Evidence supporting the use of: Asparagus
For the health condition: Menopause

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Asparagus (particularly the species Asparagus racemosus, also known as Shatavari) has a long-standing tradition of use in Ayurvedic medicine to support women’s health, including issues related to menopause. In Ayurvedic texts, Shatavari is considered a “female tonic,” reputed to balance hormones, alleviate hot flashes, mood swings, and improve overall vitality during the menopausal transition. The root is believed to have phytoestrogenic properties—plant compounds that may mimic the action of estrogen in the body, theoretically easing symptoms caused by declining estrogen levels.

However, the scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited and mostly preliminary. Only a small number of animal studies and in vitro experiments suggest Shatavari may have mild estrogenic or adaptogenic effects. Human clinical trials are scarce and often methodologically weak, with small sample sizes and unclear endpoints. The evidence for Asparagus officinalis (the common vegetable) in menopause is even weaker, as it is not traditionally used for this purpose and lacks research.

In summary, asparagus’s use for menopause is rooted primarily in traditional medicine, especially in Ayurveda. While there are plausible mechanisms and some promising early findings, the current scientific evidence is not robust enough to fully validate its efficacy. Anyone considering asparagus supplements for menopause should consult a healthcare provider, especially if taking hormone-related treatments.

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Other ingredients used for Menopause

7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
Alfalfa
Aloe vera
ashwagandha
asparagus
astragalus
black cohosh
black currant
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
calcium
chaste tree
cordyceps
damiana
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dog rose
dong quai root
eleuthero
evening primrose oil
fenugreek
fish oil
flaxseed
genistein
genistin
hibiscus
HMR lignan
hops
knotweed
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
lignans
maca
Marine lipid
Melatonin
Moringa
Motherwort
Nettle
okra
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
pollen
pomegranate
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
soybean
Valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
Wild yam
red clover
atractylodes
smilax
Rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
lingzhi
root tuber
dioscorea
royal jelly
equol (proprietary)
anemarrhena asphodeloides
barrenwort
goji berry
amaranth
soy isoflavones
27-deoxyactein
8-Prenylnaringenin
Akebia
antler
Achyranthes
Alchemilla
Agrimonia pilosa
Agnuside
Ashoka
Anemarrhena
atractylone
black seed
banyan
bioflavonoids
black root
Chinese silkvine
cohosh
Clary sage
Cnidium
Cynomorium
Crinum latifolium
DHEA
danshen
daidzein
durian
dong quai
Euryale seed
elk antler
evening primrose oil
estrogen
fo-ti
Ficus religiosa
Glycetein
horny goat weed
Hypericum
isoflavones
Lycium
lemon balm
Lady's Mantle
linden
lotus
Loranthus
Labisia pumila
macamides
Montanoa tomentosa
Meadow sage
Miroestrol
macaenes
Ophiopogon
Puerain
Pulsatilla
Prickly Pear Cactus
Phytoestrogens
Polygonum
rue
Rubus
rockweed
Rehmannia
rose
Rooibos
Rosa laevigata
rhubarb
Soy
Soy Protein
Stone Root
Vervain
Viburnum
Vitex Agnus-Castus
Withanolides
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade