Introduction

Shweta Musali (Chlorophytum borivilianum), a widely revered medicinal plant in Ayurveda, is known for its aphrodisiac, adaptogenic, and immunomodulatory properties. Its roots are integral to several Ayurvedic formulations, making it a high-demand herb in national and international markets. However, unsustainable harvesting practices and habitat destruction have pushed this species towards the brink of being critically endangered. The escalating demand highlights the urgent need for sustainable cultivation methods to ensure its availability without compromising ecological balance.

Traditionally, Kunapajala, a liquid organic manure described in ancient Vrikshayurveda, has been used for cultivating medicinal plants. However, its preparation, involving animal remains, is often impractical on a large scale. This study investigates Vedamrit Water, an eco-friendly alternative to Kunapajala, composed of cow-based and plant-based ingredients. It explores three cultivation methods—natural farming, cultivation with Vedamrit Water, and cultivation with Single Super Phosphate (SSP)—to compare yield, soil health, and pharmacological efficacy. The findings aim to bridge traditional agricultural practices with modern sustainability needs, emphasizing organic farming’s role in preserving soil health, enhancing medicinal value, and meeting market demands. This study is a step towards balancing conservation efforts and economic utilization of Shweta Musali, a plant of immense therapeutic and economic potential.

Objectives:

1. To evaluate the efficacy of three cultivation methods (natural farming, Vedamrit Water, and chemical fertilizers).
2. To identify the impact of Vedamrit Water as a sustainable substitute for Kunapajala.
3. To compare the pharmacological properties, including saponin content, of Shweta Musali tubers grown under these methods.

Methods:
Trial Design: This study followed a randomized controlled trial design, comparing three cultivation methods on the basis of yield, soil health, and pharmacological outcomes. The groups were as follows:

• Group A: Natural farming (control group).
• Group B: Cultivation using Vedamrit Water (experimental group).
• Group C: Cultivation with Single Super Phosphate (SSP; standard fertilizer).

Land: Barren hilly land in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, converted for cultivation.
Tubers: Shweta Musali tubers procured from local sources and treated with cow urine before planting.
Intervention:

1. Natural Cultivation (Group A): The soil was prepared using farmyard manure and vermicompost, with no additional fertilizers.
2. Vedamrit Water (Group B): Organic liquid manure made from cow dung, cow urine, neem, jaggery, and herbs like Dhatura and Arka, prepared as per traditional Vrikshayurveda.
3. Chemical Fertilizers (Group C): SSP applied as per recommended doses.

Planting and Maintenance: Seeds were sown at 30 × 15 cm spacing. Regular irrigation, weeding, and crop protection measures were undertaken uniformly across all groups.
Outcomes Measured:

1. Primary Outcome: Yield of Shweta Musali tubers.
2. Secondary Outcomes:
   • Saponin content (phytochemical analysis).
   • Soil health parameters (pH, organic matter, and microbial activity).
   • Microscopic evaluation of tubers.

Randomization and Blinding: Plants were randomly assigned to cultivation groups. Blinding was applied for outcome assessment to ensure unbiased analysis of yield and pharmacological properties.

Results:
96 planting materials were randomly assigned to three groups:

• Group A: 24 plants (natural farming).
• Group B: 24 plants (Vedamrit Water).
• Group C: 48 plants (SSP fertilizers).

Primary Outcome: Group B (Vedamrit Water) showed a significant increase in yield compared to Group A (natural farming) but slightly lower than Group C (SSP fertilizers).
Secondary Outcomes:

1. Pharmacological Properties: Group B plants exhibited the highest saponin content, a key therapeutic compound in Shweta Musali. Group C plants showed reduced medicinal quality despite higher yields.
2. Soil Health: Group B maintained soil microbial activity and organic matter content. Group C caused soil acidification and depletion of micronutrients.
3. Macroscopic and Microscopic Analysis: Tubers from Group B were of superior quality in texture, size, and medicinal composition.
   Adverse Effects: No adverse effects were observed during cultivation or analysis.

Discussion:

This study highlights the potential of Vedamrit Water as a sustainable alternative to Kunapajala for cultivating Shweta Musali (Chlorophytum borivilianum), a medicinal plant of significant Ayurvedic and economic value. The results demonstrate that Vedamrit Water-treated plants showed superior medicinal quality, including enhanced saponin content, compared to natural farming and chemical fertilizers. This validates the efficacy of Vedamrit Water in improving pharmacological properties without compromising environmental sustainability. While SSP fertilizers provided the highest yield, their long-term impact on soil health was detrimental, causing acidification and depletion of organic matter and micronutrients. On the other hand, natural farming methods preserved soil integrity but resulted in lower yields and reduced medicinal efficacy compared to Vedamrit Water. These findings suggest that Vedamrit Water strikes a balance between yield and quality, offering an environmentally friendly solution. The study emphasizes the relevance of integrating traditional agricultural wisdom with modern practices to address current ecological and economic challenges. Vedamrit Water aligns with the principles of Vrikshayurveda and organic farming, promoting nutrient recycling and soil fertility. Its adoption could mitigate the overharvesting of wild Shweta Musali, ensuring its availability for pharmaceutical use while conserving natural habitats. Future research should focus on optimizing Vedamrit Water formulations for scalability, assessing its impact across diverse climatic and soil conditions, and exploring its potential application for other endangered medicinal plants. Overall, this study underscores the importance of sustainable agricultural practices in preserving biodiversity while meeting the growing demand for high-quality herbal medicines.

Strengths: Integrates traditional knowledge (Vrikshayurveda) with scientific analysis. Systematic comparison of organic, natural, and chemical cultivation methods.
Limitations: Short-term study; long-term effects on soil health and yield stability remain unexplored. Single geographic location; further studies are required to validate findings across different climates and soils.
Implications for Practice: Adoption of Vedamrit Water can reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, addressing ecological concerns. Sustainable cultivation practices can mitigate overharvesting of wild Shweta Musali, ensuring consistent supply for the pharmaceutical industry.

Conclusion:
This trial concludes that Vedamrit Water is a viable substitute for Kunapajala, promoting sustainable cultivation of Shweta Musali. Its use improves tuber quality, preserves soil health, and aligns with ecological conservation goals.

Funding and Conflicts of Interest:
No external funding was received for this study. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References:

[1] Vrkshayurveda of Surapala, manuscript available in Bodleian Library, Oxford University, Oxford No. 324 B (Ms. Walkar 137), Oxford, London.
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