Musli is considered natural Viagra or Indian Ginseng. It is especially used and known to everyone as an aphrodisiac. Because of its popularity as a sex tonic its cultivation is done in number of regions around the world. It is a fertility booster and nourishes the tissues of the mind, nervous and reproductive systems
As per Ayurveda, it is immunity booster, Vaajikarak, Rasayan and a general health tonic mainly working on the reproductive and respiratory system.
For reproductive problems of men it is combined with Ashwagandha, kapikacchu, Gokshuru, and Guduchi. It is a tonic that exerts beneficial effects not only on men but also on women. It is given post- delivery to improve general health. It is combined with Saunf / Fennel and Ajwain to improve lactation. It given with Shatavari, Turmeric, Bala, Mulethi for female gynecological conditions such as vaginal discharge, vaginal dryness and infertility.
Safed musli is ‘Rasayan’ or adaptogen. It is useful in debility (general and sexual), diarrhea, leucorrhea, spermatorrhoea, wasting diseases. Animal research shows that it might increase sexual activity and might possibly have effects similar to testosterone.
Safed musli which is available as a medicine in the market is the tuberous root part of a plant. There are many plant species belonging to family Liliaceae, whose roots are used as Safed Musli. The important one include Chlorophytum borivilianum, Chlorophytum arundinaceum, Chlorophytum tuberosum and Asparagus adscendens.
Commercially, Chlorophytum borivilianum is most commonly used as Shwet Musli due to higher yield and richness in medicinal qualities.
Kali Musli and Safed Musli
Kali musli is completely different from Safed Musli. The main plant species which is used as Kali Musli is Curculigo orchioides. It is known as Talamuli in Sanskrit, Kalimusli in Hindi and Gujarati and Nilappana in Malayalam. It blongs to Genus Curculigo and family Hypoxidaceae. Like Safed Musli, it also possess restorative, rejuvenating, aphrodisiac, alterative, depurative, Tonic, spermatogenic and hepatoprotective activities.
Many times, Kali Musli is used as substitute for Safed Musli.
General Information
Musli is a tuberous plant. It is a small perennial herb with a full of radical leaves appearing over ground.
Leaves are radical 6-13 in number spirally imbricate at the base, sessile, linear ovate, acute apex and slightly narrowed at the base. Lower surface of leaves are rough; margins are wavy with parallel venation. It has solitary scape, 15-30 cm long, terminal, unbranched; it bears flowers over upper ¾ of its length.
Flowers are bracteate, pedicellate, usually arranged in alternate clusters, each consisting of 3 flowers, white and yellow in color. The anther is yellow, linear and dehisces by longitudinal slits. Style is slightly longer than the stamens, swollen at the apex;
Ovary is 3-lobed, angles obtuse, green, globose and sessile.
Fruit is a loculicidal capsule, green to yellow, triquetrous to 3-b sulcate, almost equal in length and width.
Seeds are onion – like black in appearance with angular edges. Capsule, 4- seeded with a slender beak and spongy septa, seeds oblong, black and shiny with crustacean’s testa.
Root tubers are fleshy, fascicled and directly originate from the stem disc devoid of any fibrous structure. The shape of tubers is cylindrical, the thickness is average 0.9 cm and the length 8cm.The number of tubers varies from plant to plant and on an average 5-30 tubers per plant are observed and slightly tapering towards lower side look like pestle. Due to its extensive use, it is naturally an endangered plant.
Scientific Classification
Safed Moosli belongs to Genus Chlorophytum. The name Chlorophytum is derived from Greek word, Chloros–meaning green and phyton–plant.
The genus Chlorophytum is represented by about 300 species distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical parts of the world.
There are about 17 species of Chlorophytum found in India and many of them are uses as Safed Musli. Chlorophytum borivilianum is the most commonly used as Moosli. It belongs to plant family Liliaceae or Lily family.
Below is given taxonomical classification of the plant.
- Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
- Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
- Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
- Class: Liliopsida – Monocotyledons
- Subclass: Liliidae
- Order: Liliales
- Family: Liliaceae – Lily family
- Genus: Chlorophytum Ker Gawl. – chlorophytum
Species:
- Chlorophytum borivillianum
- Chlorophytum arundinaceum (Found in Eastern Himalaya, Assam, Bihar, Myanmar)
- Chlorophytum tuberocum
- Chlorophytum malabericum
- Chlorophytum attenuatum
- Chlorophytum breviscapum
Other Species used as Safed Musli
- Asparagus adscendens Roxb. (Liliaceae)
- Asparagus filicinus Ham. (Asparagaceae – Asparagus Family)
- Roscoea purpurea Royle (Zingiberaceae – Ginger family)
Commercially utilized species: Chlorophytum borivillianum, due to highest yield and highest saponin content
Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Tuberous root or rhizome
Plant type: herb
Distribution: Naturally distributed in the forest areas of Chota Nagpur ascending up to 1,000 m elevation of Vindhya, Satpura hills and Aravalli hills, foot hills (Terai) of Himalayas region up to 5,300 ft, Assam, West Bengal and Bihar, Punjab, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Habitat: Found in wide range of temperatures and rainfall. Prefers sandy loamy soil with proper drainage
Propagation: Seeds and by the stem disc with the attached fleshy roots.
Main Indication of Safed Musli Powder
Male sexual disorders such as erectile dysfunction (ED), impotence, oligospermia, etc.
- Sperm disorders
- Low the testosterone level
- General debility, low energy level
- Underweight
- Body Building
- Arthritis, Rheumatism, joint pain , Vata Roga
- Infertility, Impotence
- Diabetes, Diarrhea
- Painful Urination
Vernacular names / Synonyms
- Sanskrit: Swetha musli, Shwet musli, Shweta musli, Safed musli, Musali, Musli, Shweta Musali, Mahashatavari, black variety is equated with Talamuli Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker.
- Unani: Shaqaaqul-e-Hindi
- Hindi: Safed musli, Hazarmuli, Satmuli
- Gujrati: Ujlimusli, Dholi musali
- Malayalam: Shedeveli, Shedheveli
- Marathi: Safed musli, Sufed Musli, Kuli.
- Tamil: Tannirvittang, Tannirvittan-Kizhangu, Vipurutti, Taniravi thang
- Telugu: Tsallogadda, Swetha musli, Shankadalli gadda
- Arabic: Shaqaqule-hindi
- Sinhalese: Hirtha-wariya, Mushali
- Garhwal: Jhirna
- Uttar Pradesh: Khairuwa
- Arabic: Haqaqule
- English: India spider plant, Spider plant (India), White musale, White Musali
- French: Chlorophytum medicinal
- Unani: Musli Safaid
Important Medicinal Properties of White Musli
Chlorophytum borivilianum is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it. Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.
- Adaptogen: Help the body adapt to stress.
- Aphrodisiac: Stimulates sexual desire
- Aperient, purgatives: Relieves constipation
- Antifilarial: Tending to destroy filarial worms or to inhibit their growth
- Antidiabetic: Stabilize and control blood glucose levels
- 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
- Anti-tumor / anti-mutagenic / anticancer: against cancer
- Antiulcer: Protects from ulcers.
- Anti–inflammatory: Reduce inflammation
- Demulcent: Relieving inflammation or irritation
- Diuretic: Stimulates discharge of urine
- Expectorant: Promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages, used to treat coughs.
- Galactagogue: Promotes or increases the flow of a mother’s milk
- Immunomodulatory: Capable of modifying or regulating one or more immune functions
- Rejuvenator: Rejuvenates body
- Spermatogenic: Causes spermatogenesis
- Sexual stimulant: Enhance sexual performance or libido
- Tonic: Give a feeling of vigour or well-being
Chemical Constituents
The main active constituents of the roots are 27 alkaloids, vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates, saponins, polysaccharides and steroids. It contains carbohydrates, fiber, alkaloids, saponins, and proteins.
It is a rich source of over 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.
- Carbohydrates 35-45%
- Fiber 25-35%
- Alkaloids 15-25%
- Steroidal Saponins 2-20%
- Proteins 5-10%
- Glycosides 1.9 – 3.5 %
Scientific Studies
The administration of Safed Musli powder in hyperlipaemic, hypercholesteraemic rats for four weeks in a dose of 1-1.5 grams, resulted in increased high- density lipoprotein (HDL-Good Cholesterol) cholesterol levels and decreased plasma and hepatic lipid profiles. There was increases in faecal cholesterol, neutral sterol and activities of anti-oxidant enzymes and vitamin C levels. Studies prove it has significant antioxidant activity and validates its use as Rasayana drug.
Another study done on albino rats to know the effect administration of Safed musli on sexual behavior and spermatogenesis concluded it improves weight gains of the body and reproductive organs, increases sperm count significantly and enhances the sexual arousal, vigor, and libido.
Treatment with ethanolic extract of Safed musli gave significant protection in gastric ulceration. It heals ulcers and gives relief in inflammation.
Studies also confirm anticancer activities of Musli due to the presence of cytotoxic steroidal glycoside saponinchloromaloside-A and spirostanolpentaglycosides embracing beta-Dapiofuranose.
A Study was done on healthy male adult volunteers in the age group of 20 to 40 years to assess the effect of the Chlorophytum borivilianum root tubers on semen and testosterone. The trial drug was given as capsules of 500 mg, twice daily, before food, with normal water, for 12 weeks.
In treated group there was statistically significant improvement in serum testosterone. The study concluded Safed musli improves the quantity and quality of semen in a statistically significant manner.
Ayurvedic Properties and Action on body
Safed musli consists of dry tuberous roots. The dried tuberous roots are powdered and available in markets as Safed Mulsi Powder or Churna. It is bitter, sweet in taste (Rasa), sweet after digestion (Vipaka), and is cool in effect (Virya). This herb works on the reproductive system. It gives strength to nerves, clams Pitta and Vata but increases Kapha. It is rejuvenative drug of Ayurveda.
Rasa (Taste): Tikta/Bitter, Madhura/Sweet
- Guna (Characteristics): Guru/Heavy, Snigdha/Unctuous
- Virya (Potency): Shita/Cool
- Vipaka (Post Digestive Effect): Madhura/Sweet
- Dosha: Increases Kapha, Reduces Vata and Pitta
Action
Shwet/Shvet Musli, directly nourishes reproductive organs and Shukra Dhatu (Generative Tissue or Semen). For males, it improves spermatogenesis and in females it promotes healthy ovulation.
It treats impotence and erectile dysfunction. For women, it is used as a nutritive tonic. It cures chronic leucorrhoea and gives relief in weakness due to loss of fluids from the body. It improves breast milk secretion and given after delivery to improve overall health of the mother. It can be given during pregnancy to nourish both, the baby and mother.
- Balya: Gives strength
- Shukravriddhikar: Increases sperm production
- Stanya: Increases breast milk and eases the flow
- Rasayana: Rejuvenative
- Jeevaniya: Prolongs life
- Ojovardhak: Increases ojas
- Vajikark: Aphrodisiac
- Pitta shamak: Pacifies pitta
- Vata-har: Pacifies Vata
Important herbal medicines containing Safed musli
- Ashwagandharishta
- Dhatupaushtik Churna
- Habbe Asgand
- Kamdev Churna
- Musli Pak
- Safed Musli Churna
- Shatavaryadi Churna
- Saubhagya Sunthi Pak
Proprietary medicines
- Baidyanath Vita-Ex Gold Capsules
- Baidyanath Safed Musli Capsules
- Charak Pallrywyn Forte Tablet
- Hamdard Hamdogen Capsules
- Organic India OhBoy! Formula
- Patanjali Youvan Churna
- Patanjali Swet Mushil Churna
Unani Properties of Safaid Moosli
Mughalliz Mani (Semen viscosity): Make semen viscous
Muallid Mani (Semen Procreator): Increase semen production or sperm
Benefits of Safed Musli for Men
- It is a Rasayan and rejuvenator that improves overall health.
- It has antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-stress effects.
- It is beneficial in male sexual problems related to stress, anxiety, low the testosterone level, sperm disorders and general weakness.
- As it has energy boosting, anti-stress, adaptogen and the immunomodulatory effect it controls ED, erectile dysfunction.
- It supports better erection and sexual performance.
- It stops or cures PE, premature ejaculation. `
- It improves sperm count and semen quality.
- It has aphrodisiac property and increases libido.
- It delays aging process.
- It is effectively treats loss of the body weight, and lack of libido due to diabetes. It cures diabetes-induced sexual dysfunctions.
- It increase energy, stamina, immunity, vigor and overall health due to restorative and rejuvenative properties.
- The best thing is, it is a herbal and a non-hormonal restorative tonic.
Other Benefits of Musli
- It increases the lactation in the feeding mothers.
- It is useful in the treatment of problem of white discharge.
- It cures knee pains within a week if taken daily with milk.
- It is a herbal and has no proven side effects when taken in recommended doses.
- It promotes balance or homeostasis.
- It increases alertness, mental ability, intelligence and sexual characters.
- It checks veganism’s and vaginal dryness.
- It cures intestinal inflammation caused by dysentery and other reasons.
- It is cooling, sweet and unctuous and reduce high Pitta inside the body. Pitta aggravation is responsible for bleeding disorders, acidity and burning sensation in the body.
- It softens the stools and helps in constipation and piles.
- It has diuretic action and gives relief in painful urination and bad odour of urine.
- It pacifies Vata and thus helps in Vata Rog such as rheumatism, joint pain, etc.
- It has anabolic effect on body and helps in weight gain and development of body muscles. It can be taken as body building supplement.
Medicinal Uses of Safed musli
Safed Musli is Rasayan drug of Ayurveda. It is a tonic for reproductive system. It nourishes the whole body and increases the fertility of males by increasing sperm quantity and quality. Musli is Vajikarak or aphrodisiac and improves libido. It is one of the most important ingredient of medicine used to enhance sexual vigor, performance and stamina. Musli improves erectile function, frequency of sexual intercourse, and satisfaction.
The other important medicinal use of this herb include general weakness, asthma, cough, diseases of the skin, the liver diseases, jaundice, leucorhoea, menorrhagia (abnormally heavy bleeding at menstruation), mouth ulcers, rheumatism, etc./strong>. It is given to women during pregnancy and postpartum, for a nourishing fetus and increasing breast milk flow.
1. Sexual Weakness in man or woman
Boil 10 grams of roots in milk and take daily.
2. Premature ejaculation, Impotence, low fertility
Boil 15 grams of tubers in milk and take twice a day.
3. Male Sexual Problems
Safed musli Churna is used in a dose of 5 grams with misri and milk twice a day for the treatment of premature ejaculation, sexual debility, impotence, and low libido.
4. Aphrodisiac
Ground equal quantities of Safed Musli, Giloy, Kevanch, Hygrophila, Salmalia root, Amla and sugar. The dose is 5 gram, twice daily with milk, for three months.
Mix a fine powder of 5 parts Tulsi seeds, 5 parts Tribulus / Chota Gokhru, 3 parts Kevanch, 4 parts Safed Musli and 6 parts sugar. Take in a dose of 1-2 spoon.
5. Reproductive organs Tonic, sperm disorders
Prepare a medicinal powder by mixing equal amount of Safed Musli, Kevanch and Gokhru. Take in a dose of 3-6 grams with a glass of milk.
6. Leucorrhoea, backache due to leucorrhoea, after delivery care
Prepare a powder by mixing equal amount of Safed Musli, Kali Musli, Salep, Shatavari, and Ashwagandha. Take one teaspoon before going to bed.
7. Diabetes
Prepare a powder by mixing equal amount of Safed Musli, Kali Musli and Salep (Orchis latifolia). Take about half teaspoon twice daily in the morning on an empty stomach and before retiring in the evening.
8. Epilepsy
The Musli powder is given in a dose of 12 gm with one glass of milk twice a day for the treatment of epilepsy.
9. 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.
10. Brain tonic
Equal parts of Svaras (juice) of root of Musli and leaf of Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is given in a dose of 7 to 14 ml with a glass of fresh milk twice a day in loss of memory and lack of confidence.
11. 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).
12. 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).
13. Body Building, Increasing weight, Malnutrition
Take 1/2-1 teaspoonful of Safed Musli Churna.
14. External uses
Musli pounded with goat’s milk and honey is applied on the face for freckles.
Plant paste is applied for cooling in the fever.
15. General debility, low energy level
Mix equal parts of Safed mulsi and Mishri. Take in a dose of 3-6 grams or one teaspon with warm milk.
Therapeutic dosage of Safed Musli
3-5 grams of Safed Musli Powder, preferably with warm milk. The exact dose depends on the age, strength, digestive power, nature of the illness, the state of the viscera and humours and disorder.
Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects, and Warnings
- Avoid use in excess mucus, phlegm and congestion.
- It can increase Ama and congestion in the body.
- It causes weight gain.
- No drug–herb interactions are known.
- No side-effects are known.