Musali Asparagus adscendens - Medicinal Properties, Photographs & Uses

Musali Asparagus adscendens is a medicinal plant. It is known by different names in Ayurveda, such as – Talamuli, Musali, Chamara Musali etc. Musali Asparagus adscendens is known for its aphrodisiac property which enhances sexual power. The Ayurvedic classics mention two varieties of Musali viz. Shweta (white) and Krishna (black). The word Musali alone denotes the white variety, which is commonly used. The white variety is commonly known as Safed Musali and the black variety as Kali Musali. Though the black varieties are supposed to the superior in properties, both the varieties have, more or less, similar properties and uses. In this article both are described together.

Literary Review

In the Vedas, the descriptions regarding the plant Musali Asparagus adscendens is not available.
Description of Musali Asparagus adscendens is not available in Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam.
In Sushruta Samhita, Musali Asparagus adscendens is mentioned in Chikitsa sthana 7th chapter and Uttara Sthana 51st chapter. Sushruta has mentioned the therapeutic efficiency of Musali.
Raja Nighantu, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Priya Nighantu and Kaiyadev Nighantu has given synonyms, guna (properties) and karma (actions) of Musali Asparagus adscendens.
In Danwantari Nighantu the plant Musali is not mentioned.

Types & Varieties

Musali is classified into two types:

Kali Musali – Curculigo Orchioides Gaerttu (Amaryllidaceae)

Safed Musali – Asparagus Adscendens Roxb (Liliaceae)

Also, following varieties of Safed Musali is found –

Chlorophytum Laxum Br.
Chlorophytum Tuberosum Baker
Ampelocissus Araneosa Planch (Vitaceae)

Tala muli is a Sanskrit synonym of Kali Musali.

Synonyms

In Ayurveda, many synonyms of Musali Asparagus adscendens plant has been described in Sanskrit. Few of them are listed below –

Shveta
Talapatrika – Resembles roots like that of tala (Taal)
Dholi
Hiranya Pushpee
Godhapadi
Karjuri
Bhutali – Ground Palm
Kalini
Samaraja – Its stem is deep reddish colour
Talapatri – Leaves resemble tender leaves of tala

Tejaraja – Its mucilaginous taste
Vrushakanda
Bhoraja – stem of plant flat and divided by grooves into 3 columns
Mousali – Cut the doshas and cure diseases
Musali – It destroys Guda (rectum) and vata roga
Madavruksha
Talamuli – Resembles root like Tala
Vrukshakanda
Suvaha
Talamulika – Resembles root like tala

Godhapadi
Soukari
Hemapushpee – Rootstock long, tuberous and flower bright yellow
Mahapushpa
Kanchana Puspika
Varahi – Tuberous underground portion of plant is dug up by boar of eating
Kamaraja – A reddish brown tuberous root, strongly astringent
Deergha Kandika – Resembles roots like that of tala
Uchchata

Classical Categorization

In Ayurvedic classics, plants have been categorised under Varga and Gana. Like wise Musali Asparagus adscendens comes under –

According to Priya Nighantu – Saradi varga

According to Prof P.V. Sharma – Vrushyadi varga, Sukrajanana gana

Vernacular Names

Musali Asparagus adscendens is known by different names in different languages. Have a look below –

Sanskrit – Musali
English – Musali
Hindi – Musali, Hazar Muli, Shatavari, Shatmuli
Marathi – Safed Musali
Gujarati – Dholi Musali, Ujali Musali
Malayalam – Tannir Vettang, Shedeveli
Punjabi – Syahoo Musali
Bengali – Dholi Musali, Talamuli
Kannada – Bili Musali
Tamil – Nilapana, Nilappanaikkilanku
Oriya – Talamuli, Talamulika

Systemic Classification

Kingdom – Plantae
Subkingdom – Phenerogamae
Division – Angiospermae
Class – Monocotyledons
Subclass – Liliforae
Nature order/ Family – Liliaceae
Genus – Asparagus
Species – Adscendens

Useful Parts

The useful part of Musali Asparagus adscendens for medicinal purpose Mula (roots).

Dosage

Churnas (root powder) – 3 – 6 gm

Ayurvedic Properties

In Ayurveda, properties of every plants / drug are described by Rasa, Guna, Veerya, Vipaka and doshaghnata. Have a look below to know about Ayurvedic properties of Musali Asparagus adscendens –

Rasa – Madura
Guna – Guru, Snigdha
Veerya – Sheeta
Vipaka – Madhura
Doshaghnata – Vata Pitta Shamaka, Kapha Vardhaka

Indications of Musali Asparagus adscendens

Musali Asparagus adscendens is indicated in following diseases –

Arsha (piles), Dourbalya (debility or weakness), Asthi Bhanga (bone fracture), Kamala (jaundice), Shula (Abdominal colic and pain), Mutrakrichchha (dysuria), Pravahika (diarrhoea) Atisara (dysentery) etc.

External Uses

Musali prepared as a paste with goats milk or honey and applied locally increases complexion of face or skin.

Internal Uses

1 Tola (12 gm) Musali Churna mixed with equal quantity of sugar if taken with milk helps to cure the Napusmakata (impotency), Pradara (menstrual disorders), Svapnasrava (nocturnal emission/ nightfall), Atisara (dysentery), Pravahika (diarrhoea) etc.
Badhiryam (Deafness) – Churna of Musali and bakuchi to be taken with Ghee or honey.
For Mukhakanti (face glow), as a cosmetic to brighten the complexion of the face, Musali prepared as a paste with goats milk or honey and applied locally over the face.
Vrushyam (aphrodisiac) – Musali powder to be taken with Ghee followed by milk.
Aphrodisiac – Powder of Musali root, Guduchi satva, Kapikachchhu, Gokshura, Shalmali and Amalaki are milxed together in the proper ratio. It is mixed with milk added with Ghee and taken orally. This formula helps to arouse sexual urge.
Tubers boiled in milk and sugar are used in Spermatorrhoea, Chronic Leucorrhea, also in Diarrhoea, Dysentery and general debility.