MUSLI. limn. Medicinal substances in use among the Indian practitioners. They are roots, and supposed of several plants. There were three sorts represented iu the Panjab Exhibition. Musli sembal from Botnbax heptaphyllum, Mush safaid, apparently an immature specimen of satawar (Asparagus adscendens), and Musli slab. Musli sembal was a light, woody, fibrous root of a brownish colour, with thin epidermis, easily detached, and a very fibrous thick tuber. It acts as a stimulant and tonic, and some consider it in large doses emetic.
White musli.
Safed . . HIND.Tannir-vittang I Tsullaghedalu, . . TEL. kalangu, . . . Tem.
The root is long, fleshy, and whitish ; is used powdered in the form of a thick mucilage with water, and answers admirably as a nutritious demulcent for convalescents. It is supposed, when taken in this form, to have the effect of filling the small-pox, and preventing the con fluent disease. Asparagus sarmentosus root is offered for sale as the white musli, which is said to be the rootlets of Salmalia Malabarica. It was
supposed by Ainslie to be from Curculigo orchi oides. Birdwood thinks it is from Murdannia scapillora, Royle, or from a species of Trade scantia. The Asparagus filicinus and Aneilema tuberosa are also named.
Black musli Tal mull, . . . BENG. Warahi musali, . SAME. Kali mush', . . HIND. Nelepanny kalangu, TAM. Siah musli, . . PERS. Nalla taty gudda, . TEL.
is a tuberous and wrinkled root about four inches long, slightly bitter and mucilaginous to the taste, and reckoned among those medicines which purify the blood ; it also possesses tonic properties ; is considered stimulant, and used as an aphrodisiac. It is procurable in most bazars throughout India. Musli sigh is supposed to be the product of Curculigo brevifolia and C. nigra?—Ainslie; Royle; Irvine; Birdwood; Powell.