Bu Gu Zhi
Psoralea corylifolia L. (syn. Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik.)
☯ TCM Properties
Tonifies Kidney Yang; Secures Essence and Stops Enuresis; Warms the Middle Burner and Stops Diarrhea; Aids the Kidneys in Grasping Qi; Dispels Wind-Heat from the Skin
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Cullen corylifolium (syn. Psoralea corylifolia, Fabaceae), known as babchi or Bu Gu Zhi, is an erect annual herb 60-180 cm tall with glandular-pubescent stems and simple, broadly ovate to elliptic leaves 5-10 cm long bearing prominent dark resinous glands beneath. Dense axillary racemes 5-10 cm long carry numerous small pea-flowers with bluish-violet to whitish corollas. The single-seeded indehiscent pods are ovoid, 4-5 mm long, blackish-brown when ripe, and contain a flattened, kidney-shaped seed with a strongly aromatic, slightly bitter taste due to furanocoumarins (psoralen, isopsoralen) responsible for the herb's well-known phototoxic and pigmenting effects. Native to India and naturalized across China, Southeast Asia, and tropical Africa. (Sources: POWO; Wikipedia; Bensky)
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-30g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Bu Gu Zhi (psoralea fruit, broken dish bone herb) is a warm herb used in Chinese medicine to warm Kidney and Spleen Yang, astringe to stop deficiency-type diarrhea, and promote the absorption of calcium for bone health. It is used for lower back pain from Kidney Yang deficiency, early-morning diarrhea from Kidney-Spleen Yang deficiency, urinary frequency, bedwetting, and impotence. Applied externally, it is a classical treatment for vitiligo and patchy hair loss, for which modern research has identified its photosensitizing compounds.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.