Introduction:  

The rare Indian herb Chlorophytum borivilianum (Liliaceae) is a famous magical folk cure 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.” C. borivilianum is a widespread species used in Ayurvedic, Unani, Homeopathic, and Allopathic medicine, where the plant’s root plays a key role. Safed musli has traditionally been used to treat various male sexual issues and is considered a general health tonic. Due to its well-known aphrodisiac and immunomodulatory qualities, C. borivilianum is presently the most economically utilized species.¹ 

It has only been used as a source of medication in India, and its newfound prominence as a herbal alternative to ‘Viagra’ has increased its popularity even in western countries.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 is a crucial ingredient in over a hundred 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. 

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 C. borivilianum.⁴ C. borivilianum 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 

Nutritional Value of Safed Musli:  

The nutritional value of Safed musli is given in the below table.⁶ 

Therapeutic uses of Safed Musli: 

Safed musli is a rare Indian herb. It is used in Ayurveda, Unani, and homoeopathy, among other traditional medical systems. It has been used for a long time to treat arthritis, diabetes, cancer, increase vitality, Improve Sexual Function, and various other ailments. It is also turning up in bodybuilding supplements these days. Safed musli is also known to have many medicinal properties. These include¹–

• Aphrodisiac activity    
• Immunomodulatory activity    
• Antimicrobial activity    
• Antimutagenic activity    
• Adaptogenic activity    
• Antioxidant activity     
• Larvicidal activity  
• Blood glucose lowering activity    
• Antiulcer activity    
• Anthelmintic activity    
• Antistress activity 

Benefits of Safed Musli:  

Benefits of Safed Musli for Male Reproductive Health: 

• By raising libido, safe musli may assist in improvement of sexual performance. It also aids in the increase of testosterone levels.

• According to a study, safed musli can also prevent premature ejaculation and boost sperm count. As a result, safed musli is utilized as an aphrodisiac and revitalizer.⁷ 

• Safed musli has spermatogenic properties, which helps improve sperm quality and count. It also raises testosterone levels, which improves blood flow to the genitals and allows for longer erections. 

• Thus, it is effective in male infertility and other sexual disorders like erectile dysfunction.⁸  

Benefits of Safed Musli for Weight: 

• Safed musli is 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, 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

Benefits 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 protect the pancreas from damage. This aids in the improvement of insulin levels.¹⁰ 

Benefits of Safed Musli for Arthritis: 

• Safed musli saponins have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties.
• Inflammatory mediators such as histamine and prostaglandins, which cause pain and inflammation in arthritic patients, are inhibited.¹¹ 

Benefits of Safed Musli for Lactation: 

Both the root powder and the safed musli pak are widely used in breastfeeding mothers to increase milk secretion from the mammary glands and are regarded as potent galactagogues.¹² 

Benefits of Safed Musli for Immunity: 

Safed musli has a significant impact on the body’s overall stamina and energy levels.

• The powerful components and other herbs utilized in this composition help alleviate weakness and weariness while boosting the body’s vitality.

• It also helps to improve the function of the adrenal glands, which helps to lower stress levels and boost immunity.¹³ 

Benefits of Safed Musli for Diarrhoea: 

Safed musli is widely used for eliminating microbes from the intestines that cause diarrhoea and other intestinal infections due to its excellent antibacterial and anti-diarrhoea qualities.

• It is used to increase immunity and vigour in diarrhoea and dysentery patients.

• The powder of the root significantly reduces the frequency of passing stools while eliminating toxins from the body.¹³ 

Benefits of Safed Musli for Stress: 

• Because of its antistress and adaptogenic properties, safed musli may aid in stress management.
• It also possesses antioxidant properties, which 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, 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 

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 

Weight Gain

Safed musli is a herb that can lead to weight gain when used more than the recommended dosage. 

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

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 

Your doctor will prescribe you the appropriate form based on your individual needs. 

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:  

1) What is Safed Musli? 

Safed musli’s botanical name is C. Borivilianum, which belongs to the Liliaceae family. It’s a tropical herb found in peninsular India’s moist woodlands. It’s been used for a long time to treat arthritis, cancer, diabetes, increase vitality, improve sexual function, and a variety of other ailments.¹ 

2) How to Use Safed Musli? 

Safed musli in the form of churna (powder) or capsule can be consumed ¹⁵ 

3) What are the Risks of Using Safed Musli? 

When consumed in suitable proportions, safed musli has no negative effects. However, excessive use is discouraged because it might induce gastrointestinal problems.¹⁶ 

4) What is the Use of Safed Musli? 

Safed musli has been utilized for a variety of ailments, including arthritis, cancer, diabetes, enhancing vitality, improving sexual function, and more.¹ 

5) How to Make Safed Musli Powder at Home? 

Yes, safed musli powder can be made at home. Take the dried safed musli roots. Then, to form a powder, grind them. Safed musli powder can be consumed with milk or water. This powder can be kept for a long time in an airtight container.¹⁵ 

6) Which is Better Safed Musli or Shilajit? 

Shilajit is a top herb for sexual health problems because it increases libido and energy levels. Premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, erection issues, and low libido are conditions for which safed musli is given.¹² 

7) Can I Take Safed Musli and Shilajit Together? 

You can combine safed musli, and shilajit, to improve libido.¹² 

8) Can I Take Safed Musli and Ashwagandha? 

Yes, you can take Ashwagandha and safed musli together. Ashwagandha and safed musli make a good combination for improving libido. To improve overall health, ashwagandha, and safed musli can all be taken in doctor-administered doses.¹² 

9) Does Safed Musli Increase Sperm Count? 

Safed musli has spermatogenic properties. Hence it can assist in boosting male potency. This increases sperm quality as well as sperm count.⁷ 

10) Does Safed Musli Increase Testosterone? 

Safed musli has spermatogenic properties, which help improve sperm quality and count. It also raises testosterone levels, which improves blood flow to the genitals and allows for longer erections.⁷ 

11) Is Safed Musli Effective for Erectile Dysfunction? 

Yes, because of its aphrodisiac characteristics, safed musli may aid in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It increases sexual desire and aids in the maintaining of an erection during intercourse. It also has spermatogenic qualities that help to boost male potency. Both the sperm quality and the sperm count improve as a result of this.⁸ 

12) How to Take Safed Musli with Milk? 

Yes, safed musli is compatible with milk. You can take safed musli in churna powder form. ⁶ 

13) What are the Benefits of Safed Musli? 

Safed musli is regarded as a valuable medicinal plant. It is used as a tonic, a rejuvenator, and a vitalizer. It improves health by restoring immunity, reducing the symptoms of arthritis and diabetes, and acting as a potent aphrodisiac.¹ 

14) Can I Take Safed Musli With Water? 

Safed musli can reduce stress by regulating the Vata dosha in the body. You can take safed musli in churna (powder) or capsule form with water.¹² 

15) Does Safed Musli Increase Weight? 

Yes, Safed musli can help you gain weight. Every day, you can consume safed musli as it works by increasing testosterone levels and aids weight gain.⁹ 

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

Disclaimer:

The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.

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