Bakuchi – Psoralea corylifolia Uses, Benefits, Remedies
Bakuchi is an Ayurveda herb, very well known for its efficacy against skin diseases including leucoderma. Its botanical name is Psoralia corylifolia. It belongs to the Fabaceae family (Simbi Kula), Aparajita upakula.
Table of Contents
Vernacular names, Sanskrit synonyms
English name – Psoralea seeds
Hindi name – Bavachi
Bengali name – Habuch
Telugu name – Bavanchalu
Tamil name – Karpokarishi
Malayalam Name: Karkokil
Sanskrit Synonyms:
Bakuchi – Balances Vata
Avalguja – Imparts colour and lusterto a person suffering from Switra
Krishnaphala – Has black colored fruits
Pootiphali – Fruits yield foul smell
Kushtaghni – useful in skin diseases.
Sasilekha – Seeds have white streaks
Switraghni – It cures Switra
Malayu – It destroys Switra
Somaraji
Suparnika – Plant possess beautiful leaves
Somavalli
Kalameshi – Fruits are black
Classical categorization
Charaka Samhita – Tikta Skandha –group of herbs that has bitter taste.
Susruta – Not mentioned
Bh. Pr. Nighantu – Haritakyadi varga
Medicinal qualities, Effect on Doshas
Guna (qualities)- Laghu (light to digest), Rooksha (dryness)
Rasa (taste) – Katu (pungent), Tikta – Bitter
Vipaka – Taste conversion after digestion – Katu (pungent)
Veerya – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Vata.
Therapeutic Indications
Switra, Kushta, Meha, Jwara, Krmi, Swasa, Kasa,Visa, Kandu
According to Bhojana Kutuhalam, The white variety of bakuchi is dry, aggravates pitta and vata and is heavy for digestion. It is bitter in taste and not wholesome for those suffering from abdominal disorder, causes grahani and hemorrhoids.
Psoralea seeds
Vishtambhahrut – relieves constipation
Ruchya – Improves taste, useful in anorexia
Sara – promotes natural movement of body fluids
Shleshmahara – balances kapha
Asrapittanut – Useful in bleeding disorders.
Hrudya – useful in cardiac disorders, acts as cardiac tonic
Shwasahara – Useful in dyspnoea, Asthma, Bronchitis and Chronic respiratory disorders.
Kushtaghna – Useful in skin diseases
Mehahara – Useful in urinary tract disorders and diabetes
Jwarahara – Useful in fever
Krumipranut – Useful in worm infestation
Bakuchi Fruit
Pittala – increases Pitta
Kushtahara – useful in skin diseases
Kaphanilahara – Balances Kapha and Vata
Katu (pungent)
Keshya – improves hair quality and luster
Tvachya – good for skin
Krumihara – relieves worm infestation
Shwasahara – Useful in dyspnoea, Asthma, Bronchitis and Chronic respiratory disorders.
Kasahara – Useful in cough and cold
Shothahara – relieves inflammation
Amahara – Relieves the state of indigestion at stomach and tissue level
Pandunut – Useful in anemia
Medha – improves intelligence
Ayushkama – Anti aging, Rejuvenative
Part used, Dosage
Part used: Bakuchi Seeds
Dosage: Seed powder – 1 – 3 grams per day in divided dose.
Chemical constituents
Isopsoralen (1), psoralen (2), bavachalcone (3), 4″, 5″-dehydroisopsoralidin (4), methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (5), psoralidin (6), corylin (7). Reference
Habitat
Commonly grows in plain area and it is cultivated also.
Varities
Svwta Avalguja – Medya
Krisna Avalguja
Morphology
Habit – An erect annual herb. Trunks’ straight branches are strong and elastic.leaves – Alternate, simple, covered with numerous black dots
Inflorescence – Axillary 10- 30 flowered racemose.
Flowers – Bluish purple in colour.
Fruit – A small blackish glabrous, ovoid or kidney shaped one seeded indehiscent legume
Seeds – Smooth, Small adhering to pericarp with an agreeable aroma
Ayurvedic medicines
Its immense skin benefiting quality makes it an essential ingredient in numerous traditional Ayurveda and proprietary herbal medicines.
Avalgujadi Lepam – Paste, used to apply externally in the treatment of Leucoderma.
Pancha Nimba Churna – Used in non healing wounds, psoriasis etc.
Mahamanjistadi kashayam – A very famous herbal decoction used in treating skin diseases and as a blood purifying medicine.
Somaraji oil – used for external application in eczema, dermatitis etc.
Khadirarishta – A very famous Arishta to purify blood and to treat skin diseases.
Bakuchi oil
Bakuchi oil is also known as babchi oil. It is applied externally to treat vitiligo patches. It is also called Babchi oil. It is applied to hair to treat gray hairs, scalp psoriasis, dry scalp skin and dandruff. Read more about Vitiligo treatment as per Ayurveda
Interaction with medicines, supplements
Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.
Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.
With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.
Manufacturer:
Patanjali Divya Bakuchi Churna – manufactured by Patanjali Ayurved Limited.
Sthanika Karma (Systemic Action)
External Application – Antimicrobial, cleanses the wound and promotes wound healing, indicated in various types of skin disorders including mahakushta, Kushdra kushta etc. promote hair growth.
Internal administration-Nervous system – Strengthens the nervous system
Digestive System –Carminative, digestive, Anti microbial, Anulomana, Stimulate liver. indicated in loss of appetite, constipation, helminthiasis, (pinworm infestation) etc.
Circulatory system – Stimulate heart and blood vessels. indicated in edema
Respiratory System – Pacify Kapha dosha, indicated in cough and breathing difficulty
Excretory system – Indicated in Diabetes
Reproductive system – Aphrodisiac and stimulant. indicated in impotency
Skin – stimulate sweat gland, indicated in leucoderma
19 comments
sunitha
hii sir……………….sir which are the subjects in 2nd year bams and which are the good books should i buy pls help sir please tell good authors english translating books and also charaka samhtha?
Manoj Goel
Hi Dr.,
Is there any other way to purify the Bakuchi instead of Cow’s Urine? Actually it is very typical to get Cow’s Urine regularly to purify Bakuchi.
Please reply, I will wait for your guidance.
Thanks
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
You can use godhan ark – cow urine distillate instead. It is easily available in market and quite cheap as well.
vani
is it show same result by using godhan arka instead gomutra
Dr Malini Bhat
Hello madam, Would advise you to take an expert opinion on the same as we cannot prescribe medicine without seeing the patch of skin. And as it is related to skin a close supervision is needed which cannot be done here.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Sent via email. Hope you have email-subscribed to my blog.
Srinivas Bhukya
Hello sir…
Sir using bhavanchalu in pregnancy days is we get any problem in pregnancy…
So please tell me is it safe using in pregnancy
Thanks
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
If your doctor has prescribed it, then it can be continued even during pregnancy, in low dose.
tania
hello … my name is tania.. my doctor has diagnosed me lecoderma. i hv a small white patch on my neck from last 2 weeks… please advise me what should i use…. does it cause any harm in taking medicine prescribed by my doctor and something else
Virr
Is there an alternative method to use Bakuchi powder is Gomutra or Godhan ark is not available. I don’t live in India so hoping there is an alternate.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
It can be made a paste with water and applied.
Even bakuchi oil is also effective.
murali
Hi dr,
did bakuchi churna treats “morphia encoupe disabre”?
Sara
Hi sir plzz plzz mujhe bataye jab main babchi laithi tab pregnant ho sakti hon
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Hi, aap babchi lene ke samay pregnancy ke liye try kar sakte hai. Koi problem nahi. Pregnancy confirm hone ke baad krupaya doctor se direct consult kar ke salaah leejiye.
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Please read here
https://www.easyayurveda.com/2015/09/28/warts/
Radhe
Which brand of bakuchi oil is best for leuocderma. Please help
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
Shetty Shravya
Is regular use of bakuchi harmful… and what is the amount dose to be used per day
Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)
If used as medicine for a specific disease, it can be used for many weeks, as per prescription. The dose depends on the age of the patient and the strength of disease.