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Asparagus racemosus

Asparagus racemosus is an herb used in Ayurveda medicine. It is not the commonly consumed vegetable, but it is a related plant.

Our evidence-based analysis on asparagus racemosus features 51 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Asparagus racemosus

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Asparagus racemosus is an herb used in Ayurveda medicine. It is not the vegetable usually called asparagus.

Supplementing Asparagus racemosus will aid digestion, since the plant has anti-ulcer effects. It will also aid the immune system when antibodies are fighting off a threat. Asparagus racemosus also has aphrodisiac, antidepressant and anxiety-reducing effects.

But for anxiety, depression and libido, Asparagus racemosus is outclassed by other herbs. For example, Ashwagandha is more effective at reducing anxiety and depression, while Panax ginseng provides more physical benefits.

Though Asparagus racemosus has been used as a galactagogue to increase breast milk production, this area needs further research before Asparagus racemosus supplementation can be specifically recommended.

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How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

Rat studies using the root of Asparagus racemosus (Note: this is not the vegetable commonly called asparagus) use doses in the 100-200mg/kg of bodyweight range. This translates to an estimated human dose of 16-32 mg/kg of bodyweight, or:

• 1,100-2,200 mg for a 150lb person • 1,400-2,900 mg for a 200lb person • 1,800-3,600 mg for a 250lb person

The dosage ranges above are based on rat studies. There have not been any human studies done on Asparagus racemosus, so the optimal human dosage is unknown.

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Asparagus racemosus has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-d
Milk Production
Moderate See 2 studies
There is conflicting evidence regarding the effect of Asparagus racemosus on lactating parents. Some studies find it increases infant weight and serum prolactin levels in the parent, but other studies find no such effect.

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Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Asparagus, Asparagus Extract, Shatavari

Do Not Confuse With

Asparagus (Vegetable)

  • One study in rats noted teratogenic (birth defect inducing) effects, but this has not been reinvestigated

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Research Breakdown on Asparagus racemosus

1Sources and Composition

1.1Sources

1.2Composition

2Neurology and the Brain

2.1Depression

2.2Learning

2.3Stress

3Interactions with Glucose Metabolism

3.1Absorption

3.2Insulin

4Inflammation and Immunity

4.1Antigen-Specific Immunity

4.2Natural Killer Cells

5Interactions with Hormones

5.1Estrogen

6Interactions with Sexuality

6.1Male Sexuality

7Interactions with Organ Systems

7.1Stomach

7.2Intestines

7.3Breasts and Lactation

7.4Bladder and Urinary Tract

7.5Kidneys

7.6Liver

8Safety and Toxicology

8.1General
Click here to see all 51 references.

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 51 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Asparagus racemosus.

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