Safed musli is tuberous root of a plant. The tuberous roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum, Chlorophytum arundinaceum, Chlorophytum tuberosum and Asparagus adscendens are used as Safed Musli. The tubers are white in colour. The dried tuberous roots are powdered and available in markets as Safed Mulsi.
Musli is considered natural Viagra or Indian Ginseng. It is especially used as an aphrodisiac. Because of its popularity as a sex tonic its cultivation is done in number of regions around the world. As per Ayurveda, it is immunity booster, vaajikarak, Rasayan and a general health tonic. It mainly works on reproductive and respiratory system.
Safed musli is ‘Rasayan’ or adaptogen. It is useful in debility (general and sexual), diarrhea, leucorrhea, spermatorrhea, wasting diseases. Animal research shows that it might increase sexual activity and might possibly have effects similar to testosterone. It is given to women during pregnancy and postpartum, for nourishing fetus and increasing breast milk flow. Its use can increase Ama and congestion in body.
Vernacular Name
Sanskrit | Swetha musli, Shwet musli, Shweta musli, Safed musli, Musali, Musli, (white var.), Mahashatavari;black variety is equated with Talamuli Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker. |
Unani | Shaqaaqul-e-Hindi |
Hindi | Safed musli, Hazarmuli, Satmuli |
Gujrati | Ujlimusli, Dholi musali |
Malyalam | Shedeveli, Shedheveli |
Marathi | Safed musli, Sufed Musli, Kuli. |
Tamil | Tannirvittang, Tannirvittan-Kizhangu, Vipurutti, Taniravi thang |
Telgu | Tsallogadda, Swetha musli. |
Arabic | Shaqaqule-hindi |
Sinhalese | Hirtha-wariya, Mushali |
Garhwal | Jhirna |
Uttar Pradesh | Khairuwa |
Arabic | Shaqaqule |
English | India spider plant, Spider plant (India), White musale, White Musali |
French | Chlorophytum medicinal |
Part Used:Tuberous root or rhizome
Habitat:Western Himalayas, Punjab, Gujarat, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Central India
Medicinal Properties of White Musli
Property | Meaning |
Aphrodisiac | Stimulates sexual desire |
Immunomodulatory | Capable of modifying or regulating one or more immune functions |
Rejuvenator | Rejuvenates body |
Aperient, purgatives | Relieves constipation |
Antifilarial | Tending to destroy filarial worms or to inhibit their growth |
Antidiabetic | Stabilize and control blood glucose levels |
Demulcents | Relieving inflammation or irritation |
Tonic | Give a feeling of vigour or well-being |
Galactagogue | Promotes or increases the flow of a mother's milk |
Diuretic | Stimulates discharge of urine |
Antacid | Preventing or correcting acidity |
Antiarthritic | Relieves the symptoms of arthritis |
Anthelmintic | Expel parasitic worms (helminths) and other internal parasites from the body |
Antioxidant | Prevent or delay some types of cell damage |
Antistress | Stress reducing |
Chemical Constituents
The main active constituents of the roots are alkaloids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, saponins, polysaccharides and steroids. It contains carbohydrates (35-45%), fiber (25-35%), alkaloids (15-25%), saponins (2-20%), and proteins (5-10%). Itis a rich source of over 25 alkaloids, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, steroids, saponins, potassium, phenol, resins, mucilage, and polysaccharides and also contains high quantity of simple sugars, mainly sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose and xylose.
Ayurvedic Properties and Action on body
- Rasa (Taste):Tikta/Bitter, Madhura/Sweet
- Guna (Characteristics):Guru/Heavy, Snigdha/Unctuous
- Virya (Potency):Ushna/Hot
- Vipaka (Post Digestive Effect):Madhura/Sweet
- Action:Balya, sukravriddhikar, Rasayana
Health Benefits of Safed Musli
- It is a rasayan and rejuvenator that improves overall health.
- It has antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-stress effects.
- It is beneficial in all male sexual problems such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, sexual dysfunction, impotency etc.
- It improves sperm count and semen quality.
- It increases the lactation amongst the feeding mothers. It is useful in treatment of white discharge.
- It improves strength and vigor.
- It cures the knee pains within a week if taken daily with milk.
- It is herbal and has no proven side effects when taken in recommended doses.
Medicinal Uses of Safed musli
Male Sexual Problems:
Safed musli Churna is used in dose of 5 grams with misri and milk twice a day for treatment of premature ejaculation, sexual debility, impotence, and low libido.
Epilepsy:
The Musli powder is given in dose of 12 gm with one glass of milk twice a day for the treatment of epilepsy.
Peptic ulcers:
Fresh juice (Svarasa) obtained from the root of Musli (14 to 28 ml) is given twice a day OR powdered root of Musli 3 to 6 gm given with 100 ml milk twice a day cures peptic ulcers.
Brain tonic:
Equal parts of Svaras (juice) of root of Musli and leaf of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is given in dose of 7 to 14 ml with a glass of fresh milk twice a day in loss of memory and lack of confidence.
Edema, skin eruptions:
Powder of equal part of Kapikacchii/Kavanch beej (Mucuna pruriens) and Musli 3 to 6 gm is given with a glass of fresh milk and 25 to 50 gm Misri, twice a day in oedema (excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body) and eruptions (spot, rash, or other mark appearing suddenly on the skin).
Bleeding from lungs:
Powder of equal part of roots of Bala (Sida cordifolia Burm) Asvagandha, Musli and Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa) 1 to 3 gm is given with one glass milk, twice a day for the treatment of bleeding from lungs and haemoptysis (coughing up of blood).
External uses:
Musli pounded with goat’s milk and honey is applied on face for freckles.
Plant paste is applied for cooling in fever.