Shatavari Ksheera
Asparagus racemosus Willd.
Shatavari Ksheera (Asparagus racemosus Willd.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Asparagaceae (formerly Liliaceae) family. Acknowledged in WHO medicinal plant monographs; included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; WHO encourages further phytochemical and pharmacological investigation.
| Botanical name | Asparagus racemosus Willd. |
|---|---|
| Family | Asparagaceae (formerly Liliaceae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Also known as | Asparagus racemosus Willd., Shatavari Ksheera, ShatavariKsheera |
| Pharmacopoeia status | Acknowledged in WHO medicinal plant monographs; included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India; WHO encourages further phytochemical and pharmacological investigation |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2768632 · Wikidata Q4807702 · NCBI Taxonomy 272846 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Shatavari Ksheera |
| Latin/Botanical | Asparagus racemosus Willd. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Shatavarin I-VI (steroidal saponins)
- Racemosol (isoflavone)
- Asparagamine A (polycyclic alkaloid)
- Racemofuran (furanoid)
- Kaempferol
- Quercetin
- Rutin
- Sarsasapogenin
How does it work?
- Galactagogue: Steroidal saponins (shatavarins) stimulate prolactin secretion and mammary gland development, increasing breast milk production
- Adaptogenic: Saponins modulate HPA axis, normalize cortisol levels, and enhance stress resilience through GABAergic neurotransmission modulation
- Immunomodulatory: Shatavarin IV activates NK cells and macrophages, enhances phagocytosis, and modulates Th1/Th2 cytokine balance
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Galactagogue use (Stanya-janana) validated through RCTs showing increased breast milk volume and prolactin levels in lactating women
- Menopausal symptom relief confirmed by 2025 RCT demonstrating significant reduction in hot flushes and sleep disturbance
- Adaptogenic-Rasayana use supported by HPA axis modulation and improvement of stress biomarkers in clinical and preclinical studies
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Oyovwi MO, Chijiokwu EA, Ben-Azu B and others 2025. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): A Promising Ally for Fertility. Current nutrition reports. PMID 40974515 · doi:10.1007/s13668-025-00694-5
Systematic review evaluating effects on reproductive health; found enhancement of fertility rates and improvement of breast milk quality and quantity for postpartum care. - Ademola J, Ajgaonkar A, Debnath T and others 2025. Efficacy and safety of Shatavari root extract (Asparagus racemosus) for menopausal symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled study. Frontiers in reproductive health. PMID 41394012 · doi:10.3389/frph.2025.1654503
RCT demonstrated significant reduction in menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, sleep disturbance, mood changes) with good safety profile; only mild adverse events reported.
1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- WHO has acknowledged Asparagus racemosus in its medicinal plant monographs; high safety margin confirmed in preclinical toxicological assessments
- Mild adverse events in clinical trials include loose stools, nausea, and headache; contraindicated in estrogen-sensitive conditions due to phytoestrogenic activity; caution in kidney disorders
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Liquid (milk decoction), Freeze-dried powder, Capsule (encapsulated dried preparation), Soft gelatin capsule
Standard Dosage: 100-200 mL prepared Ksheerapaka (milk decoction) once or twice daily; 500-1000 mg freeze-dried Ksheerapaka powder per day
Bioavailability: Superior bioavailability compared to simple Shatavari preparations due to milk lipid-mediated solubilization of steroidal saponins (2-3x enhancement). Casein micelles act as natural nanocarriers for lipophilic constituents. Calcium and phospholipids in milk further enhance saponin absorption. This traditional formulation represents an ancient bioavailability enhancement technology.
Optimal Timing: Warm, before bedtime for reproductive tonic and sleep-promoting effects; morning dose for galactagogue action in lactating mothers
Standardized Extract: Freeze-dried Shatavari Ksheerapaka powder standardized to NLT 5% shatavarin content by HPLC-ELSD; reconstitution ratio 1:8 with warm water or milk
Shelf Life: Fresh Ksheerapaka: 24-48 hours refrigerated; spray-dried powder: 18 months; freeze-dried: 24 months; UHT-processed liquid: 6 months
Storage: Fresh: refrigerate at 2-8 deg C, consume within 48 hours. Dried powders: below 25 deg C, airtight containers with desiccant, protect from moisture. RH <40% for hygroscopic dried milk preparations.
Marker Compounds: Shatavarin IV, Racemosol, Beta-sitosterol, Milk fat content (as quality parameter), Total saponins
Extraction Methods
- Traditional Ksheerapaka method: boil 1 part Shatavari powder with 8 parts milk and 32 parts water; reduce until only milk portion remains
- Spray-drying of prepared Ksheerapaka for shelf-stable powder
- Freeze-drying for maximum constituent preservation
- Vacuum evaporation at <50 deg C for concentrated paste
Synergistic Combinations
- Saffron (premium reproductive tonic — Kesar-Shatavari Doodh)
- Ashwagandha (adaptogenic milk tonic)
- Cardamom + Cinnamon (flavor enhancement and digestive aid)
- Jaggery/Mishri (traditional sweetener and iron source)
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses2
- 2024. A systematic literature review of natural products for male sexual dysfunctionUrologia. PMID 39171682 · doi:10.1177/03915603241273882
- 2021. Persian Herbal Medicine in Functional Dyspepsia: A Systematic ReviewCurrent drug discovery technologies. PMID 32525777 · doi:10.2174/1570163817666200611132831
Randomised controlled trials2
- 2025. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd) root extract for postpartum lactation: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyJournal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. PMID 41055223 · doi:10.1080/01443615.2025.2564168
- 2025. 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 StudyJournal of the American Nutrition Association. PMID 40434025 · doi:10.1080/27697061.2025.2510474
Other clinical studies and reviews8
- 2025. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus): A Promising Ally for FertilityCurrent nutrition reports. PMID 40974515 · doi:10.1007/s13668-025-00694-5
- 2025. An Updated Insight on the Chemistry, Ethnobotany, and Health Benefits of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari): With a Special Emphasis on Shatavarin IVJournal of the American Nutrition Association. PMID 40334116 · doi:10.1080/27697061.2025.2496945
- 2025. Efficacy and safety of Shatavari root extract (Asparagus racemosus) for menopausal symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, three-arm, placebo-controlled studyFrontiers in reproductive health. PMID 41394012 · doi:10.3389/frph.2025.1654503
- 2022. Systemic and Anticancer Potential of Adaptogenic Constituents Isolated from Traditional Herbs - A Mini-ReviewAnti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry. PMID 35400325 · doi:10.2174/1871520622666220408091610
- 2021. Neuro-nutraceutical potential of Asparagus racemosus: A reviewNeurochemistry international. PMID 33689806 · doi:10.1016/j.neuint.2021.105013
- 2018. Impact of stress on female reproductive health disorders: Possible beneficial effects of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie. PMID 29635127 · doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.04.003
- 2016. Asparagus racemosus: a review on its phytochemical and therapeutic potentialNatural product research. PMID 26463825 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2015.1092148
- 2007. Asparagus racemosus--ethnopharmacological evaluation and conservation needsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 17240097 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2007.01.001
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.