Asparagus racemosus

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Asparagus

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Genus:	Asparagus
Species:	A. racemosus

Binomial name

Asparagus racemosus
Willd.^[1]

Synonyms

Asparagus rigidulus Nakai^[1]
Protasparagus racemosus (Willd.) Oberm.^[1]

Asparagus racemosus or "Satavar" is a creeper of the plant genus Asparagus. It contains adventitious root system with tuberous roots. For each plant, many tuberous roots are present. These tuberous roots after proper processing and drying are used as medicine in Ayurveda, with the name of Shatavari. Leaves of it are reduced to cladodes. Branches contain spines on them.

In Ayurveda, it is used as anodyne, aphrodisiac and galactogogue.

Shatavari is considered to be the main Ayurvedic rejuvenating femal tonic for overall health and vitality. The reputed adaptogenic effects of Shatavari may be attributed to its concentrations of saponins, known as Shatavarins. In Sanskrit, Shatavari means "she who possesses a hundred husbands."