Safed musli is a tiny annual herb belonging to the family Liliaceae. It grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates to a maximum height of 1.5 ft. Tubers can grow upto a depth of 10 inches. Roots pale brown to white colour with characteristic odour and are tasteless in nature. Root tubers are fleshy, fascicled and directly originate from the stem disc devoid of any fibrous structure. Stigmasterol, a saponin present in Safed Musli, is structurally similar to testosterone. For this reason,it is traditionally used as an aphrodisiac agent & vitalizer. It is used in lack of libido male impotency, oligospermia, erectile dysfunction. It is also widely used as a general health promotive tonic and for delaying the ageing process. Another saponin, Hecogenin, has a steroid-like effect that helps to synthesize anabolic hormones. Anabolic hormones allow men to retain nitrogen more effectively which helps to form bulging muscles. 
Ayurvedic significance:
	
Rasa (taste): Madhura, Tikta (Sweet, Bitter)
	
Veerya (nature):Sheeta (Cold)
	
Vipaka (taste developed through digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
	
Guna (qualities):Guru, Snigdha (Heavy,unctuous)
	
Doshas (effect on humors): Pacifies Vata & Pitta