How to use Bakuchi/Psoralea corylifolia in Vitiligo (Leucoderma) & other skin diseases

BAKUCHI/PSORALEA SEEDS

Explanation of the plant of Bakuchi or Psoralea corylifolia

Babchi or Psoralea corylifolia is an annual, tropical, and subtropical herb that is well known by different names like  Babachi, Bawachi (Hindi), Psoralea seeds,  Scurf-pea, West Indian Satinwood, Purple fleabane, Fountain bush (English), Bakuchi,  Kushthahantri, Kushtaghni, Kustanashini, Somaraji, Chandraraji, Awalguja (Sanskrit), Psoralea patersoniae, Lotodes corylifolia (scientific synonyms) etc. It grows up in India especially in Rajasthan,  Punjab, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and W. Bengal, China and Southern Africa. 





It develops 1/2-1 meter tall and yellowish purple flowers develop in August - December. Its seeds are trusted and widely used as a part of  PUVA therapy for the treatment of vitiligo, psoriasis, skin cancer and other health conditions. Although it is useful in different health conditions mostly known for the treatment of different kinds of skin disorders.

As a medicine, its seeds, seeds oil,  leaves, and roots have been used for quite a long extent. However, its seeds and essential oil are the most used in vitiligo. Usually, oil is extracted from its seed products by the steam refining process. It has a place with Fabaceae plant family and its own seed products are brownish dark colored, oblong, subglobular, just a bit compressed, flattened, 2-3 mm long, 2-3 mm wide-ranging, and 1/2-1 mm thick in view with a peculiar aromatic smell and pungent-bitter taste. The leaves are found in round adjusted or oval formed.

Bakuchi seeds are acclaimed among the people and Ayurvedic practitioners for their skin treatment properties. You will discover hundreds of therapeutic attributes of psoralea seeds as well as its essential oil like astringent, antioxidant, diuretic, tonic, cytotoxic, hypoglycemic, stomachic, laxative, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, blood purifier, skin rejuvenator, analgesic, antidepressant, anticancer, anti-worms, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory.

Set of known nutrients and chemical constituents of Babachi

 Psoralea seed products spruced up with different potent bioactive ingredients that can be an useful treatment for skin-related diseases including Leucoderma. And the information about those chemical components are listed below -

Bavachalcone, Bavachinin, Bavachin, Bavachromanol, Bakuchiol,  Bakuchicin, {Calcium mineral}, Corylin, Meroterpenes, Corylfolinin, Coumestrol, Angelicin, Flavanone, Neobavaisoflavone, Flavonoids, Genistein, Glucosides, Isobavachalcone, Psoralidin, Psolaren, Isopsoralen, Isopsoralidin, Dehydroisopsoralidin, Limonene, Linalool, Triacontane, Sitosterol, Potassium,  Neobavaisoflavone, Raffinose, 6-prenylnaringenin, 3-hydroxybakuchiol, Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, Corylifolen8 etc.

Treatment of Vitiligo & Other skin disorders with Psoralea corylifolia

Bakuchi can be employed in treating other physical diseases besides various skin diseases whose details are the following - 

·         Vitiligo/leucoderma - Vitiligo is a photosensitive condition of the skin, which happens because of the loss of melanin in the skin resulting in white spots that found in various sizes with the dispersed area of arms, back of the hands, lips, nose, elbows, shoulder, genitals and rectal area. 

Vitiligo is famous with many titles such as Shvitra, Safed daag, Shweta-kushta, white spots/patches, leucoderma etc. Its direct connection is related to the beauty of the body. So women tend to be more stressed over this health concern because they are incredibly aware of her beauty.

A lot of people in our country are affected by this disease including children and women. This condition is more prevalent in women than men if viewed as comparatively. According to an estimate, this disease could have effect 1-4% of people throughout the world. It has an impact on any age gathering, sex, or ethnicity but mostly appear after 20. This disease does not have any negative impact on the internal organs of the body except your skin which creates a dreadful situation in Indian society.

People of society runs away from vitiligo victim and averted from getting involved in social works. Some people would prefer even not to go close to the patient and treats as a leprosy sufferer which gives a considerable measure of nervousness and a great deal of mental stress to the patient while this is not a contagious disease.

Usually, hate expressions regularly observed or seen on the face of family members and relatives, other than social people. Some people even contemplate it a curse of God. So as a result of this, the patients get discouraged, fill humiliated, go for embarrassed, lost their self-esteem, and can take off from the mainstream of society. In addition, the rifts may be created in natural connection with familial relationships. Therefore, to avoid such unpleasant happenings, it is very important to bring awareness to the general public.

The exact reason has not been uncovered yet but some factors are considered responsible for this disease. The main reasons behind vitiligo can be an autoimmune disorder, sunburn, introduction to certain chemicals, heredity, adverse drug interaction, anxiety, and some others.

Corresponding to Charak Samhita, psoralea seed is a useful herb used for the vitiliginous patches locally and internally as well. By the use of externally, it serves as an irritant and takes out the uppermost layer of the skin and brings a normal color by bettering the dissemination of the skin's color cells known as melanocytes. It does not only stimulates melanocytes but revives the skin by taking out the systemic toxins.

It is necessary to take morning sunlight in the wake of applying it on the skin since it has content of ultraviolet rays. It could raise the rate of synthesis of melanin and promote the formation of melanocytes which is exceptionally very essential for the influenced skin to recover from white patches.

Making use of a paste of Babachi with cow urine offers promising results in white stains and ends up with discolorations of the skin.

Panchakarma therapyadditionally performs an important role in its treatment. So that, it would be good to get help from a trained Panchakarma therapist to get rid of vitiligo.

However, there is no need for a specific diet for a vitiligo sufferer but it is advisable to use a well-balanced diet for supporting and promoting the immune system of the body. As a Pathya, rice, porridge, mung daal, pointed gourd, cow milk, cucumber, radish etc. may be consumed.

·         Leprosy - Both dried out fruits and essential oil of this leguminous plant are used in Traditional Chinese medicine to take care of leprosy as the plant is of huge natural importance. Therefore, In Ayurveda, it has been called Kushthahantri, Kushtaghni, Kustanashini means leprosy destroyer.

·         Scabies - Bakuchi is also an effective treatment for scabies as it owns antimicrobial activities against gram positive and gram negative bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. It is often used in the form of oil, ointment, gel etc. in the treatment of scabies.

·         Ringworm - Bakuchi is conventionally used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of ringworm.  It is regarded as a promising traditional cure for ringworm because it contains antifungal properties.

·         Eczema - The tiny black seeds of Babachi has Kustha characteristics is helpful in eczema healing. The traditional Vaidyas or holistic physicians use its tincture form. Other than this, It is also useful in the condition of eczema if mixed with neem leaves.

·         Psoriasis -  In modern science, psoriasis is a challenge because its proper treatment in modern science has not been discovered till the date. Allopathic doctors also resort to Ayurveda for psoriasis treatment because for the treatment of psoriasis, different types of herbs are available and one of which is also named after Bawachi. It is said to be a safe and useful remedy for the treatment of psoriasis.

Apart from vitiligo or leukoderma, Bakuchi oil is also utilized in the cases of Dermatitis, Skin eruptions, Edematous skin conditions, Inflammatory diseases of the skin, Discolored dermatosis, Thickened skin, Dryness of skin, Inflamed skin nodules, Boils, Red papules, Hair loss etc. But remember, avoid sun exposure after using its oil in stated skin disorders.

Side effects, Precautions, and Contraindications of Psoralia seeds

·         Stay away from overexposure to too much heat condition during psoralea seeds treatment.

·         It should be better avoided in the condition of constipation, UTI, haematuria, dry mouth, and sore throat. 

  

·         Avoid using psoralea seeds as a single herb on account of vitiligo. The combination of some other herbs like Neem, Kutki, Haritaki, Manjishtha, Sariva, Guduchi, Khadira, Bhringaraja, Haridra, Punarnava, Apamarga etc. are more likely to provide better results.

·         It is contraindicated in pregnancy.

·         An external application may be reactive so pay extra attention when using topically. The patients taking PUVA therapy stay away from it because it can increase the risk of photosensitivity reactions.

·         Oral intaking of seeds powder can lead to vomiting, nausea in some of the cases.

·         It is very difficult to forecast of treatment results with psoralea seeds and exactly how long it will require to cure. Although it is a bitter truth that the treatment with psoralea seeds is frustrating and time-consuming. It may take months or even a year or two and need a lot of patience during a treatment period. Bakuchi along with sunlight can enhance the proliferation of melanocytes and as a result, the color becomes red and the patches gradually decrease.

·         Bakuchi is known as Kushnashini (leprosy destroyer) in Ayurveda and utilized in different systems of medicines such as Homeopath and Ayurveda to take care of leprosy, psoriasis, lower backache, worms infestation, impotence, bone diseases, as well as leucoderma.

·         Patients that are treating his white spots with Bawchi seeds should avoid foods like sour foods, salty foods, spicy food, fried foods, tinned foods, curd, tamarind, sesame seeds, tomato, raw garlic, raw onion, chillies, lemon, pickles, condiments, jaggery, chillies, jackfruits, citrus fruits, brinjal, fish, mutton, chicken, eggs, tea, coffee, liquor etc. and usually stay far from incompatible foodstuffs like meat with milk, curd with fish, tamarind and curd.

·         It is highly suggested to make use of Bawchi seeds under the supervision of an Ayurvedic physician. Since it has some side effects that also requires additional caution prior to the treatment.

Medication dosage of Bakuchi powder

The recommended dosage of medicine is 1 to 5 grams. in 2-3 divided doses throughout the day. It always should be intaken after a suggestion from the doctor.

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WRITTEN  BY  RAJESH  KUMAR