Production technology of safed musli

Abstract

Herbal products are a valued gift from nature to humankind. Chlorophytum borivilianum herb is commonly known as safed musli and has therapeutic applications in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine. Safed musli is among the 20-odd species of native medicinal plants that enjoy extensive therapeutic applications and an expansive global market. It possess spermatogenic property and helps cure impotency as it is rich in glycosides. Its fasciculated roots contain saponins and are used as a health-promoting drug or tonic in the Ayurvedic medicinal system. However, due to its aphrodisiac properties, it is called ‘Nature’s wonder drug’, ‘Natural Viagra’, ‘Divya Aushad’, and ‘White gold’ as well as is considered an alternative to Viagra. Safed musli is cultivated on a small scale in different parts of India. Over the past twenty years, extensive research has been conducted in India including its conservation biology, cytology, chemistry, plant genetic resources, micropropagation, crop management, and nutrition aspects as well.