Cultivation and processing technologies of safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum)

摘要

Dried roots of Chlorophytum species, popularly known as safed musli in trade in India, are considered as one of the most important drugs in Indian systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha) due to its aphrodisiac and sex tonic properties. Musliroots are the major constituents of more than 100 Ayurvedic formulations. The genus Chlorophytum is represented by about 175 valid taxa of rhizomatous herbs, distributed predominantly in tropical forest of the world; some of these species are reported tobe cultivated for their ornamental values. Out of these, 13 species are reported to occur in India. At least 6-7 Chlorophytum species are supposed to be collected and used in indigenous system of medicine and the roots of all the species are referred to as safed musli. However, Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & Fernandes is preferred over other species, and fetches higher prices due to its better medicinal properties.