Ingredient profile
Safed Musli
Chlorophytum borivilianum
A white tuberous root traditionally valued in Ayurveda as a nourishing tonic.
- Hindi
- सफ़ेद मूसली
- Sanskrit
- Shweta Musali
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Part used
- root
Traditional use
Safed musli is a small herb with lily-like white flowers and bunches of white, fleshy tuberous roots, which give it its name: “white musli”. The roots are peeled, dried and powdered.
In Ayurvedic tradition
In Ayurveda safed musli is valued as a nourishing, strength-building tonic and appears in many classical and proprietary formulations alongside ashwagandha and shatavari.
Ayurvedic properties
- Rasa (taste): Sweet
- Guna (qualities): Heavy, unctuous
- Virya (potency): Cooling
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Sweet
- Effect on the doshas: Balances vata and pitta
How it is traditionally taken
The root powder is traditionally taken with milk, and today it is most often found in multi-herb capsules.
Safety notes
Its heavy, nourishing quality means it is traditionally used with care by people with sluggish digestion. Consult a practitioner if unsure. Use as directed on the product label. This profile is for general education and is not medical advice.
References
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (monograph: Shweta Musali) pharmacopoeia