‘Reproductive tonic for women’: This Ayurvedic herb may help manage PCOS, menstrual bleeding, and also enhance ovulation

As such, the expert shared that shatavari — an Ayurvedic herb — is also beneficial for improving the reproductive health of women. “Shatavari is considered a reproductive tonic for women which has more than 50 organic compounds, including steroidal saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, polysaccharides, mucilage, racemose, and isoflavones. All these bioactive ingredients help in the improvement of reproductive health parameters,” she added.

 

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Shatavari for PCOS

Below are health benefits of Shatavari for PCOS, as listed by Batra:

*Helps in the management of uterine bleeding or heavy menstrual bleeding.

*Helps in maintaining the duration of the menstrual cycle, normalise the cycle, and blood flow

*Improves stress-mediated reproductive health complications due to its antioxidant ability

*Improves ovarian physiology

*Increases oestrogen levels

* Enhances folliculogenesis and ovulation

Concurring that shatavari is indeed beneficial for women with PCOS, Smriti Jhunjhunwala, BHMS nutritionist and dietitian, said, “Asparagus racemosus, commonly called shatavari, has gained medicinal popularity and is now considered to be a potent drug of choice in cases of reproductive ailments in women. It has a lot of organic compounds distributed in different parts of the plant, with the principal component — steroidal saponins — present in the roots. The flowers and fruits inherit flavonoids of quercetin (anti-oxidant) and the leaves have their own bioactive ingredients.”

Shatavari has a lot of organic compounds distributed in different parts of the plant. The principal component of it is the steroidal saponins present in the shatavari roots. (Pic source: Getty/Thinkstock)

She added that the presence of these compounds makes shatavri “anticancerous, antifungal, antiabortifacient, antiulcer and anticystic, which is why it has profound effects of the ovarian physiology, thereby increasing the estrogen levels and maintaining uterine health. It promotes follicular growth reducing the cysts in the ovaries helping to restore the ovarian health and fertility”.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance disorder that is commonly found in women of reproductive age group. Under this condition, the ovaries produce an unusual amount of male sex hormones called androgen, causing a hormonal imbalance. Speaking to indianexpress.com, Dr M Rajini Consultant – Obstetrics and Gynecology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad said, “The most common symptom of PCOS is irregular periods, accompanied by other symptoms like severe acne, excess facial/body hair, infertility and severe hair loss. The treatment for PCOS involves comprehensive lifestyle modifications and hormone medication to regularise the menstrual cycle which is clinical recommended and preferred”.

Does medical science recognise shatavari as a treatment for PCOS?

“One may prefer switching to Ayurvedic herbs like shatavari for treating PCOS, but it is not a clinically proven medication. There are neither enough scientific studies to claim that it helps in treating PCOS. hence, it is always advisable to consult a specialist before going for such alternative medication,” suggested Dr Rajini.

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