Asparagus racemosus

Asparagus racemosus

Best for

Less overall discomfort during menopause

Barely detectable 250 mg/day 24 weeks 1 study, n=40 #10 of 10 studied

Asparagus racemosus provides barely detectable relief for menopause symptoms, based on one small trial and insufficient evidence for reliable symptom improvement across outcomes.

Median effective dose, most-studied outcomes

  • Make daily life easier in menopause 250 mg 24 wk
Full protocol, 1 outcomes

Risk, worst reported severity

  • adrenal insufficiency / HPA axis suppression severe
  • Cushingoid features (facial puffiness) moderate
All 6 events and interactions

What asparagus racemosus actually does

Outcome Effect Evidence Dose Time Rank
Early research 1
Less overall discomfort during menopause Barely detectable Menopause symptoms can affect comfort, sleep, mood, and daily life.
trivial
1 RCT 1 papers · n=40 250 mg 24 wk #10 /10

Effect tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Protocol

Dose, timing & forms

How much

For menopause-related daily-life symptoms, the single available 24-week protocol used 250 mg twice daily. The measured improvement was trivial, so this dose is a research reference point, not an established effective target.2

When and how long

The studied approach used a split daily schedule over 24 weeks, rather than occasional use when symptoms feel worse. The trial does not establish whether taking it with food, at a particular time of day, or in the evening changes results.2

Forms & standardisation

Look for a label that clearly identifies the product as Asparagus racemosus root, often sold as shatavari. The available trial base does not establish a best extract ratio, active-compound standard, or preparation method, so marketing claims about a uniquely superior form run ahead of the evidence.2

Studied range, by outcome

Outcome Studied range Median effective Duration Evidence
Make daily life easier in menopause 250 mg 250 mg 24 wk 1 paper 1 sig. endpoint

Adverse events and drug interactions

Safety events

adrenal insufficiency / HPA axis suppression severe
Cushingoid features (facial puffiness) moderate
weight gain moderate
new-onset diabetes mellitus (HbA1c 6.5%) moderate
gastrointestinal disturbance mild
subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH 7.19 µIU/mL, anti-TPO positive) mild
In context

What this is and how it works

  • One trial (n=40) reported positive menopause-symptom results, but the effect size was not quantified. 2
  • The reviewed evidence includes 1 paper spanning 7 outcomes, with early-tier evidence across menopause-related claims.
  • Evidence applies only to the studied preparation, dose, and menopausal participants; broader effects remain unestablished.

Asparagus racemosus is a climbing plant commonly known as shatavari, with roots used in traditional preparations. It belongs to the Asparagus genus, but it is not the same thing as the green asparagus on your dinner plate.1

The available clinical research measured how menopause symptoms affected daily life, rather than identifying a confirmed biological pathway. Think of it like noticing a tiny change on a dashboard without yet knowing which wire in the engine caused it. That trial found only a trivial symptom effect, so no proven mechanism explains a meaningful benefit yet.2

Bottom line

Asparagus racemosus is reasonable only for someone who understands that the menopause evidence rests on one trial with a trivial effect. It is not a strong choice if you want a supplement with reliable symptom relief. People with medical conditions, hormone-related concerns, or regular medicines should speak with a qualified clinician before using it.

Frequently asked

Common questions

Does Asparagus racemosus help with menopause symptoms?

One 24-week clinical trial found a barely detectable improvement in how menopause symptoms affected daily life. That is too little evidence, and too small an effect, to expect a noticeable change for most people.2

How long does shatavari take to work?

The available menopause trial ran for 24 weeks, so it does not support judging the supplement after a few days or taking it only when symptoms flare.2

What is Asparagus racemosus?

Asparagus racemosus is a climbing plant often called shatavari. It is botanically distinct from the green asparagus eaten as a vegetable, although both sit in the Asparagus genus.1

Sources

Sources

  1. 1. Plants of the World Online: Asparagus racemosus Willd.
  2. 2. PubMed search: Asparagus racemosus menopause

Generated August 27, 2026