Vol. 11, Issue 12 (2022)

Author(s):
Poonam Dhanda, Shweta Sura, Shweta Lathar, Nidhi Shoekand, Partishtha, Harshita and Dr. Neeraj Sethi

Abstract:
Herbs are the reserve of plentiful valuable remedies of natural origin. Quite a few dynamic fundamentals are still obtained in huge quantities through them till date. One of them is Safed musli that grows in an extensive range of places in nature. It is grown in open rocky places to shady and highly humus rich soils in the forest. Thirteen well known species of Chlorophytum have been obtained from India. All these species vary in appearance. Amongst these, C. borivilianum (Liliaceae) produces the maximum yield and highest saponin concentration. Safed musli is a conventional Indian medicinal herb possessing therapeutic applications in Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, Homeopathic and Allopathic systems of medicine. Roots (tubers) of this plant are frequently employed for numerous remedial applications as it is rich in phytoconstituents like steroidal and triterpenoidal saponins, sapogenins and fructans. Research findings have suggested that safed musli contains alkaloids, proteins, vitamins, minerals (potassium, calcium, and magnesium), phenol, resins, and mucilage. Sufficient amount of simple sugars, mainly sucrose, glucose, monomeric fructose, hexose galactose, mannose and xylose are also reported in C. borivilianum. Safed musli is used to increase immunity and to cure diarrhea, dysentery, leucorrhea, gonorrhea, physical illness, natal and postnatal problems, rheumatism, joint pains and diabetes. Safed musli is widely employed as an stimulant agent, revitalizer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antitumor agent. Tropical and subtropical Africa is probably the centre of origin of the genus, where about 85% of the species are established in India.