Scientific name- Chlorophytum borivilianum
Family- Asparagaceae
Chlorophytum borivilianum is a widely used plant in folk and Ayurvedic systems of medicine. Its roots are used for preparing various drugs. It is an annual herb having average height of 1-1.5ft. Flowers are star shaped, 2cm across and yellow or green in color. Fruits are greenish to yellow in color and mainly produce in July – December.
Chemical constituents
It is a rich source of over 25 alkaloids, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, steroids, saponins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phenol, resins, mucilage, and polysaccharides and also contains high quantity of simple sugars, mainly sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose and xylose.
Properties
In Ayurvedic textbook the properties of Musli are described in below shloka:
मुशली मधुरा गुर्वी तिक्ता वृष्या रसायनी वीर्योष्णा बृंहणी हन्ति दुर्नामानि प्रभञ्जनम् ,,कै. नि मुशली मधुरा वृष्या वीर्योष्णा बृंहणी गुरुः तिक्ता रसायनी हन्ति गुदजान्यनिलं तथा ,, भा.प्र मुशली मधुरा शीता वृष्या वृष्या पुष्टिबलप्रदा पिच्छिला कफदा पित्तदाहश्रमहरा परा ,, रा. नि
Musli acts as Vajikarana (aphrodisiac) and might lower the risk of impotence and sexual disorders. It also improves the quality of sperms and quantity of semen due to its Guru and Sita virya property.musli is a wildly grown white-colored herb. It is often referred to as “White gold” or “Divya aushad”.This powerful herb is extensively mentioned in ancient ayurvedic scriptures of Charaka Samhita and Raj Nighantu for treating various problems including Vrushya (acts as an aphrodisiac), Prameha (manages diabetes), Trutahara (relieves excessive thirst), Rasayani (rejuvenates the whole body), Balya (improves muscle strength), Shonitasthapana (prevents bleeding), Dahahara (relieves burning sensation), Mehahara (treats urinary tract disorders), Rasayani (rejuvenates the whole body), Balya (improves muscle strength), Deepana (enhances stomach fire), Pachana (helps in digestion), Kustha (treats skin disorders), Kamala (prevents jaundice), Varnya (improves complexion), Dugdhya (improves lactation), Rochana (stimulates appetite), Amahara (treats indigestion), and Vamana (prevents nausea and vomiting).
Benefits
1.Erectile dysfunction- Musli has spermatogenic property and helps in improving the sperm quality as well as the sperm count. It also improves the testosterone levels which further enhances blood circulation to the genitals for lengthier erections.
2.Stress- Musli might help manage stress due to its anti-stress and adaptogenic activity.It also has antioxidant property which reduces free radicals in the body and minimizes the risk of oxidative stress-induced disorders.
3.Arthritis- Saponins present in Musli have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities. It inhibits the inflammatory mediators like histamine and prostaglandins that are responsible for pain and inflammation in arthritic patients.
4.Diabetes- Musli might help manage diabetes by lowering blood glucose levels. It also has antioxidant property which prevents damage to the pancreas. This helps improve the insulin level.
5.Cancer- Musli contains certain compounds such as steroidal glycoside which has anticancer property. It might also help in cell apoptosis (cell death) and reduce the tumor size and weight if used in the initial stage of cancer development.