Overview
Bakuchi is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for parasites and worms. Rajadana is a large evergreen tree found in the forests of Western and Southern India. The ripe fruit is sweet and is eaten fresh. The flowers are fragrant. The tree yields good timber. The bark is astringent. The fruit is nutritive and aphrodisiac. Dose: As food. Verse: 29.
How Bakuchi Helps with Parasites and Worms
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Bakuchi has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing parasites and worms:
- Potency (Virya): Hot
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Pungent
- Taste (Rasa): Sweet, pungent, bitter
- Qualities (Guna): Dry, light
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
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
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
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)
Safety & Precautions
Contraindications: Excessive UV therapy, high pitta; Use with caution in pregnancy
Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known but caution should be observed with external applications. Bakuchi should not be used with patients undergoing PUVA therapy due to the increased risk of photosensitive reactions.
Other Herbs for Parasites and Worms
See all herbs for parasites and worms on the Parasites and Worms page.
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.