Safed Musli Benefits, Uses and Side Effects

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical system, reached the deepest of forests to uncover its secrets. And in such attempts, it found numerous herbs that brought wonders to human health. Musli is one of those. Call it the white beauty of the jungle or call it shweta, but musli will keep on blessing you with numerous benefits. This herb has inked many a Vedic text due to its healing potential and is known as

“Divya Aushad”

Where ‘divya’ means ‘divine or heavenly’, and ‘aushadh’ means ‘medicine’. In short, it is called medicine from heaven. ^[1]

Today, all the numerous safed musli benefits have put this herb into the scientific spotlight. Be it its antioxidant properties, its heart-healing potential, or its ability to enhance immunity, this herb is something we must embrace. But with caution!

Apart from safed musli, we also have black musli or Curculigo orchiodes which is considered a potent adaptogen and aphrodisiac herb in the Ayurvedic medicine system. ^[2]

But in this article, we’ll unfurl this white gem and let you taste all the proven benefits, how to eat, precautions to take, and some interesting facts involved. 

Knowing Mystic Musli – History, Names, and Nutrition 

Musli was made a part of Vajikaran Rasayana in Ayurveda due to its potential for virility. ^[3]

But as the light of diamond cannot be restrained, musli became widely known till a point where it became endangered due to over-exploitation. Because of its spread, musli got many names such as

In Ayurveda, Musli was also referred to as “White Gold”

• Safed musli
• Dholi musli (dholi meaning white)
• Khiruva
• Shweta musli
• Taniravi thang
• Shedheveli
• Jhirna

But what is safed musli?

Safed Musli are roots of an herbaceous plant called Chlorophytum borivilianum. In common terms the plant is known as “Indian Spider Plant” or “Asparagus adscendens”, etc. The plant is so useful that even its leaves are eaten as vegetables in some places. 

In terms of nutrition, Safed musli is all about the numerous plant compounds that make all the musli benefits possible. It contains 

Safed Musli Nutritional Value ^[4]

The roots hide within them a sea full of benefits. Let’s look at how you can use it for your health and well-being. 

Safed Musli Benefits – The White Gold of Ayurveda

Almost all the musli benefits come from the bioactive compounds that this herb contains. Medicinal plants such as safed musli have various uses and therapeutic potentials. They contain secondary metabolites that have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Here are all the proven ones:

1. Awesome Antioxidant Activity

One of the best musli benefits is its rich antioxidant profile. Although the whole musli plant is rich in nutrients, its roots show comparatively higher levels of antioxidants. Some of the known antioxidants present in musli are ^[5]

Steroidal saponins, Polysaccharides,  Fructans and fructooligosaccharides, Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Hecogenin, Mucilag, etc. 

Now, why antioxidants?

Antioxidants are beneficial plant compounds that protect our cells from damage done by free radicals. They offer numerous benefits such as:

• Enhancing lifespan 
• Protecting organs from early damage
• Enhancing skin health
• Promoting brain health, thereby helping you remember things and function better
• Strengthening digestion and helping in better nutrient absorption
• Reducing age-related pain
• Adding power to immunity ^[6]

And the list goes on. 

Consuming safed musli in healthy amounts can protect your body from oxidative stress. This means betterment of overall health. ^[7]

2. A Powerful Punch Against Stress

Feeling stressed out? Safed Musli might be able to help! This traditional Indian herb has been used for centuries, and recent research suggests it may have some powerful anti-stress properties. ^[8]

• Safed musli may act as an adaptogen. This helps your body adjust to and manage stress more effectively. You can make it a natural tool to deal with stressful situations.
• Studies show that Safed musli extracts can also increase swimming endurance by targeting swimming-induced stress. It might also enhance your ability to handle stressful situations both mentally and physically.
• Now, stress can surely be tough on your stomach. But Safed musli extracts can help. Musli may help protect your stomach lining from the negative effects of stress.

So, if you ever feel like you need that extra layer of healing after a stressful situation, or you want to enhance your overall stress-managing potential, embrace safed musli. However, there are precautions to take beforehand, which we’ll discuss later on. 

3. An Aphrodisiac Herb

Of all the musli benefits, its aphrodisiac property is the one that made it the centre of Ayurvedic attention. Musli is called as vajikaran rasayana, meaning a herb that enhances vigor and virility. 

Taking musli can help enhance semen quality and sperm count. 

Ayurveda also calls musli as “Shukral Dravya” ^[9]

Shukral Dravya means something that enhances the quality of seminal fluid. 

Studies done on this found significant improvements in semen volume, sperm count, motility, and serum testosterone levels. And this too happened without any side effects. ^[10]

In the Ayurvedic tradition, musli is often taken in powdered form with ashwagandha and shatavari. 

4. Enhances muscle strength

Do you ever feel like lying down in bed due to lethargy? Sometimes, even picking up a glass of water might feel like picking up a mountain. And when this becomes frequent? Terrible. Safed Musli has also been recommended to boost physical performance. 

Taking musli regularly can not only enhance your virility but your overall physical performance. This means that you’ll feel more active, more energetic, and more alive. This has been studied again and again too.

One study found out that musli increased physical performance in those exposed to this herb even after one month. Even more increase was seen in performance when given for two months.  Also, blood pressure and heart rate were improved significantly. ^[11]

5. Reduces fatigue and pain

Safed Musli is often lauded for its ability to reduce fatigue and alleviate pains. It is believed to possess adaptogenic qualities, meaning it aids the body in coping with physical and mental stressors, thereby reducing fatigue and promoting overall vitality. ^[12]

Musli also has analgesic properties, which may help alleviate various types of pains, including muscle soreness, joint discomfort, and headaches. Its potential to mitigate fatigue and pains makes it a sought-after remedy for individuals seeking natural ways to enhance energy levels and alleviate discomfort. It can also be used as a wholesome supplement for muscle mass.

Pro tip: Cook 1 tbsp of musli powder in 1 cup of milk and add jaggery to it. 

6. Adds To Immunity

These days, immunity is everything. Here’s how it might work:

Think of your immune system as your body’s army, fighting off invaders like bacteria and viruses. Safed musli acts as a “trainer” for your immune troops. It helps them become stronger and more prepared to fight off these invaders.

Now, there are two main ways your immune system fights:

• Soldiers: These are special cells in your body that attack and destroy harmful invaders.
• Weapons: These are special molecules your body produces to fight off invaders.

Safed musli works by:

• Increasing the number of soldiers: It helps your body produce more of the special cells that fight off invaders.
• Boosting weaponry: It also helps your body produce more of the special molecules that fight off invaders.

Brilliant! Isn’t it? But there is more.

7. Potent Against Insulin Imbalance

Insulin imbalance might sound like a weak term but its impact on lifestyle is brutal. More and more people these days are facing unstable insulin levels. This leads to

• Weight gain
• Mood disorders
• Ruined heart health
• Poor metabolism
• Weakened immune system

And the list of problems keeps going on. 

Safed musli is a potent herb that can help enhance insulin stability. It has been used for centuries to treat blood related issues. It shows a strong antidiabetic effect when taken in the right amounts. The results are so amazing that the impact of musli on blood sugar was even better than antidiabetic medicines. Here are all the benefits observed after taking safed musli: ^[13]

• May decrease in blood glucose
• May decrease in bad cholesterol (LDL) 
• May help in reducing triglyceride levels
• And might help increase good cholesterol (HDL) 

8. Other safed musli benefits

Apart from all the major benefits that this herb is known for, there are also numerous other positive impacts that it bestows as a bonus. Here is a list:

• It may help the heart by lowering bad cholesterol levels 
• It’s anti-inflammatory properties may help heal joint and muscle pain in the longer run
• Musli might also help with prenatal and postnatal issues ^[14]

This is why it is an essential part of the traditional diet and is given to mothers after delivery in the form of “Laddoos.”

Now, there are definite chances that you might feel like buying it right now and start consuming it. Surely. But before you do this, know that it is a herb and must be consumed as a herb only. There are precautions to take. 

Musli Benefits for Men and Women

Safed Musli – Risks and Precautions

Usually, Ayurvedic herbs show no side effects. However, there are certain cases when it might backfire, especially when consumed in a frenzy. So, as you make musli a part of your lifestyle, take care of these things beforehand:

• Firstly, because it is a medicinal herb, you must always consume it in smaller amounts. It is always safe to consult a doctor 
• Secondly, musli can show strong effects during pregnancy. Always consult your gynecologist before you consume it
• Thirdly, if you suffer from poor digestion, observe yourself. Musli is heavy in nature and might create problems
• Lastly, don’t take it lifelong if you do not suffer from any issues. It is not recommended to be used for more than 15 days straight without consulting with a health practitioner.

Now, how to consume? 

How to Take Musli?

Traditionally, the root powder of Safed Musli is fried in ghee and chewed to treat conditions such as mouth ulcers and throat issues. It is also consumed by mothers in the form of “Laddoos” after delivery. This is to increase lactation. It is also being considered as an essential part of a general health-promotive tonic and for delaying the ageing process. However, as we told you, always consult a doctor. [15]

About dosage – Usually, people take it in the form of churn or capsules. Whatever you choose, make sure the dosage is initially low. Try consulting an Ayurvedic doctor before you do. 

About ways – To cherish all these musli benefits, there are several ways to consume this herb. Here are a few good ones:

• Take 2-3 gram powder with milk or capsules with lukewarm milk before you sleep for general weakness
• Mix the powder with honey and goat milk and use it as a face mask
• You may even make laddoos using ghee, crushed jaggery, chopped or powdered dry fruits, and musli powder
• Or if you have mouth ulcers, apply a mixture of ghee and musli on the affected area

Conclusion

Unveiled from the depths of Ayurvedic wisdom, Safed Musli emerges as a potent herb brimming with diverse benefits. And now, we have truly started to understand the hidden depths of ancient medicine. 

All the potent musli benefits have marked it as an important herb in the Indian culture. Be it its antioxidant potency or its stress-relieving capability, musli is a white gem. Not only this, it enhances physical performance, immunity, heart health, blood sugar, virility, and whatnot. However, remember, moderation is key. 

Always consult a healthcare professional before you embrace this herb into your routine. Embrace it responsibly. Because, as we say it again and again, health is our responsibility. 

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