Bakuchi — Purple Fleabane

Ayurvedic herb Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) — Purple Fleabane. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Katu, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read

Widely used in leucoderma, vitiligo, and other skin disorders. Supports melanin production.

ⓘ Information

Property	Value	Description
Rasa	Tikta, Katu	Tikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Katu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
Guna	Laghu, Ruksha	Laghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
Virya	Ushna	Ushna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
Vipaka	Katu	Katu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
Prabhava	Kushtaghna, Varnya, rasayan	Kushtaghna — treats skin diseases; Varnya — improves complexion and skin tone; Rasayana — rejuvenative, promotes longevity and immunity

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Bakuchi is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Avalguja, Somaraji, Suprabha, Kushtaghni

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Bakuchi are: bija.

Main Indications

Bakuchi is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Shvitra, Kushta, Krimi, Khalitya, Pandu.

Dosha Effects

Bakuchi pacifies Kapha.

It may aggravate Pitta, Vata when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Bakuchi is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Tikta, Kauu

Guna (Quality)Rūkṣa

Virya (Potency)śita

Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu

Karma (Action)śleṣm¡srapittanut, Gr¡hi, Vraḍ¡paha, Hrdya

Dose3-6 g of the drug in powder form

Therapeutic Uses: śvitra, Kuṣuha, Krmiroga, Jvara, Meha

Important Formulations: Somar¡ji Taila, Avalguj¡di Lepa

Botanical Name: Psoralea corylifolia Linn. (Leguminosae)

Part Used: Frt

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part Used	Therapeutic Use	Identifiers	References
fruit	Analgesics	MESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7	ISBN:9788172362461
fruit	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:9788172362461
fruit	Antineoplastic agents	MESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392	ISBN:9788172362461
fruit	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:9788172362461
fruit	Fractures, bone	MESH:D050723,UMLS:C0016658, ICD-11:ND56.2	ISBN:9788172362461
seed	Hair loss	MESH:D000505,UMLS:C0002170, DOID:987, ICD-11:ED70	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Analgesics	MESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Anemia	MESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
seed	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Antioxidants	MESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402	ISBN:9788172362461
seed	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Aphrodisiacs	MESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567	Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
seed	Appetite stimulants	MESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361266
seed	Astringents	MESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Dermatitis	MESH:D003872,UMLS:C3875321, DOID:2723, ICD-11:EA8Z	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363178
seed	Diabetes mellitus	MESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Digestive system diseases	MESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Disinfectants	MESH:D004202,UMLS:C0012682, ICD-11:XM7DD6	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
seed	Dysuria	MESH:D053159,UMLS:C0013428, ICD-11:MF50.7	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Eczema	MESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595	ISBN:9788172362461
seed	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Fever	MESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172361266
seed	Hematemesis	MESH:D006396,UMLS:C0018926, ICD-11:ME24.A5	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Hematologic diseases	MESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0Z	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Hemorrhoids	MESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Insect repellents	MESH:D007302,UMLS:C0021572	ISBN:9788172362461
seed	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
seed	Leprosy	MESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266
seed	Nootropic agents	MESH:D018697,UMLS:C0242913	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Increase physical endurance, strength and stamina	MESH:D010807	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Anti-poisoning	MESH:D011041, ICD-11:NE6Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Psoriasis	MESH:D011565,UMLS:C0033860, DOID:8893, ICD-11:EA90	ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363178, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
seed	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Scabies	MESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04	ISBN:9788171360536
seed	Scorpion stings	MESH:D065008,UMLS:C0238417, ICD-11:NE61	ISBN:9788172361266
seed	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Snake bites	MESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379	ISBN:9788172361266
seed	Ulcer	MESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582	ISBN:81-204-0828-4
seed	Vitiligo	MESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0	ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172362461, ISBN:9788172363178, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - III
seed	Diaphoretic	UMLS:C1707737	ISBN:9788172361266
seed	Deobstruent		ISBN:9788172361266
whole plant	Arthralgia	MESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Erectile dysfunction	MESH:D007172,UMLS:C0242350, ICD-11:HA01.1	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Fractures, bone	MESH:D050723,UMLS:C0016658, ICD-11:ND56.2	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Hair diseases	MESH:D006201,UMLS:C0018500, DOID:421, ICD-11:ED7Y	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Pain	MESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3Z	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Vitiligo	MESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0	ISBN:9789327275590
whole plant	Nocturnal enuresis	MESH:D053206,UMLS:C0270327, ICD-11:6C00.0	ISBN:9789327275590
	Hair loss	MESH:D000505,UMLS:C0002170, DOID:987, ICD-11:ED70	ISBN:9788173717055
	Anthelmintics	MESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0	ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717055
	Aphrodisiacs	MESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567	ISBN:9788173717055
	Appetite stimulants	MESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447	ISBN:9788173717055
	Dermatitis	MESH:D003872,UMLS:C3875321, DOID:2723, ICD-11:EA8Z	ISBN:9788173717055
	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717055
	Laxatives	MESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3	ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717055
	Leprosy	MESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20	ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717055
	Psoriasis	MESH:D011565,UMLS:C0033860, DOID:8893, ICD-11:EA90	ISBN:9780387706375
	Scabies	MESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04	ISBN:9788173717055
	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9780387706375
	Ulcer	MESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582	ISBN:9788173717055
	Vitiligo	MESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0	ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717055
	Disorder of mucous membrane	UMLS:C0151785, ICD-11:4A82	ISBN:9788173717055
	Diaphoretic	UMLS:C1707737	ISBN:9788172363178, ISBN:9788173717055