Can I take Ashwagandha and Shatavari for weight gain? - #45154
I a 34 year old female with 5 year old child. I have been underweight always. One of our relative who is a naturopathic doctor suggested to use Ashwagandha and Shatavari tablets/capsules for weight gain along with regular diet which I follow. My BP is near to lower range may be because of my weight. Please suggest if I can start consuming Ashwagandha and Shatavari tablets?
How long have you been underweight?:
- Since childhoodWhat is your current diet like?:
- Mostly vegetarianHave you tried any other treatments for weight gain before?:
- No, this is my first attemptDoctor-recommended remedies for this condition


Doctors' responses
Hello!
I can understand your concern regarding being underweight but dont worry we are here to help you out 😊
It is true that your underweight condition from childhood, running a family and taking care of a 5-year-old child must be physically very challenging and that is why your concern makes perfect sense and I can totally empathize with you.
Yes, in fact, if you are to take Ashwagandha and Shatavari for the purpose of weight gain, then you should do it in a safe manner with proper dosage and good manners of intake.
Your vegetarian diet is a healthy one, but it could be more nourishing ( Bhrimhana therapy)
✅ARE YOU ALLOWED TO USE ASHWAGANDHA AND SHATAVARI?
✅ Definitely. Both are great for your case:
👉Ashwagandha Increases muscle mass Improves strength & energy Helps the body process to stay healthy Relieves stress Makes the nervous system healthier
👉 Shatavari
Good for female hormonal balance Enhances digestion and absorption Reproductive tissues get nourished Supports healthy weight gain Improves general vitality
The duo is not only safe and effective but also very frequently Ayurveda refers to them in the case of underweight females.
✅ RECOMMENDED DOSAGE
(Safe & Effective)
You can start: Ashwagandha Capsule – 500 mg once after dinner Shatavari kalpa – 1 tsp with warm milk twice daily If you have shatavari capsule take one capsule at bed time
Duration At least 3 months of visible and stable results will take.
✅Because your blood pressure is slightly low:
Once daily is enough to begin with In the start do not take both twice daily
✅ DIET PLAN FOR HEALTHY WEIGHT GAIN (Very Important)
✅ Must Include Daily:
Warm milk with 1 tsp ghee Soaked almonds (5) + soaked dates (2) Rice, wheat, and homemade roti Paneer, curd, buttermilk Fruits like banana, chikoo, mango (seasonal) Vegetable soups and khichdi
❌ Avoid
Skipping meals Cold food Junk food Too much tea/coffee Very dry or fasting-type diet
✅ Weight Gaining Lifestyle Tips
–Adequate rest 7–8 hour –Light yoga (Vajrasana, Bhujangasana) –Don’t overwork yourself physically –Stress management (very important for Vata balance)
You are certainly NOT weak.
Your body is only asking for proper nourishment and Vata balancing support, which is exactly what Ashwagandha and Shatavari do.
With the right food, a calm mind, and consistency, you will surely put on healthy weight the natural way.
I wish you good health,
Warm Regards, Dr. Snehal Vidhate
Here is a complete schedule for you to help you in your weight gain journey.
Breakfast 8-9.30 am Upma, Poha, Idli, Dosa, Moong Dal Chilla, Vegetable Paratha (Potato paratha once in a while) with a cup of buffalo milk
Mid Snack 11-11.30 am 1 fruit which ever you like
Lunch 12.30-1.30pm A bowl of Dal A bowl of vegetable Roti Rice 2 tsp of ghee
Hi Tea 4 -4.30pm 1 cup of milk with any breakfast item you like. You can have a fruit as well but than avoid milk.
Dinner 7.30-8.30 pm 1 bowl of dal 1 bowl of vegetable Roti Rice 2 tsp of ghee
❌Things to Avoid❌ Processed food Oily food Ready to eat food Maida Desserts
✔️Must do✔️ Exercise is must Have a fruit after exercise best prefered banana You can replace fruits with boiled eggs Twice a week swimming or running Weight training if possible Surya namaskar daily atleast 10. Start from whatever is possible.
Exercise will increase your hunger and you will notice your appetite increasing.
💊Medication💊
Syp. Drakshasav 3 tsp twice a day before food Tab. Liv 52 DS 1 tab twice a day before food Tab. Ampachak Vati 2 tabs twice a day before food.
Full body massage with lukewarm sesame seed oil followed by exercise.
Take Tab. Bandy Plus (deworming medication) 1 tab at night before you start your medication.
Remember you will not see effect in one or two days but you will notice changes within 15 days.
A blend of exercise n healthy food will help you in your weight gain programme.
Yes definitely But take in powder form start Shatavari churna 1/2 tsp with warm milk at morning Ashwagandha churna 1/2 tsp at night with warm milk Include ghee / nuts / banana/ heavy foods in diet
Hello!
You have been underweight since childhood, which means your metabolism is naturally high and your body doesn’t hold weight easily. After pregnancy, many women experience low reserves of strength and low BP, especially when they are already lean. Ashwagandha and Shatavari are two of the safest Ayurvedic herbs for improving weight, appetite, digestion strength, hormonal balance, and overall nourishment. They work slowly but steadily when combined with regular meals and good rest. So yes, both are safe for you and can help improve energy, mood, and healthy weight gain.
Internal medicines 🌿
(Start with Ama Pachana if digestion feels heavy, gassy, or bloated)
1. Amapachana Vati 2 tablets twice daily after food for 5 days
2. Ashwagandha tablets 1 tablet twice daily after meals Continue for 2–3 months
3. Shatavari tablets 1 tablet at night with warm milk Continue for 2–3 months
Diet suggestions 🍲 • Have 1–2 teaspoons ghee with meals • Add bananas, dates, nuts, and soaked almonds daily • Drink warm milk with Shatavari at night • Add paneer, dal, eggs (if taken), and rice for nourishment • Avoid skipping meals
Investigations (only if weight doesn’t increase) 🩺 • Thyroid profile • Vitamin D • Vitamin B12 • CBC
🤗
These herbs are safe, especially for someone who has been underweight since childhood. Your body will slowly start gaining strength, appetite will improve, and your BP may become more stable. Take them regularly with food and a nourishing diet.
Warm regards, Dr. Karthika
Take Ashwagandha capsule 1-0-1 with warm milk Shatavari kalp 1 tsp-0-0
Yes – You can safely start Ashwagandha + Shatavari for healthy weight gain
Best & Safest Dosage (start from tomorrow) 1 Ashwagandha Lehyam (jam form – best for weight gain) → 10 gm (2 tsp) morning + 10 gm night with warm milk OR if only tablets → 500–1000 mg capsule morning + night 2 Shatavari Kalpa (sweet granules – best taste & absorption) → 10 gm (2 tsp) morning + 10 gm night with warm milk OR plain Shatavari capsule → 500–1000 mg twice daily
Total daily Morning: Ashwagandha 10 gm + Shatavari 10 gm + 200 ml warm milk Night: same
Must add for faster gain (4–7 kg in 90 days) 4 soaked almonds + 2 dates + 1 banana + 1 tsp ghee → every morning
Lunch: rice + moong dal + ghee + sabzi (increase portion slightly)
Dinner before 8 PM → khichdi/roti + ghee Sleep 10 PM – 6 AM strictly (growth hormone releases only in deep sleep)
Regards Dr Gursimran Jeet Singh MD Panchakarma
You should definitely go for it. They act synergistically: Ashwagandha builds strength, Shatavari nourishes tissues. Safe for women, especially postpartum or those with low weight and low BP.
You may add-Chyawanprash 1 tsp with warm milk 1 hour before breakfast
🍲 Diet Tips for Weight Gain
Include: - Warm milk with ghee or dates. - Khichdi, mung dal, soups with ghee. - Soaked almonds, walnuts, raisins. - Banana, mango, papaya, pomegranate. - Whole grains (wheat, millet, rice).
Avoid: - Cold, stale food. - Excess tea/coffee. - Skipping meals.
🧘 Lifestyle Tips - Regular yoga: Bhujangasana, Vajrasana, Surya Namaskar (gentle). - Oil massage (Abhyanga) with sesame oil for circulation and nourishment. - Adequate rest and stress management.
Yes you can take ashwagandha tablet/ capsules , 0-0-1 Take it with cool milk at bedtime Shatavari tablet/ capsule 1-0-0 after breakfast with milk Along with this you can also add Chyavanprash 1 tsp twice daily after food with water Include black dates peanuts bananas in your diet daily Include cow’s ghee 2-4tsp in your diet daily. Do light exercises not heavy.
Ashwagandha and Shatavari may support weight gain, especially given your underweight condition. Ashwagandha, known for its rejuvenating properties, helps in boosting energy and improving muscle development. It balances Vata dosha, which might be prominent in your case, contributing to your lower body weight. Shatavari is beneficial for nourishment and improving reproductive health, which is also vital post-childbirth.
Before you start, consider your digestive fire (agni). If agni is weak, nutrient absorption could be limited, affecting weight gain. Focus on strengthening digestion through warm, freshly cooked meals and spices like ginger or cumin to support agni. Begin using Ashwagandha and Shatavari in moderate doses. Ashwagandha can be taken in the morning, about 500 mg, and Shatavari in the evening, around 500 mg. Take with warm milk for better absorption, as milk is nourishing and supports tissue building.
Keep an eye on how your body responds. If you feel any discomfort or changes like insomnia or energy fluctuations, it’s essential to adjust dosages or consult with an Ayurvedic practitioner. Also, regular practice of grounding yoga, like Vata-pacifying postures, can help in managing stress levels and enhancing digestive capacity.
Since your BP is on the lower side, maintain a diet rich in healthy fats, proteins and complex carbohydrates. Foods like dates, almonds, ghee, avocados are good. Ensure sufficient hydration and rest too. Should you notice persistent issues with BP or significant health shifts, it’s important to get checked by healthcare professional. Monitoring changes supports adjustments specific to your body’s needs.
Yes, Ashwagandha and Shatavari might help with weight gain as they are known for their nourishing properties in ayurvedic medicine. However, it’s essential to consider your unique prakriti (body constitution) and any existing dosha imbalances before starting these supplements. Ashwagandha is typically energizing and can support tissue building, enhancing muscle mass and strength, while balancing Vata dosha, which might be beneficial if you have symptoms like low energy and poor muscle tone. On the other hand, Shatavari is generally cooling and nourishing, supporting Kapha and Pitta balancing, enhancing reproductive health and vitality, that could help if stress or reproductive health is affecting your weight.
Before starting, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider or Ayurvedic practitioner who can take a detailed look into your overall health, including digestion (agni), energy channels (nadis), and any specific ailments you face. Dosages are key: typically Ashwagandha can be taken in 500 mg - 1000 mg doses daily, while Shatavari is often used in similar amounts. Since Shatavari is more Kapha-augmenting, people with high Kapha need to be cautious.
Monitor your blood pressure as both have mild effects on circulatory systems and it’s wise to pace with gradual increases. The adaptogenic nature of Ashwagandha might help with stress management, indirectly promoting weight gain by reducing cortisol levels without pushing your BP further down. To amplify benefits, incorporate dietary adjustments to enhance agni like adding warming spices (ginger, black pepper) into meals.
If you notice any adverse effects or your weight doesn’t seem to respond, stop use and seek professional guidance. Both supplements work best alongside a balanced diet and lifestyle adjustments rather than as standalone solutions.

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