Introducing Asparagus: New Herbal Help for Menopausal Women

Well know as a food, it is not at all well known as a medicinal herb. But recent

research is showing that asparagus root extract can offer real help to women

going through menopause.

Asparagus is a familiar food that is delicious and rich in vitamins A and C and

fiber. In North America, though, it is rarely used as a herb. In Asia and Europe,

though, all parts of the plant are used herbally. In cooking, the most valued part

is the shoot; in herbal tradition, the most valued part is the root. Traditionally, the

root has been used as a diuretic and laxative as well as for high blood pressure

and rheumatism. In India, asparagus root, or shatavari as it is known in the

Ayurvedic tradition of healing, is used as a diuretic, and anti-inflammatory and to

strengthen the female reproductive system.

It is this last use, the female reproductive system, that has recently triggered

interest in modern science. In 2024, a double-blind study (Cureus. April 8,

2024;16(4):e57879) gave 70 women who were either perimenopausal or who

had entered menopause either a placebo or 250mg twice a day of an asparagus

root extract standardized for no less than 5% shatavarins for 60 days.

The women taking the asparagus root had significantly fewer hot flashes and

night sweats than the women taking the placebo. They also fared significantly

better in urinary incontinence, fatigue, sleep problems, mood swings and loss of

libido.

The asparagus group did significantly better in total score on a menopause

quality of life scale (UQoL), as well as in all domain scores, including

occupational, health, emotional, and sexual UQoL scores. They also did

significantly better on a scale of depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21). And

they slept better. On the Regensburg Insomnia Scale, the women on asparagus

root had better total scores, as well as deep sleep, quality of sleep and daytime

functioning.

And now, two more double-blind studies have demonstrated the benefits of

asparagus root extract for menopausal women. In the first (Functional Foods in

Health and Disease 2025;15(7):415-443), the extract was standardized to 15%

shatavarins and the dose was either 50 or 100mg. The study lasted 120 days.

The 50 women in this study were all between 40 and 50 and were

perimenopausal.

Improvement on the Menopausal Rating Scale was significantly better on the

asparagus root. Total score was reduced by 22.8% in the placebo group but by a

significantly better 51.4% in the 50mg group and 73% in the 100mg group.

Menstrual Symptom Questionnaire Scores improved by 36% in the placebo

group, by 166.75% in the 50mg asparagus group and 178.8% in the 100mg

group. While hot flashes were reduced by 7.76% in the placebo group, they

dropped by 27.62% in the 50mg asparagus group and by 39.81 in the 100mg

group.

In the second study by the same group of researchers (J Am Nutr Assoc. 2025

May 28:1-11), 50 perimenopausal women between 40 and 50 were given either a

placebo or 200mg a day of asparagus root extract (standardization not specified)

for 120 days. Once again, total scores in the asparagus group improved

significantly more on the Menopausal Rating Scale and on the Hot Flash Weekly

Weighted Score. Painful periods also improved significantly more. Interestingly,

skin and hair quality also improved significantly more.

This burst of studies introduces asparagus root extract as a new herb for helping

women in and around menopause.