Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus) in Ayurveda

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) in Ayurveda: traditional women's health and lactation uses, what small trials found for milk supply, menopause and PCOS, and the safety gaps.

Content last updated October 24, 2026. This page has not been medically reviewed.

What it is and how Ayurveda describes it

Shatavari is the root of Asparagus racemosus, and it is used in Ayurveda as a herb for women's health. One trial paper describes it as a "revered herb in Ayurveda" traditionally used as a galactagogue, meaning a substance thought to increase breast milk. [1] Another says it is known in Ayurveda as a source of remedies for various women's health problems and has been used for a very long time. [2] A third notes it is nicknamed the "Queen of Herbs" and is described as a rejuvenating herb. [3] These are traditional descriptions. See how Ayurvedic herbs are classified and Ayurveda and women's health for the tradition's own framing.

Researchers propose that shatavari acts through "phytoestrogenic" saponins (plant compounds called shatavarins) that bind estrogen receptors. [4] This is a proposed mechanism, studied in cells and computer models. [5] It has not been shown to explain any clinical effect.

What research has measured

Use	What the source found	Label
Breast milk supply	A 2025 trial in India randomized 120 postpartum women to shatavari extract or placebo for 72 hours (113 were in the final analysis). [6] Time to breast fullness was shorter and expressed milk volume at 72 hours was higher with shatavari. [7] The follow-up was only three days. [8]	Promising but limited
Breast milk, all herbs together	A 2013 systematic review of six trials (shatavari was one of five herbal preparations studied) [9] cited limits such as small samples and insufficient randomization methods, [10] and made no recommendation for herbs as galactagogues. [11] A 2020 Cochrane review included shatavari among natural galactagogues and was very uncertain about the size of any effect. [12] [13] [14]	Insufficient evidence
Menopausal symptoms	A 2025 trial of 135 women, 8 weeks, three arms. [15] The significant improvement in the symptom score was reported for the group given shatavari plus ashwagandha compared with shatavari alone and with placebo. [16] A 2024 trial of 70 patients with an Ayurvedic shatavari formulation reported benefit over placebo, and called for larger, longer studies. [2] [17]	Promising but limited
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)	A 2026 trial randomized 70 women to shatavari or placebo for 12 weeks. [18] The main outcome, ovarian volume, did not differ. [19] Stress scores were lower, follicle count was lower and endometrial thickness was higher. [20] [21]	Insufficient evidence
"Balancing hormones"	In the three-arm menopause trial normal hormone levels were maintained, [22] and in the PCOS trial there were no significant differences in hormone levels or BMI. [23] Two other trials reported higher blood estradiol with the extract. [31] [32]	Marketing claim, not shown by these trials
Fertility, cancer, other uses	Proper evidence not found in the sources we read.	Insufficient evidence

Each of these is a single trial or a small set of trials, with short follow-up. They should be repeated by independent teams before anyone treats the results as settled. The menopause and PCOS trials we read in full report no outside financial support, [24] [25] and the menopause trial reports no commercial conflicts of interest. [26] We did not check the sponsorship of the other trials.

Frequently asked questions

Does shatavari increase breast milk?

One 72-hour trial found more expressed milk with shatavari than placebo, but a Cochrane review of natural galactagogues was very uncertain about the size of any effect. [7] [14]

Does shatavari balance hormones?

In two trials that measured hormones, levels stayed normal in menopausal women and did not differ from placebo in women with PCOS. [22] [23] Two other trials reported higher blood estradiol with the extract, so it is not simply "balancing". [31] [32]

Is shatavari good for menopause?

Small trials report improved symptom scores, but the clearest benefit was for a shatavari-plus-ashwagandha combination, so the evidence is promising but limited. [16] [17]

Is shatavari safe in pregnancy?

We did not find verified safety information for pregnancy, so ask your clinician before using it.

How long have shatavari trials lasted?

The trials we read lasted 72 hours (milk supply), 8 weeks (menopause) and 12 weeks (PCOS), so long-term effects and safety are unknown. [8] [15] [18]

More details: evidence, limits and cautions

The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.

Safety first

Shatavari is often marketed for hormones, fertility and breastfeeding, but the safety information we could verify is thin. We searched PubMed for human reports on shatavari in pregnancy, liver safety and use with estrogen-sensitive conditions and found no study that answers those questions. That means "Proper evidence not found", not "proven safe". Talk with a doctor or pharmacist before using it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a hormone-sensitive condition, or take regular medicines. In the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222. This page is information only and gives no amounts to take.

Safety and cautions

Side effects seen in trials. In the menopause trial, four participants had mild events across all groups, including loose stools, dizziness, nausea and a headache in the placebo group. [27] In the PCOS trial no serious adverse events occurred. [28]
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. We did not find a regulator or clinical source on safety in pregnancy, and the lactation evidence above is short-term. Ask an obstetric clinician or lactation consultant first. See pregnancy and breastfeeding safety and Ayurvedic herbs and breastfeeding.
Hormone-sensitive conditions. Because shatavari is described as phytoestrogenic, [4] anyone with a history of an estrogen-sensitive cancer or condition should ask their specialist; we found no human safety data for that group. Two trials of branded extracts (one in menopausal, one in perimenopausal women) reported that blood estradiol (an estrogen) rose with the extract, [31] [32] which is another reason to ask first if you take hormone treatment. One 2025 perimenopause trial of a different standardised extract has been retracted, so its results are not used here. [33]
Medicines and liver. Not studied in the sources we read, so ask a pharmacist. In the US supplements are not approved by the FDA before sale. [29] Some Ayurvedic products contain metals. [30]

When to get care

Very heavy or irregular periods, absent periods, severe menopausal symptoms, fever in a breastfeeding parent, or poor infant weight gain need medical assessment first. See perimenopause and menopause, PCOS and Ayurveda for menopause and PCOS.

References

Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.