What isPueraria mirifica?
Pueraria mirifica is a phytoestrogen-rich herb from Thailand. Benefits of Pueraria mirifica include better bone density, anticancer effects, alleviation of menopause symptoms, and other benefits.
Thailand is home to a phytoestrogen-rich herb known asPuerariamirifica. This plant and its cousinPueraria lobata have been traditionally to treat conditions like menopause, alcoholism, and hypertension, and scientists that visit the areas where it grows have long been curious about its properties and how it affects health.
Read on to learn more about this incredible plant.
Pueraria mirifica is a plant from Thailand that is also known as Thai kudzu. Records of it go back over 700 years to points when locals inThailand's Northern Kingdom brought the plant to revered monks. The plant was thought to provide clarity for cognitive functioning and promote longer lives. Monks used palm leaves to record the effects of the plants.
Pueraria mirifica is commonly dried and powdered prior to use. It is widely known to promote youthlike properties in both men and women. It is particularly believed to have a significant estrogenic influence on the body. The powdered roots contain about 17 chemicals with biological activities secondary to estrogen. These chemicals include flavonoids like:
- Puerarin
- Mirificin
- Daidzein
- Genistin
- Kwakhurin
- Kwakhurin hydrate
- Genistein
- Tuberosin
- Daidzin
- Puemiricarpene
These days, the plant comes in pills, creams, extracts, sprays, and powders that are often sold online. It can be mixed with other medical preparations or herbs. Different conditions may require different dosages and applications ofPueraria mirifica.
Benefits ofPueraria mirifica
Promotion of bone density: Decreased levels of estrogen can cause bone loss. This is especially true of women who are undergoing menopause or are post-menopausal. UsingPueraria mirifica as a supplement has been shown to increase bone density.
Anticancer effects:Pueraria mirifica has the potential to impede the growth of tumors and cancer cells. This may be due to miroestrol, a phytochemical found in this plant that has been shown to protect the body from cancer.
Antioxidant activity: Chemical compounds that decrease levels of stress and oxidative damage to physical tissues are known as antioxidants. If they are not present in sufficient amounts, the resulting oxidative damage has the potential to cause disease. Some research has shown thatPueraria mirificahas antioxidant effects, though, and that it even increases the effects of other antioxidants in your body.
Menopausal symptom alleviation:Phytoestrogen is a phytochemical found inPueraria mirifica. Phytoestrogens are chemicals that copy the properties of estrogen, and they are plentiful in this plant.
When women experience menopause, their natural estrogen levels go down, causing a range of symptoms. TakingPueraria mirifica helps alleviate menopause symptoms like irritability, hot flashes, irregular periods, and more.
Brain health support:The nervous system, including brain health, is affected by estrogen. Studies have shown that the compound known as miroestrol, which is found inPueraria mirifica, protects against damage to the nervous system due to estrogen level decreases.
Support of vaginal health:Topical therapy usingPueraria mirifica may promote healthy vaginal tissue, decreasing vaginal dryness and generally improving vaginal tissue health and tone.
Increased cardiovascular health:Pueraria mirifica may promote heart health, especially if the heart is affected by a decrease in estrogen levels that could lead to increased inflammation, increased cholesterol levels, and weight gain. Plant-based supplementation commonly helps to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease.
Increase in breast size: In some areas of Asia, younger women are known to takePueraria mirifica to increase their breast size, and a study found that eating food that contained the plant for 12 weeks showed improved tension in the top breast area that suggested changes in the size and shape of the breast.
Memory aid:The roots ofPueraria mirifica, when pounded and blended with cow's milk, are said to aid memory.
Smooth skin: The leaves and roots ofPueraria mirifica are said to help smooth the skin.
IsPueraria mirifica safe?
This plant has not shown any negative effects, according to the available literature. However, not many studies have been conducted, proper dosage amounts have not been established. According to one study, dosages up to 100 mg seemed to have no major side effects.
Pueraria mirifica has been popularized as a milder, natural alternative to traditional hormone replacement drugs. In some instances, such drugs can cause severe side effects, which may include blood clots, strokes, heart disease, or cancer.
As with any other new treatment or supplementation, though, always consult with your doctor or other medical providers before takingPueraria mirifica.
Medically Reviewed on 12/16/2022
References
SOURCES:
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research: "The mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the traditional phytoestrogen-rich herbs, Pueraria mirifica and Pueraria lobata."
Phytomedicine: "Effect of miroestrol on ovariectomy-induced cognitive impairment and lipid peroxidation in mouse brain."
Shinryo To Shinyaku: "Efficacy on Breast Skin Tension of the Supplement Containing Pueraria Mirifica in Healthy Japanese Females."
Siriraj Medical Journal: "Clinical Trial of the Phytoestrogen-rich Herb, Pueraria mirifica as a Crude Drug in the Treatment of Symptoms in Menopausal Women."
StatPearls: "Hormone Replacement Therapy."
Toxins: "Pueraria mirifica Exerts Estrogenic Effects in the Mammary Gland and Uterus and Promotes Mammary Carcinogenesis in Donryu Rats."
Vitamin Connection: "Pueraria mirifica: Just for Menopause or the Herb of the Decade?"
