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Krishna Musli

Botanical Name: Curculigo orchioides Gaertn.
Family: Hypoxidaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/283

Introduction:

Curculigo orchioides, commonly known as Kali Musli, is a highly valued herb in Ayurveda for its Rasayana (rejuvenative) and Vrishya (aphrodisiac) properties. It is considered a potent herb for improving vitality, immunity, and reproductive health. Classical texts and folklore mention its use in managing male infertility, general debility, and urinary disorders.

Scientific classification:

Belongs to the order Asparagales, family Hypoxidaceae. Closely related species include Curculigo latifolia and Curculigo capitulata, which have similar traditional uses in Southeast Asian systems of medicine.

Names in different Indian languages:

  • English: Black Musli
  • Hindi: Kali Musli
  • Kannada: Nelatengu, Kari Musli
  • Malayalam: Nilappana
  • Sanskrit: Talamuli, Musali, Kala Musali, Nilasiri
  • Tamil: Nilappanai
  • Telugu: Nelatadi, Nallamusali

Synonyms:

तालमूली तु विद्वद्भिर्मूशली परिकीर्तिता |

Talamuli, Nilasiri, Krishnamusali, Shyaama, Nilaja, Krishnashali

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata:

  • Charaka: Balya, Brimhaniya, Vajikarana
  • Susrutha: Vrishya, Stanyajanana
  • Vagbhata: Rasayana, Balya

Varieties & adulterants

  1. Asparagus adscendens – CV
  2. Chlorophytum borivilianum – AD
  3. Curculigo latifolia – CV/AD
  4. Eulophia spp. – AD
  5. Asparagus racemosus (misidentified as Musali) – AD

Morphology:

  • Small tuberous herb, 15–30 cm tall
  • Leaves: Linear-lanceolate, sheathing at the base, 20–40 cm long
  • Roots/Rhizomes: Black outside, yellowish-white inside, fibrous
  • Flowers: Solitary, yellow, borne at ground level
  • Fruits: Capsules with numerous seeds

Habitat & Distribution:

Found in sub-tropical and tropical forest regions of India – Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, and central India. Grows well in moist and shaded forest undergrowth.

Chemical composition:

  • Curculigoside A & B (phenolic glycosides)
  • Alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids
  • Starch, mucilage, polyphenols
  • Triterpenoids, polysaccharides
  • Minerals: Calcium, potassium, magnesium

Properties:

  • Rasa: Madhura, Tikta
  • Guna: Guru, Snigdha
  • Virya: Ushna
  • Vipaka: Madhura
  • Karma: Balya, Vrishya, Rasayana, Stanyajanana, Tridoshaghna

Indications:

  • Reproductive system: Male infertility, low sperm count, erectile dysfunction
  • General debility: Fatigue, low immunity, post-illness recovery
  • Urinary disorders: Dysuria, urinary tract infections
  • Musculoskeletal system: Arthritis, joint pain
  • Skin disorders, menstrual irregularities, diabetes

External uses:

  • Powder or paste applied with milk for skin rejuvenation
  • Decoction used in vaginal wash in leucorrhoea (folk practice)
  • Leaf extract used in wound healing (less common)

Internal uses:

  • Reproductive system: Promotes spermatogenesis, improves libido
  • Musculoskeletal: Strengthens muscles, reduces inflammation in joints
  • Digestive: Improves appetite and digestion
  • Urinary: Diuretic, helpful in urinary tract infections
  • Immune system: Rasayana, increases ojas and resistance to infections
  • Endocrine: Adaptogenic, supports hormonal balance

Srotogamitwa:

  • Dosha: Tridoshaghna (mainly Vata-Pittahara)
  • Dhatu: Mamsa, Shukra, Rasa
  • Srotas: Shukravaha, Rasavaha, Mutravaha

Parts used:

Rhizome (root), sometimes seeds

Dosage:

  • Powder: 3–6 g
  • Decoction: 50–100 ml
  • Root paste (with milk): 5–10 g

Important Yogas or Formulations:

  1. Musalyadi Churna
  2. Talamuladi Ghrita
  3. Ashwagandhadi Leha (with Shatavari and Musali)
  4. Musalyadi Rasayana
  5. Kameshwara Modaka

Therapeutic Uses:

  1. Shukra Kshaya – Powder of Talamuli taken with milk as aphrodisiac
  2. Daurbalya (General weakness) – Decoction or lehya with Ashwagandha
  3. Mutrakricchra (Painful micturition) – Decoction with Gokshura
  4. Prameha (Diabetes) – Powder taken with turmeric and neem
  5. Sthaulya (Obesity) – Combined with Triphala and Guggulu

IUCN Status : Not Evaluated.

Research Updates :

  1. Aphrodisiac Activity (2020) – Ethanolic extract increased testosterone levels and sperm count in male rats.
  2. Antioxidant & Immunomodulatory (2021) – Root extract showed strong free-radical scavenging activity.
  3. Anti-arthritic (2022) – Root powder exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effects in arthritis models.
  4. Adaptogenic (2023) – Curculigosides found to modulate stress-induced cortisol response in mice.
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