Herbs & Botanicals · Ayurvedic root tonic

Safed Musli

Q: What is safed musli?

It is the white root tuber of Chlorophytum borivilianum, an Indian plant used in Ayurveda as a tonic, mostly for male sexual health and strength.

Q: Does safed musli work like Viagra?

We found no controlled human trial on erections or libido. Rat and cell studies suggest effects, and a review calls it a herbal alternative to Viagra, but that is a marketing phrase, not a tested result.

Q: Does it raise testosterone?

One placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 20 to 40 reported higher testosterone after 12 weeks, but the abstract gives no numbers and it has not been repeated. A review of herbs and testosterone named other herbs, not safed musli, in its abstract.

Q: Can it help sperm count or fertility?

One small trial in healthy men reported better semen measures, and a three-plant mix was followed by better sperm density in men with low counts. Pregnancy outcomes were not studied, and the mix cannot be credited to safed musli alone.

Q: Does it improve stamina?

A pilot trial in 60 healthy people reported longer walk distance and lower diastolic blood pressure during a cycling test after two months. It is small and unrepeated.

Q: Does it help with blood sugar?

Only in diabetic rats so far. No human trial was found, so it should not replace diabetes treatment.

Q: Is safed musli safe?

Small studies reported no side effects, but they were short and not designed to find harm. There are no liver case reports, no interaction studies and no pregnancy data. Saponins as a group can upset the stomach.

Q: Is it safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

No safety data exist, so avoid it unless a clinician advises otherwise.

Q: Does it interact with medicines?

No interaction study was found. As a precaution, ask a pharmacist if you take diabetes, blood pressure, erectile-dysfunction or nitrate medicines, or hormone treatment.

Q: Can people with hormone-sensitive conditions use it?

It has not been studied. Testosterone rose in one trial, so talk to the clinician who manages your condition first.

Chlorophytum borivilianum · also called White musli, Shweta musali

Safed musli is the white root tuber of an Indian plant, used in Ayurveda as a tonic and sold for male vitality. Only a few small human studies exist, mostly in healthy men, and some used blends with other plants. Most of the rest is rat and lab work. Ask a doctor first if you are pregnant, take diabetes, blood pressure or hormone medicines, or have a hormone-sensitive condition.

General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update October 25, 2026 · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made

About Safed Musli

Safed musli is an Indian root tonic with a long Ayurvedic reputation and little human research. The studies we found are small, short and often use blends, and the safety information is thin.

What it is

Safed musli, or white musli, is the root tuber of Chlorophytum borivilianum, a plant of the asparagus family from India. In Ayurveda it is a rejuvenating tonic, mainly used for male sexual health and strength.

Chlorophytum tuberosum is a separate species that is sometimes sold under the same name, and muesli the breakfast cereal is unrelated. Results for one plant should not be assumed for another.

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What is in it

The root is rich in saponins, plant compounds that can foam in water and, as a group, can upset the gut. It also holds polysaccharides, including inulin-type fructans and acetylated mannans.

Most of the lab work uses water extracts or isolated fractions, not the dried root.

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What the research shows

One placebo-controlled trial of a water extract in healthy young men reported better semen measures and testosterone, and a 60-person pilot reported better walking distance. Both are small and neither has been repeated.

Three other studies used blends with velvet bean or other plants, so they cannot tell us what safed musli does alone. No controlled trial tested libido or erections. Everything on blood sugar, stress, inflammation and immunity comes from rats and the lab.

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At a glance

Traditional uses history, not proof

Rejuvenating and sexual tonic in Ayurveda (Vajikaran Rasayana), used for male impotency and weakness
General strengthening tonic and, in ethnomedicine, for arthritis and inflammation

Studied for research

Semen quality and testosterone in healthy men (one trial), low certainty
Walking and exercise performance (one 60-person pilot), low certainty
Sperm count (three-plant mix), growth hormone and sleep (two-ingredient blends), insufficient evidence
Libido and erections: no human trial found
Blood sugar, stress, inflammation and immunity: rat and lab studies only

Main compounds

Saponins (the main studied group)
Polysaccharides: inulin-type fructans and acetylated mannans

Common forms

Dried root powder (traditional)
Water extract
Capsules and tablets
Blends with velvet bean and other tonics

Research links: Rath and Panja 2013: semen and testosterone, trial (PubMed) · Tripathi 2019: physical performance, pilot trial (PubMed) · Khanam 2013: botany, use and phytochemistry, review (PubMed) · Smith 2021: herbs and testosterone, systematic review (PubMed) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library

The plant and its history

Accepted scientific name: Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & R.R.Fern. (GBIF ACCEPTED, exact match, confidence 99; NCBI Taxonomy taxid 503355)
Naming authority: Santapau & R.R.Fern.
Common names: Safed musli (Hindi); White musli (English); Shweta musali (Sanskrit)
Botanical family: Asparagaceae (asparagus family)
Classification: Plantae > Tracheophyta > Liliopsida > Asparagales > Asparagaceae > Chlorophytum > Chlorophytum borivilianum
Native range: Native to India (per Indian sources); not detailed in the abstracts read.
Habitat: Not covered in the sources read.
What the plant looks like: Roots: The medicinal part is the root tuber (fleshy white roots).; Stems: Not described in sources read.; Leaves: Not described in sources read.; Flowers: Not described in sources read.; Fruit: Not described in sources read.; Seeds: Not described in sources read.
Cultivation: The 2013 review urges cultivation because wild stocks are endangered (abstract). Details not read.
Harvest and processing: Not covered in the sources read.
Look-alikes and adulterants: Name: Other Chlorophytum species including C. tuberosum; Note: Sold under the same trade name in some markets; results for C. borivilianum should not be assumed for them. A 2013 review also reports adulteration with look-alike, inferior species (summary-only).
Sustainability and conservation: The 2013 review calls the plant endangered from commercial exploitation and low productivity. The abstract of a 2021 threatened-plants list for India does not name it, so its formal status is not confirmed here.

Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof

Tradition or era	Documented use	Source
Ayurveda	A Vajikaran Rasayana: a rejuvenating, aphrodisiac and general sexual tonic, used for male impotency and sexual weakness, called 'white gold' and 'divya aushad'.	p24045177
Indian ethnomedicine	Used as ethnic medicine by local healers of indigenous communities (per the same review's abstract); also for arthritis and inflammation (per a rat study's introduction).	p24045177
Modern market	Sold as a herbal alternative to Viagra; a state-government potency product was launched in Gujarat (statement from the review; NOT independently verified).	p24045177

Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.

What is inside, and how it may work

What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.

Main compounds

Compound	Family	Where it is concentrated	Activity studied	Level of evidence
Saponins (steroidal; the main studied group)	Saponins (group)	Root tuber	Named as the main phytochemical group in the 2013 review. An isolated saponin fraction reduced inflammation in rats and was toxic to some cancer cell lines in a dish. Saponins as a class can irritate the gut. ^{10 11 2}	Animal and lab
Inulin-type fructans (polysaccharide)	Polysaccharides (fructans)	Root tuber About 31% of the hot-water-soluble extract in one analysis	Part of a polysaccharide fraction that stimulated natural killer cells in vitro. ²⁰	Lab
Acetylated mannans (polysaccharide)	Polysaccharides (mannans)	Root tuber About 25% of the hot-water-soluble extract in one analysis	Same polysaccharide fraction as above. ²⁰	Lab
Low-molecular-weight glucose polysaccharide (about 1000 Da)	Polysaccharides	Root tuber	Extended lifespan in yeast and roundworms. ¹⁵	Lab

Mechanisms, receptors and pathways

Target or pathway	Gene or receptor	What was found	Level
Nitric oxide release	Not specified	An aqueous extract raised nitric oxide release in a mouse cell line, matching the erection effect seen in rats. ¹⁹	Animal and lab
Natural killer cell activation	Not specified	The polysaccharide fraction stimulated NK cells from human blood in a dish. ²⁰	Lab
Histamine, prostaglandin and histone deacetylase (HDAC) pathways	HDAC	Isolated saponins lowered HDAC level in rat paw tissue. ¹¹	Animal research
Stress hormone and oxidative stress	Corticosterone	A water extract lowered corticosterone in stressed rats and scavenged free radicals in test tubes. ⁸	Animal and lab
Testosterone	Not specified	Raised in one small human trial; the mechanism is not shown. ¹⁶	Human (unexplained)

Absorption, metabolism and elimination

Absorption: Not found.
Distribution: Not found.
Metabolism: Not found.
Elimination: Not found.
Bioavailability: No human blood-level study was found.

Isolated compounds versus whole extracts

Most mechanism work uses a water extract, an isolated saponin fraction or a polysaccharide fraction, not dried root powder. The human trials used a water extract, an unspecified 3 g/day preparation, or blends with other plants. Results from one form do not carry over to another.

Nutritional composition

Safed musli root is a traditional medicine rather than a food in the sources we read. We did not find a reliable nutrient breakdown, so no vitamin or mineral claims are made.

11benefits and uses looked at

23studies and sources checked

Low certaintybest evidence rating found

9lab markers tracked in trials

2 low certainty9 not enough evidence

What is Safed Musli good for?

The studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. Most uses rest on one small trial, blends, or animal work.

Benefits, one by one

Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.

Semen quality and testosterone in healthy young men (water extract of root tuber, one trial)

Low certainty

One 12-week placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 20 to 40 reported better semen measures and higher testosterone with a water extract of safed musli root. The abstract gives no numbers and it has not been repeated, so this is a lead, not a proven benefit.

2 studiesWater-soluble extract of root tubers, 500 mg twice a day for 12 weeks…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Rath and Panja 2013: healthy men aged 20 to 40 took a water-soluble extract of safed musli root tubers (500 mg twice a day) or placebo for 12 weeks. The authors report highly significant improvement in semen volume, liquefaction time, sperm count, sperm motility and serum testosterone compared with placebo. A 2021 systematic review of herbs and testosterone named other herbs (fenugreek, ashwagandha) as having positive effects and did not name safed musli in its abstract.

Results

Better semen and testosterone measures than placebo, with no numbers in the abstract.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given in the abstract (no group sizes, means or p values).

Why this rating

One small trial known only from its abstract, healthy young men only, no numbers, not replicated. No reviewer GRADE exists for safed musli.

Form and dose studied

Water-soluble extract of root tubers, 500 mg twice a day for 12 weeks. Not tested as dried root powder or in other forms.

Who was studied

Healthy men aged 20 to 40 in India. Not tested in men with low sperm count, low testosterone or older men.

Limits

Single trial; unclear numbers; healthy men who may have had little room to improve; funding not stated.

Why researchers looked

Safed musli is a traditional Ayurvedic tonic for male sexual health.

Traditional use

In Ayurveda it belongs to the Vajikaran Rasayana group, used as a rejuvenating and sexual tonic (per a 2013 review).

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not shown. Rat studies suggest effects on sexual behaviour and sperm, and a polysaccharide fraction stimulated immune cells in the lab, but none of this explains the human result.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

The abstract reports no side effects. A rise in testosterone is a hormone effect; see the Safety tab on hormone-sensitive conditions.

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Walking and exercise performance in healthy volunteers (3 g/day, one pilot trial)

Low certainty

A 60-person pilot trial found longer walking distance and a lower diastolic blood pressure during a cycling test after two months of safed musli than after placebo. It is small, not repeated, and the abstract leaves out some details.

1 studies3 g/day of a C. borivilianum preparation (form not stated in the abst…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Tripathi 2019: 60 healthy volunteers took 3 g/day of Chlorophytum borivilianum or placebo for two months. On day 60 the walk distance in the 6-minute walk test was 468.3 with the herb versus 419.6 with placebo, the 6-minute exercise test distance was 2.92 versus 2.4, and diastolic blood pressure in a fixed-workload cycle test was 75.8 versus 82.4 (P < 0.05). Units and group sizes are not in the abstract.

Results

Longer walk and exercise distance; lower diastolic blood pressure during exercise.

Effect sizes as reported

As above; no confidence intervals in the abstract. The abstract prints the herb-group spread for walk distance as 0.4, which looks like a typo.

Why this rating

Single small pilot trial in healthy people, double-blind and placebo-controlled but unreplicated, with several details missing from the abstract.

Form and dose studied

3 g/day of a C. borivilianum preparation (form not stated in the abstract) for 2 months.

Who was studied

Healthy volunteers in India. Not tested in athletes, older adults or people with illness.

Limits

Small pilot; blood pressure was measured during exercise only; handgrip result not stated in the abstract; funding not stated.

Why researchers looked

Traditional use as a strengthening tonic and an adaptogen; the authors set out to test an anti-stress effect on physical performance.

Traditional use

Rasayana tonic for strength and vitality in Ayurveda.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

Not shown in people. In rats a water extract lowered stress hormones and raised free-radical scavenging.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

A lower diastolic pressure during exercise means people on blood pressure medicines should ask a pharmacist; see the Safety tab.

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Sperm density and motility in men with low sperm count (three-plant powder mix)

Not enough evidence

A powder mixing safed musli, velvet bean and Eulophia campestris was followed by better sperm density and motility in men with low sperm count over 90 days. Because it is a mix, it does not show what safed musli does on its own.

1 studiesPowder mixture of three plants; amounts not stated in the abstract.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Mahajan 2012: a powder mix of Mucuna pruriens, Chlorophytum borivilianum and Eulophia campestris was given to rats for 40 days and to men with low sperm count (oligozoospermia) for 90 days. Sperm density and motility rose in the men, and no side effects were noticed. The abstract does not give group sizes, numbers or a comparison group for the men.

Results

Sperm density and motility rose after 90 days in men.

Effect sizes as reported

Not given in the abstract.

Why this rating

A three-plant mix, unclear design, no numbers. The effect of safed musli alone cannot be separated out.

Form and dose studied

Powder mixture of three plants; amounts not stated in the abstract.

Who was studied

Men with low sperm count (oligozoospermia).

Limits

Mix of plants; no stated control group; missing numbers.

Why researchers looked

All three plants are traditional aphrodisiac or sexual tonics.

Traditional use

Traditional aphrodisiac plants.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

The authors link the sperm change to higher testosterone; the abstract does not give a tested mechanism.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No side effects were noticed, according to the abstract.

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Libido and erections (the main traditional and marketed use; no controlled human trial found)

Not enough evidence

Safed musli is sold as a sexual tonic and a natural alternative to Viagra. We found no controlled human trial on libido or erections. The support is traditional use, rat studies and cell tests.

5 studiesRats were given aqueous or standardised root extracts; nothing equiva…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

None found as a controlled trial of safed musli alone. A 2013 review describes it as a herbal alternative to Viagra "without any side effects", which is the review's wording and not a tested result. The mixed-herb trials above measured semen, not erections.

Results

Rats: more sexual behaviour, sperm count and erection index (Kenjale 2008, Das 2016, Thakur 2011).

Effect sizes as reported

No human effect sizes. Rat doses were 100 to 250 mg/kg.

Why this rating

No human trial. Animal and cell findings do not predict benefit in men.

Form and dose studied

Rats were given aqueous or standardised root extracts; nothing equivalent is established for people.

Who was studied

Male rats and cell lines.

Limits

Animal-only evidence; marketing language such as "no side effects" is not a safety result.

Why researchers looked

Its reputation as an aphrodisiac is the reason most research exists.

Traditional use

Ayurvedic Vajikaran Rasayana, used for male impotency; a 2013 review also notes a state-government herbal potency product based on it.

Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism

In rats, aqueous extracts increased mating behaviour and an erection index, and an extract increased nitric oxide release in a cell test. This is lab and animal evidence only.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Any nitric-oxide effect is a theory worth discussing with a pharmacist if you use nitrate or erectile-dysfunction medicines; see the Safety tab.

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Growth hormone after one dose of a safed musli and velvet bean blend (15 men, no control group)

Not enough evidence

In 15 exercise-trained men, one dose of a two-ingredient blend was followed by a short-term rise in growth hormone. There was no placebo group, so it does not show that safed musli did this.

1 studiesInvestigational blend with Chlorophytum borivilianum and velvet bean;…

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

Alleman 2011: 15 healthy, exercise-trained men took the supplement on two days a week apart. Growth hormone rose from 0.18 ng/mL before to 1.56 ng/mL at 60 minutes, 1.76 at 80 and 1.48 at 100 minutes, with large differences between men.

Results

Short-term rise in blood growth hormone.

Effect sizes as reported

+767% at 60 minutes (P = 0.04); individual responses varied widely.

Why this rating

No control group, two ingredients, single doses. A hormone rise is not shown to be a health benefit.

Form and dose studied

Investigational blend with Chlorophytum borivilianum and velvet bean; amounts not stated in the abstract.

Who was studied

Healthy exercise-trained men.

Limits

Uncontrolled; blend; product link possible but not stated.

Why researchers looked

Both ingredients had been proposed to release growth hormone.

Traditional use

Rasayana tonic.

Proposed mechanism None

Not shown.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Raising growth hormone is a hormone effect; see the Safety tab.

Self-rated sleep quality after 28 days of a safed musli and velvet bean blend (18 people, no control group)

Not enough evidence

Eighteen adults with poor sleep rated their sleep better after 28 days of a two-ingredient blend, with no change in basic blood tests. With no placebo group this could be a placebo effect.

1 studiesExperimental blend; amounts not stated in the abstract.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

McCarthy 2012: 18 healthy, active men and women with impaired sleep took the blend daily for 28 days. Every category of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index improved (P < 0.05), most by about 50%. Heart rate, blood pressure and blood tests did not change and no adverse outcomes were noted.

Results

Better self-rated sleep; unchanged safety measures.

Effect sizes as reported

About 50% improvement in most PSQI categories (no confidence intervals in the abstract).

Why this rating

No placebo group, 18 people, two ingredients, self-rated outcome.

Form and dose studied

Experimental blend; amounts not stated in the abstract.

Who was studied

Healthy active adults with impaired sleep quality.

Limits

Uncontrolled; blend; short.

Why researchers looked

The same research group that tested the growth hormone blend tested sleep.

Traditional use

Not a described traditional sleep remedy in the sources we read.

Proposed mechanism None

Not shown.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

No adverse outcomes in the abstract, in 18 people over 28 days.

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Blood sugar and blood fats (diabetic and stressed rats; no human trial)

Not enough evidence

In rats made diabetic with a chemical, a water extract of safed musli root kept blood sugar, HbA1c and blood fats closer to normal. No human trial was found, so it cannot be used in place of diabetes treatment.

3 studiesAqueous root extract in rats (125 to 500 mg/kg/day).

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

None for safed musli. A 2023 paper that matched the search terms is about the breakfast cereal muesli, not the herb, and is excluded.

Results

Rats given 250 and 500 mg/kg/day for 28 days had lower blood glucose and HbA1c and better insulin and fats than untreated diabetic rats. A stress study also found a water extract brought raised glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol back down in stressed rats.

Effect sizes as reported

No human effect sizes.

Why this rating

Rat studies only.

Form and dose studied

Aqueous root extract in rats (125 to 500 mg/kg/day).

Who was studied

Male rats.

Limits

Chemically induced diabetes in rats; no human data.

Why researchers looked

Traditional tonic; antioxidant activity suggested protection of the pancreas.

Traditional use

Not described as a diabetes remedy in the sources we read.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

In rats the extract preserved insulin-making beta cells and reduced oxidative stress in the pancreas.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Because of the animal blood-sugar effect, people on diabetes medicines should ask a pharmacist; see the Safety tab.

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Anti-stress and antioxidant activity (rats and test tubes)

Not enough evidence

In rats a water extract lowered stress hormone and stomach-ulcer signs about as well as diazepam, and in test tubes extracts mopped up free radicals. None of this has been shown in people.

2 studiesAqueous extract in rats; crude and saponin extracts in test tubes.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

None on stress. The only human performance trial used the word adaptogenic but measured exercise tests.

Results

Rats at 250 mg/kg: lower corticosterone, ulcer index and adrenal weight (like diazepam). Crude extract and saponin fraction scavenged free radicals in the lab.

Effect sizes as reported

No human effect sizes.

Why this rating

Animal and test-tube data only.

Form and dose studied

Aqueous extract in rats; crude and saponin extracts in test tubes.

Who was studied

Rats; test tubes.

Limits

Antioxidant results in test tubes rarely carry over to people.

Why researchers looked

An adaptogen (stress-resilience) reputation.

Traditional use

General Rasayana tonic.

Proposed mechanism Animal and lab

Free-radical scavenging in test tubes; lower corticosterone in rats.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None reported in the abstracts.

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Inflammation and arthritis (isolated saponins in rats)

Not enough evidence

Saponins isolated from safed musli root reduced paw swelling and arthritis signs in rats. This is a lab finding on one fraction, not on the whole root, and no human trial exists.

1 studiesIsolated saponins (3 to 30 mg/kg in rats).

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

None.

Results

Reduced swelling in four rat models at 3 to 30 mg/kg; lower HDAC level in paw tissue at 30 mg/kg.

Effect sizes as reported

No human effect sizes.

Why this rating

One rat study of an isolated fraction.

Form and dose studied

Isolated saponins (3 to 30 mg/kg in rats).

Who was studied

Rats.

Limits

Isolated saponins, not whole root.

Why researchers looked

The root is used traditionally for arthritis and inflammation.

Traditional use

Traditional use for arthritis and inflammation per the study authors.

Proposed mechanism Animal research

The authors suggest blocking histamine, prostaglandin and histone deacetylase (HDAC).

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Saponins can irritate the gut in general; see the Safety tab.

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Immune cells (polysaccharide fraction in cells and rats)

Not enough evidence

A hot-water polysaccharide fraction from safed musli boosted natural killer cell activity in human blood cells in a dish and improved immune responses in rats. No human immune trial exists.

1 studiesHot-water polysaccharide fraction; aqueous extract in rats.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

None (human cells in a dish only).

Results

Stimulated NK cell killing in vitro; the aqueous extract improved antibody responses in rats.

Effect sizes as reported

None in humans.

Why this rating

Lab and rat work only.

Form and dose studied

Hot-water polysaccharide fraction; aqueous extract in rats.

Who was studied

Human blood cells in vitro; rats.

Limits

Immune stimulation could be unwanted in autoimmune disease; this is not studied here.

Why researchers looked

Ayurvedic Rasayana herbs are described as immune-strengthening.

Traditional use

Rasayana tonic.

Proposed mechanism Lab

The fraction was about 31% inulin-type fructans and 25% acetylated mannans of the hot-water-soluble extract and stimulated natural killer cells in vitro.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

Not studied in people.

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Lifespan in yeast and worms; cancer-cell toxicity in a dish

Not enough evidence

A small polysaccharide from safed musli lengthened the life of yeast and roundworms, and extracts killed some human cancer cells in a dish. These are early laboratory results with no meaning yet for people.

2 studiesPolysaccharide fraction; crude and saponin extracts in the lab.

Studies, doses and limits

What the trials found

None.

Results

Yeast median lifespan up to 41% longer and roundworm up to 10% longer; crude extract and saponin fraction were toxic to breast (MCF-7), prostate (PC3) and colon (HCT-116) cancer cell lines, most to MCF-7.

Effect sizes as reported

None in humans.

Why this rating

Simple organisms and cells in a dish.

Form and dose studied

Polysaccharide fraction; crude and saponin extracts in the lab.

Who was studied

Yeast, worms, cell lines.

Limits

Cell toxicity is not a cancer treatment and not a safety result.

Why researchers looked

Tradition says it delays ageing; one review lists anticancer activity.

Traditional use

Rasayana (rejuvenating) tonic.

Proposed mechanism Lab

Not established.

A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.

None.

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Connections to the rest of health

How Safed Musli connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.

Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes

Kind of connection Connected to Search

A. Wellness goals

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Male Fertility	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Semen quality and testosterone in healthy young men (water extract of root tuber, one trial): One 12-week placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 20 to 40 reported better semen measures and higher testosterone with a water extract of safed musli root. The abstract gives no numbers and it has not been repeated, so this is a lead, not a proven benefit.	^{16 18}
Mens Vitality	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Semen quality and testosterone in healthy young men (water extract of root tuber, one trial): One 12-week placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 20 to 40 reported better semen measures and higher testosterone with a water extract of safed musli root. The abstract gives no numbers and it has not been repeated, so this is a lead, not a proven benefit.	^{16 18}
Hormone Balance	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Semen quality and testosterone in healthy young men (water extract of root tuber, one trial): One 12-week placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 20 to 40 reported better semen measures and higher testosterone with a water extract of safed musli root. The abstract gives no numbers and it has not been repeated, so this is a lead, not a proven benefit.	^{16 18}
Physical Stamina	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Walking and exercise performance in healthy volunteers (3 g/day, one pilot trial): A 60-person pilot trial found longer walking distance and a lower diastolic blood pressure during a cycling test after two months of safed musli than after placebo. It is small, not repeated, and the abstract leaves out some details.	²¹
Endurance Support	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Walking and exercise performance in healthy volunteers (3 g/day, one pilot trial): A 60-person pilot trial found longer walking distance and a lower diastolic blood pressure during a cycling test after two months of safed musli than after placebo. It is small, not repeated, and the abstract leaves out some details.	²¹
Stress Resilience	Potential benefit	Low certainty	Walking and exercise performance in healthy volunteers (3 g/day, one pilot trial): A 60-person pilot trial found longer walking distance and a lower diastolic blood pressure during a cycling test after two months of safed musli than after placebo. It is small, not repeated, and the abstract leaves out some details.	²¹
Male Fertility		Not enough evidence	Sperm density and motility in men with low sperm count (three-plant powder mix): A powder mixing safed musli, velvet bean and Eulophia campestris was followed by better sperm density and motility in men with low sperm count over 90 days. Because it is a mix, it does not show what safed musli does on its own.	¹²
Libido Support		Not enough evidence	Libido and erections (the main traditional and marketed use; no controlled human trial found): Safed musli is sold as a sexual tonic and a natural alternative to Viagra. We found no controlled human trial on libido or erections. The support is traditional use, rat studies and cell tests.	^{10 3 9 4 19}
Mens Vitality		Not enough evidence	Libido and erections (the main traditional and marketed use; no controlled human trial found): Safed musli is sold as a sexual tonic and a natural alternative to Viagra. We found no controlled human trial on libido or erections. The support is traditional use, rat studies and cell tests.	^{10 3 9 4 19}
Hormone Balance		Not enough evidence	Growth hormone after one dose of a safed musli and velvet bean blend (15 men, no control group): In 15 exercise-trained men, one dose of a two-ingredient blend was followed by a short-term rise in growth hormone. There was no placebo group, so it does not show that safed musli did this.	¹
Muscle Recovery		Not enough evidence	Growth hormone after one dose of a safed musli and velvet bean blend (15 men, no control group): In 15 exercise-trained men, one dose of a two-ingredient blend was followed by a short-term rise in growth hormone. There was no placebo group, so it does not show that safed musli did this.	¹
Better Sleep		Not enough evidence	Self-rated sleep quality after 28 days of a safed musli and velvet bean blend (18 people, no control group): Eighteen adults with poor sleep rated their sleep better after 28 days of a two-ingredient blend, with no change in basic blood tests. With no placebo group this could be a placebo effect.	¹³
Blood Sugar Balance	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Blood sugar and blood fats (diabetic and stressed rats; no human trial): In rats made diabetic with a chemical, a water extract of safed musli root kept blood sugar, HbA1c and blood fats closer to normal. No human trial was found, so it cannot be used in place of diabetes treatment.	^{5 6 8}
Stress Reduction	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Anti-stress and antioxidant activity (rats and test tubes): In rats a water extract lowered stress hormone and stomach-ulcer signs about as well as diazepam, and in test tubes extracts mopped up free radicals. None of this has been shown in people.	^{8 2}
Antioxidant Support	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Anti-stress and antioxidant activity (rats and test tubes): In rats a water extract lowered stress hormone and stomach-ulcer signs about as well as diazepam, and in test tubes extracts mopped up free radicals. None of this has been shown in people.	^{8 2}
Joint Comfort	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Inflammation and arthritis (isolated saponins in rats): Saponins isolated from safed musli root reduced paw swelling and arthritis signs in rats. This is a lab finding on one fraction, not on the whole root, and no human trial exists.	¹¹
Inflammation Balance	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Inflammation and arthritis (isolated saponins in rats): Saponins isolated from safed musli root reduced paw swelling and arthritis signs in rats. This is a lab finding on one fraction, not on the whole root, and no human trial exists.	¹¹
Immune Support	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Immune cells (polysaccharide fraction in cells and rats): A hot-water polysaccharide fraction from safed musli boosted natural killer cell activity in human blood cells in a dish and improved immune responses in rats. No human immune trial exists.	²⁰
Healthy Ageing	Preliminary mechanism	Not enough evidence	Lifespan in yeast and worms; cancer-cell toxicity in a dish: A small polysaccharide from safed musli lengthened the life of yeast and roundworms, and extracts killed some human cancer cells in a dish. These are early laboratory results with no meaning yet for people.	^{15 2}

B. Body systems

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Reproductive System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Semen quality and testosterone in healthy young men (water extract of root tuber, one trial) Studied for: Sperm density and motility in men with low sperm count (three-plant powder mix)	^{16 18 12 10 3 9 4 19}
Endocrine System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Semen quality and testosterone in healthy young men (water extract of root tuber, one trial) Studied for: Growth hormone after one dose of a safed musli and velvet bean blend (15 men, no control group)	^{16 18 1 5 6 8}
Musculoskeletal System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Walking and exercise performance in healthy volunteers (3 g/day, one pilot trial) Studied for: Inflammation and arthritis (isolated saponins in rats)	^{21 11}
Cardiovascular System	Biological association	Low certainty	Studied for: Walking and exercise performance in healthy volunteers (3 g/day, one pilot trial)	²¹
Sleep Recovery	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Self-rated sleep quality after 28 days of a safed musli and velvet bean blend (18 people, no control group)	¹³
Nervous System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Anti-stress and antioxidant activity (rats and test tubes)	^{8 2}
Immune System	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Studied for: Inflammation and arthritis (isolated saponins in rats) Studied for: Immune cells (polysaccharide fraction in cells and rats)	^{11 20 15 2}

E. Health conditions

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Hormone-sensitive conditions		Pharmacological theory	Testosterone rose in one trial. Preparation or compound: Water extract of root tuber	¹⁶
Male fertility	Potential benefit	Low certainty	One placebo-controlled trial in healthy men; not replicated. Preparation or compound: Water extract of root tuber	¹⁶

I. Biomarkers

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Semen volume, sperm count and sperm motility	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{16 12}
Serum testosterone	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{16 18}
6-minute walk distance	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²¹
Diastolic blood pressure during a fixed cycling workload	Biological association	Low certainty	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²¹
Serum growth hormone	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹
Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: improved. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹³
Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	^{6 5}
Natural killer (NK) cell activity (in vitro)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	²⁰
Paw swelling and histone deacetylase (HDAC) level (rats)	Biological association	Not enough evidence	Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit.	¹¹

J. Genes, receptors and enzymes

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
HDAC (histone deacetylase)	Preliminary mechanism	Animal	Lowered by isolated saponins in rat paw tissue.	¹¹

K. Biological pathways

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Nitric oxide signalling	Preliminary mechanism	Lab	Extract raised nitric oxide release in cells.	¹⁹

L. Active compounds

Connected to	Kind of connection	Evidence status	Context	Studies
Saponins (steroidal; the main studied group)	Biological association	Animal and lab	Named as the main phytochemical group in the 2013 review. An isolated saponin fraction reduced inflammation in rats and was toxic to some cancer cell lines in a dish. Saponins as a class can irritate the gut. Preparation or compound: Root tuber	^{10 11 2}
Inulin-type fructans (polysaccharide)	Biological association	Lab	Part of a polysaccharide fraction that stimulated natural killer cells in vitro. Preparation or compound: Root tuber	²⁰
Acetylated mannans (polysaccharide)	Biological association	Lab	Same polysaccharide fraction as above. Preparation or compound: Root tuber	²⁰
Low-molecular-weight glucose polysaccharide (about 1000 Da)	Biological association	Lab	Extended lifespan in yeast and roundworms. Preparation or compound: Root tuber	¹⁵

Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).

Evidence at a glance: what changed in 8 lab markers

Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.

Other35

The evidence

The research centre for Safed Musli. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.

Evidence by outcome

Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).

How we rate evidence

High certainty

Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.

Moderate certainty

Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.

Low certainty

Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.

Very low certainty

Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.

Mixed findings

Trials or reviews disagree with each other.

Not enough evidence

Not enough human research to say either way.

Evidence against

Good research found no benefit, or found harm.

We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing safed musli summary, re-fetched its PubMed records and read their abstracts, and searched PubMed for further human, safety and quality studies. We checked plant names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy. NCCIH, EMA, LiverTox and LactMed were checked quickly and nothing was found.

Study library: every study we checked 23

Design Research type Plant part Year from Search

Study	Design	People	Product, dose, length	Result
Alleman 2011 A blend of chlorophytum borivilianum and velvet bean increases serum growth hormone in exercise-trained men. Nutrition and Metabolic Insights · PMID 23946662 · DOI	Uncontrolled trial	15 15 healthy, exercise-trained men	Investigational dietary supplement containing Chlorophytum borivilianum and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) not stated single serving (amount not stated in the abstract) Two single-dose days, one week apart · vs None (before-and-after blood samples)	Growth hormone rose from 0.18 ng/mL before to 1.56 ng/mL at 60 minutes (+767%, P = 0.04), 1.76 at 80 minutes and 1.48 at 100 minutes. People varied a lot (area under the curve 0.49 to 61.2). A short-term rise in growth hormone after one dose of a two-ingredient blend. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Serum growth hormone at 0 and 20 to 120 minutes after the dose. Limitations: No placebo group, two ingredients, single doses, 15 men. A rise in one blood hormone is not a health benefit by itself. The authors call for placebo-controlled studies. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract; an investigational supplement was tested, so a product link is possible but not verified. Read: abstract
Ashraf 2013 Assessment of antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities of saponin and crude extracts of Chlorophytum borivilianum. The Scientific World Journal · PMID 24223502 · DOI	Lab study cell lab	Test-tube assays; human cancer cell lines (MCF-7 breast, PC3 prostate, HCT-116 colon)	Crude extract and total saponin fraction of C. borivilianum tubers tuber n/a n/a · vs n/a	The crude extract had stronger free-radical scavenging than the saponin fraction; the saponin fraction chelated iron better. Both were toxic to the three cancer cell lines, most strongly and selectively to MCF-7 breast cancer cells, and the crude extract was more toxic than the saponin fraction. Lab antioxidant and cell-killing activity; no meaning for people yet. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Antioxidant assays; cell survival. Limitations: Cells in a dish. Cell toxicity at lab concentrations is not evidence of treatment or of safety in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Chauhan 2014 A review on plants used for improvement of sexual performance and virility. BioMed Research International · PMID 25215296 · DOI	Narrative review review	Literature review of aphrodisiac plants	Many plants (safed musli among them per our existing summary) various n/a n/a · vs n/a	The abstract says herbal drugs have been "validated" for sexual behaviour and fertility and could give leads for new medicines. It does not name safed musli. Our existing summary states the review says the supporting studies do not stand critical assessment (summary-only; not in the abstract). Calls for better evidence rather than showing benefit in people. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Activity, mechanism and toxicity of plants used for sexual performance. Limitations: Abstract does not mention safed musli, and the statement about critical assessment is summary-only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Das 2016 Standardised extract of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) increases aphrodisiac potential besides being safe in male Wistar rats. Andrologia · PMID 26952773 · DOI	Animal study rat	Male Wistar rats	Standardised extract of C. borivilianum root root 125 and 250 mg/kg by mouth (rats) 54 days · vs Control (not described in the abstract)	Sexual behaviour improved to day 28; sperm count and motility rose. Sperm abnormality also rose at both doses, though by no more than 10%, which the authors judged would not cause infertility. More sperm and better motility in rats, with a small rise in abnormal sperm. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Sexual behaviour on days 14 and 28; sperm count, motility and abnormality at day 54. Limitations: Rat study. The small rise in abnormal sperm is a reproductive safety signal that has not been studied in men. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Giribabu 2014 Chlorophytum borivilianum root extract maintains near normal blood glucose, insulin and lipid profile levels and prevents oxidative stress in the pancreas of streptozotocin-induced adult male diabetic rats. International Journal of Medical Sciences · PMID 25249786 · DOI	Animal study rat	Streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats	Aqueous root extract of C. borivilianum root 250 and 500 mg/kg/day (rats) 28 days · vs Untreated diabetic rats	Treated diabetic rats kept near-normal body weight, blood glucose, HbA1c, lipids and insulin, with more islet beta cells and less pancreatic oxidative stress. Kept blood sugar and lipids near normal in diabetic rats. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Blood glucose, HbA1c, insulin, lipids, pancreas structure and oxidative-stress markers. Limitations: Rats only. No human trial of safed musli for blood sugar was found. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Giribabu 2014 Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed Musli) root extract prevents impairment in characteristics and elevation of oxidative stress in sperm of streptozotocin-induced adult male diabetic Wistar rats. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine · PMID 25104050 · DOI	Animal study rat	Streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats	Aqueous root extract of C. borivilianum root 250 and 500 mg/kg/day (rats) 28 days · vs Glibenclamide 600 ug/kg/day; untreated diabetic rats	The extract prevented sperm damage and oxidative stress, and fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were lower in treated diabetic rats. Protected sperm and lowered blood glucose in diabetic rats. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Sperm count, motility, viability, oxidative-stress markers; fasting glucose and HbA1c. Limitations: Rats with chemically induced diabetes; not applicable to people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Gowthami 2021 Status and consolidated list of threatened medicinal plants of India. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution · PMID 34054223 · DOI	Narrative review review	Review of threatened Indian medicinal plants (84 species)	n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a	Consolidates a list of 84 threatened medicinal plant species in India that are mostly collected from wild stands. The abstract does not name safed musli, so its place on the list is not confirmed from what we read. General conservation context. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Threat status and conservation of medicinal plants. Limitations: Safed musli is not named in the abstract, so the conservation claim for this plant rests on the 2013 review. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Kenjale 2007 Anti-stress and anti-oxidant effects of roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum (Santa Pau & Fernandes). Indian Journal of Experimental Biology · PMID 18072542	Animal and lab rat and cell lab	Stressed rats; test-tube antioxidant assays	Aqueous extract of C. borivilianum roots root 125 and 250 mg/kg for 7 days (rats) 7 days · vs Diazepam as reference drug	At 250 mg/kg the extract brought elevated glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and corticosterone back down and reduced stomach ulcer index and adrenal weight about as well as diazepam; 125 mg/kg was mildly active. It scavenged free radicals in test tubes. Anti-stress and antioxidant effects in rats and in the lab. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Plasma glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, corticosterone, ulcer index, adrenal weight; free-radical scavenging. Limitations: Animal and test-tube study only. Stress-induced rises in glucose were reversed, which is not the same as lowering normal blood sugar. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Kenjale 2008 Effects of Chlorophytum borivilianum on sexual behaviour and sperm count in male rats. Phytotherapy Research · PMID 18412148 · DOI	Animal study rat	Male Wistar rats	Aqueous extract of dried C. borivilianum roots root 125 or 250 mg/kg/day by mouth (rats) Behaviour to day 28; sperm count day 60 · vs Distilled water; sildenafil 4 mg/kg/day	Both doses increased measures of sexual behaviour (saturating after day 14) and sperm count, the latter dose-dependently. More sexual activity and higher sperm count in rats. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Sexual behaviour on days 1 to 28; sperm count on day 60. Limitations: Rat study with a water extract; effects in men are not known. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Khanam 2013 Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum): a review of its botany, ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry. Journal of Ethnopharmacology · PMID 24045177 · DOI	Narrative review review	Literature review (PubMed, SciFinder, Scopus, Web of Science, theses and books)	Chlorophytum borivilianum roots root tubers n/a n/a · vs n/a	Describes safed musli as an Ayurvedic Vajikaran Rasayana (rejuvenating, aphrodisiac) used for male impotency, rich in saponins, marketed as a herbal alternative to Viagra "without any side effects", with aphrodisiac, immunomodulatory and anticancer activity in lab studies. Calls the plant endangered because of commercial exploitation and low productivity and urges cultivation. Our existing summary says the same review reports adulteration with look-alike species (not in the abstract; summary-only). Mainly traditional and animal evidence; the "no side effects" claim is the review's wording, not a safety study. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Botany, traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology. Limitations: Narrative review, not systematic. Abstract shows no grading of evidence. The adulteration statement is summary-only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Lande 2015 Saponins isolated from roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum reduce acute and chronic inflammation and histone deacetylase. Journal of Integrative Medicine · PMID 25609369 · DOI	Animal study rat	Rats with induced paw swelling, granuloma and arthritis	Saponins isolated from C. borivilianum roots root 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg by mouth (rats) not stated in the abstract · vs Not described in the abstract	The isolated saponins reduced swelling in all four rat models, and 30 mg/kg lowered HDAC level in paw tissue. Anti-inflammatory effects of the saponin fraction in rats. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Paw swelling, granuloma weight, arthritis, histone deacetylase (HDAC) level. Limitations: Isolated saponins in rats, not the whole root. No human data. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Mahajan 2012 Efficacy of aphrodisiac plants towards improvement in semen quality and motility in infertile males. Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine · PMID 22499723 · DOI	Uncontrolled or unclear human and animal human and rat	Rats given neem oil to reduce fertility (40 days) and men with low sperm count (oligozoospermia) for 90 days (number not given)	Powder mixture of Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean), Chlorophytum borivilianum and Eulophia campestris not stated not stated 90 days in men; 40 days in rats · vs The abstract does not describe a comparison group in men	In rats the mixture reversed neem-oil damage to sperm and hormones. After 90 days in men, sperm density and motility rose, which the authors link to higher testosterone. No side effects were noticed. Better sperm density and motility, in a three-plant mix. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Sperm density and motility; testosterone, FSH and LH in rats; side effects. Limitations: Three plants together, so the effect of safed musli alone is unknown. Abstract gives no numbers, no group sizes and no comparison group for the men. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
McCarthy 2012 A dietary supplement containing chlorophytum borivilianum and velvet bean improves sleep quality in men and women. Integrative Medicine Insights · PMID 22778558 · DOI	Uncontrolled trial	18 18 healthy, active men and women with impaired sleep quality	Experimental dietary supplement containing Chlorophytum borivilianum and velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) not stated daily (amount not stated in the abstract) 28 days · vs None (before-and-after)	Every PSQI category improved (P < 0.05), most by about 50%. Resting heart rate, blood pressure and the blood tests did not change, and no adverse outcomes were noted. Better self-rated sleep after 28 days of a two-ingredient blend, with no change in safety tests. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); heart rate, blood pressure, blood count, metabolic and lipid panels as safety checks. Limitations: No placebo group, 18 people, two ingredients, self-rated outcome. Placebo effects cannot be ruled out. The authors say placebo-controlled trials are needed. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract; an experimental product was tested, so a product link is possible but not verified. Read: abstract
Mishra 2016 DNA barcoding: an efficient tool to overcome authentication challenges in the herbal market. Plant Biotechnology Journal · PMID 26079154 · DOI	Narrative review review	Review of DNA barcoding for herbal identity	n/a (general herbal market) n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a	DNA barcoding can identify herbal plants down to species and, with newer methods, in finished products; it should be combined with chemical fingerprinting for quality control. The abstract does not mention safed musli. Shows how mislabelled herbs can be caught; says nothing specific about safed musli. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Species identification of herbal raw drugs and finished products. Limitations: General review. Safed musli is not named in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Pannakal 2017 Longevity effect of a polysaccharide from Chlorophytum borivilianum on Caenorhabditis elegans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. PLoS ONE · PMID 28727758 · DOI	Lab study yeast and worm lab	Yeast and roundworms	Low-molecular-weight (about 1000 Da) polysaccharide fraction from C. borivilianum root n/a n/a · vs n/a	The fraction extended median lifespan by up to 41% in yeast and up to 10% in roundworms. Longer lifespan in yeast and worms; no meaning for people. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Median lifespan. Limitations: Simple organisms only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Rath 2013 Clinical evaluation of root tubers of Shweta Musali (Chlorophytum borivilianum L.) and its effect on semen and testosterone. Ayu · PMID 24501522 · DOI	Randomized trial	Healthy adult men aged 20 to 40 from an outpatient department in India (number not given in the abstract)	Water-soluble extract of C. borivilianum root tubers root tuber 500 mg twice a day 12 weeks · vs Placebo	The authors report highly significant improvement in the semen and testosterone measures with the extract compared with placebo. The abstract gives no numbers. Better semen measures and higher testosterone than placebo (no numbers in the abstract). Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Semen volume, liquefaction time, sperm count, sperm motility and serum testosterone. Limitations: Number of men, numbers and p values are not in the abstract. Healthy young men only, so it says nothing about men with low sperm count or low testosterone. Single report, not replicated in the sources read. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Sarkar 2022 Multi-mycotoxin analysis method using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and fluorescence detection in Indian medicinal herbs: Development and validation. Journal of Chromatography A · PMID 35853424 · DOI	Lab method lab	Lab method tested on five Indian herb powders, including safed musli	Dried safed musli (C. borivilianum) among five herbs root n/a n/a · vs n/a	The authors validated a test for nine regulated mycotoxins in giloy, ashwagandha, safed musli, shatavari and tulsi. The abstract reports recoveries of 71 to 110% but does not report how much mycotoxin real products contained. Shows mold toxins are a recognised quality concern for these herbs; no contamination rates for safed musli are given. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Accuracy of a test for nine regulated mold toxins (mycotoxins). Limitations: A testing-method paper, not a survey of products. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Smith 2021 Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review. Advances in Nutrition · PMID 33150931 · DOI	Systematic review	32 randomized trials of 13 single herbs in men aged 18 and over	Single herbal ingredients (13 herbs) various varied varied · vs Placebo or control	Nine of 32 studies showed a significant rise in testosterone; six were judged low risk of bias. The abstract names fenugreek seed extracts and ashwagandha root and root/leaf extracts as having positive effects, with some evidence for Asian red ginseng and forskolin root extract. Safed musli is not named in the abstract. Only a few herbs raised testosterone, and safed musli is not among those named in the abstract. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Testosterone, its fractions and binding proteins. Limitations: The abstract does not say whether the safed musli trial was included. Evidence was mostly in young men without low testosterone; doses and extracts varied widely. Funding and conflicts: PROSPERO CRD42020173623. Funding not stated in the abstract. Registration: PROSPERO CRD42020173623 Read: abstract
Thakur 2011 Improvement of penile erection, sperm count and seminal fructose levels in vivo and nitric oxide release in vitro by ayurvedic herbs. Andrologia · PMID 21486409 · DOI	Animal and lab rat and cell lab	Male Wistar rats; mouse macrophage cell line	Freeze-dried aqueous extracts of four herbs including C. borivilianum root 100 mg/kg (rats) not stated in the abstract · vs Control (not described in the abstract)	C. borivilianum showed a highly significant response on all measures in rats and in the cell test; nitric oxide release in cells matched the erection effect in rats. Higher erection index and sperm count in rats; more nitric oxide release in cells. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Penile erection index, sperm count, seminal fructose; nitric oxide release in cells. Limitations: Rats and cells only; four herbs tested together, results not compared with a drug. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Thakur 2011 Immunomodulatory Polysaccharide from Chlorophytum borivilianum Roots. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · PMID 21792363 · DOI	Animal and lab human cells and rat	Human blood immune cells in a dish; Wistar rats	Hot-water polysaccharide fraction of C. borivilianum (about 31% inulin-type fructans and 25% acetylated mannans of the hot-water-soluble extract) root n/a n/a · vs n/a	The polysaccharide fraction significantly stimulated NK cell activity in vitro, and the aqueous extract improved immune responses in rats. Immune-stimulating activity in cells and rats. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Natural killer (NK) cell activity in vitro; antibody response to sheep red blood cells in rats. Limitations: Cells and rats only. No human immune trial was found. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
Tripathi 2019 A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind comparative pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of Chlorophytum borivilianum on physical performance. Indian Journal of Pharmacology · PMID 31391682 · DOI	Randomized trial	60 60 healthy volunteers, randomized to herb or placebo	Chlorophytum borivilianum (preparation not described in the abstract) not stated in the abstract (root in traditional use) 3 g/day 2 months · vs Placebo, 3 g/day	Walk distance on day 60 was 468.3 with the herb versus 419.6 with placebo (units not given in the abstract; the abstract prints the herb-group spread as 0.4, which looks like a typo). 6-minute exercise test distance on day 60 was 2.92 versus 2.4. In the cycle test the diastolic blood pressure on day 60 was 75.8 with the herb versus 82.4 with placebo (P < 0.05). Handgrip results are not given in the abstract. Longer walking distance and lower diastolic blood pressure during a cycle test than placebo. Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: 6-minute walk test, 6-minute exercise test, fixed-workload cycle test (heart rate and blood pressure) and handgrip strength. Limitations: Small pilot trial of 60 healthy people, group sizes not stated in the abstract, 2 months, unreplicated. Blood pressure was measured during exercise only, not at rest. Funding not stated. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract
n/a 2026 Regulator and safety-database checks for safed musli: NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed, EMA Checked 2026-10-25 · Source	Database or regulator record n/a	n/a	n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a	NCCIH: a guessed page address returned 404 and no page was found. LiverTox and LactMed: NCBI Bookshelf searches for "Chlorophytum" returned 0 records for each. EMA: the site search returned HTTP 401 (blocked) and was not retried; no EU herbal monograph for Chlorophytum is known from the sources read. A PubMed search for Chlorophytum with liver injury, adverse event or pregnancy returned 0 results, and a search for "safed musli" with adverse, toxicity or poisoning returned five items, none a human safety report. n/a Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Absence from these databases means nothing was found, not that the herb is safe. EMA and NCCIH pages were not read. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: not-found
n/a 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match: Chlorophytum borivilianum and Chlorophytum tuberosum GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25) · Source	Database or regulator record n/a	n/a	n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a	Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & R.R.Fern. is ACCEPTED (exact match, confidence 99, key 2774899), family Asparagaceae. Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker is a separate ACCEPTED species (exact match, confidence 99, key 2774912). n/a Methods, limits and funding Outcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Taxonomy only; no information on medicinal identity or safety. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text

What we do not know yet

Only one placebo-controlled trial of safed musli alone on semen and testosterone, known from its abstract, with no numbers.
No controlled human trial on libido, erections or sexual satisfaction.
No trial in men with low sperm count, low testosterone or erectile dysfunction using safed musli alone.
No safety study of safed musli alone, no interaction study, and no data for pregnancy, breastfeeding or children.
No human trial for blood sugar, stress, inflammation or immunity.

How new research is added

New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.

Lab markers

What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".

Other 9

▲

Semen volume, sperm count and sperm motility

Raised in trials

Standard lab measures of how much semen there is, how many sperm it holds and how many swim well.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

They are the usual first tests of male fertility.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Lab measures are not the same as pregnancy or live birth, which were not studied.

Safety implication

None reported in the abstracts.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁶	Reported highly significant improvement versus placebo; numbers not in the abstract.	Healthy men aged 20 to 40	Water extract of root tuber, 500 mg twice a day, 12 weeks
¹²	Sperm density and motility rose after 90 days.	Men with low sperm count	Three-plant powder mix

^{16 12}

▲

Serum testosterone

Raised in trials

The amount of the main male sex hormone in blood.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Sold for male vitality; also checked as a hormone-safety signal.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

A higher number in healthy men is not proof of a health benefit.

Safety implication

Hormone-sensitive conditions: see the Safety tab.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹⁶	Reported higher than placebo; numbers not in the abstract.	Healthy men aged 20 to 40	Water extract of root tuber, 12 weeks
¹⁸	The review of herbs and testosterone names fenugreek and ashwagandha as having positive effects; safed musli is not named in the abstract.	Men in 32 trials	13 single herbs

^{16 18}

▲

6-minute walk distance

Raised in trials

How far a person walks in six minutes.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A simple test of stamina.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Healthy people in a small pilot; real-life meaning unclear.

Safety implication

None reported in the abstract.

Study	Result	People	Product
²¹	468.3 with the herb versus 419.6 with placebo on day 60 (units not stated in the abstract).	60 healthy volunteers	3 g/day for 2 months

²¹

▼

Diastolic blood pressure during a fixed cycling workload

Lowered in trials

The lower blood pressure number measured while pedalling a set workload.

Low certainty

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Checked as a stress response and a safety signal.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Measured during exercise only; resting pressure change is not reported in the abstract.

Safety implication

Possible added effect with blood pressure medicines (theory).

Study	Result	People	Product
²¹	75.8 with the herb versus 82.4 with placebo on day 60 (P < 0.05).	60 healthy volunteers	3 g/day for 2 months

²¹

▲

Serum growth hormone

Raised in trials

A pituitary hormone involved in growth and recovery; levels naturally rise and fall through the day.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Both blend ingredients were proposed to raise it.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Short-term spike without a control group.

Safety implication

Hormone effect; no long-term data.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹	From 0.18 to 1.56 ng/mL at 60 minutes after one dose (no control group).	15 exercise-trained men	Safed musli and velvet bean blend

●

Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

Improved in trials

A questionnaire where people rate their own sleep over the past month.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A standard self-rated measure of sleep quality.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Self-rated, no placebo group.

Safety implication

No change in heart rate, blood pressure or blood tests.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹³	All categories improved (P < 0.05), most by about 50%.	18 adults with impaired sleep	Safed musli and velvet bean blend, 28 days

¹³

▼

Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c

Lowered in trials

Blood sugar after an overnight fast, and the average blood sugar over about three months.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Basic diabetes measures.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Rats only.

Safety implication

Possible added effect with diabetes medicines (theory).

Study	Result	People	Product
⁶	Lower fasting glucose and HbA1c in treated diabetic rats.	Streptozotocin diabetic rats	Aqueous root extract 250 and 500 mg/kg/day, 28 days
⁵	Near-normal glucose and HbA1c, higher insulin.	Streptozotocin diabetic rats	Aqueous root extract, 28 days

^{6 5}

▲

Natural killer (NK) cell activity (in vitro)

Raised in trials

How well a type of immune cell kills target cells in a dish.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

A lab marker of immune stimulation.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Cells in a dish.

Safety implication

Unknown.

Study	Result	People	Product
²⁰	Significantly stimulated by the polysaccharide fraction.	Human blood cells in a dish	Hot-water polysaccharide fraction

²⁰

▼

Paw swelling and histone deacetylase (HDAC) level (rats)

Lowered in trials

Swelling of an inflamed rat paw, and an enzyme level in the paw tissue.

Not enough evidence

Results and what it means

Why it was measured

Standard animal models of inflammation.

Statistical vs. clinical meaning

Animal model.

Safety implication

Unknown.

Study	Result	People	Product
¹¹	Swelling reduced in four rat models; HDAC lowered at 30 mg/kg.	Rats	Isolated saponins 3 to 30 mg/kg

¹¹

Safety

What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.

Main points to know 4

Human safety data are thin. The small human trials we read reported no side effects (a three-plant mix in men for 90 days; a two-ingredient blend in 18 people for 28 days with unchanged blood tests). The 60-person pilot trial abstract does not report side effects. None of these was designed to find rare harms. Not finding warnings is not proof of safety. Human trial ^{12 13 21}
No pregnancy, breastfeeding, child or liver information. We found no safety data for pregnancy, breastfeeding or children, and no LiverTox or LactMed record. Avoid it as a medicine in these situations unless a clinician advises otherwise. Gap ²²
It can change hormones. One trial reported higher testosterone, and a blend raised growth hormone for a short time. People with hormone-sensitive conditions or on hormone treatment should talk to their clinician first. Human trial ^{16 1}
Quality problems: look-alikes and endangered wild stock. A 2013 review says the plant's high price has led to adulteration with look-alike species and that wild stocks are endangered. Product contents vary. Review ¹⁰

Side effects 3

Effect	How often	Severity and recovery	Evidence
No specific adverse effect has been established in people 'No side effects were noticed' in two small uncontrolled studies; the 2013 review's phrase 'without any side effects' is marketing-style wording, not a safety result.	Not established	Not rated Not stated	Gap ^{12 13}
Stomach and bowel upset from saponins (possible, not shown for safed musli) The root is rich in saponins. Saponins as a plant group can irritate the gut and may cause nausea, cramps or loose stools, but none of the human reports we read recorded this for safed musli, so this is a precaution, not a finding.	Not established	Not rated Not stated	Pharmacological theory ^{10 11}
Slightly more abnormal sperm in rats at both doses of a standardised extract Not studied in men.	Rats; rise of no more than 10% in abnormal sperm	Mild in the authors' view Not stated	Animal research ⁴

Liver

No LiverTox record exists (NCBI Bookshelf search returned 0) and a PubMed search for Chlorophytum with liver injury returned 0 results. The blend study that checked blood tests (18 people, 28 days) saw no change in its metabolic panel, but liver tests are not itemised in the abstract. ^{22 13}

How often. Unknown.

Monitoring. No monitoring advice was found. Stop and seek care for yellow eyes or skin, dark urine, severe itching or upper-right belly pain.

This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Safed Musli supports liver health.

Medicines and supplements 5

With	Why it matters	Importance	Evidence	What to do
Diabetes medicines and insulin prescription	Water extracts lowered raised blood sugar and HbA1c in diabetic and stressed rats.	Unknown; no interaction study or case report was found.	Animal and theory Not enough evidence ^{6 5 8}	Tell your doctor or pharmacist before using it and keep checking your blood sugar. Do not change medicines on your own.
Blood pressure medicines prescription	Diastolic pressure during a cycling test was lower than placebo in one 60-person pilot trial.	Unknown; the change was measured during exercise in healthy people.	Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence ²¹	Ask a pharmacist, especially if you already take medicines that lower blood pressure.
Erectile-dysfunction medicines and nitrates prescription	An extract increased nitric oxide release in a cell test and erection index in rats, and sildenafil was used as a comparison in a rat study.	Unknown; a theory only. Nitrates plus erectile-dysfunction drugs are already a known dangerous combination.	Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence ^{19 9}	If you take nitrates or erectile-dysfunction medicines, ask a pharmacist before adding safed musli.
Hormone treatments (testosterone, anti-androgen or hormone-blocking medicines) prescription	Testosterone rose in one trial; a blend raised growth hormone.	Unknown; no interaction study.	Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence ^{16 1}	Tell the clinician who manages your hormone treatment.
Velvet bean (Mucuna) and other blended ingredients supplement	Most human blend studies combined safed musli with velvet bean, which has its own effects.	Safed musli's own effect cannot be separated in those blends.	Human trial Not enough evidence ^{1 13 12}	Check labels for combined products and ask about the other ingredients too.

Who should check first 5

Situation	Advice	Evidence
Pregnancy, trying to conceive as a couple while the male partner uses it, or breastfeeding	No safety data. Avoid as a medicine unless a clinician advises otherwise. The partner's use is a separate question that no study has addressed.	Gap ²²
Hormone-sensitive conditions (for example prostate or breast cancer) or hormone treatment	Not studied. The herb raised testosterone in one trial and extracts affected cancer cells in a dish, so talk to your cancer or hormone clinician before using it.	Pharmacological theory ^{16 2}
Children and teenagers	No data. Avoid.	Gap ²²
Diabetes or low blood pressure on medicines	Ask a pharmacist; monitor as advised.	Pharmacological theory ^{6 21}
Before planned surgery	No data. Tell the surgical team about any supplement; the animal blood-sugar effect is the reason this is mentioned.	Pharmacological theory ⁵

Overdose, product quality and regulators

Summary. No formal human toxicity assessment was found. The best safety check in animals is a rat study of a standardised extract over 54 days.

Animal. Rats: a standardised extract at 125 and 250 mg/kg for 54 days increased sperm count and motility and slightly raised abnormal sperm (no more than 10%).

Human doses studied. Trials lasted 28 days to 12 weeks: 500 mg twice a day of a water extract for 12 weeks, 3 g/day for 2 months, and blends for 28 to 90 days.

High dose or long term signals. None reported in the abstracts. No trial longer than 12 weeks was found.

Overdose response. Not found.

Genotoxicity. Not found.

Toxic plant parts. None described in the sources read. The root tuber is the medicinal part; no poisonous parts were noted.

Identity and quality are the main concerns: look-alike species, variable products and possible mold toxins.

Adulteration with look-alikes. The 2013 review says the plant's high value has led to adulteration with look-alike, inferior species (statement from our existing summary; not in the abstract). ¹⁰

Identity testing. DNA barcoding can identify species in raw herbs and finished products, but the review does not mention safed musli. ¹⁴

Mold toxins. A validated test for nine regulated mycotoxins was applied across five Indian herbs including safed musli. The abstract gives no contamination rates, so it shows the concern exists but not how common it is. ¹⁷

Related species. Chlorophytum tuberosum is a separate accepted species that is sometimes sold under the same trade name; trial results for C. borivilianum should not be assumed for it. ²³

Endangered wild stock. The 2013 review calls the plant endangered from over-collection; a 2021 list of threatened Indian medicinal plants does not name it in the abstract. ^{10 7}

Body	Action	Date
LiverTox and LactMed (NIH) (United States)	NCBI Bookshelf searches for Chlorophytum returned 0 records for each. source	2026-10-25

When to get medical help

Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing, or a widespread rash: stop and get emergency care.
Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or severe upper-right belly pain: stop and see a doctor.
Fainting, severe dizziness or a racing heart, especially if you take blood pressure, diabetes or erectile-dysfunction medicines.
Severe or lasting vomiting, cramps or diarrhoea.

Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.

General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is safed musli?

It is the white root tuber of Chlorophytum borivilianum, an Indian plant used in Ayurveda as a tonic, mostly for male sexual health and strength.

^{10 23}

Does safed musli work like Viagra?

We found no controlled human trial on erections or libido. Rat and cell studies suggest effects, and a review calls it a herbal alternative to Viagra, but that is a marketing phrase, not a tested result.

^{10 19 9}

Does it raise testosterone?

One placebo-controlled trial in healthy men aged 20 to 40 reported higher testosterone after 12 weeks, but the abstract gives no numbers and it has not been repeated. A review of herbs and testosterone named other herbs, not safed musli, in its abstract.

^{16 18}

Can it help sperm count or fertility?

One small trial in healthy men reported better semen measures, and a three-plant mix was followed by better sperm density in men with low counts. Pregnancy outcomes were not studied, and the mix cannot be credited to safed musli alone.

^{16 12}

Does it improve stamina?

A pilot trial in 60 healthy people reported longer walk distance and lower diastolic blood pressure during a cycling test after two months. It is small and unrepeated.

²¹

Does it help with blood sugar?

Only in diabetic rats so far. No human trial was found, so it should not replace diabetes treatment.

^{5 6}

Is safed musli safe?

Small studies reported no side effects, but they were short and not designed to find harm. There are no liver case reports, no interaction studies and no pregnancy data. Saponins as a group can upset the stomach.

^{12 13 22}

Is it safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

No safety data exist, so avoid it unless a clinician advises otherwise.

²²

Does it interact with medicines?

No interaction study was found. As a precaution, ask a pharmacist if you take diabetes, blood pressure, erectile-dysfunction or nitrate medicines, or hormone treatment.

^{6 21 19}

Can people with hormone-sensitive conditions use it?

It has not been studied. Testosterone rose in one trial, so talk to the clinician who manages your condition first.

¹⁶

How can I avoid fake or mixed-up products?

Look for the Latin name Chlorophytum borivilianum and the part used. A review says look-alike roots are used to adulterate it, and a related species is sometimes sold under the same name.

^{10 23 14}

Is the plant endangered?

A 2013 review calls it endangered from over-collection and urges cultivation. Its formal conservation status is not confirmed from the sources we read.

^{10 7}

Explore by health goal

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Editorial transparency

Written by: AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
Medical review: None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
First published: 2026-10-25
Last substantive update: 2026-10-25
How we research: We started from our existing safed musli summary, re-fetched its PubMed records and read their abstracts, and searched PubMed for further human, safety and quality studies. We checked plant names in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy. NCCIH, EMA, LiverTox and LactMed were checked quickly and nothing was found.
How we rate evidence: See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
Independence: No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Industry-linked trials are flagged where the abstract shows it; two blend trials tested investigational supplements and funding is not stated.

Sources 23

Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.

Alleman RJ, Canale RE, McCarthy CG, Bloomer RJ. A blend of chlorophytum borivilianum and velvet bean increases serum growth hormone in exercise-trained men.. Nutrition and Metabolic Insights. 2011. PMID 23946662. DOI 10.4137/NMI.S8127. (abstract)
Ashraf MF, Abd Aziz M, Stanslas J, Ismail I. Assessment of antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities of saponin and crude extracts of Chlorophytum borivilianum.. The Scientific World Journal. 2013. PMID 24223502. DOI 10.1155/2013/216894. (abstract)
Chauhan NS, Sharma V, Dixit VK, Thakur M. A review on plants used for improvement of sexual performance and virility.. BioMed Research International. 2014. PMID 25215296. DOI 10.1155/2014/868062. (abstract)
Das S, Singhal S, Kumar N, Rao CM. Standardised extract of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) increases aphrodisiac potential besides being safe in male Wistar rats.. Andrologia. 2016. PMID 26952773. DOI 10.1111/and.12567. (abstract)
Giribabu N, Kumar KE, Rekha SS, Muniandy S. Chlorophytum borivilianum root extract maintains near normal blood glucose, insulin and lipid profile levels and prevents oxidative stress in the pancreas of streptozotocin-induced adult male diabetic rats.. International Journal of Medical Sciences. 2014. PMID 25249786. DOI 10.7150/ijms.9056. (abstract)
Giribabu N, Kumar KE, Rekha SS, Muniandy S. Chlorophytum borivilianum (Safed Musli) root extract prevents impairment in characteristics and elevation of oxidative stress in sperm of streptozotocin-induced adult male diabetic Wistar rats.. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014. PMID 25104050. DOI 10.1186/1472-6882-14-291. (abstract)
Gowthami R, Sharma N, Pandey R, Agrawal A. Status and consolidated list of threatened medicinal plants of India.. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 2021. PMID 34054223. DOI 10.1007/s10722-021-01199-0. (abstract)
Kenjale RD, Shah RK, Sathaye SS. Anti-stress and anti-oxidant effects of roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum (Santa Pau & Fernandes).. Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. 2007. PMID 18072542. (abstract)
Kenjale R, Shah R, Sathaye S. Effects of Chlorophytum borivilianum on sexual behaviour and sperm count in male rats.. Phytotherapy Research. 2008. PMID 18412148. DOI 10.1002/ptr.2369. (abstract)
Khanam Z, Singh O, Singh R, Bhat IU. Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum): a review of its botany, ethnopharmacology and phytochemistry.. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2013. PMID 24045177. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2013.08.064. (abstract)
Lande AA, Ambavade SD, Swami US, Adkar PP. Saponins isolated from roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum reduce acute and chronic inflammation and histone deacetylase.. Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2015. PMID 25609369. DOI 10.1016/S2095-4964(15)60157-1. (abstract)
Mahajan GK, Mahajan AY, Mahajan RT. Efficacy of aphrodisiac plants towards improvement in semen quality and motility in infertile males.. Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine. 2012. PMID 22499723. DOI 10.1515/1553-3840.1520. (abstract)
McCarthy CG, Alleman RJ, Bell ZW, Bloomer RJ. A dietary supplement containing chlorophytum borivilianum and velvet bean improves sleep quality in men and women.. Integrative Medicine Insights. 2012. PMID 22778558. DOI 10.4137/IMI.S9720. (abstract)
Mishra P, Kumar A, Nagireddy A, Mani DN, et al.. DNA barcoding: an efficient tool to overcome authentication challenges in the herbal market.. Plant Biotechnology Journal. 2016. PMID 26079154. DOI 10.1111/pbi.12419. (abstract)
Pannakal ST, Jager S, Duranton A, et al.. Longevity effect of a polysaccharide from Chlorophytum borivilianum on Caenorhabditis elegans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.. PLoS ONE. 2017. PMID 28727758. DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0179813. (abstract)
Rath SK, Panja AK. Clinical evaluation of root tubers of Shweta Musali (Chlorophytum borivilianum L.) and its effect on semen and testosterone.. Ayu. 2013. PMID 24501522. DOI 10.4103/0974-8520.123118. (abstract)
Sarkar R, Shinde R, Dhanshetty M, et al.. Multi-mycotoxin analysis method using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and fluorescence detection in Indian medicinal herbs: Development and validation.. Journal of Chromatography A. 2022. PMID 35853424. DOI 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463310. (abstract)
Smith SJ, Lopresti AL, Teo SYM, Fairchild TJ. Examining the Effects of Herbs on Testosterone Concentrations in Men: A Systematic Review.. Advances in Nutrition. 2021. PMID 33150931. DOI 10.1093/advances/nmaa134. (abstract)
Thakur M, Thompson D, Connellan P, Deseo MA. Improvement of penile erection, sperm count and seminal fructose levels in vivo and nitric oxide release in vitro by ayurvedic herbs.. Andrologia. 2011. PMID 21486409. DOI 10.1111/j.1439-0272.2010.01068.x. (abstract)
Thakur M, Connellan P, Deseo MA, et al.. Immunomodulatory Polysaccharide from Chlorophytum borivilianum Roots.. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011. PMID 21792363. DOI 10.1093/ecam/neq012. (abstract)
Tripathi RK, Dethe PD, Bhojne SK, Raut AA. A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind comparative pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of Chlorophytum borivilianum on physical performance.. Indian Journal of Pharmacology. 2019. PMID 31391682. DOI 10.4103/ijp.IJP_115_18. (abstract)
n/a. Regulator and safety-database checks for safed musli: NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed, EMA. Checked 2026-10-25. 2026. (not-found)
n/a. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match: Chlorophytum borivilianum and Chlorophytum tuberosum. GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)

Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.