The nonprofit American Botanical Council (ABC) welcomed the adoption of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) by Ixoreal Biomed, Inc., the producer of KSM-66 ashwagandha, through ABC’s Adopt-an-Herb botanical research and education program. 

Ixoreal’s adoption of shatavari supports ABC’s HerbMedPro database, ensuring the research and educational resource remains up to date on published clinical and scientific information for this traditional Ayurvedic herb. 

HerbMedPro is an interactive online database that provides access to important scientific and clinical research data on the uses and health effects of more than 275 herbs, spices, medicinal plants, and fungi.

According to ABC, shatavari is a perennial climbing shrub in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae) that reaches 1-3 meters (3.3-9.8 ft) in height. Its small, fern-like “leaves” are, in fact, flattened branches called phylloclades, and its tiny, fragrant, white flowers appear in summer and are followed by berries that progress from red to purplish-black in fall. The plant has multiple tuberous roots which are harvested for medicinal use when the leaves turn yellow in late autumn. 

The adoption of shatavari by Ixoreal coincides with the company’s introduction of its new clinically-tested shatavari root extract SRI-81. Ixoreal is known for its KSM-66 ashwagandha root extract, which the company states is the world’s largest selling and most clinically-tested ashwagandha root extract. The company intends to invest resources into clinically trial research, education, and marketing of its new SRI-81 shatavari root extract. 

According to Ixoreal, shatavari, revered in India’s Ayurvedic traditional healing as the primary herb for women’s health, is called the “Queen of Herbs,” as it has been linked for centuries with women’s health by supporting hormonal balance, reproductive health, lactation, menopause, and overall well-being. 

“Yet, despite these quintessential benefits for women, Shatavari has been largely overlooked in the global nutraceutical and dietary supplement space,” said Ixoreal Biomed CEO Kartikeya Baldwa. 

“KSM-66 has been the pioneer in documenting research and corroborating the benefits of ashwagandha, establishing itself as a category leader and custodian of this revered herb,” Baldwa continued. “In the same spirit, our SRI-81 Shatavari is dedicated to advancing women’s health by combining traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with modern scientific validation and research.”

He continued: “The adoption of shatavari with the American Botanical Council is a proud and meaningful milestone for Ixoreal, reinforcing our shared mission to advance evidence-based understanding of botanicals and make credible scientific information accessible to all. As the pioneer behind KSM-66 Ashwagandha and now the SRI-81 Shatavari initiative, we see this adoption as a powerful step toward elevating the scientific and cultural recognition of Shatavari — the ‘Queen of Herbs’ — for its vital role in supporting women’s health and resilience.”

“It is wonderful to see the adoption of shatavari by Ixoreal,” said noted herb expert and author, Tieraona Low Dog, MD. “Through its support of rigorous research and sustainable cultivation, Ixoreal is helping to ensure that this long-treasured beneficial medicinal plant is recognized for its clinically relevant potential in women’s health and stress resilience. This relationship beautifully reflects the American Botanical Council’s mission to advance the responsible use of botanicals through science, education, and stewardship.”

ABC Founder and Executive Director Mark Blumenthal said ABC is “deeply grateful” to Ixoreal Biomed for its adoption shatavari. “Ixoreal’s shatavari adoption on HerbMedPro helps ABC to further its unique science-based nonprofit research and educational mission to a wider user-group of scientists, researchers, educators, health professionals, industry personnel, and consumers.”