tuneTypical Dose
Match the dose and product to a postpartum lactation study rather than generic shatavari branding
Adaptogen
Shatavari
Asparagus racemosus
Evidence TierCWADA NOT PROHIBITED
watchEffect Window
Lactation-focused studies looked at early postpartum outcomes over days to weeks.
check_circleCompliance
WADA NOT PROHIBITED
Overview
Clinical Summary
Shatavari has its clearest human evidence as a postpartum galactagogue, with much weaker support for broad hormone, menopause, or general stress-resilience claims.
Shatavari is often marketed as a general women's-health herb, but the most defensible human evidence is much narrower. The clearest use case is postpartum lactation support, where several randomized trials suggest improved milk output or earlier lactation establishment. That does not automatically validate broader claims about hormone balancing, libido, menopause, or stress resilience.
Shatavari is often discussed as a phytoestrogenic or adaptogenic herb, but the clearest human evidence is functional and postpartum, namely lactation support rather than generalized hormonal optimization.
Outcomes
What This Is Expected To Influence
Primary Outcomes
- Possible improvement in postpartum milk output and lactation establishment
Secondary Outcomes
- Weak support for broader women's-health or hormone claims
Safety
Contraindications and Interactions
Contraindications
- Hormone-sensitive condition
Side effects
- Mild GI upset
Interactions
No entries provided
Avoid if
- You are using it for broad hormone effects without evidence-based expectations
- You cannot verify product quality in the postpartum setting
Evidence
Study-level References
sha-SRC-001Randomized controlled trial
Sourceopen_in_newNair S, Raveendran V, et al. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd) root extract for postpartum lactation: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2025. doi:10.1080/01443615.2025.2564168. PMID:41055223.
Population: Postpartum women establishing lactation.
Dose protocol: Product-specific shatavari root extract in the first postpartum days
Key findings: Improved early lactation outcomes versus placebo.
Notes: Best current direct lactation RCT.
Paper content
This is the best current direct shatavari lactation trial. It supports improved early postpartum lactation outcomes, but the evidence remains short term and product specific. It is useful for narrow galactagogue framing, not for broad hormone-balancing or general women's-health claims.
sha-SRC-002Randomized controlled trial
Sourceopen_in_newPanda S, Chatterjee A, et al. Postpartum use of Shavari Bar improves breast milk output: A double-blind, prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study. Cureus. 2022;14(8):e27800. doi:10.7759/cureus.27800. PMID:35974870.
Population: Postpartum mothers with breastfeeding initiation support.
Dose protocol: Shatavari-containing postpartum nutrition bar
Key findings: Increased milk output versus placebo.
Notes: Supportive but formulation specific.
Paper content
This trial supports postpartum milk-output benefit, but it used a shatavari-containing nutrition bar rather than isolated extract. It is supportive for galactagogue framing, though still product specific and short term.
sha-SRC-003Randomized controlled trial
Sourceopen_in_newGupta M, Shaw B. Randomized controlled trial of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) as a lactogogue in lactational inadequacy. Indian Pediatr. 1996;33(8):675-677. PMID:8979551.
Population: Women with lactational inadequacy.
Dose protocol: Older shatavari lactogogue trial
Key findings: Favorable lactation-related outcomes compared with placebo.
Notes: Historical support only.
Paper content
This older randomized lactogogue trial is part of the historical shatavari evidence base. It supports lactation-focused use, but reporting standards are limited and the study is not enough by itself for strong confidence.
sha-SRC-004Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_newMhatre Y, Jadhav P, Malik A, Srivathsan M, Langade D. Efficacy and safety of Shatavari root extract in women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2026;17:1769773. doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1769773. PMID:41816216.
Population: Women aged 20 to 40 with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Dose protocol: Standardized shatavari root extract versus placebo for 12 weeks in 70 women with PCOS
Key findings: Significant reduction in psychological stress (PSS -6.64, P<0.0001), decreased follicle count, increased endometrial thickness. No serious adverse effects.
Notes: First published RCT of shatavari specifically in PCOS. Expands evidence beyond lactation into hormonal health, though sample size is modest.
Paper content
This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial tested standardized shatavari root extract in 70 women with PCOS over 12 weeks. The treatment group showed significant reductions in psychological stress scores, decreased follicle count, and increased endometrial thickness compared with placebo. No serious adverse effects were reported. The results expand the evidence base for shatavari beyond lactation support into a hormonal health context, though the sample size is modest and replication in larger trials is needed. This is the first published RCT of shatavari specifically in PCOS.
sha-SRC-005Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Sourceopen_in_newYadav P, Yadav S, Vedururu SS, Kumari G. A Standardized Asparagus Racemosus Root Extract Improves Hormonal Balance and Menstrual Health and Reduces Vasomotor Symptoms in Perimenopausal Women. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2025;44(8):754-764. doi:10.1080/27697061.2025.2510474. PMID:40434025.
Population: 50 perimenopausal women aged 40 to 50 years.
Dose protocol: Standardized Asparagus racemosus root extract (CL22205) 200 mg daily versus placebo for 120 days in 50 perimenopausal women
Key findings: Reduced Menopausal Rating Scale scores, decreased hot flash frequency, improved FSH, LH, and AMH levels. No adverse events reported.
Notes: First RCT evidence for shatavari in perimenopausal symptom management. Small single-center trial requiring replication.
Paper content
This double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated a standardized shatavari root extract (CL22205, 200 mg daily) in 50 perimenopausal women over 120 days. The treatment group showed substantially reduced Menopausal Rating Scale scores, decreased hot flash frequency, and improved menstrual symptoms. Hormonal markers improved, with decreased FSH and LH and increased AMH. Skin and hair quality also improved. No adverse events were reported. The study provides the first RCT evidence for shatavari in perimenopausal symptom management, expanding the evidence beyond lactation. The sample size is small and single-center, requiring replication.