Benefits
Supports breast milk supply in the first days postpartum
In a randomized trial of 120 new mothers, 300 mg root extract twice daily for 72 hours after delivery led to more expressed milk at 72 hours, earlier breast fullness and more satisfied mothers (53% versus 25%) than placebo. A shatavari and oat bar raised 72-hour milk volume in 78 women, and an older trial reported higher prolactin.
Supports healthy ovarian structure and androgen balance
In 60 women with PCOS, 100 mg CL22209 daily for 84 days cut ovarian volume by 21%, cyst size by 41% and follicle count by 21% versus placebo, lowered total testosterone by about a third and raised SHBG. Cycle length did not change more than on placebo, and a second trial found fewer follicles but no change in ovarian volume or hormones.
Relief of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms
In two 8-week placebo-controlled trials in 70 and 135 women, shatavari root extract at 300 to 500 mg a day lowered menopausal symptom scores more than placebo. The first reported fewer hot flashes, night sweats and sleep problems and less vaginal dryness; in the second, rating-scale scores fell 13 points versus 3 on placebo.
Lower perceived stress scores
In a 12-week trial of 70 women with PCOS, Perceived Stress Scale scores fell more with shatavari root extract than with placebo, a secondary outcome. In a menopause trial, anxiety and nervousness also improved more than on placebo. Neither trial enrolled people for stress, so this evidence is preliminary.
Mechanism of action
Shatavarin saponins and hormone signaling
Shatavari root contains steroidal saponins (shatavarins), flavonoids and mucilage. In a PCOS trial a standardized extract lowered total testosterone and raised SHBG, the protein that binds sex hormones, which fits an effect on hormone balance; how the saponins act in people is not yet known.
Prolactin and milk production
Prolactin is the main hormone that drives milk production. In a double-blind trial in 60 breastfeeding mothers, shatavari raised prolactin more than threefold compared with the control group, which may explain the milk volume results.
Clinical trials
Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 300 mg shatavari root extract or placebo capsules twice daily for 72 hours after delivery (Ajgaonkar et al. 2025, J Obstet Gynaecol).
120 women aged 20 to 40 who delivered at 37 weeks or later and planned to breastfeed; 113 completed (57 shatavari, 56 placebo).
Time to breast fullness after the last feeding was shorter (p=0.002) and milk volume expressed at 72 hours was higher (p<0.001) with shatavari. More mothers were satisfied with lactation (52.63% versus 25.00%). No adverse events occurred.
Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at two centers of a bar containing shatavari and oats versus an identical placebo bar (Birla et al. 2022, Cureus).
78 women who delivered at 37 weeks or later and intended to breastfeed (39 per group); 61 had caesarean deliveries.
Milk volume expressed after 72 hours or four bars was higher with the shatavari bar (64.74 ml versus 49.69 ml, p=0.008), and time to breast fullness was shorter (30.49 hours with shatavari, p=0.024). Mothers rated lactation, infant well-being, taste and ease of use better on the shatavari bar.
Randomized, double-blind trial measuring prolactin as the primary outcome (Gupta et al. 2011, Iran J Pharm Res).
60 lactating mothers.
Prolactin rose more than threefold in the shatavari group compared with the control group, and secondary measures such as mothers' and babies' weight and maternal satisfaction also favored shatavari (p<0.05).
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 84-day trial of 100 mg CL22209 daily, made by Laila Nutra and funded by Chemiloids Life Sciences, registered as CTRI/2023/11/059457 (Kondamudi et al. 2025, Food Nutr Res).
60 women aged 20 to 35 with PCOS by Rotterdam criteria; 59 analyzed.
Ovarian volume (the primary outcome) fell 21%, cyst size 41% and follicle number 21% versus placebo (P<0.0001). Total testosterone fell from 0.65 to 0.43 ng/mL and SHBG rose versus placebo. The interval between periods shortened 12% versus 6% on placebo, a difference that was not significant between groups. The extract was well tolerated.
Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week trial of a standardized shatavari root extract, registered as CTRI/2024/10/074660 (Mhatre et al. 2026, Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)).
70 women aged 20 to 40 with PCOS (35 per group); 66 completed.
Ovarian volume did not differ from placebo (p=0.254). Follicle count fell, endometrial thickness rose and Perceived Stress Scale scores dropped (-6.64 points) more than on placebo. BMI, hormone levels and lab values did not differ. Mild to moderate adverse events occurred in 11.4% on shatavari and 8.5% on placebo, none judged related.
Randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled 8-week trial of 250 mg shatavari root extract twice daily versus microcrystalline cellulose (Gudise et al. 2024, Cureus).
70 women with menopausal symptoms, 35 per group.
Compared with placebo, the extract reduced hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, vaginal dryness and loss of libido, and Utian quality-of-life scores improved. No significant adverse events were recorded.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter 8-week trial with three arms: 300 mg/day shatavari root extract, shatavari plus 250 mg/day ashwagandha root extract, or placebo, NCT06716554 (Ademola et al. 2025, Front Reprod Health).
135 women aged 45 to 65 with menopausal symptoms, 45 per group; 125 analyzed per protocol.
Menopause Rating Scale scores, the primary outcome, fell 13.07 points with shatavari alone versus 3.26 with placebo at week 8 (p<0.0001), the same as with the combination. Hormone levels stayed in the normal range. Four participants reported mild adverse events, including nausea on shatavari and headache on placebo.