Introduction:  

The rare Indian herb  Chlorophytum  borivilianum  (Liliaceae) is a famous folk medicine with a long history and medical value. In Hindi,  it’s  known as ‘Safed  musli,’ which means “white tubers.”  It’s  also known as “White gold” or “Divya  aushad.”   Safed Musli   is a widespread species used in Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathic, and Allopathic medicine, where the plant’s root plays a key role. It is presently the most economically utilized  species.¹  

• In the United States and England, tubers are being used to make chips/flakes as a nutritious  meal.²  In recent years, the demand for this plant has skyrocketed in both the Indian and international medicinal markets, and it may be a crucial ingredient in herbal drug  compositions.³  

• The genus Chlorophytum is thought to have originated in tropical and subtropical Africa and was transported to India from South Africa. 

In my opinion, safed musli may have potential benefits for your intimate wellness. One of its special qualities is its aphrodisiac properties, which may be very helpful for men dealing with erectile dysfunction and wanting to enhance their male potency. How? Its richness in glycoside compounds might make it beneficial against impotency.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Nutritional Value of Safed Musli:  

Based on my experience, safed musli might be a superhero for new mothers. It’s considered a potential solution for natal and post-natal problems. In fact, it is even a part of traditional post-delivery diets in the form of delicious ‘laddoos.’

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Saponins,  flavonoids,  alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids,  phenolic acids,  Gallo-tannins, vitamins, potassium,  magnesium,  calcium, rare elements such as  zinc, copper, phosphorous, resins, and a high quantity of simple sugars  are all found in  Safed Musli.⁴   Safed Musli roots contain glucose, protein, fibre, and saponin,  alkaloids, saponins, polysaccharide, and  protein.⁵  Saponins are found in the tubers, which have aphrodisiac,  anti-ageing,  adaptogenic, health-restorative, and health-promoting  qualities.⁶   The nutritional value of Safed  Musli  is given in the below  table.⁶  

Properties of  Safed  Musli:  

Based on my observations, safed musli might be a natural boon for women’s sexual health. It may help with issues like inadequate lubrication, difficulty reaching orgasm, inhibited sexual desire, painful intercourse, vaginal dryness, and reduced blood flow.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Safed  musli  is a rare Indian herb used in Ayurveda, Unani, and homoeopathy, among other traditional medical systems. Safed  musli  may also have many beneficial properties. ¹

• It may show immunomodulatory activity        
• It may have antimicrobial  property
• It may be antimutagenic (reducing the rate of mutation)   
• It may have adaptogenic  property      
• It may have antioxidant activity          
• It may show larvicidal activity  effect
• It may show blood glucose lowering activity        
• It may have antiulcer property
• It may have anthelmintic (against worms) effect        
• It may have anti stress activity  

Potential Uses of  Safed  Musli:    

In my view, safed musli might have magical powers for overall health. It’s known to be an age-defying superhero that may boost lifespan, brain power, and physical strength.

Dr. Anuja Bodhare, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Potential Uses of  Safed  Musli  for  Weight:  

Safed  musli  may be a great food to consume for people who are malnourished, emaciated, or underweight and need to gain lean muscle mass due to the presence of beneficial nutrients. Safed  musli, may also be used as a dietary supplement, may aid muscular growth by increasing growth hormone level in exercise-trained  adults.⁹  

Also Read: 10 Home Remedies for Weight Loss

Potential Uses of  Safed  Musli  for  Diabetes:  

Safed  musli  has a strong hypoglycaemic effect, which is essential for controlling blood sugar levels in the body. It also contains antioxidants, which may benefit the pancreas against damage. This may aid in the improvement of insulin levels.¹⁰  However, the data available is insufficient to establish the mentioned benefits of safed museli on blood sugar levels in humans and more studies are needed to further validate these benefits.  

Potential Uses of  Safed  Musli  for  Arthritis:  

Safed  musli  saponins may show anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. It may act against inflammatory mediators such as histamine and prostaglandins, which causes pain and inflammation in arthritic patients.¹¹  You must consult a doctor for advise on arthritis treatment.

Potential Uses of  Safed  Musli  for  Immunity:  

Safed  musli  may have a significant impact on the body’s overall stamina and energy levels. The powerful components and other herbs utilized in this composition may help alleviate weakness and weariness while boosting the body’s vitality. It may also help to improve the function of the adrenal glands, which helps to lower stress levels and boost  immunity.¹³  However, we need to conduct further studies to manifest the effects of safed museli on arthritic conditions in humans.

Benefits of Safed Musli for Diarrhoea: 

Safed  musli  may be used for eliminating microbes from the intestines that cause diarrhoea and other intestinal infections due to its potential antibacterial and anti-diarrhoea qualities. It may be used to increase immunity and vigour in diarrhoea and dysentery patients. The powder of the root may significantly reduce the frequency of passing stools while eliminating toxins from the  body.¹³  

Benefits of Safed Musli for Stress: 

Because of its potential antistress and  adaptogenic  properties,  safed  musli  may aid in stress management. It also possesses potential antioxidant properties, which may help to reduce free radicals in the body and lessen the risk of oxidative stress-related  illnesses.¹⁴  

Benefits of Safed Musli for Cancer: 

Certain chemicals in  safed  musli, such as steroidal glycoside, may have anti-cancer properties. If administered early in cancer development, it may also aid in cell apoptosis (cell death) and reduce tumour size and  weight.¹²  

Also Read: Chirata – Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

  Though there are studies that show the benefits of safed musli in various conditions, but these are insufficient and there is a need of further studies to establish the true extent of benefits of safed musli on human health.  Every person may respond differently to these herbs. Therefore, it is important to consult a doctor before using safed musli for any medical condition.

How to Use Safed Musli? 

Safed musli is available in five different forms:¹⁶ 

• Safed musli churna  

• Safed musli capsule  

• Safed musli laddoo 

• Safed musli with ghee 

• Safed musli oil 

• Safed musli pak 

You should always consult your Ayurvedic physician before consuming Safed museli regularly. Do not discontinue/ replace an ongoing treatment with an Ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a doctor as they can guide you about the form and dosage in which the herb can be used as per your health condition.

Side Effects of  Safed  Musli:    

Although safed musli is considered safe when taken in the recommended therapeutic dosage, taking too much without consulting a doctor can result in the following side effects:¹⁶ 

Difficulty in Digestion

People with poor digestion or liver diseases should consult a doctor before using  safed  musli, as this herb is difficult to digest due to its buttery, greasy, and heavy qualities.  

Reduces Appetite: 

While it can help with weight reduction by curbing hunger pangs and keeping the stomach full for extended periods, regular use of large amounts of the powder can lead to a loss of appetite, which can be detrimental to persons trying to gain weight. 

Pregnancy and Lactation

• This herb increase lactation because it contains galactagogue characteristics. However, there is no scientific proof that it has any effect on pregnant women.
• As a result, both pregnant and nursing mothers should seek medical advice before using this product. 

Also Read: Munakka – Benefits, Nutritional Value, Side Effects & Precautions

Precautions to be Taken With  Safed  Musli:    

Before using safed musli, seek medical counsel if you have one or more of these problems.¹⁶  

• Safed musli consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding may be detrimental to the baby. It may impair the baby’s development. 
• Safed musli should not be consumed by women who are pregnant or nursing. 

Interactions With Other Drugs: 

• Literature is not available regarding the interaction of safed musli with other drugs. 

Also Read: Shikakai – Uses, Benefits, Side Effect & Precautions

Frequently Asked Questions:  

Also Read: Sesame Seeds – Benefits, Nutritional Value, Side Effects & Precautions

References:  

1. Thakur GS, Bag M, Sanodiya B, et al. 2009a. C. borivilianum: A white gold for biopharmaceuticals and neutraceuticals. Curr Pharma Biotech. 10, 650-666. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19751181/

2. Somanath. 2008. Response of Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) to npk, fym and mulching in northeast transitional zone of karnataka. Thesis, Department of agronomy, College of Agriculture, Dharwad University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Available from: 

http://14.139.155.167/test5/index.php/kjas/article/viewFile/1284/1277 

3. Oudhia P. 2001a.  My experiences with wonder crop Safed musli. In sovenier. International seminar on medicinal plants and quality standardization, VHERDS, Chennai, India 9-10 June Available from: https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/CropFactSheets/safedmoosli.html

4. Visavadiya NP, Soni B, Dalwadi et al. C. borivilianum as potential terminator of free radicals in various in vitro oxidation systems. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2010; 33: 173-182. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20307144/

5. Wagle A, Kelkar GD, Heble MR. In Biotechnology: Secondary Metabolites, Oxford and IBH Publishing Co, Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, 2000; pp. 219-220. 

6. Goyal RK, Singh PK, Goyal SK. Satavar and safed musli-ingredients for herbal food: an appraisal. J Nutr Health Food Eng. 2018; 8(3): 253-258. Available from: https://medcraveonline.com/JNHFE/JNHFE-08-00279.pdf

7. Desale P. Safed musli: Herbal viagra for male impotence. J Med Plants Studies. 2013; 1(3): 91-97. Available from: https://www.plantsjournal.com/archives/2013/vol1issue3/PartA/11.pdf

8. Rath SK, Panja AK. Clinical evaluation of root tubers of Shweta Musali (C. borivilianum L.) and its effect on semen and testosterone. Ayu. 2013; 34(3): 273–275. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24501522/ 

9. Alleman RJ, Canale RE, McCarthy CG, et al. A blend of C. borivilianum and velvet bean increases serum growth hormone in exercise-trained men. Nutr Metab Insights.2011; 4: 55-63. Available from:  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23946662/

10. Giribabu N, Kumar KE, Rekha SS. C. borivilianum root extract maintains near normal blood glucose, insulin and lipid profile levels and prevents oxidative stress in the pancreas of streptozotocin-induced adult male diabetic rats. Int J Med Sci. 2014; 11(11): 1172-1184. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4166863/

11. Lande AA, Ambavade SD, Swami US, et al. Saponins isolated from roots of C. borivilianum reduce acute and chronic inflammation and histone deacetylase. J Integr Med. 2015; 13(1): 25-33. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25609369/

12. Sharma P, Chandrul KK. C. borivilianum (Safed musli): A vital herbal drug. Int. J Pharm Med. Res. 2017; 5(1): 401-411. Available from: https://www.scribd.com/document/510873604/1-Chlorophytum-borivilianum-Safed-musli-A-Vital-Herbal-Drug

13. Thakur M, Connellan P, Deseo MA, et al. Immunomodulatory polysaccharide from C. borivilianum roots. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2010; 2011: 598521. Available from: https://downloads.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2011/598521.pdf

14. Kenjale R, Shah RK, Sathaye SS. Anti-stress and anti-oxidant effects of roots of C. borivilianum (Santa Pau & Fernandes). Indian J Exp Biol. 2007; 45(11): 974-979. Available from:  http://nopr.niscair.res.in/bitstream/123456789/5357/1/IJEB%2045%2811%29%20974-979.pdf 

15. Bansal N. Safed musli Chlorophytum borivilianum. Med Crave. 2018; 5(6): 327-330. Available from: https://medcraveonline.com/MOJBB/MOJBB-05-00123.pdf 

16. Acharya D, Mitaine-Offer AC, Kaushik N, et al. Cytotoxic spirostane-type saponins from the roots of C. borivilianum. J Nat Prod 2009; 72: 177-181. Available from:  https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/np800559z

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