Golden Eye Grass

Also called

Black Musli, Curculigo

Regional names

Talmuli

Traditional names

Kali Musli, Xian Mao

Traditional use

These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.

• In India, golden eye grass is known as kali musli. In Ayurveda it's a rasayana, or rejuvenating herb, valued as a tonic that helps the body cope with stress and as an aphrodisiac. It's an ingredient in many Ayurvedic preparations and is also used in Chinese and Japanese (Kampo) herbal medicine. The plant is endangered.[2]

• In traditional Chinese medicine the rhizome is used as a tonic to keep up vitality and to nourish the liver and kidneys. In Ayurveda it's used for:

  • Jaundice and asthma
  • Urinary, bladder and kidney infections
  • Skin illnesses
  • Piles, diarrhea and colic
  • Gonorrhea and sexual problems

  Both traditions value it as an aphrodisiac.[3]

• Chinese medicine has used it for centuries for rheumatic conditions and to "tonify kidney yang", a Chinese medicine idea about strengthening the body's warming energy. It's traditionally processed with yellow rice wine, which is believed to make it work better and lower its toxicity.[1]

Laboratory & animal research

Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.

• In a 2025 study, a root extract showed antioxidant activity in the lab and lowered blood sugar by about half in diabetic mice. This hasn't been tested in people.[3]

  Technical detail: blood glucose fell 47.28% at 100 mg/kg and 52.11% at 200 mg/kg in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

• In a 2026 study in mice with arthritis, both the raw and the wine-processed root reduced paw swelling and joint inflammation. This hasn't been tested in people.[1]