Chlorophytum borivilianum
| Chlorophytum borivilianum | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Order: | Asparagales |
| Family: | Asparagaceae |
| Subfamily: | Agavoideae |
| Genus: | Chlorophytum |
| Species: | C. borivilianum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & R.R.Fern.
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Chlorophytum borivilianum is a herb with lanceolate leaves, from tropical wet forests in the peninsular Indian region.
It is cultivated and eaten as a leaf vegetable in some parts of India, and its roots are used as a health tonic under the name safed musli.[1] In traditional Indian medicine, it is used as rasayan or adaptogen.[2] It is considered a white gold in Indian systems of medicine. This herb belongs to the vajikaran rasayana group in Ayurveda.[3]
It is commonly known by various vernacular names in India such as safed musli (Hindi), swetha musli (Kannada), tella nela tadi (Telugu), taniravi thang (Tamil), Dholi Musli (Gujarati) and khairuwa (Chhattisgarhi).[4]
Cultivation
[edit]Safed musli is cultivated in several Indian states including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.[5] It grows best in sandy loam soil with good drainage and requires tropical conditions. Farmers often face challenges such as low yield and adulteration of roots.
Medicinal uses and research
[edit]Traditionally, safed musli is classified in Ayurveda as a rasayana and vajikaran herb.[6] Modern studies have identified more than 25 phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and ongoing research explores its potential in treating arthritis, diabetes, and male fertility issues.[7]
Economic importance
[edit]Due to its high demand in herbal medicine and nutraceutical industries, safed musli is considered a cash crop and is often referred to as "white gold" in Ayurveda.[8]
Conservation
[edit]Overharvesting has reduced wild populations of safed musli, leading to its classification as endangered in several regions.[9] Conservation efforts include promoting sustainable cultivation and discouraging wild collection.
References
[edit]- ^ Oudhia, Pankaj. "Problems perceived by safed moosli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) growers of Chhattisgarh (India) region: a study." Proceedings of the national seminar on the frontiers of research and development in medicinal plants.. Vol. 22. No. 4a. 2000.
- ^ F. Thakur M., Bhargava S., Dixit V.K. "Immunomodulatory activity of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 4 (4) (pp 419-423), 2007
- ^ Zakia Khanam 1, Ompal Singh, Rampal Singh, Irshad Ul Haq Bhat. Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum): a review of its botany, ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry, 2013
- ^ "Safed Musli: An endangered aphrodisiac herb". National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). PMC 4638056.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ Oudhia, Pankaj (2000). "Problems perceived by safed moosli growers of Chhattisgarh". Proceedings of the National Seminar on Medicinal Plants.
- ^ Thakur, M. M. (2007). "Immunomodulatory activity of Chlorophytum borivilianum". Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
- ^ Khanam, Zakia (2013). "Safed musli: a review of its botany, ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry". Pharmacognosy Reviews.
- ^ "Safed Musli: An endangered aphrodisiac herb". NCBI. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ "Safed Musli Conservation". NCBI. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
राजस्थान की दुर्लभ पादप प्रजाति हैं ।
- Safed Moosli (Chlorophytum borivilianum L.): Medicinal and Wonder Crop
- Safed Musli (Chlorophytum species) - A Wonder Drug in the Tropical Zone
- Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum): a review of its botany, ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry