Common Name:

General Information

Pueraria candollei is a climbing perennial plant, producing more or less woody, twining stems up to 12mm in diameter from a tuberous rootstock that can be 15cm long and 6cm wide. The stems can be up to 12 metres long[, ].
The tuber of the subspecies Pueraria candollei mirifica (synonym Pueraria mirifica) is a traditional herb, widely used in Thailand as a rejuvenative and sold widely on the Internet, especially for its claimed action in increasing breast size, improving breast tone, slowing the aging process and improving skin condition. The tubers are harvested from the wild, often on a commercial basis, and are widely traded..

Known Hazards

An oestrogenic compound, called miroestrol, is found in the roots. In isolation, this compound has been found to have disagreeable toxic side effects, but these have not been recorded when the whole tuber is used medicinally[].

Botanical References

,

Range

E Asia - Bangladesh, northeast India, Myanmar, Thailand.

Habitat

Deciduous scrub jungle, on limestone rocks, open situations, stream or lake banks, climbing in shrubs or low trees; at elevations up to 1,300 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The health benefits of this species appear to be restricted to the subspecies Pueraria candollei mirifica (Airy Shaw & Suvat.) Niyomdham, (synonym Pueraria mirifica Airy Shaw & Suvat.).

The tubers are aphrodisiac, rejuvenative and tonic[]. They are a rich source of phytoestrogens, especially miroestrol, and are used for their oestrogenic effect in the body[]. This is said to take many forms, including breast enlargement and reduction of breast sagging in women, some slowing down of the aging process including restoring white hair to its original colour, improvement of memory, improvement of skin tone[].
Many flavonoids (daidzein, daidzin, genistein, genistin, kwakhurin, mirificin, miroestrol) as well as coumarins (columestrol, mirificoumestan and mirificoumestan hydrate) have been isolated from the tuber. Pharmacological studies have shown oestrogenic, antiimplantation, abortifacient, antifertility, antispermatogenic and hypercalcaemic effects[].
Traditionally, the tuber has been used as a rejuvenative dietary supplement for the elderly of both sexes - it is said to promote good health; improve the memory; promote strength and vitality; enrich the blood; improve the appetite; improve sleep patterns; restore hair colour. When combined with myrobalan (Terminalia bellirica) it is said to clear the vision and treat cataracts[].
The tuber is also used, both as a dietary supplement and as a skin cream, as a hormone replacement therapy that is also said to increase breast size; improve breast tone; and to improve skin tone, removing wrinkles etc[].
An ethyl alcohol extract of the tuber has shown interesting oestrogenic properties. In addition, it has shown a growth-promoting effect on skin cells and also reduces cell death from oxidation. The plant has potential as an active ingredient in preparations for the treatment of skin-ageing in post-menopausal women[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a warm greenhouse in early spring. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts[]. Cover the young plants with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well.

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: 6 add another 6 is?