Safed Musli Benefits, Side Effects, and Uses

Have you ever heard about the white gold of Ayurveda? Well, that’s not any kind of metallic material but a tiny root, or a pale herb that we commonly call Musli or Safed Musli.
In appearance, the herb Safed Musli is quite normal. However, if we see it from the Ayurvedic outlook, it is a nature-driven medicine that can treat thousands of health concerns. Here, in this blog, we have unfolded some of the significant aspects related to this magical herb, covering Safed Musli benefits, side effects, uses, precautions, etc.

Synonyms of Musli

The scientific name of Safed musli is Chlorophytum borivilianum. It is a rare medicinal herb native to India, and is mainly found in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh. Besides, its so-called famous name “Safed Musli”, it is known by different names in different regions of India, such as:

Being highly rare, the herb is used on a vast scale due to its amazing health benefits. In fact, it is used as a prime ingredient in several herbal formulations and Ayurvedic medications.

Properties of Safed Musli

Well, Safed Musli contains many healing properties through which one can uplift their physical, mental, and sexual health. Here is a brief about the significant healing properties inherited in the Musli plant:

1. Anti-inflammatory: Safed musli is anti-inflammatory in nature, through which swelling, pain, and irritation of the joints, skin, and digestive system can be alleviated.

2. Adaptogenic: Safed Musli Benefits also involve helping to combat stress and anxiety levels. It is calming in nature and also helps you attain mental clarity and peace.

3. Aphrodisiac: For centuries and more, the usage of Musli Pak has been done for enhancing sexual desires, reproductive strength, and libido in men.

4. Antacid: The herb also acts as a natural antacid that helps prevent the production of excessive acid in the stomach. It is necessary to keep problems like indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, and abdominal discomfort miles away.

5. Antioxidant: Enriched with various healthy antioxidants, safed musli protects the body from the possible damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress.

6. Galactagogue: Working as a natural galactagogue, safed musli stimulates breast milk production and supports overall postpartum health.

7. Immunomodulator: Safed Musli also helps to strengthen your immune system and protect your body from harmful bacteria and viruses.

Nutritional Composition of Safed Musli

Safed Musli has been a key ingredient in many Ayurvedic, Unani, and even allopathic medicines due to its high nutritional content. If we break down the nutritional profile, then it includes Saponins, Alkaloids, Fiber, Carbohydrates, Protein, Fats, Sterols, and, to a certain extent, Vitamin A, B, and C.

Safed Musli uses this same nutritional content to fulfil the body's deficiencies and boost overall health. In fact, that is the actual reason why it has been included in formulations like Chyawanprash, Musli Pak, and herbal tonics.

Ayurvedic Indication of Safed Musli

In Ayurveda, we call this magical herb “Divya Aushad” or “Divya Aushadhi” as its usage always inhibits heavenly results. The ideal dosage of musli helps to balance Vata and Pitta doshas. Additionally, it is also useful for the nourishment of your Shukra dhatu, which is directly associated with your reproductive health. As per Ayurvedic practitioners and vaidyas, Safed musli is:

• Rasa (taste) = Madhura (sweet)

• Guna (quality) = Guru (heavy) & Snigdha (oily)

• Virya (Potency) = Sheela (cooling)

• Vipaka (Effect on digestion) = Mridul (gentle)

Ways to use Safed Musli

Well, there are many ways available through which you can use Safed Musli or incorporate it into your normal routine. However, be careful about the dosage, i.e, do not consume it in excess or unnecessarily.

1. Musli Pack:

That’s a herbal mixture made of safed musli, which is mainly meant for improving stamina and vitality in men. It is a famous Ayurvedic formulation that vaidyas suggest for individuals who are dealing with body weakness, fatigue, or sexual problems.

How to make Musli Pak?

• Boil a bowl of milk and add safed musli and black musli to it in the same proportion.
• Stir it until this mixture becomes thick like khoa.
• Now, add ghee to it and stir it again to avoid lumps.
• In a separate vessel, prepare a hot sugar syrup.
• Gradually, mix the musli-ghee mixture with hot sugar syrup, and optionally, you may also add other ingredients such as cloves, dates, raisins, coconut, almonds, cardamom, and bay leaves.
• Once it becomes cool, prepare small and round balls.
• Your Musli Pak is ready. Eat it and store the rest in a cool and dry place.

2. Musli Churana: 

Safed Musli Powder or churana is one of the convenient ways to consume musli. You can easily find this churana in the market these days. Otherwise, you can also prepare it at home using the sun-dried roots of musli.

How to take musli powder?

• Add 1-2 tsp of musli churana to one glass of warm milk or water.
• Mix it thoroughly, and your health-optimising drink is ready.
• Drink it daily, either once, twice, or as your doctor recommends.

3. Chyawanprash:

One can also opt for the chyawanprash made of musli, as it is an easy and delicious way of incorporating this magnificent herb into one's routine.

When integrated with other herbs, spices, and jaggery, the benefits of Safed Musli not only increase but also multiply. Although you can take chyawanprash throughout the year. But, traditionally, it is believed that it benefits the most during the winter season.

How to make Safed Musli Chyawanprash at home?

• Firstly, start with boiling Amla pulp.
• Once this pulp becomes soft, add safed musli powder, ghee, and jaggery to it.
• Now, cook this mixture on a low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Make sure to stir it continuously.
• Stop the gas, and let it cool down.
• Once it is slightly cool, add honey to it.
• Your homemade chyawanprash of safed musli is ready. Store it in an air-tight jar and consume 1 tsp. daily.

4. Capsules/Tablets:

The advancement of technology and science has extracted the benefits of the Musli plant and successfully transferred it into tiny capsules.

You can easily find the musli capsules in the markets these days. However, we suggest opting for this option only in case you are unable to make or get Safed musli. Because sometimes, it may be possible that these market-based capsules may also contain certain types of chemicals or even steroids.

5. Herbal Tea: 

Well, another way to consume safed musli is to make a herbal tea of it. That’s a superior way through which you can reduce your addiction to normal tea and coffee.

How to make Safed musli herbal tea?

• Take 1 glass of boiled water. Mix 1 tsp of Safed musli powder into it and stir until it is well combined.
• Now, allow this mixture to steep for a few minutes.
• For taste, you may also add honey or a squeeze of lemon to it.
• Stir again, and your herbal tea is ready.

6. Musli + Ghee:

To enhance safed musli benefits, one can mix it with ghee, which itself is a panacea for countless health concerns. The spoonful consumption of this wonderful mixture will serve as a natural way to enhance vitality, stamina, and overall wellness.

How to use Musli with ghee?

• Heat 1 spoon of ghee in a pan.
• Add around 1 tsp of safed musli powder to it.
• Dry roast it until it turns slightly golden.
• Now, stir in a little water and cover the pot.
• Cook this mixture until it achieves a soft porridge-like consistency.
• Enjoy it with your preferred toppings.

7. Musli Laddo or Balls:

One of the best ways to consume safed musli is to make laddo or balls of it. For this, you may require ghee, musli powder, Cardamom powder, and some spices or nuts.

How to make Musli balls or laddos?

• Start with roasting 100 grams of safed musli powder in 1-2 tbsp of ghee on a low flame.
• Add ½ cup of wheat flour or besan, optionally, and roast it for better binding.
• Mix in powdered or crushed dry fruits such as almonds, cashews, or walnuts.
• Add 1-2 tbsp of edible gum (gond) roasted in ghee. (Optional)
• Now, turn off the flame, and let this mixture cool down a little.
• Mix in jaggery powder or mishri.
• Apply some oil or ghee to grease your palm, and prepare small balls or laddos of it.
• Your musli laddos are ready. Store them in an airtight jar and eat one a day.
  

Health Benefits of Safed Musli

Well, Safed Musli contains innumerable benefits that can benefit individuals in many possible ways. Although in Western medicine, the use of Safed Musli, or Chlorophytum borivilianum, has started in the last few decades. But in Ayurveda, it is a health-boosting herb that has been in consistent use for centuries and even more. Below is a brief explanation of some of the major musli benefits:

2. Makes your immune system strong

Safed Musli utilises its healthy antioxidants and immune-boosting compounds to enhance the immune system, which ultimately helps the body fight against viral infections, bacteria, and other pathogens.

The Ayurveda practitioners used to prescribe this wonderful herb as a recovery agent from chronic illnesses. Additionally, it also helps restore energy, strength, and endurance.

3. Keeps you mile away from stress & anxiety

Well, if you are dealing with stress, hypertension, anxiety, depression, or any other cognitive problem, then using Safed Musli can be highly advantageous for you.

In fact, it works as a natural adaptogen and helps your body adapt to physical and mental stress.  Just take it regularly, or as your doctor prescribes, and within a few days, you will start to observe the results.

4. Makes your joints and muscles strong

Intake of safed musli powder benefits arthritis patients the most. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the inflammation of the joints. Well, not just arthritis patients, it is helpful even if you are dealing with normal joint pain or muscle weakness.

Due to its joint-strengthening and bone-health-improving effects, musli is sometimes used as a natural supplement for muscle building and joint wellness by many athletes and bodybuilders.

5. Can support you in diabetes management

Studies say that Safed Musli helps regulate blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity, which makes it a natural aid for patients who are dealing with Type 2 diabetes.

 
Additionally, antioxidant compounds present in safed musli help protect the pancreas from damage. Such protection is crucial for maintaining insulin production and function.

6. May make your digestive health better

Safed musli roots are highly valued for their mild laxative properties. On one side, it ensures absorption of the nutrients in a better way, and on the other hand, it also helps to improve digestion, and prevents problems like constipation, gas, bloating, and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

7. Make your skin glow and hair healthy

Safed musli is rich in antioxidants that help to fade wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation. It also fights acne, brightens your skin tone, and nourishes your skin from the outside and within.

However, if we focus on how safed musli benefits hair, then it involves making hair strong from the roots, reducing dandruff and roughness, controlling hair fall, and preventing premature graying.

Safed Musli Side Effects

Well, Well, Safed Musli is highly beneficial and in fact a panacea for countless diseases. However, the other side of this so-called wonderful herb exists, which stands for its side effects. Here are some of the side effects of safed musli that individuals may experience: 

1. Digestive problems: Taking safed musli in excess can become the cause of many digestive issues. Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal discomfort are some of the common digestive problems that are associated with the overconsumption of safed musli.

2. Unnecessary weight gain: The use of safed musli is also done for weight gain or muscle building. However, those who want to lose weight or are already dealing with problems like obesity may struggle to lose weight when safed musli is in their diet.

3. Allergic reactions: It is possible for some to experience allergic reactions like rashes, hives, redness, itching, and inflammation as a result of consuming or even coming in contact with musli.

4. Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia means excessively low blood sugar levels, which may often harm your body. Patients who are diabetic and already on medication for reducing blood glucose should avoid using safed musli as it directly reduces blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity.

5. Dehydration: As mentioned earlier in the blog, safed musli contains diuretic properties. It means that overconsumption of safed musli can result in increased urination, which may eventually cause dehydration or an imbalance of electrolytes in your body.

Takeaway

In a nutshell, we can say that Safed Musli is not just another herb. In fact, it’s a symbol of India’s rich Ayurvedic heritage. From making your immune system strong to immensely boost your vitality, libido, and fertility, this “White Gold” or “Shwet Aushadhi” can help you a lot. 

However, to derive the actual benefits of musli without facing any side effects, you need to be very careful about its dosage, timings, and manner of consumption.