My first real introduction to the female reproductive herb, shatavari, known as the “Women with a Hundred Husbands,” was in the back waters of Kerala—in the south of India—during the late 80s.
I was visiting one of the last remaining Nampoothiri tribes still living in their traditional pre-colonial ways.
The Ayurvedic clinic in the village was famous throughout the region, and all of the writings, herbal formulas, and knowledge were inscribed on palm leaves.
Their village was impossible to get to without a boat and many miles from any civilization. We were told we rented the only motorboat in the region. Without it, the journey would have taken days to row.
In the Nampoothiri village, a handful of elders still lived in tiny wooden huts. The elders had become severely kyphotic (hunched over) from going in and out of such small huts. The elder women of the tribe were still dressed in traditional pre-colonial garb, which was topless. This was a shocking scene in India—a culture that greatly values modesty.
The Nampoothiri were unwilling to conform to British rule, finding safe haven in the mostly inaccessible back waters of Kerala. What a rare and special treat it was to visit this Ayurvedic village!
When the Ayurvedic vaidyas and nurses found out that my wife was pregnant, they enthusiastically made sure I had enough shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) to bring back to her. They gave it to me in powder form, the root, and pressed pills. They even gave me a wine made from shatavari root and kept forcing me to drink more!
They were emphatic that shatavari was the one herb that would carry a women throughout their entire reproductive life. They suggested I give it to my daughters at the onset of puberty to help them start menstruating without any problems. They suggested the use of it before, during, and after pregnancies, as well as before, during, and after menopause. It was suggested to be used at the first sign of any menses-related concerns.
Note: While this was the traditional use for shatavari, I always suggest that women stop taking all herbs once they become pregnant. It is always best to let the pregnancy itself restore health and well-being first, before administering additional supplements—prenatal vitamins excluded.
Shatavari translates to “100 Spouses,” denoting its ability to increase fertility and vitality. It is considered both a general tonic and a female reproductive tonic In Ayurveda. This amazing herb is known as the “Queen of Herbs,” because it promotes love and devotion.
Shatavari is the main Ayurvedic rejuvenative tonic for females, and Ashwagandha fills that role for males, although both are effective for either gender. (2)
Shatavari is also considered a rasayana or longevity tonic against aging. As a rasayana, it was traditionally used to lessen the effects of aging, increase longevity, impart immunity, boost mental function, add vigor and vitality to the body, support reproductive strength, and it is also used to support nervous system, digestive, liver, and respiratory concerns. (3)
Studies on shatavari show it boosts sex drive in both men and women, while also combating vaginal dryness and balancing menstrual concerns. (2)
In one study, shatavari was shown to enhance physical stamina and endurance, as well as increase the weight of fatigued adrenal glands after exercise stress, suggesting its adaptogenic support for adrenal health. Taking the stress off of the adrenals allows shatavari to effectively play its role as a reproductive tonic. (3)
Depleted adrenals will classically usurp the reproductive hormone, progesterone, to help the adrenals manufacture more stress hormones. Progesterone is a direct precursor to cortisol, which is commonly depleted as a result of long-term stress. Shatavari also precursors the replenishment and production of progesterone.
This herb balances the production of adrenal cortisol, making it a natural adaptogen. (4) Shatavari contains steroid saponins such as sarsaponin, protodioscin, and diosgenin, which are the most likely estrogenic components extracted from asparagus roots. These compounds in particular, diosgenin also act as a precursor of progesterone and increase secretion of this hormone.
In one study, shatavari as a reproductive tonic boosted the production of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estrogen, and progesterone hormones. (4)
Shatavari has been over-simplified to be only estrogenic, but clearly, it acts as Ayurveda predicted—as a powerful reproductive tonic.
Nambudiri is not a tribe but a caste and is commonly coming under Brahmins.I belong to that caste and we are not isolated etal that is a colonialist view point. There was a time when the general culture among keralites were that of women being topless. This was a side effect of the brahmins being landlords and exercising that power over other caste women. There was a revolt and things changed. Please read up in detail when you write other wise please do not write glowing accounts of one sided understanding….
Thank you for your information.
Hi John, thanks for articulating the varied benefits of Shatavari, especially its stress relieving properties related to the adrenals. I’m back on it, thanks to you!
Also, related to ila’s comment above: I too travelled to India in the late 70’s, and it was a much different place than it is now. I had the wonderful fortune to go to South India with a great artist – dancer – and her family – and through them, met extraordinary people, from elderly holy men and women; country folk to great scientists and environmentalists.
Underlying everyone was a deep spirit of hospitality, caring and graciousness. Thanks for sharing the power of that spirit and the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda.
As was touched on a little in the article, men need not be concerned about the effects of this herb (or really most herbs) on their hormone levels. I’ve experienced too many cases where men have health issues that they cannot overcome because they’re habituated to the feeling of their own hormonal fires. These types will avoid nearly everything that could be good for them or counterbalance their problems, as a result of attachment, discomfort, impatience, or refusal to change or temporarily feel less enthusiastic or driven. And I do mean temporarily; there’s really no herbal medicine that will change a man into a woman, and any such medicine would need to be taken indefinitely – along with long term psychological therapies and many other things – in order to have a chance of affecting a significant degree of change to one’s true gender.
So for those who have counted out herbal or food therapies because of current scientific findings, please reconsider them! No amount of sage essential oil, licorice root, shatavari, etc will take away your ability to feel manly. You will almost certainly notice a temporary change of mood, energy level/enthusiasm, etc – as this is almost essential to any healing therapy for adults. The end result of your courage to change will be a stronger metabolism and immunity, and at the end of things, a far greater ability to produce the hormones you need to feel strong and enthusiastic. The few men I’ve helped who finally decided to take take a chance on this promise had temporary mood problems, but ended up transforming from fat grouchy alpha males into the images of athletic male youth, -despite- the fact that they were -still- consuming what science would call estrogenizing herbal preparations. This is because little to nothing can override a healthy body’s preference for hormone balance. An unhealthy man struggles to maintain testosterone and other “manly” hormone levels, because his cells are dirty, acidic, and unreceptive, his liver is sluggish, and his (pardon me Dr. D) testicles and prostate are starved for blood and nourishment. (In this case, infertility is actually very common, as the man’s – pardon me once more for this medical truth – ejaculate is primarily coagulated puss and disorganized proteins, water, and over-alkaline or acidic prostatic excretion. Of course, they’re usually quite unaware.) Because of these chronic health problems, every little thing seems to alter their hormone production and maintenance. After proper therapies, regardless of whether they’re “feminizing” or not, these systems are usually capable of maintaining healthy hormone levels regardless of influence from herbs, soy, beer, plastics, etc.
Sorry for the long (graphic) message! But hopefully it helps some of the men out there.
Great article, would you please add the story of your wife and how she felt or is doing with taking Shatavari. Maybe you could show a picture of her once in a while, because as a woman I like to see another woman thrive on your recommendations. Hope you understand 🙂
Dear Dr John Doulliard.
Thank you very much in deed for the wonderful story and useful information regarding Shatavari. It was fascinating.
I have found a little Shatavari powder wonderful to take along side Ashwangandha in my Golden milk tonic drink that I take every second day while breast feeding. I try to not thing anything 7 days a week just incase.
I did have foundation Ayurvedic training from the UK Pukka company and the product manual did highlight these herbs before and after pregnancy. So that’s why I took them. They also didn’t want to recommend them during pregnancy. I can feel a huge difference to my energy levels and wellbeing as a busy new mother. For anyone reading this
I am of course extremely careful and read up in my holistic pregnancy book what herbal teas, foods,herbs ect… to avoid while breastfeeding.
Well, sulfur boosts milk production for cows, and eggs in chicken (the ones tried out by the seller) so I presume it would do wonders to humans!
I first read it as: woman with 100 horses, then I read the topless! And I remembered how the future will be like! naked, shameless reprobates roaming the streets with orgies! and the well dressed running away from them in around a dozen to forests or mountains!
Is this an herb that can be taken after menopause?
if I were you I would try!