Bakuchi

Psoralea corylifolia
Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) is a significant herb in Ayurveda, primarily known for its seeds. Traditionally, it's used for claimed benefits in balancing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas. This perennial plant is native to India and Sri Lanka, where it is widely utilized in formulations for its supposed effects on skin health and various other ailments.
PLANT FAMILY
Fabaceae (Legume)
PARTS USED
Seed, Fruit
AYURVEDIC ACTION
Vata ↓, Pitta ↓, Kapha ↓
ACTIVE COMPOUNDS
Bakuchiol (0.1-1.5%)

What is Bakuchi?

Bakuchi, also known as Psoralea corylifolia, is a significant herb in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It is a perennial herbaceous plant native to India and Sri Lanka, often found in dry, sandy soils. The plant is characterized by its small, kidney-shaped seeds, which are the primary part used for medicinal purposes. Bakuchi is renowned for its diverse phytochemical composition, including compounds like bakuchiol, which is often considered a natural alternative to retinol.

Historically, Bakuchi has been utilized for its properties in addressing various skin conditions, respiratory issues, and other ailments. Its seeds are typically processed and used in formulations, either topically or internally, following specific Ayurvedic guidelines.

Other Names of Bakuchi

  • Psoralea
  • Babchi
  • Bavachi
  • Kushtaghni
  • Somaraji
Psoralea corylifolia - Agri-Horticultural Society of India - Alipore - Kolkata 2013-01-05 2282

Benefits of Bakuchi

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<h3> Absolute Contraindications of Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) </h3> <h4>Pregnant or planning pregnancy</h4> <ul> <li>🤰</li> <li>Recommendation: Do not use Bakuchi extracts or PUVA (psoralen + UVA) during pregnancy; avoid taking seed extracts or topical psoralen preparations if pregnant or trying to conceive.</li> <li>Reasoning: Psoralens are photoreactive and can affect DNA and cell division; clinical registries and follow-up studies advise avoiding PUVA during pregnancy because of theoretical mutagenic/teratogenic risks and observed perinatal effects (eg. low birth weight in some series).</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Psoralen Photochemotherapy (PUVA) and Pregnancy.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: Gunnarskog JG, Källén AJ, Lindelöf B, Sigurgeirsson B.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7772086/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: A registry-based assessment of infants born to women treated with PUVA found no clear increase in congenital malformations or infant mortality, but did observe a rise in low birth-weight infants after PUVA exposure. Authors and guideline reviews therefore emphasize the theoretical risk (mutagenicity of psoralens in animal studies) and recommend avoiding psoralen photochemotherapy during pregnancy and around conception as a precautionary measure. Clinical guidance commonly classifies oral methoxsalen/psoralen as category C and advises stopping PUVA before pregnancy and avoiding during breastfeeding.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>History of skin cancer or very high cumulative UVA exposure</h4> <ul> <li>🧴⚠️</li> <li>Recommendation: Avoid using Bakuchi preparations that are combined with UVA exposure (eg. PUVA) if you have a history of skin cancer or if you have had extensive prior PUVA; seek alternative therapies and regular skin surveillance.</li> <li>Reasoning: Long-term or high-dose PUVA (psoralen + UVA) is associated with a dose-dependent increase in squamous cell carcinoma and increased non-melanoma skin cancer risk; topical or systemic psoralens can contribute to this when paired with UVA.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Risk of squamous cell carcinoma and methoxsalen (psoralen) and UV-A radiation (PUVA): A meta-analysis.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: Stern RS, Lunder E.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9875197/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: This meta-analysis combined multiple long-term follow-up studies and found a clear dose-related increase in squamous cell carcinoma incidence among patients receiving high cumulative PUVA exposure. High-dose PUVA groups had markedly higher SCC rates compared with low-dose groups; the relationship was consistent across several cohorts, supporting clinical recommendations to limit cumulative PUVA exposure and avoid it in patients with prior skin cancers.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Severe liver disease or known hepatic impairment</h4> <ul> <li>🫀⚠️</li> <li>Recommendation: Do not take oral Bakuchi extracts or unstandardized preparations if you have active liver disease; if topical use is considered, consult a clinician and monitor liver enzymes if systemic exposure is possible.</li> <li>Reasoning: Multiple reports and experimental work link Fructus psoraleae and psoralen/isopsoralen components with hepatotoxicity and disruption of bile acid transport; P. corylifolia extracts can also inhibit drug-metabolising enzymes, increasing risk of liver injury with co-medications.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Psoralea corylifolia L.: a comprehensive review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, quality control and pharmacokinetics.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: (Review) multiple authors; full article in Chinese Medicine (2022) - see PubMed/CMJ page.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36267516/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: The review summarises case reports and experimental studies showing that long-term or high-dose use of P. corylifolia (especially seed extracts) can produce cholestatic and other forms of liver injury in animals and humans; specific components (psoralen, isopsoralen, bavachin, psoralidin) are implicated. Mechanistic work points to disrupted bile acid transport and mitochondrial dysfunction as likely contributors, and clinical case reports link herbal preparations containing P. corylifolia to acute cholestatic hepatitis.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Known photosensitivity disorders (eg. porphyria, erythropoietic photosensitivity)</h4> <ul> <li>🌞🚫</li> <li>Recommendation: Avoid Bakuchi products that increase light sensitivity (psoralens) if you have a photosensitivity disorder; discuss safe alternatives (eg. narrowband UVB under supervision or topical non-photosensitizing agents).</li> <li>Reasoning: Psoralens greatly increase UVA sensitivity and can provoke severe phototoxic reactions in susceptible people; phototherapy guidelines list photosensitivity as a contraindication for PUVA and recommend avoiding additional photosensitizing agents.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Mechanism of action of psoralens and clinical notes on PUVA phototherapy (review sources).</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: Multiple (see phototherapy and PUVA reviews such as Bethea/Laskin/PUVA follow-up literature).</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547880/ (Psoralen - LiverTox overview) </li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: Authoritative clinical summaries explain that psoralens sensitize the skin to UVA by intercalating into DNA and forming photoadducts on UVA exposure, which can produce marked phototoxicity; clinicians are advised to avoid psoralen-based photochemotherapy in patients with pre-existing photosensitivity disorders and to use extreme caution with co-exposures to other photosensitizers.</p> </li> </ul> <h3> Relative Contraindications of Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) </h3> <h4>Breastfeeding / nursing</h4> <ul> <li>🤱</li> <li>Recommendation: Avoid oral or systemic Bakuchi (psoralen) during breastfeeding; delay PUVA or oral psoralen until after breastfeeding or use safer alternatives like narrowband UVB when needed.</li> <li>Reasoning: Psoralens can be present systemically after ingestion and may be excreted in breast milk, posing a risk of photosensitivity to the nursing infant.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Phototherapy guidance and recommendations regarding breastfeeding (guideline/review).</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: (Multiple guideline/review authors; see National and dermatology society guidance summaries.)</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29999939/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: Phototherapy reviews and clinical guidelines recommend withholding breastfeeding for a period after ingestion of oral psoralens (eg. 24 hours or more depending on formulation) because psoralens may pass into milk and cause photosensitivity in infants; many dermatology guidelines advise avoiding PUVA during breastfeeding and favour UVB as the safer phototherapy option in lactation.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Concurrent drugs metabolised by CYP3A4 (eg. certain statins, some benzodiazepines, calcineurin inhibitors)</h4> <ul> <li>💊</li> <li>Recommendation: Use caution and consult a clinician before taking Bakuchi extracts together with drugs that are CYP3A4 substrates; monitoring or dose adjustments may be needed.</li> <li>Reasoning: In vitro studies show P. corylifolia extracts and individual components (psoralen, isopsoralen) inhibit CYP3A4 activity; this could raise blood levels of drugs metabolised by CYP3A4 and increase adverse effects.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: CYP3A4 inhibition by Psoralea corylifolia and its major components in human recombinant enzyme, differentiated human hepatoma HuH-7 and HepaRG cells.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: Liu H, et al. (see PubMed entry for full author list).</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28962388/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: In vitro work showed that P. corylifolia fruit extract and isolated psoralen/isopsoralen inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity in recombinant systems and human hepatoma cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner. The authors caution that such inhibition could lead to clinically relevant herb-drug interactions in vivo and recommend further pharmacokinetic and clinical interaction studies; clinical case reports of liver injury often involve co-administration with other herbal or drug products.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Children and adolescents (especially for systemic/oral use)</h4> <ul> <li>🧒</li> <li>Recommendation: Prefer safer modalities (eg. narrowband UVB) and avoid oral psoralen/PUVA in children unless under specialist supervision; topical Bakuchi formulations should be used cautiously and under paediatric dermatology guidance.</li> <li>Reasoning: Long-term safety data for systemic psoralens in children are limited and the lifetime cumulative cancer risk is a particular concern with photochemotherapy begun early in life; practice guidelines typically prefer UVB for younger patients.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Good practice guideline and recommendations for phototherapy (including recommendations for children and adolescents).</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: French Society of Photodermatology / guideline authors (see PubMed entry).</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20110064/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: Phototherapy guidelines recommend narrowband UVB as the first-line phototherapy for children and adolescents and note that PUVA (psoralen + UVA) carries additional risks; they advise caution or avoidance of psoralen photochemotherapy in paediatric populations because of long-term safety concerns and recommend specialist oversight if used.</p> </li> </ul>

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<h4>Excess sunburn / phototoxic reaction</h4> <ul> <li>🔥</li> <li>Side effect summary: Using Bakuchi products that contain psoralens (or taking them before UVA exposure) can cause intense sunburn-like reactions, blistering, redness and long-term photo-damage if not dosed and timed correctly.</li> <li>Recommendation: Avoid direct sunlight for the recommended period after topical or oral psoralen; if severe redness, blistering or systemic symptoms occur, stop use and seek medical attention. For severe or repeated phototoxicity, consult a dermatologist.</li> <li>Reasoning: Psoralens sensitize skin to UVA, producing photoadducts and oxidative damage; phototoxicity is predictable and dose- and time-dependent (linked to ingestion/application timing and UVA exposure).</li> <li>Severity Level: Moderate</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Mechanism of action of psoralens: DNA photoadduct formation and PUVA clinical effects (review and mechanistic studies).</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: Multiple, see PUVA photochemistry literature (eg. publications by Averbeck, Laskin, and PUVA reviews).</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19064630/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: Experimental and cell studies show that psoralen + UVA produces DNA monoadducts and interstrand crosslinks that block transcription and replication, triggering apoptosis and phototoxic tissue injury. The molecular photochemistry explains predictable phototoxic skin reactions after psoralen exposure with UVA-hence clinical protocols strictly control dose, timing, and light exposure to reduce adverse effects.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Liver injury / hepatotoxicity (with oral or prolonged high-dose use)</h4> <ul> <li>🩺</li> <li>Side effect summary: Prolonged or high-dose use of Bakuchi seed extracts has been associated with cholestatic hepatitis and other patterns of liver injury in case reports and animal studies.</li> <li>Recommendation: Stop systemic Bakuchi if you develop jaundice, dark urine, persistent nausea or abdominal pain and seek urgent medical testing (liver function tests). Avoid systemic use in people with existing liver disease.</li> <li>Reasoning: Animal and human data implicate psoralen and several flavonoid/isoflavonoid constituents in bile acid transporter disruption, mitochondrial stress, and oxidative injury leading to cholestasis and hepatocellular damage.</li> <li>Severity Level: Severe</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Psoralea corylifolia L.: a comprehensive review of its ... toxicology ...</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: (Review) - see Chinese Medicine 2022 article authors.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36267516/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: The review compiles case reports linking Fructus psoraleae ingestion to cholestatic hepatitis, summarizes animal data showing psoralen induces liver enzyme changes and bile acid transporter dysfunction, and discusses in vitro and in vivo evidence for mitochondrial and bile acid mediated pathways contributing to hepatotoxicity. Clinicians are advised to be cautious with systemic use and to monitor liver function if use is unavoidable.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Allergic contact dermatitis or skin irritation (topical bakuchiol/bakuchi products)</h4> <ul> <li>🤕</li> <li>Side effect summary: Some individuals can develop allergic contact dermatitis or irritation from Bakuchi extracts or cosmetic bakuchiol formulations, presenting as redness, itching, or eczema at the application site.</li> <li>Recommendation: Patch-test a small area before using a new Bakuchi/bakuchiol product; stop use and consult a dermatologist if a spreading rash, blisters, or severe itch develops.</li> <li>Reasoning: Bakuchiol is a biologically active phenolic compound and has been reported in case reports to cause allergic contact dermatitis when used in cosmetics or topical preparations; variability in extract purity increases risk.</li> <li>Severity Level: Mild</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: A new case of contact dermatitis to bakuchiol in a cosmetic cream.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Authors: (Case report) - authors as listed on PubMed entry.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31423588/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: Case reports document allergic contact dermatitis linked to topical bakuchiol formulations; patch testing confirmed hypersensitivity in affected individuals. Authors highlight that although bakuchiol is often promoted as a retinol alternative, it can be allergenic in some people and that product purity and other formulation ingredients may contribute to sensitisation risk.</p> </li> </ul>

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<h4>Drugs metabolised by CYP3A4 (eg. many statins, certain benzodiazepines, midazolam, some calcium-channel blockers, some immunosuppressants)</h4> <ul> <li>Interaction_Details: Bakuchi extract (psoralen/isopsoralen) inhibits CYP3A4 activity in vitro; this may slow breakdown of many commonly used drugs and raise their blood levels, increasing risk of adverse effects (eg. statin myopathy, benzodiazepine oversedation, tacrolimus toxicity).</li> <li>Severity: Moderate</li> <li>Recommendation: Consult a clinician before combining Bakuchi extracts with medications that are CYP3A4 substrates; monitor drug levels or for side effects and consider dose adjustments or avoid combination.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Available: Yes</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28962388/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: CYP3A4 inhibition by Psoralea corylifolia and its major components in human recombinant enzyme, differentiated human hepatoma HuH-7 and HepaRG cells.</li> <li>Scientfic_Study_Authors: Liu H, et al.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: In vitro experiments showed P. corylifolia extract and its constituents (psoralen, isopsoralen) inhibit CYP3A4 enzyme activity in recombinant and hepatoma cell systems in a concentration-dependent manner. Authors caution these findings suggest a potential for clinically relevant herb-drug interactions with CYP3A4 substrates and recommend in vivo interaction studies and clinical caution when co-administered with drugs metabolised by CYP3A4.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Photosensitizing drugs (eg. tetracyclines, sulfonamides, amiodarone, certain diuretics)</h4> <ul> <li>Interaction_Details: Combining Bakuchi (psoralens) with other photosensitizing medications increases risk of severe phototoxic reactions and skin injury because of additive photosensitisation.</li> <li>Severity: Moderate</li> <li>Recommendation: Avoid concurrent use of systemic psoralens/Bakuchi and other known photosensitizers; if unavoidable, use strict photoprotection and medical supervision.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Available: Partial (guideline and mechanistic literature)</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547880/ (Psoralen overview, clinical cautions)</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Psoralen (clinical overview and phototherapy guidance).</li> <li>Scientfic_Study_Authors: LiverTox / NCBI Bookshelf summary authors and cited clinical literature.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: Clinical guidance documents and pharmacology summaries describe how psoralens increase UVA sensitivity and advise avoiding other photosensitizing drugs during psoralen therapy because of amplified phototoxic risk. Practical recommendations include stopping photosensitizing medications when starting psoralen-based treatments and preventing accidental sun exposure.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Concomitant immunosuppressants or long-term immunosuppression (eg. cyclosporine, azathioprine, anti-TNF agents)</h4> <ul> <li>Interaction_Details: Use of PUVA or psoralen-containing products together with immunosuppressive therapy may increase the overall risk of skin cancers or other malignancies compared with either therapy alone.</li> <li>Severity: Severe</li> <li>Recommendation: Avoid combining systemic psoralen/UVA photochemotherapy with long-term systemic immunosuppression where possible; if combination is medically necessary, use strict cancer surveillance and specialist oversight.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Available: Yes (epidemiologic and review literature)</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23987103/</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: Cancer risk in immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (review discussing therapy-associated cancer risks).</li> <li>Scientfic_Study_Authors: Bernstein CN, et al. (review authors-see PubMed entry)</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>Paraphrase: Reviews of cancer risks in immune-mediated diseases highlight that certain combinations-such as PUVA photochemotherapy with systemic immunosuppressive agents-have been associated with higher rates of non-melanoma skin cancers in observational studies. This supports clinical caution and active surveillance when phototherapy is used in immunosuppressed patients.</p> </li> </ul> <h4>Topical retinoids or strong keratolytics on the same area</h4> <ul> <li>Interaction_Details: Concurrent topical use of strong retinoids or keratolytics with Bakuchi-containing topical products can increase local irritation or barrier disruption and may enhance photosensitivity if psoralens are present.</li> <li>Severity: Mild</li> <li>Recommendation: Stagger application or avoid combining potent topical actives on the same area; patch-test and monitor for irritation.</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Available: NA (guidance derived from formulation/phototoxicity principles rather than direct P. corylifolia interaction trials)</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Link: NA</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Title: NA</li> <li>Scientfic_Study_Authors: NA</li> <li>Scientific_Study_Excerpt: <p>NA</p> </li> </ul>