Last update Dec. 26, 2025

Wild Asparagus, shatavari, satavar

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

It is a climbing plant widespread throughout Africa, Asia and Oceania. Widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India. The roots are used. It contains phytoestrogens, flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols and folic acid, among others. It has multiple medicinal properties attributed to it with little scientific confirmation (Banerjee 2025, Patibandla 2024), including galactagogue (Goyal 2017). Not to be confused with the common asparagus (Asparagus officinalis).

Several studies show a greater increase in serum prolactin and/or infant weight and/or longer duration of breastfeeding and/or shorter time to milk production and/or lower perception of insufficient lactation among mothers taking satavari compared to mothers taking a placebo. (Ajgaonkar 2025, Saxena 2025, Rajni 2023, Birla 2022, Mehta 2014, Gupta 2011)

Some of these studies have methodological problems (Mortel 2013): lack of a control group, lack of blinding, lack of randomisation, low number of participants, or administration of a mixture of products... (Saxena 2025, Birla 2022, Mehta 2014)

Some of the differences observed, which are statistically significant, are perhaps clinically irrelevant: increases in prolactin (Rajni 2023), shorter time to milk production. (Ajgaonkar 2025) and maternal satisfaction (Ajgaonkar 2025)

In one study, there were no differences in serum prolactin levels or infant weight gain between mothers treated with satavari and mothers given placebo. (Sharma 1996)

No relevant adverse effects were observed with the administration of satavari. (Saxena 2025, Gupta 2011, Sharma 1996)

Do not use galactagogues without first assessing breastfeeding technique and other maternal and infant factors that can be modified or improved to increase milk production. The best galactagogue is effective support and advice during pregnancy and after childbirth to achieve frequent on-demand breastfeeding with correct technique in a mother who retains her self-confidence. (Brodribb 2018, Anderson 2013, Mannion 2012, Forinash 2012, Committee 2012, ABM 2011).

Alternatives

  • Domperidone (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Wild Asparagus, shatavari, satavar in other languages or writings:

Group

Wild Asparagus, shatavari, satavar belongs to this group or family:

References

  1. Ajgaonkar A, Debnath T, Bhatnagar S, Debnath K, Langade J. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd) root extract for postpartum lactation: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2025 Dec;45(1):2564168. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Banerjee P, Das A, Kumar P, Chakraborty S, Jalan K. An Updated Insight on the Chemistry, Ethnobotany, and Health Benefits of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari): With a Special Emphasis on Shatavarin IV. J Am Nutr Assoc. 2025 Nov-Dec;44(8):681-692. Abstract
  3. Saxena U, Ota S, Rajput S, Anand B, Tripathi A, Singhal R, Kumar A, Lachyan A. Clinical evaluation of Ayush-SS granules in exclusively breastfeeding mothers with insufficient lactation: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Int Breastfeed J. 2025 Apr 5;20(1):26. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  4. Patibandla S, Gallagher JJ, Patibandla L, Ansari AZ, Qazi S, Brown SF. Ayurvedic Herbal Medicines: A Literature Review of Their Applications in Female Reproductive Health. Cureus. 2024 Feb 29;16(2):e55240. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  5. Rajni, Rani V, Sindhu SC, Neha. Nutritional analysis of Asparagus racemosus (Willd.) root powder and its efficacy in increasing prolactin level in lactating women. Annals of Phytomedicine-an International Journal 2023;12:912–7. Full text (link to original source)
  6. Birla A, Satia M, Shah R, Pai A, Srivastava S, Langade D. Postpartum Use of Shavari Bar® Improves Breast Milk Output: A Double-Blind, Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study. Cureus. 2022 Jul 13;14(7):e26831. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  7. ACOG - American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Breastfeeding Challenges: ACOG Committee Opinion, Number 820. Obstet Gynecol. 2021 Feb 1;137(2):e42-e53. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  8. ABM: Brodribb W. ABM Clinical Protocol #9: Use of Galactogogues in Initiating or Augmenting Maternal Milk Production, Second Revision 2018. Breastfeed Med. 2018 Jun;13(5):307-314 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  9. Goyal M. Use of ethnomedicinal plants for prophylaxis and management of postpartum complications among the Marwari community of Jodhpur District of Rajasthan. Food Qual Saf 2017;1:203–10. Full text (link to original source)
  10. Mehta A. Efficacy of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, docosahexaenoic acid, galactagogue combination on lactation: A postmarketing surveillance study. J S Afr Fed Obstet Gynecol 2014;6:118-22. Full text (link to original source)
  11. Mortel M, Mehta SD. Systematic review of the efficacy of herbal galactogogues. J Hum Lact. 2013 May;29(2):154-62. Abstract
  12. Anderson PO. The galactogogue bandwagon. J Hum Lact. 2013 Abstract
  13. CLM - Comité de Lactancia Materna de la AEP. Preguntas frecuentes sobre lactancia materna. Folleto. 2012 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  14. Mannion C, Mansell D. Breastfeeding self-efficacy and the use of prescription medication: a pilot study. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012;2012:562704. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  15. Forinash AB, Yancey AM, Barnes KN, Myles TD. The use of galactogogues in the breastfeeding mother. Ann Pharmacother. 2012 Oct;46(10):1392-404. Abstract
  16. Gupta M, Shaw B. A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial for Evaluation of Galactogogue Activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd. Iran J Pharm Res. 2011 Winter;10(1):167-72. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  17. ABM. Academy Of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee. ABM Clinical Protocol #9: Use of galactogogues in initiating or augmenting the rate of maternal milk secretion (First Revision January 2011). Breastfeed Med. 2011 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  18. ABM. Comité de Protocolos de la Academia Médica de Lactancia Materna. ABM Protocolo Clínico #9: Uso de Galactogogos para Iniciar o aumentar la tasa de secreción de Leche Materna. Breastfeed Med. 2011 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  19. Sharma S, Ramji S, Kumari S, Bapna JS. Randomized controlled trial of Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) as a lactogogue in lactational inadequacy. Indian Pediatr. 1996 Abstract

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