ASPARAGUS racemosus-WONDER PLANT : A clinical study

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects and safety of Effects of Shatavari on galactagogue activity

Introduction:

In India, thousands of species are known to have medicinal values and the use of different parts of several medicinal plants to cure specific ailments has been in vogue since ancient times (Parekh et al., 2005). Asparagus racemosus Wild is a member of the Liliaceae plant family (Madhavan et al., 2010). Due to its multiple uses, the demand for Asparagus racemosus is constantly on the rise. Due to destructive harvesting, combined with habitat destruction, and deforestation, the plant is now considered 'endangered' in its natural habitat. Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) is recommended in Ayurvedic texts for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsia, and galactogogue. A. racemosus has also been used successfully by some Ayurvedic practitioners for nervous disorders (Goyal et al., 2003). Asparagus racemosus is a woody climber growing to 1-2 m in height. The leaves are like pine needles, small and uniform and the flowers are white and have small spikes. In Sanskrit this plant is called Shatavari which means „able to have one hundred husbands‟ and in Ayurveda, this amazing herb is known as the “queen of herbs” because it promotes love, special affinity to women health and devotion, and like it to women health and devotion and as it increases the capacity for lovemaking (Simon, 1997). The aim of this review is to present all the information about Asparagus racemosus in every field as cosmetics, human disease treatment, animal treatment, hormonal activity, antitussive activity, etc. on the basis of this we called Asparagus racemosus a wonder plant.

Toxicity:

The LD50 is >1g/kg. No toxic effects or mortality were observed with doses ranging from 50mg/kg to 1g/kg for four weeks. Acute and sub-acute (15-30 days administration) toxicity studies did not detect any changes in vital organ function tests (Rege and Thatte, 1999).

A.racemosus in dairy animals: The powdered dried root of A. racemosus is used in Ayurveda for dyspepsia, indigestion, and dysentery. In Ayurveda, A. racemosus has also been mentioned for the treatment of ulcerative disorders of the stomach and Parinama
Sula, a clinical entity akin to the duodenal ulcer diseases (Goel and Sairam, 2002). Oral administration of powdered dried root of A. racemosus has been found to promote digestibility and dry matter intake in healthy as well as in problematic animals without disturbing rumen parameters with a decrease meant in protozoan counts which work as a
predator for beneficial bacteria (Pradhan, 1995).
A. racemosus and reproductive health: Shatavari has beneficial effects on women and reproductive function. Asparagus racemosus is well known for its effects on the female reproductive system and used in all-female related problems such as PMS and sexual debility (Frawley, 1989), amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding (Swarup and Umadevi, 1988; Chopra and Simon, 2000) and gonorrhea (Thomson, 2002). It also supports deeper tissue and builds blood and so it helps to remove infertility, prepare the womb for conception, prevents miscarriage, and acts as a post-partum tonic where it helps to increase lactation and normalize the uterus, prolapse of the uterus, and the balancing reproductive hormones level (Swarup and Umadevi, 1988; Tirtha, 1998; Mitra et al., 1999).

Conclusion

After the study, we conclude that the Asparagus racemosus has many medicinal properties. In India, it uses many years in Ayurveda. The use of this is very useful and supports animals and human beings.

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