Ethnobotanic Use of Pueraria mirifica

   Source : Medical Plant Research Institute Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health , Thailand

            Local communities in Thailand have used Pueraria mirifica for well over one hundred years, specifically for its rejuvenating qualities, The belief in the rejuvenating properties of Pueraria mirifica has been passing down from one generation to another and more recently through the publication by Luong Anusan Suntara.

            In May 1931, Luang Anuson Suntara published a pamphlet on the subject of "Kwao Krue" describing different ways of preparing folk medicine using Pueraria mirifica and the claims of its rejuvenating power. It is stated in the pamphlet that Pueraria mirifica can

   

Serve as a anti-wrikle agent for aged and wrinkled skin

darken white hair , and  increase hair growth

Alleviated cataract problems

Help with memory loss

Increase energy and vigor, more reflexive bodily movements

Increase blood circulation

Increase appetite, and

alleviate sleep disorders

Source : Medicinal Plant Research Institute, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand ;July 2000

            In 1932, Dr. A.F.G. Kerr, the Director of the Botanical Section of the Journal of the Siam Society, directed the attention of the scientific community to the fact that the tuberous roots of a Thai plant called "Kwao Krue", mistakenly identified then as Butea superba, were considered to be of value as a rejuvenating drug.

            Dr. Kerr was the first to create international awareness of the rejuvenating qualities of this plant, which subsequently led to the isolation of a potent phytoestrogen that is unique to this plant only and to the identification of the plant as Pueraria mirifica in 1952.

   

Serves as the “Fountain of Youth” for aged men and women