Yin Tonic
First and foremost, Shataari is an Ayurvedic root herb that is known as a female tonic in India. Where Ashwagandha is more of a male tonic, Shatavari is it’s female counterpart. However, many traditionally use them together to balance the yin and yang aspects.
Known As
Shatavari is nicknamed the “herb of a hundred husbands”, which points towards its’ doctrine of signatures of having 100 roots, but also its’ use for fertility and sexual vitality.
It is traditionally used to boost fertility in woman due to its’ hormonal regulating compounds called “steroidal saponins”.
Phytoestrogen
Shatavari has constituents that are classified as “phytoestrogens”, which mimick or block the effects of the body’s natural estrogen through binding to estrogen receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta).
They can upregulate and down–regulate biological pathways of estrogen. This essentially means they have an estrogen regulating effect, rather than simply increasing estrogen. There has been a lot of fear mongering in the medical field that Shataari could increase estrogen too high and not be safe for high risk recovering breast cancer patients. In reality, it regulates estrogen levels and may actually protect against breast cancer.
Because of its’ estrogen modulating effects, this makes it a great choice for menopausal patients whose estrogen levels have decreased significantly. The menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, mood changes, vaginal dryness, and bone density loss) are due to the loss of estrogen.
Adaptogenic
Shatavari is also known as an “adaptogen” which is a herbal action which works on the Hypothalmus-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, essentially regulating your hormonal, immune, and cortisol (stress) function. This can help offset the heightened nervous system response that occurs during peri-menopause and menopause. This may also aid in belly fat weight loss that is cortisol related.
There is talk to suggest that by Shatavari increasing BDNF levels, it modulates GABA and serotonin transmitters in the brain. This will help with the common depression that gets experienced in menopause.
Aphrodisiac
Shatavari is a POTENT aphrodisiac (ense its’ name of 100 husbands). Not only does it increase sexual desire, but due to its’ mucilage content and phytoestrogens, it helps bring moisture to all areas of the body that are lacking moisture. The skin gets less dry, and internally, it can support dried mucous membranes.
Immune System
Shatavari acts as an immunomodulator by stimulating immune cell proliferation, increasing igG and IL-12 production, and promoting Th1 and Th2 cytokine responses. It stimulates white blood cells called macrophages and protects against immune suppression due to toxins. Because it is immune-modulating (rather than only immune stimulating), it may be used in autoimmune disorders. It is also high in antioxidants which help protect the body against damaging free radicals which contribute the the development of cancer.
As the immune system becomes that much more important to keep in check once you enter your golden years, Shatavari could be a great ally to keep your immune system in good shape!
Spiritually
Spiritually, Shatavari will help you feel deep into your womanhood again. If you have felt disconnected (whether you are younger and don’t quite feel connected to your feminine, or older and miss your youthful feminine vitality), she will root you deep back into the moist, heavy, and creative earth.
From my own experience, I have used Shatavari to connect to my own femininity. Not in a cliche stereotypical sense, but to define what that meant for me. To connect me to my sexuality and parts of myself that were too scared to soften.
