Its cooling influence may also be used in the hot flashes of women going through menopause. Asparagus is also given in general debility and it is very beneficial in cooling an irritated digestive system as featured by heartburn, diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome. It is helpful as a female reproductive system toner.

Serving size: 2 Vegi caps
Servings per container: 30
Each 500 mg capsule contains: Shatavari

Dosage: One to two Shatavari capsule could be taken twice a day, after meals. Pregnant women should avoid Shatavari. (Goel RK, Prabha T, Kumar MM, Dorababu M, Prakash, Singh G. “Teratogenicity of Asparagus racemosus Willd. root, a herbal medicine.” Indian J Exp Biol. 2006 Jul;44(7):570-3).

Causes of low sex drive are many and varied. A woman loses interest in sex owing to physical and emotional reasons. Low sex drive is largely a reversible condition. Normal sexual behavior could be restored easily by eliminating the underlying problem that lead to poor libido.

It is not easy to define low sex drive. The sexual urge varies from woman to woman. It is influenced by attitude, lifestyle and social factors. The sex drive of a woman fluctuates throughout her life. It is normal to expect low sex drive during illnesses, pregnancy and menopause. Changes in relationship with your partner affect your sex drive. The sexual satisfaction level might not be strictly defined by frequency of sex. However, if your sex drive causes personal distress, it is safe to conclude that you are suffering from low sex drive.

Poor libido could develop from either sexual or non-sexual problems. Sexual problems include failure to attain orgasm. Pain during intercourse might diminish sex drive. Illnesses might temporarily reduce your sex drive. However, chronic health disorders could affect your sex life for a prolonged period. Poor libido might occur in women suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, neurological disorders and arthritis.

Medicines taken to reduce high blood pressure, allergic reactions and depression could diminish your sex drive. Cancer as well as chemotherapy procedures could also decrease libido. Fatigue could reduce your interest in sex. There are several reasons for fatigue. In women, pressure of handling professional and family life simultaneously, causes fatigue. General weakness could be a sign of an underlying health disorder. In women, iron-deficit anemia is a common cause of exhaustion. Thyroid gland malfunction could cause fatigue and diminish sex drive simultaneously.

Although sexual desire, largely, is driven by physical desire for sex, one cannot overlook the importance of emotions in sex. Emotional stress, depression and anxiety might reduce your interest in sex. Clinically depressed women on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant drugs experience low sex drive. While serotonin is essential for increasing sexual response, too much serotonin could delay orgasm and diminish sexual desire.

However, health experts suggest that fall in sex drive is primarily associated with the normal aging process. Sex is the natural vehicle for reproduction. Sexual urge tend to increase a few days before ovulation and it remains at a higher level for several days following ovulation. This is a natural mechanism of the female body to enable conception. Hence, in older women sex drive naturally falls after ovulation ceases. In addition, secretion of estrogen diminishes around menopause, which accounts for poor sex drive. Estrogen helps to lubricate the vagina. Reduction in estrogen production dries up the vaginal tissues. Sexual intercourse during this phase of life could be a very painful exercise. It causes burning and pain in the vagina, thereby diminishing your urge for sex. Moreover, estrogen also influences the emotion of a woman to sustain interest in sex.

Along with estrogen, the hormone testosterone also influences your sex drive. Although testosterone is primarily a male hormone, which is present in very small amounts in women, drop in testosterone could kill libido in women. In younger women, testosterone secretion might be impaired by intake of oral contraceptive pills. In older women, hormone replacement therapy, prescribed for controlling the bothersome side effects of menopause, might disrupt testosterone secretion.

Asparagus racemosus is an asparagus specie native to the Indian subcontinent. In Sanskrit, asparagus racemosus is known as Shatavari, which literally means a woman with a thousand husbands. The name itself eulogizes the aphrodisiac property of the herb in enhancing sex drive in women. In Ayurveda, Asparagus racemosus is classified as a Vajikaran Rasayana herb that addresses sexual problems in humans.

Estrogenic effect on genital organs

Fall in the estrogen level following menopause causes vaginal dryness. The pain, irritation and burning sensation a woman experiences during sexual intercourse owing to vaginal dryness reduces sex drive. The estrogen-like effect of Asparagus racemosus might help to reduce vaginal discomfort. (Pandey SK, Sahay A, Pandey RS, Tripathi YB. “Effect of Asparagus racemosus rhizome (Shatavari) on mammary gland and genital organs of pregnant rat.” Phytother Res. 2005 Aug;19(8):721-4).

Boosts testosterone secretion

Elevated testosterone level is not only necessary for sustaining sex drive in men, but the hormone also aids women to restore sex drive. The testosterone-like effect of Asparagus racemosus has been demonstrated in experimental studies. Testosterone is essential in both men and women in maintaining healthy sex drive.

Reduces depression

Women with depressive disorders tend to lose interest in sex. Depression needs to be treated to boost desire for sex. Asparagus racemosus is a natural antidepressant that can help to improve libido by improving mood. (Singh GK, Garabadu D, Muruganandam AV, Joshi VK, Krishnamurthy S. "Antidepressant activity of Asparagus racemosus in rodent models." Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2009 Jan; 91(3):283-90).

Increases breast milk

Asparagus racemosus helps to increase breast milk production in lactating women. (Joglekar GV, Ahuja RH, Balwani JH. “Galatogogue effect of Asparagus racemosus. Preliminary communication. Indian Med J. 1967 Jul;61(7):165).

Antioxidant

The antioxidant compounds in Asparagus racemosus could protect the body tissues including those of the reproductive system from oxidative stress. The scavenging action of free radicals is linked to health disorders. The harmful activities of free radicals accelerate the aging process. (Wiboonpun N, Phuwapraisirisan P, Tip-pyang S. “Identification of antioxidant compound from Asparagus racemosus.” Phytother Res. 2004 Sep;18(9):771-3).

A healthy lifestyle could help to restore your sexual desire naturally. To maintain a healthy sex life you should consume a nutritious diet and lead an active life.

The food that you eat could enhance your sex life by supporting the health of the organs and muscles that are activated during sex. To sustain your normal sex drive, blood flow through the genitals should occur without any hindrance. Limit consumption of saturated fats. Presence of excess unhealthy fats in your diet would boost the bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the bloodstream, making you susceptible to atherosclerosis. The fat accumulating in your body would harden over time, clogging the arteries and reducing blood flow. It also increases the risk of coronary artery diseases. If the heart is unable to perform its normal pumping function, blood circulation throughout the body will slow down. Blood flow to the genitals will also reduce, thereby diminishing your sex drive. Add garlic and onions to your diet. Allicin, a sulfur compound, present in these culinary herbs helps to stimulate blood flow. It also helps to lower the levels of blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride. Enriching your meals with nuts and seeds helps to increase blood flow to the genital region. Arginine, an amino acid, present in the seeds and nuts boosts blood flow to the organs.

Hormones play an important role in triggering sex drive. Eating chocolate might improve your mood and prepare you for lovemaking. The brain chemical dopamine plays an important role in boosting arousal during sex. Including lean meat in your diet might help to stimulate dopamine secretion. Testosterone is also needed to increase stamina for sustaining the lovemaking process. Consuming oats could help to increase testosterone secretion.

Moderate drinking might help to increase your sex drive by calming your mind and stimulating testosterone secretion. However, excess drinking is harmful for your sex life.

If vaginal dryness is forcing you to avoid sex, you can lubricate the vaginal tissues with vitamin E.

Skin to skin contact helps to increase sex drive. Touching would help to stimulate oxytocin secretion, thereby enhancing the pleasure of sex.

Daily exercise is also needed to sustain your interest in sex. Aerobic exercises would help to increase blood circulation throughout your body, helping to meet the demand for excess blood flow in the genital region to boost sex drive. Workouts also help to tighten and strengthen the muscles in the pelvic region. Moreover, daily physical activities would help to improve your physical appearance by eliminating excess fat from the body and improving the muscle tone. Physical activities also help to reduce stress and stabilize your mood.

Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus, is a climbing plant that grows in low jungles areas throughout India. This sweet and bitter herb is specifically used for balancing to Pitta Dosha. In India, Asparagus is considered the women's equivalent to the great aphrodisiac herb Ashwagandha. The name ‘Shatavari’ translates to "a woman who possesses 100 husbands", referring to the Shatavari’s rejuvenation effect in female reproductive organs.

In countries like Australia, Asparagus herb is more often used to help curing gastrointestinal disorders and as a gentle external wash for wounds. The healing qualities of Asparagus are useful to a wide array of different health ailments. It is well known for its action on the female reproductive system. The herb Asparagus is also effective in a number of other systems of the body and is hence can be used for both; men and women.

Asparagus – a woman friendly drug

Asparagus is said to be one of the most helpful herbs for women. This is because it helps in balancing the female hormonal system. The main herbal agent for rejuvenation for women, Asparagus nourishes and cleanses the blood as well as the entire female reproductive track and its organs.

Asparagus is also a great source of plant-derived estrogens, making Shatavari a healthy choice for women who are nursing as well as menopausal and post-menopausal women. The healing properties of Asparagus are also very effective on the female reproductive system related ailments. Asparagus helps in minimizing the women's complaints related to menstrual cycles as Asparagus minimizes the pain, controls the loss of blood and other fluids during menstrual cycle.

The herb asparagus is considered to be helping decreasing the inflammation of female sexual organs. The herb is considered as safe during pregnancy and hence, helps relieving tiredness and morning sickness. In some of the cases, it is said to help in problems related to infertility, leucorrhea, and in regulating ovulation etc that occur during the menopause cycle and is considered to be the worst nightmares of any woman.

Asparagus is perhaps best known as a female rejuvenation tonic. The herb is useful for infertility, decreased libido, threatened miscarriage, menopause, and leucorrhea and has the capability to balance pH in the cervical area. Dry membranes, as those on the vaginal wall, can also be brought back into balance through the herbs demulcent action.

On other hand, men may benefit from the herb as well in the treatment of impotence and general sexual debility. In addition to Shatavari’s applications for reproductive organs, the herb is also quite effective for stomach ulcers, hyperacidity and diarrhea.

Dry and irritated membranes in the upper respiratory tract can also be soothed by Shatavari making it useful in cases of bronchitis and chronic fevers. It is believed that the Asparagus can bring all of the body's fluids into balance.

Shatavari or Indian asparagus is the most important herb in Ayurvedic medicine for dealing with problems connected women's fertility [1].

The herb’s rhizome is a soothing tonic that works mainly on the circulatory, digestive, respiratory and female reproductive organs [1].

Asparagus’ roots are antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diuretic, galactogogue and refrigerant [2, 3].

Shatavari can be taken internally in the treatment of infertility, loss of libido, threatened miscarriage, menopausal troubles, hyperacidity, stomach ulcers and bronchial infections [1].

The whole plant of Indian asparagus is used in the treatment of diarrhea, rheumatism, diabetes and brain complaints [3].

The powdered dried root of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) has been used in Ayurveda for dyspepsia (Amlapitta i.e. acid regurgitation) and to increase milk secretion in a lactating mother. One of the herbs containing Asparagus racemosus as its major components has been reported to cause significant rise in scrum prolactin levels [4].

An alcoholic extract of Asparagus racemosus has been shown to increase the prolactin levels in female rats [7].
Metoclopramide, a dopamine receptor antagonist with a poor penetration of the blood-brain barrier, is used in radiology and in persons with dyspepsia to increase the rate of emptying the content of the stomach, and also causes increase in milk secretion by increasing prolactin levels. With a working hypothesis that the therapeutic effects of Asparagus racemosus can be due to a principle containing dopamine receptor antagonist activity, it was therefore decided to compare Shatavari and metoclopramide for their effects on gastric emptying time [5], [6].

[1] Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

[2] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986

[3] Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993

[4] Ghosh S, Chakraborty S, Mitra J, Ghosh KK. Study of Lactate, a herbal galactogogue. Paper presented at 29th. Mumbai: All India Obstetric and Gynaecological Congress; 1987.    

[5] Koch-Weser J, Schulze-Delrieu K. Metoclopramide. New Eng J Med 1981; 305:28-33. 
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[6] Murad F, Haynes RC. Hormones and Hormone Antagonists. Introduction in: "Goodman and Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics," 6th Edition, Gilman AG, Goodman LS, Gilman A, editors. 1985, pp 1367-1368.  

[7] Sabnis PB, Gaitonde BB, Jetmalani M. Effects of alcoholic extracts of Asparagus racemosus on mammary glands of rats, Ind J Expt Biol 1966; 6:55-57. 

The immuno-adjuvant potential of Asparagus racemosus (Willd.) Family (Liliaceae) aqueous root extract was evaluated in experimental animals immunized with diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP) vaccine. Immuno-stimulation was evaluated using serological and hematological parameters. Oral administration of test material at 100 mg/kg per day dose for 15 days resulted significant increase in antibody titers to Bordtella pertussis as compared to untreated (control) animals. Immunized animals (treated and untreated) were challenged with B. pertussis 18323 strain and the animals were observed for 14 days. Results indicate that the treated animals did show significant increase in antibody titers as compared to untreated animals after challenge. Immuno-protection against intra-cerebral challenge of live B. pertussis cells was evaluated based on degree of sickness, paralysis and subsequent death. Reduced mortality accompanied with overall improved health status was observed in treated animals after intra-cerebral challenge of B. pertussis indicating development of protective immune response. Present study indicates applications of test material as potential immuno-adjuvant that also offers direct therapeutic benefits resulting in less morbidity and mortality. (immunoadjuvant potential of Asparagus racemosus aqueous extract in experimental system. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Apr;91(2-3):251-5.1)

Bioassay-directed fractionation of the dried roots of Asparagus cochinchinensis led to the isolation of a new spirostanol saponin, asparacoside (1), two new C-27 spirosteroids, asparacosins A (2) and B (3), a new acetylenic derivative, 3' '-methoxyasparenydiol (4), and a new polyphenol, 3'-hydroxy-4'-methoxy-4'-dehydroxynyasol (6), as well as five known phenolic compounds, asparenydiol (5), nyasol (7), 3' '-methoxynyasol (8), 1,3-bis-di-p-hydroxyphenyl-4-penten-1-one (9), and trans-coniferyl alcohol (10). Compounds 1, 6, and 8 demonstrated moderate cytotoxicities in a panel comprised of KB, Col-2, LNCaP, Lu-1, and HUVEC cells, with IC(50) values ranging from 4 to 12 microg/mL. The structures were determined by spectroscopic and chemical methods. (Bioactive constituents from Asparagus cochinchinensis. J Nat Prod. 2004 Feb; 67(2):194-200.)

Shatavari or Indian Asparagus plant is an under-shrub that climbs up to 1-3 meter high having stout and creeping root stock. Shatavari’s root occurs in clusters or fascicle at the base of the stem with succulent and tuberous rootlets.

Asparagus’ stem is scandent, woody, triquetrous, striate, terete and climbing. The young stem of the herb Shatavari is delicate, brittle and smooth. The spines are long, sub-recurved or straight. Herb’s cladodes are in tufts of 2-6 in a node, slender, finely acuminate, falcate divaricate.

The flowers of Shatavari or Asparagus are solitary or fascicles, simple or branched racemes of about three cm long. The pedicel is slender and jointed in the middle. Its perianth lobes are white, fragrant and 3 mm in length. The anthers are minute and purple. The berry of the herb is globular or obscurely 3 lobbed, purple-reddish in color and have seeds those are hard with brittle testa.