This perennial plant grows 1 to 2 meters tall with long thin branches of short, spiky leaves, roots that can be 1 meter long, and small white flowers that produce dark purple fruits in autumn. It is a famous Ayurvedic medicinal herb, it is said to be particularly useful as a womens herb.

It is commonly harvested from the wild to the extent that overcollection in some areas of its range is causing conservation concerns. Shatavari is the most important herb in Ayurvedic medicine for dealing with problems connected to womens fertility. The rhizome is a soothing tonic that acts mainly on the circulatory, digestive, respiratory and female reproductive organs. The root is alterative, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, demulcent, diuretic, galactagogue and refrigerant. It is taken internally in the treatment of infertility, loss of libido, threatened miscarriage, menopausal problems, hyperacidity, stomach ulcers and bronchial infections. Externally it is used to treat stiffness in the joints. The root is used fresh in the treatment of dysentery. It is harvested in the autumn and dried for use in treating other complaints.