Safed Musli
OTHER NAME(S): C. borivilianum, Dholi Musli, Indian Spider Plant, Khiruva, Musli, Shedheveli, Swetha Musli, Taniravi Thang, Chlorophytum borivilianum, Chlorophytum arundinaceum
Overview
Safed musli is a rare herb from India. It is used in traditional systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Unani, and homeopathy.
People use safed musli for athletic performance, obesity, erectile dysfunction (ED), and other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
This plant species is now a threatened species worldwide due to overharvesting.
Safed musli contains chemicals that might have effects in the body. Research in animals shows it might decrease swelling (inflammation). Animal research also shows that it might increase sexual activity and might possibly have effects similar to testosterone. But this research is preliminary. There is no reliable research in people.
Safed musli contains chemicals that might have effects in the body. Research in animals shows it might decrease swelling (inflammation). Animal research also shows that it might increase sexual activity and might possibly have effects similar to testosterone. But this research is preliminary. There is no reliable research in people.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Athletic performance. Early research shows that taking safed musli for 2 months might increase walking and cycling speed in healthy people.
- Muscle strength. Early research shows that taking safed musli for 2 months does not seem to increase hand grip strength in healthy people.
- Breast-feeding.
- Cancer.
- Conditions in a man that prevent him from getting a woman pregnant within a year of trying to conceive (male infertility).
- Diabetes.
- Diarrhea.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED).
- Gonorrhea.
- Increasing sexual desire in healthy people.
- Obesity.
- Osteoarthritis.
- More conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate safed musli for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Safed musli root is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts for up to 60 days.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Safed musli root is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts for up to 60 days.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if safed musli is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Safed Musli overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of safed musli depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for safed musli. Keep in mind that natural medicines are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Thakur GS, Bag M, Sanodiya BS, et al. Chlorophytum borivilianum: a white gold for biopharmaceuticals and neutraceuticals. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2009;10:650-66.
- Thakur M, Bhargava S, Dixit VK. Immunomodulatory activity of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant. F. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2007;4:419-23.
- Deore SL, Khadabadi SS. Effect of Chlorophytum borivilianum on adjuvant induced arthritis in rats. Ann Biol Res 2010;1:36-40.
- Acharya D, Mitaine-Offer AC, Kaushik N, et al. Cytotoxic spirostane-type saponins from the roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum. J Nat Prod 2009;72:177-81.
- Tripathi RK, Dethe PD, Bhojne SK, Raut AA, Rege NN. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind comparative pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of Chlorophytum borivilianum on physical performance. Indian J Pharmacol 2019;51(3):150-6.