Pueraria mirifica is a plant which belongs to the family Papilionaceae (Leguminosae). The root is the part of the plant that has been used in Thailand for more than 700 years. It has also been called Kwao Krua and Thai Kudzu. This plant grows in forest regions in northern Thailand. Legend has touted the anti-aging properties of using this plant medicine for centuries. A palm leaf translated from Lana in 1931, discusses the use of the root, Pueraria Tuberous Root, to “make the skin smooth like a six year old child and allow you to live 1,000 years and prevent suffering from parasites, while also enhancing memory.”
Folklore goes on to say that the root is a “fountain of youth” for aged men and women. It helps to smooth wrinkled skin, supports healthy hair growth, improves eye health, sharpens the memory, increases energy and vigor, improves appetite and supports restful sleep. It’s no wonder that the Latin name of the plant, “MIRIFICA” means miracle!
In Thailand, the Ministry of Public Health is Similar to the National Institute of Health (NIH), in the United States. The Thailand Ministry of Public Health officially endorses Pueraria, due to the long history of safe use, along with modern scientific data that supports its safety and efficacy. Safety studies show that the normal therapeutic dose, provides a wide margin of safety. The Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research published a study in September 2009, entitled “ The mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the traditional phytoestrogen-rich herbs, Pueraria mirifica and Pueraria lobata.” Their conclusion was, “The tests confirmed the non-mutagenic but reasonably antimutagenic activities of the two plant extracts, supporting their current use as safe dietary supplements and cosmetics.”
Another study entitled, Effects and safety of Pueraria mirifica on lipid profiles and biochemical markers of bone turnover rates in healthy postmenopausal women, found that “By the determination of the serum surrogate of bone turnover, it may be assumed that Pueraria mirifica has antiresorptive activity.” This may prove to be a useful natural herbal therapy for woman who would like to support bone health during menopause.
A study entitled, Efficacy and safety of Pueraria mirifica (Kwao Kruea Khao) for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms in perimenopausal women: Phase II Study, concluded “Pueraria mirifica, containing phytoestrogens, relatively alleviated the climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women. The transient negative profiles occurred in a small number of subjects that included anemia, and liver profiles. While there was a slight decrease in lipoproteins and an increase in hormonal profiles, Pueraria mirifica demonstrates great promise in the treatment of climacteric symptoms among perimenopausal women.”
A study entitled, Efficacy comparison of Pueraria mirifica (PM) against conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) with/without medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in the treatment of climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women: phase III study, evaluated the efficacy comparison of Pueraria mirifica,(Kwao Kruea Khao), against conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) with/without medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in the treatment of perimenopuasal women with climacteric symptoms. The conclusion determined that “Pueraria mirifica containing phytoestrogens, has estrogenic effect as similar as CEE, and can alleviate the climacteric symptoms in perimenopausal women. PM demonstrates great promise in the treatment of climacteric symptoms.”
Ellen Kamhi, PhD, RN, The Natural Nurse® , is a medical school professor, author of The Natural Medicine Chest, and leads ethnobotanical excursions with Ecotours for Cures.
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