European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

GASTRO-INTESTINAL EFFECT OF SHATAVARI GHRITA – A LITERARY REVIEW

Dr. Fernando WKBDS* and Dr. Perera K. C.

ABSTRACT

Shatavari Ghrita is one of the herbal medicines containing Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) root, milk and ghee. This has been described for treatment of various gastro intestinal disorders according to Ayurveda classical texts. The aim of present study was to collect the information of Shatavari Ghrita in order to ascertain its effect on gastro intestinal disorders, through the authentic text books, research articles, journals and web sources. Shatavari Ghrita is prepared by mixing fine powder of root of Shatavari, cow’s ghee and milk in 1:4:16 proportions. Many researchers have been proved that these three ingredients are having Madura and Tikta rasa, Guru and Snigdha guna, Sheeta veerya and Madura Vipaka. Ghrita possesses shoolaprashamana, snehana, shleshmaprasadaka, agnideepana, shothahara and vranaropaka properties. Milk is having properties of rasaprasada, dahahara and shoolaprashamana. Shatavari roots contain steroidal saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and dihydrophenanthrene derivatives which reduce the pain and burning sensation as well as other dyspeptic symptoms due to the ulcers. Therefore Shatavari Ghrita act as shoolaprashamaka, vranaropaka, dahanashana, agnideepana, shleshmavardhaka and it also can pacify Vata and Pitta doshas. Further research shows that Shatavari Ghrita acts as a cyto-protective agent to protect the gastro-duodenal mucosa damaged by its hostile environment and as an enhancer of Prostaglandins in the form of mucosal barrier, renewal of mucosal cells and by increasing mucosal blood flow. In present article shows efficacy of Shatavari Ghrita in order to cure the different kind of gastro intestinal disorders are delineated precisely.

Keywords: Gastro-intestinal disorders, Shatavari Ghrita, Asparagus racemosus.