOS.
- At 12 weeks, Ovarian volume did not differ significantly between groups (p= 0.254).
- SHT significantly reduced psychological stress (PSS score: -6.64 ± 3.99; p < 0.0001), decreased follicular count (p < 0.0001), and increased endometrial thickness (p = 0.028) compared to PL.
- No serious adverse events occurred; mild to moderate events were reported in 11.4% (SHT) and 8.5% (PL) of participants, all manageable with standard therapy and not related to the intervention.
Comparative Study of Lactogenic Effect and Milk Nutritional Density of Oral Galactagogue in Female Rabbit
Maru S et al. • Current protein & peptide science (2025)
Our findings suggest that rabbits are robust, reproducible, ethically superior, and preclinically relevant animals for assessing lactogenic activity.
- Our findings suggest that rabbits are robust, reproducible, ethically superior, and preclinically relevant animals for assessing lactogenic activity.
- Published in Current protein & peptide science (2025)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Adaptogenic activity of Asparagus racemosus
Pandey AK et al. • Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2005)
Shatavari demonstrated adaptogenic activity in animal studies.
- Anti-stress effects
- Improved stress markers
- Adaptogenic mechanism confirmed