Bakuchi: Uses, Benefits, Dosage & Side Effects

Introduction

Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) is a plant known for its medicinal value and grown in different parts of the world with tropical and sub-tropical climatic conditions. While Bakuchi or Babchi is its trade name, the plant is called by various names in India. These are: 

• Babchi or Bavanchi in Hindi 
• Anindavi, Kamboji or Avalguja in Sanskrit 
• Baukuchi in Kannada 
• Bhavanji in Telugu 
• Bavachi in Gujarati 
• Bavachya in Marathi 
• Karkokil in Malayalam 
• Karpokarisi in Tamil 
• Babechi in Urdu. 

The plant is used in traditional medicine to prepare medicines for various illnesses. It can be consumed or applied superficially for managing skin conditions. Its roots, leaves, stems and seeds are useful to prepare medications for skin diseases, and has been used commonly in ayurveda for management of leprosy (that is why it is called ‘Kushtanashini’ or leprosy destroyer). Not just ayurveda, Bakuchi is also an important component used in Korean and Chinese medicine¹. 

In this blog, we will discuss in detail about the proposed therapeutic properties and benefits of Bakuchi. We will also explore how it is used and the potential side effects it may have. 

Uses of Bakuchi in Traditional Medicine

Some effects of  Bakuchi that make it a suitable candidate to prepare ayurvedic medications include:  

• The antibacterial property of the plant is beneficial for skin diseases caused due to Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermis and even leprosy².   
• Anti-inflammatory effect of Bakuchi is beneficial for skin ailments like leukoderma and dermatitis³. This also makes it helpful to manage respiratory illnesses like asthma and cough⁴.   
• The plant’s seeds can be used as an antidote to snake venom and scorpion sting due to its anticoagulant effect⁴. 
• The other property of the plant is its positive effect on reproductive health. It has estrogenic properties and can also act as an aphrodisiac^5,6.   
• The bone forming property of the plant is helpful to manage bone disorders⁷. 
• Animal studies have shown that the plant has hepatoprotective properties useful in managing fatty liver disorder⁸.  
• The plant also has anti-tumor properties, which inhibit the multiplication of certain types of cancer cells as per some animal studies⁹. 
• In another animal study, its seed extracts showed antihelminthic properties against Ascaridia galli, an intestinal parasite of poultry¹⁰.  
• The plant has demonstrated neuroprotective activity and thus can help manage nerve degeneration diseases like Alzheimers¹¹.   
• The plant also has antioxidant, analgesic, antidiabetic and antidiarrheal activity¹².   

There are several applications of Bakuchi in ayurveda, and initial research has also shown its health beneficial properties. Yet further large-scale human trials are needed to corroborate these findings.  

I recently read an article that says, due to its Keshya quality, Bakuchi churna may help with hair growth and reduce dandruff when administered topically in Ayurveda. From my perspective, the use of Bakuchi churna should be done for awesome, long tresses. The quality and lustre of hair may also get enhanced. Grey hairs might also reduce with its regular use¹⁴.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Top 5 Benefits of Bakuchi

Although Bakuchi has been used for several purposes, here are its five important benefits: 

1. Benefits of Bakuchi for Skin Diseases

• Bakuchi seeds have been used to deal with various skin diseases. It is commonly used to manage leucoderma, a condition of discolouration of the skin³. 
• Bakuchi can be used for managing psoriasis and itching associated with the condition⁴. 
• Bakuchi can also be consumed to deal with leprosy⁶.  
• The oil from the seeds is used to deal with Tinea versicolor, scabies and ringworm¹².   

2. Anti-cancer Activity of Bakuchi 

• Bakuchi extract is found to be effective in destroying cancer cells of osteosarcoma and breast cancer^7,11. 

3. Benefits of Bakuchi for Dental & Bone Disorders

• The extract from the roots of the Bakuchi plant can manage various dental disorders like dental carries. 
• In addition to this, it is beneficial for dealing with osteoporosis and bone fractures as it can boost bone calcification⁷.   

4. Benefits of Bakuchi for Reproductive & Urinary Problems

• Bakuchi extracts are used as an aphrodisiac. It is also used to treat incontinence in men, frequent urination, premature ejaculation and impotence. 
• The seed extract helps to soothe the symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding and menstrual disorders in women^5,6. 

5. Benefits of Bakuchi for Gastrointestinal Disorders

• The powder from the seed extract is used to relieve the symptoms of constipation, manage parasitic intestinal infections, and improve appetite. 
• The leaves can be used to make medicines to manage diarrhoea, and fruits are good to deal with piles and nausea^6,12. 

While there are several health benefits of Bakuchi, consuming in moderation is key. Discuss with your doctor before including this in your routine, especially of you have any medical conditions. 

In this 5G era, we constantly struggle to walk parallel to the fast-growing world. But with this, stress and anxiety has become a common complaint. From my experience, Bakuchi may do wonders for our minds and overall health! I recently read an article which suggests that Bakuchi may have antidepressant qualities. Bakuchi is believed to lower the plasma levels of the neurotransmitters adrenaline and norepinephrine, eventually decreasing stress levels¹⁵.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Bakuchi?

The Bakuchi plant is used to manage different kinds of diseases. For some conditions like skin infections or chronic skin diseases, it can be mixed along with agents like karanji oil or buttermilk and applied. For others, it can be consumed systemically.  

• Your Ayurvedic physician will prescribe you the right form and dosage as per your health condition.   

From my observations, occurence of diabetes may be avoided with the use of Bakuchi. According to the studies¹⁵, the ethanol seed extract of Bakuchi exhibits both anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects. They are believed to boost plasma insulin and liver glycogen levels while decreasing plasma cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

Dr. Smita Barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.

Side Effects of Bakuchi

Bakuchi should not be used undiluted and in high doses; otherwise, it may cause the following side effects¹³:  

• Allergies    
• Rashes   
• Skin discolouration   
• Hyperacidity   
• Gastritis   
• Irritation or burning sensation on the skin  
• Hepatotoxicity   
• Rapid breathing   
• Blurred vision   
• Dizziness   
• Malaise  
• Nausea  
• Vomiting 

Some of the other side effects are:  

• In case of severe overdose – loss of consciousness and even coma  
• Renal complications   
• Loose motions   
• Sleeplessness   
• Prolonged use may affect eyes, liver and immune system   

Children, pregnant women and nursing mothers should not consume Bakuchi without a doctor’s supervision.   

Conclusion

Bakuchi is a powerful herb that has several potential health benefits and supports overall wellness. However, it’s best to use it with proper guidance to avoid any side effects. Consult an ayurvedic practitioner for the right form and dose. With careful use, Bakuchi can be a great natural remedy. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Mahajan N, Koul B, Gupta P, Shah BA, Singh J. Psoralea corylifolia L.: Panacea to several maladies. South African Journal of Botany. 2022 Sep 1;149:963-93. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0254629922000266#bib0015  
2. Mj A, Singh TR, Patgiri BJ. Antimicrobial activity of different dosage forms of Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia Linn.) taila, an Ayurvedic formulation. Int J Ayurvedic Med. 2015;6(3):232-6. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283355494_ 
3. Shamsi S, Shamsi S. Psoralea corylifolia Babchi: A popular herb of Unani, Ayurvedic and Chinese system of medicine for Vitiligo. International Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2019;7(4):51-5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/351838777_ 
4. Alam F, Khan GN, Asad MHHB. Psoralea corylifolia L: Ethnobotanical, biological, and chemical aspects: A review. Phytother Res. 2018;32(4):597-615 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29243333/  
5. Chauhan NS, Sharma V, Dixit VK, Thakur M. A review on plants used for improvement of sexual performance and virility. BioMed research international. 2014;2014(1):868062. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4151601/ 
6. Habeeba S. Shaikh, Siddiqua S. Shaikh. Babchi (Psoralea corylifolia): From a Variety of Traditional Medicinal Application to its Novel Roles in Various Diseases: A Review. Asian Journal of Pharmacy and Technology. 2021; 11(3):238-4. https://ajptonline.com/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=Asian%20Journal%20of%20Pharmacy%20and%20Technology;PID=2021-11-3-9 
7. Kim SC, Gu DR, Yang H, Lee A, Ha H. Polysaccharides from Psoralea corylifolia seeds suppress osteoclastogenesis and alleviate osteoporosis. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 2025 May 20:144423. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014181302504975X 
8. Hong Y, Choi SI, Hong E, Kim GH. Psoralea corylifolia L. extract ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in free-fatty-acid-incubated HEPG2 cells and in high-fat diet-fed mice. J Food Sci. 2020;85(7):2216-2226. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32579753/  
9. Manju S. Anticancer Potential of Psoralea Corylifolia L. Ethanol Extract: Cytotoxicity, Apoptosis Mechanisms, and Gene Expression Analysis In Mcf7 Breast Cancer Cells Via qPCR. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research. 2024;6(6):1-8 https://www.ijfmr.com/papers/2024/6/30208.pdf  
10. Raza A, Muhammad F, Bashir S, Aslam B, Anwar MI, Naseer MU. In-vitro and in-vivo anthelmintic potential of different medicinal plants against Ascaridia galli infection in poultry birds. World’s Poultry Science Journal. 2016;72(1):115-124. https://ajptonline.com/HTMLPaper.aspx?Journal=Asian%20Journal%20of%20Pharmacy%20and%20Technology;PID=2021-11-3-9 
11. Ranjan S, Kushwaha NS, Trivedi S, Tiwari N, Khan S. The Effect of Psoralea corylifolia (Babchi) on Neuronal Apoptosis Induced by Palmitate in PC12 Cells and its Role in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Review. Pharmacognosy Magazine. 2024;21(1):7-26. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09731296241243132 
12. Yang A, Kong L, You Z, et al. A review of Psoralea corylifolia L.: a valuable plant with profound biological significance. Front Pharmacol. 2025;15:1521040. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39902075/ 
13. Makwana, Sarika; Mehere, Nikhil; Bedarkar, Prashant; Biswajyoti, Patgiri. Critical note on pretreatment (Shodhana) of Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia L.). Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences 7(1):p 3-10, Jan–Mar 2022 https://journals.lww.com/jdra/fulltext/2022/07010/critical_note_on_pretreatment__shodhana__of.2.aspx  
14. Bahatkar GK, Jadhao M, Kamdi PS, Parwe S. An Ayurvedic and modern review on valued medicinal plant—Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia Linn.). Drugs and Cell Therapies in Hematology. 2021 Oct;10(1):3730–3737. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355651386_An_Ayurvedic_and_Modern_Review_on_Valued_Medicinal_Plant_-Bakuchi_Psoralea_corylifolia_Linn
15. Belge DA, Jeurkar MM. Morphological, pharmacological and toxicological profile of Psoralea corylifolia L.: a review. Int J Res Anal Rev. 2023 Apr;10(2):146–153. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Divya-Belge/publication/370060001_MORPHOLOGICAL_PHARMACOLOGICAL_AND_TOXICOLOGICAL_PROFILE_OF_PSORALEA_CORYLIFOLIA_L_A_REVIEW/links/643fc51ee881690c4be54f5c/MORPHOLOGICAL-PHARMACOLOGICAL-AND-TOXICOLOGICAL-PROFILE-OF-PSORALEA-CORYLIFOLIA-L-A-REVIEW.pdf

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