Pueraria mirifica

Pueraria mirifica, also referred to as กวาวเครือ Kwao Krua (among other names), is a plant native to northern and northeastern Thailand and Myanmar.

In Thailand, this plant is called "Kwao Krua Kao," where 'Kao' signifies white, setting Pueraria mirifica apart from other tuberous-rooted plants sharing the 'Kwao Krua' name, such as Butea superba, commonly known as Kwao Krua Deng (Red), along with the 'black' and 'dull grey' Kwao Krua varieties. The species was officially identified as Pueraria mirifica in 1952.

When dried and powdered, the tuberous root of Pueraria mirifica has been traditionally consumed in Thailand as a rejuvenating herb to enhance youthfulness in both women and men. It is widely used in the now government-regulated practice of traditional Thai medicine.

Benefits

To use the tuberous root of Pueraria with large leaves, it is pounded and mixed with cow's milk. This medicine is believed to enhance memory, improve eloquence, enable memorization of three books of astrology, make the skin smooth like that of a six-year-old, extend life beyond 1,000 years, and prevent parasite-related diseases.

Modern understanding of Pueraria mirifica can be traced back to a booklet referencing its ancient use, where the author Luang Anusan Suntara claimed it reduced wrinkles, eliminated gray hair, improved eyesight and memory, among other benefits.

Uses

Various herbal supplements assert that extracts of Pueraria mirifica offer health benefits such as increasing breast size, enhancing skin, nail, and hair health, reducing acne, balancing hormones, and providing other rejuvenating effects.

Chemical Constituents

Pueraria mirifica contains several Phytoestrogens including Deoxymiroestrol, Daidzin, Daidzein, Genistin, Genistein, Coumestrol, Kwakhurin, and Mirificine, along with β-sitosterol, Stigmasterol, Campesterol, and Mirificoumestan. There is conflicting evidence regarding the presence of miroestrol. It also contains the Cytotoxic non-phytoestrogen Spinasterol.