Pueraria
Scientific Name(s): Pueraria mirifica Airy Shaw et. Suvatabhandu.
Common Name(s): Kwao Keur, Kwao Krua, Kwao Kruea, White Kwao Krua
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 26, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
Most commercial products containing pueraria are available as rejuvenating, antiaging, or skin-lightening creams or gels, as beauty soaps, or as capsules or tablets for increasing appetite, enlarging breasts, modulating hair growth or regrowth, and other rejuvenating purposes. However, there is no literature to support these uses. The medical literature documents the plant's use primarily for menopause, but also for cancer and osteoporosis.
Dosing
Commercial products are available in topical (creams, gels, and soaps) or oral (capsules or tablets) dosage forms. Some clinical studies used 200 to 400 mg (extracted from the root or tuber) by mouth per day. Commercial manufacturers suggest 250 mg (root or tuber) by mouth every morning and evening. For breast enlargement, manufacturers suggest a twice-daily topical application to the breast area for 3 to 5 minutes until fully absorbed.
Contraindications
Avoid use if hypersensitive to any of the components of product. Because of its phytoestrogen-like effects, use pueraria with caution if diagnosed with an estrogen-dependent neoplasia, pulmonary embolism, liver dysfunction or disease, or anemia.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Avoid use during pregnancy and lactation because of the lack of clinical data and the plant's phytoestrogen activity.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Because of pueraria's estrogen-like effect, use with caution in patients with asthma, diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, migraine, or systemic lupus erythematosus. Use with caution in patients with abnormal triglycerides or hypercalcemia.
Toxicology
No data.
Scientific Family
- Fabaceae
Botany
The plant species P. mirifica (pueraria) belongs to the Fabaceae, or bean, subfamily, and its tuberous roots contain several phytoestrogens.Manonai 2007 P. mirifica is a woody vine commonly found in forests throughout ThailandMalaivijitnond 2006 with 28 cultivars presently documented. The tuberous root varies in size depending on soil condition, but may weigh as much as 100 kg. The plant's palmate-type leaves are simple or ovate and contain 3 leaflets in 1 petiole. The blue-to-purple flowers are composed of 5 petals and bloom from February to March.
History
The plant species is rich in phytoestrogens, and postmenopausal women in Thailand have consumed it for more than 100 years citing its beneficial estrogen effects.Manonai 2008 In traditional Thai medicine, it is common to use P. mirifica as a skin moisturizer, to improve regrowth of hair, to improve body flexibility and sexual performance, and to firm and enlarge the breasts.Malaivijitnond 2006 Commercial products containing pueraria are continually introduced into the world marketSookvanichsilp 2008 and have become popular in Thailand, Korea, and Japan.Malaivijitnond 2006 Most commercial products are available as topical rejuvenating, antiaging, or skin-lightening creams or gels, as beauty soaps, or as capsules or tablets for increasing appetite, enlarging breasts, modulating hair growth or regrowth, and other rejuvenating purposes.Sookvanichsilp 2008, Malaivijitnond 2006, Chansakaow 2000, Liang 2000, Roufs 2007, Yagi 2007,
