Safed musli

Class                : Monocotyledons

Series              : Coronarieae

Family             : Liliaceae

Genus              : Chlorophytum

Species            : borivilianum

Botanical name : Asparagus adscendens

Introduction: Safed musli is an annual herb with sub-erect lanceolate leaves and tuberous root system. The origin of Safed musli can be tracked back in the oldest mountain ranges on the Indian sub-continent, presently known as the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya pradhesh and the central Deccan Plateau. It grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates with altitudes up to 1500 meters. Depending on the significant medicinal properties, "Chlorophytum borivilianum” a particular variety of Safed musli has got maximum demand and commercial value. National Medicinal Plants Board, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Dept. of AYUSH, Govt. of India  (www.nmpb.nic.in, www.indianmedicine.nic.in ) has recognized Safed musli as the endangered species in high market demand to be protected and promoted for cultivation and processing.

Safed musli is an important ingredient of more than a hundred Ayurvedic, Allopathic, Homeopathic and Unani medicinal preparations. It is one of the chief ingredients of Ayurvedic "Chyawanaprash". This medicinal plant, which are used in preparation of nutritive tonic and aphrodisiacs for curing general sexual weakness. The active ingredient “Saponines” in ‘Indian Safed Musli’ has 14 per cent (that is believed to have anti-ageing properties), against only 6 per cent in the ‘Chinese Ginseng’. It has come to be known as “Indian Herbal Viagra”. Recent research shows that Safed musli increases sperm count, semen volume, haemoglobin level, serum protein level, betters sexual life, increases stamina reflected in enhanced working capacity. Safed Musli is rightly called the "Root of Gold”.

More than 175 species of Chlorophytum have been reported in the world. Chlorophytum comosum is widely used as ornamental plant where it is commonly known as spider ivy, spider plant, aeroplane plant, or walking anthericum. Thirteen species of Chlorophytum have been reported in India. All these species differ in appearance, native species are sold as safed moosli in the Indian drug market. Chlorophytum boriviliahum produces the highest yield and highest saponin content. Other native Indian Chlorophytum species include C. arundinaceum, C. tuberosu, C. laxum, and C. breviscapum .

Vernacular Names:

1. Gujarati           : Dholi Musli
2. Marathi            : Safed Musli
3. Hindi (U.P)      : Khiruva
4. Malayalam      : Shedheveli
5. Tamil               : Taniravi Thang
6. Arabic             : Shaqaqule
7. Sanskrit          : Shweta Musli
8. Telugu            : Tella Nela Tadi Gaddalu

Botanical Macroscopic Description:

Habit - A small perennial herb with a full crown of radical leaves appearing over the ground with the advent of summer rain.

Root - Root tubers are fleshy, fascicled, directly originates from the stem disc devoid of any fibrous structure, cylindrical, 5-20 in number, outer skin is straw coloured and white on peeling; the tubers are 10-25 cms x 1-2 cms in dimension.

Leaves  - Radical, 6-13 in number, 13-23 cms x 1.0 -1.75cm in size, spirally imbricate at the base, sessile, linear or ovate, acute apex, slightly narrowed at the base. The leaves spread horizontally, both surfaces are smooth; margins are wavy ; parallel venation.

Inflorescence - Scape solitary, terete, 15-30 cms long. Terminal, unbranched; it bears flowers on above upper 3/4th of its length.

Flowers  - Small, white, bracteate, pedicillate, zygomorphic, usually arranged in alternate clusters, each cluster comprising of 3 flowers; the flower clusters are dense on the upper part of the scape; bracts are linear, papery and purplish, 1.0-10.5 cms long; pedicle whitish, jointed and kneed at the joint, 6-10 mm long.

Perianth  - Tepals white, 6 in number arranged in two whorls of 3 each, linear, membranous, acute, 3-5 nerved, imbricate aestivation.

Androecium  - Stamens 6, arranged in two whorls situated opposite to tepals, united to the perianths, as long as perianth, dithecus, filaments are glabrous, anthers are yellow, linear, dehisces by longitudinal slits.

Gynoecium - Tricarpellary, syncarpous; ovary superior, adnate at the base of the perianth, trilocular with axile placentation, angles obtuse, green, glabose ; ovules numerous in each locule, style single, slightly longer than the stamens, swollen at the apex.

Fruit  - A locilucidal capsule, green to yellow coloured, triquertous to 3-sulcate, almost equal in length and breadth.

Seeds - Endospermic, onion-like, black coloured, angular; each capsule bearing 14-16 seeds.

Chromosomes - 2n=16

Floral Formula  - + P (3+3), A (3+3) G(3)

Product Analysis:
Chemical analysis of Safed musli tuber/root powder reveals that it contains:

1.Saponins                                          : 12-17 %

    i. Stigmasterol                                  : 1.9-3.5 %

    ii. Sugars                                         

        a. Arabinose                                 : 0.79%

        b. Galactose                                 : 3.80%

        c. Glucose                                    : 0.73%

        d. Rhamnose                                : 0.78%

        e. Xylose                                     : 0.76%
                                                           

2. Carbohydrates                                  : 35-42%

    i. Reducing Sugar                              : 20-25%
    ii.Non-reducing Sugar                         : 15-17%                                              
                                                           

3. Protein                                             : 8-8.5%

4. 4-hydroxy-8,11-oxidoheneicosanol
5. Pentacosyl decosanate
6. Nonacosone
7. Tetra cosaniccic acid
8. Tri-acontanoic acid
9. Trigogenin
10. Nigogitogemin
11. Tokorogenin
12. Benzyl glucoside

Mineral composition of  Safed Musli:

1. Sodium                               - 0.04 mg/g

2. Potassium                           - 0.80 mg/g

3. Calcium                              - 6.6 mg/g

4. Magnesium                          - 1.9 mg/g

5. Phosphorous                        - 3.2 mg/g

6. Zinc                                   -.002 mg/g

7. Copper                               - 0.148 mg/g

Quality Control Physico-chemical constants:

1. Total Ash                                       - 3.02%

2. Acid Insoluble Ash                          - 0.25%

3. Water soluble ash                           - 50.7% of total ash

4. Hot extraction                                  - 20.48%

5. Cold Maceration                              - 0.35%

6. Water & Volatile matter                   - 7.60%

7. Foaming Index                                - 166.67%

8. Swelling Index                                 - 4.60 ml

9. Mass fraction of Tannins                 - 1.20%

Microbial contamination tests:

1. Aerobic microbial plate count-37⁰C - <10 ⁵ /g

2. Yeasts and Molds Count                 - <10 ³ /g

3. Escherichia coli in 1 g                     -  <10/g

4. Salmonella in 25 gms                      - Absent

5. Enterobacteriaeae                           - <10 ³/g

Characteristics and Constituents :
Spirostanol glycosides (asparanin A and asparanin B) and two furostanol glycosides (asparoside A and B) have been isolated from the methanol extract of the fruits of Asparagus adscendens. Sarsasapogenin and diosgenin have also been reported. Mucilaginous extract of Safed musli is also studied. The protein content is significantly high in the root.

Safed Musli Monograph:

1.       1. Aphrodisiac (Vrishya, Muqqabe-e-wah)

2.       2. Adaptogen (Rasayana)

3.       3. Anti-ageing (Rasayana)

4.       4. Health restorative & Health Promoting (Urjaskara)

5.       5. Tonic (Balya, Muqawwee)

General & Modern Uses:

ü   1. It has therapeutic application in Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, Allopathy and Unani treatments.

ü   2. It is considered as an alternative to Artificial Viagra.

ü   3. Its aphrodiasiac properties has proved very much useful for the people suffering from Erectile Dysfunction & and to increase Male Potency.

ü   4. It has spermatogenic property and helpful in curing impotency as they are rich in glycosides.

ü   5. Its root powder is fried in the GHEE, CHEWED in case of apthae of mouth and throat.

ü   6. It is a Curative of Natal and Post Natal Problems.

ü   7. It is a cure for Diabetes and Arthritis.

ü   8. It is effective in curing of Rheumetism and Joint Pains.

ü   9. It is an essential part of a Traditional Diet of Mothers (after delivery) in the Form of Laddoos. 

ü   10. Efforts in countries like U.S.A and England are also on to convert it into chips / flakes to use it as a nutritious breakfast.

ü   11. Gujarat State Forest Development Corporation launched a potency drug by name NAI CHETNA (The Indian Express 1st December 1999) that has been enjoying widespread and increasing acceptance as an alternative to Artificial Viagra.

ü   12. The dried roots of asparagus are used in Ayurveda as an aphrodisiac. Fifteen grams of roots boiled in one cup of milk should be taken twice daily. The regular use of this remedy is valuable in impotency and premature ejaculation.

ü   13. Generally, it is very good to increase General Body Immunity.

Traditional Uses: Safed musli in traditionally used for lack of libido male impotency, oligospermia. It is also widely used as a general health promotive tonic and for delaying the ageing process. Varying its common use for health promotion, it is also used for increasing lactation, treating various gynecological disorders, arthritic conditions and to control diabetes metitus.

Adverse Effects: It has no adverse effect it taken in a proper dose. Hyper dosing may lead to gastrointestinal upset.

Vehicle of Administration: Ayurveda suggests Safed musli be taken along with warm milk for better results.

Drug / Food Interactions: No scientific study has been done to determine its interaction with drug / food. Clinical observation suggests, it reduces appetite and interferes with digestion process. Therefore, it is advised to be taken an hour before food.

Health promotion:
1. Adult:
    5 gms of powdered peeled dry root tubers per day
    500 mg of the standardized extract, containing saponin not less than 3%, taken once daily.        
2. Children:
    Children below 6 years should not use this herb.
    6 – 12 years : 3gms root powder per day
3. Male Sexual Inadequancies:
   10 gm powdered dry root per day in divided doses.
   1 gm solvent extract per day in divided doses
4. Route of Administration: Oral
5. Types of Presentation: Powder, Extract, Capsules, Tablets

Supply & Demand: 

There is a huge demand for Safed musli in the Middle east, Europe, Japan & U.S.A. Its vast demand and its short supply, makes it a very costly herb. In domestic arena the nodal centers of Safed musli are Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Hyderabad, Raipur, Indore, Kolkata. The market is entirely controlled by traders from Delhi and Mumbai in a very secretive and opportunistic way. The Department of Indian Systems of Medicines and Homoeopathy, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, National Medicinal Plants Board, Department of AYUSH, Govt. of India has identified Safed Musli as a high demand crop. The present saleable price of the dry Musli ranges from Rs.500/- to Rs.1200/- per Kg depends on quality. As such, it is one of the highest paying cash crops. The planting material obtained from the digging process should either be sown in the ready field within two days or preserved. About 2.5 quintals of planting materials can be obtained per acre of cultivated land. With this, the farmer is safe in the remunerative cycle of planting, harvesting, re-planting.

In view of its increasing demand and excellent returns on investment, Safed musli is increasingly coming under mainstream cultivation. The front liners among the states in Safed musli cultivation are Andhra pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil nadu and Chattisgarh. Marketing companies like Amar International, Baidyanath, Emami, Siris Impex are the major buyers in India.