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Introduction

Now a day stress is noticed at each level in society due to pressure, demand, limited resources and lifestyle behaviors. Girls and women in their reproductive age are more frequently exposed to psychological,physical and physiological stress that increase reproductive health problem. Infertility means not being able to get pregnant (conceive) after one year or longer of unprotected sex.Shatavari has been used in Ayurveda for hundreds of years to support female reproductive and maternal health.Shatavari drug is described in our classic Charak Samhita as Prajasthapan,Shukrajanan and Balya Gana.Prajasthapan means a drug which help in healthy conception of foetus. Shukrajanan means a drug which promote spermatogenesis in male and Oogenesis in female. Hence the drug shatavari balances hormone level in both and promote ovulation in female and increase sperm count in male. Some references regarding Shatavari as uterine tonic, galactogauge, aphrodisiac are as follows-

 “Shatavari bahusuta bheerurindivari varee,

 Narayanee shatpadi shatveerya cha peevari /

Shukrastanyakaree balya vatapittastrashothjit,

Mahashatavree medhya hrudya vrusya Rasayani / B.N.

Causes of infertility: It is very difficult to determine but may include inadequate levels of certain hormones in both men and women and trouble with ovulation in women, uterine or cervical abnormalities, fallopian tube blockage, endometriosis, early menopause, tumour, pelvic adhesions. Male causes of infertility are low sperm count, congenital defect in male reproductive system, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, etc. Shatavari works in infertility in only stress induced and ovulation disorder, PCOD induced infertility. Botanical name of Shatavari is Asperagus racemosus. It is useful in conception to postpartum recovery.

Need of study- In modern era cases of male and female infertility are increasing due to sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, increased BMI, smoking and excessive alcohol. To find out function and mode of action of Shatavari in female infertility and to study the disease infertility.

Methodology:  What is Shatavari?

Plant description–Shatavari is commonly known as Shatmuli,Shatveerya, its botanical name is Asperagus racemosus, belong to Liliaceae, Asparagaceae family. It is a thorny climber having stems up to 4 m long, roots are fibrous and tuberous, leaves-pine needle like shape, uniform and shiny green. There are three types of Shatavari 1. A. racemosus -Shatavari 2.A. sarmentosa-Mahashatavari. 3.A. filicinus –Himalayin kantakrahit

Active chemical constituents: It contains steroidal saponin–shatavaroside A, shatavarosideB, shatavarins, alkaloid- asparagine A, sterols, Isoflavones, vit A, essential fatty acids, gammalinoleic acid, mucilage.

Pharmacological action

Cooling, nervine tonic, galactogauge, aphrodisiac, diuretic, rejuvenating, carminative, uterine tonic, antioxidant, immunomodulator,

Ayurvedic properties: Rasa- Madhur, Tikta, Virya-Sheet, Vipak-Madhur, Guna –Guru,Snigdha. Karma –balya, Shukrajanan, Rasayan, Garbhaposhak, Pittashamak, Stanyjanan.

Infertility Symptoms: The main symptoms of infertility is not getting pregnant. Women with infertility may have irregular menstrual cycle, or absent cycle. In male abnormal sperm production or function due to undescended testcles, geneticdefects, health problem such as diabetes, HIV, hypertension, use of pesticide, smoking, alcohol, tobacco, hot tub bath etc.

Mode of action of Shatavari in fertility and conception:

Shatavari has been commonly used in Ayurveda for promoting female fertility and maintaining healthy reproductive system. It improves ovarian physiology as it contains Isoflavons by increasing, regulating oestrogen level and support the level of luteinizing hormone which is responsible to trigger the ovulation. This helpful in regulating menstrual cycle which is important for conceiving. Being an effective adaptogen it may also helpful for stress induced fertility. It is also considered as aphrodisiac for men and women and can improve chances of conception. The herb contains mucilage which support health of mucus membrane of cervix and boost healthy cervical mucus production that also assist in conception. It is also useful in postpartum period in female for galactogauge effect. Shatavari works in infertility in only stress induced and ovulation disorder, PCOD induced infertility.

Formulations and doses- Shatavari kalpa, Shatavari powder, Shatavari ghrut, Shatavari ghan vati. Doses- powder 3 to 6gm  Shatavari ghrit -10 ml -20ml,

Discussion

As Shatavari possess the properties like Madhur, Tikta Rasa, Vipak –Madhur Veerya –Sheet, Pittashamak and aphrodisiac, Shukrajanan, Garbhashaya balya, poshak, galactogauge in karma (action) hence useful in recurrent abortion because of saponin which blocks the oxytocin induced contraction.

Also it builds up the endometrium lining of uterus as Garbhashaya balya effect by balancing women’s hormone oestrogens, FSH, LH level in blood. Isoflavone induced normal ovulation so it normalizes the menstrual cycle.

Conclusion

Shatavari is beneficial in female infertility by enhancing folliculogenesis and ovulation, preparing womb for conception, preventing abortions and postpartum recovery. 

Also useful in male infertility by correcting azoospermia. Shatavari works in infertility in only stress induced and ovulation disorder, PCOD induced infertility.