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Overview: Safed musli is a plant called Chlorophytum borivilianum. Safed musli is available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement in various oral forms, including capsules, tablets, and dried root powder. People take Safed musli for many reasons, such as sexual performance, low sperm count, diabetes, and general weakness, although its benefits are not well defined. Safed musli seems to be well tolerated, but there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be.

Uses

What is safed musli used for?

Safed musli (C. borivilianum) is used for various reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons why people may take safed musli include the following.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed safed musli for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does safed musli work (mechanism of action)?

Safed musli is a plant called Chlorophytum borivilianum. It is also sometimes called safed moosli, white musli, or Indian spider plant. Safed musli supplements are usually made using the roots of the plant.

Safed musli contains natural plant compounds called saponins, which are thought to be the main active ingredient. Saponins are thought to have effects in the body that may be similar to certain hormones, which is why safed musli is sometimes used for sexual performance and male fertility. In animal studies, safed musli root extract has been shown to increase sperm count and improve various measures of sexual activity. However, these effects have not been confirmed in humans.

Safed musli also contains complex sugars called fructans. In animal studies, these sugars have been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. This is why safed musli is sometimes used for diabetes or high blood sugar. Animal studies suggest that the complex sugars from safed musli may stimulate certain immune cells. Again, these effects have not been confirmed in humans.

In a small study on healthy adults, safed musli improved walking and exercise performance after one to two months but did not clearly improve hand strength. The saponins and complex sugars in safed musli may help the body use energy, reduce lactic acid buildup, and protect cells from exercise-related stress. However, these effects are not well proven.

Safed musli may also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, meaning it may help protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation. In animal studies, safed musli root extract reduced markers of inflammation, including chemicals called cytokines and an enzyme called COX-2, which play a role in pain and swelling. Musli extract also reduced swelling and joint damage in rats. However, these effects have not been confirmed in humans.

Overall, the actual effects of safed musli in humans are not well understood, and there is not enough evidence to support most uses of safed musli.

Herbal products like safed musli naturally contain many different chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific safed musli product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store safed musli?

You should store safed musli according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of safed musli?

Safed musli seems to be well tolerated. But there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of safed musli?

While less common, the most serious side effects of safed musli are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Safed musli may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking safed musli and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use safed musli?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take safed musli.

  • Indian spider plant
  • Safed musli
  • White musli
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific safed musli products they stock.

What should I know about safed musli before using it?

Safed musli is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep safed musli out of the reach of children.

Safed musli is available in many different forms, including capsules, tablets, dried root powder, and liquid extracts. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals naturally found in the plant. The amount of each chemical in a specific safed musli product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Safed musli products are known to sometimes be mixed with or replaced by cheaper herbal ingredients that are not listed on the label. These herbs may not have the same effects and could pose unknown risks.

Use caution when buying a safed musli supplement. Some supplements that are marketed for sexual performance, including safed musli products, have also been found to contain harmful chemicals or prescription medicines that are not listed on the label. These hidden medicines can cause serious side effects and interactions. Find a list of potentially harmful products from the FDA here.

The FDA has not tested safed musli products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using safed musli?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Also tell them if you have an upcoming surgery planned. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Safed musli may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using safed musli, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Diabetes

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how safed musli could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if safed musli passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does safed musli interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between safed musli and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect safed musli.

Does safed musli interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are taking any medicines for diabetes. Some animal research suggests that safed musli could raise the risk of having low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) if used with diabetes medicines. But this interaction has not been confirmed in humans.

The interactions between safed musli and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with safed musli is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking safed musli with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much safed musli?

If you or someone else has used too much safed musli, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Safed musli comes in a range of doses and forms. Read the product label closely and speak to a health care provider about how to use safed musli safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.