Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Sweet, pungent, bitter
- Quality (Guna)
- Dry, light
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent
- Dosha Effect
- Vata, Pitta & Kapha balanced
- Key Constituents
- Furanocoumarins Psoralen Flavonoids Bavachin, bakuchiol, diadzin Essential oils Limonene, terpineol (Chen & Chen 2004)
- Also Known As
- English: Spanish Cherry, Bullet-wood
Sanskrit: राजादन, क्षीरिणी
Hindi: राजन - Dhatu
- Plasma, blood, muscles
- Srotas
- Circulatory, respiratory, muscular
Overview
Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) is an excellent tonic and rejuvenative for the skin. Its rasa is pungent and bitter, with heating virya and pungent vipaka. It pacifies Kapha and Vata but may increase Pitta. It acts primarily on the plasma and blood tissues, through the circulatory and urinary systems. Its key actions include alterative, diuretic, diaphoretic, rejuvenative, aphrodisiac, and antiparasitical.
Bakuchi improves the complexion, restoring luster to the skin and improving growth of nails and hair. It is especially good for rough, cracked, scaly skin and broken or brittle nails, such as are common in Vata constitutions and in the elderly. It is indicated for impetigo, leucoderma, psoriasis, debility, roundworms, chronic fevers, impotence, and premature greying or falling out of hair.
When used by those with Pitta constitution, Bakuchi should be balanced out with other more cooling herbs. It should be avoided during chronic fevers. Typical preparation is as powder (250 to 500 mg) or oil.
Source: The Yoga of Herbs, Chinese Herbs
Therapeutic Actions
- Aromatic
- anthelmintic
- antibacterial
- an-tifungal
- diuretic
- diaphoretic
- laxative
- stimulant
- aphrodisiac
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Ayurvedic Properties (Energetics)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | pungent, bitter |
| Virya (Energy) | hot |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | pungent, bitter ( in excess) |
| Dosha Effect | VKP= P+ |
| Tissues (Dhatu) | Muscles, plasma, blood |
| Body Systems | Respiratory, circulatory, muscular, lym-phatic |
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Preparation & Usage
Forms: Five grams powder twice daily be-fore meals with some coriander and honey (totaste); as an external paste
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Precautions & Contraindications
- May increase Pitta when taken alone
- do not take with low body fluids
- do not use withlicorice root
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
How to Use Bakuchi by Condition
Explore how Bakuchi is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
References in Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan
74 पटोलस तला र टशा गे टाव गुजा अम ृताः वे ा ब ृहतीवासाकु तल तलप णकाः म डूकपण कक टकारवे लकपपटाः नाडीकलायगोिज वावाताकं वन त तकम ् कर रं कु कं न द कुचैला शुकलादनी क ट लं के बुकं शीतं सकोशातकककशम ् त तं पाके कटु ा ह वातलं कफ प तिजत ् Patola, saptala, arista (neem leaves), sharngeshta (angaravalli/bharangi), Avalguja (Bakuchi), amruta (Tinospora), Vetra (shoot of vetra), Brhati (Solanum indicum), vasa (Adhatoda vasica), kutill, tilaparnika (badraka), mandukaparni (Gotu kola), Karkota, karavella
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
Another paste: Talaka (orpiment) one Shana measure, Vakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia/Bakuchi) four Shanas, ground with cow's urine as a powder paste -- this destroys leucoderma.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) is the most important Ayurvedic herb for Shvitra/leucoderma.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
This elaborate formulation combines the photosensitizing Bakuchi with iron for melanin synthesis, lac for its coloring properties, and multiple melanocyte-stimulating herbs.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Cassia tora seeds contain chrysophanol (an anthraquinone with antifungal action), Bakuchi provides psoralen, mustard is counter-irritant, and the buttermilk medium is mildly acidic and probiotic.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.