Pueraria mirifica
Pueraria mirifica, commonly known as White Kwao Krua, is a medicinal plant native to Thailand. Renowned for its phytoestrogenic properties, it is widely utilized in traditional medicine to support hormonal balance, skin health, and vitality. This potent botanical serves as a natural remedy for managing various female wellness concerns.
- Scientific name: Pueraria mirifica
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. Its taxonomic classification concludes with the genus Pueraria, specifically identified as Pueraria mirifica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pueraria | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Pueraria mirifica, is known by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Simplified Chinese (zh-hans), Traditional Chinese (zh-hant), Cantonese (zh-hk), and standard Mandarin (zh), it is referred to as 野葛根. In Japanese (ja), it is commonly called プエラリア.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 野葛根 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 野葛根 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 野葛根 | Wikidata |
| ja | プエラリア | Wikidata |
| zh | 野葛根 | Wikidata |
| ms | Pokok Bidadari Putih | Wikidata |
| vi | Sắn dây củ tròn | Wikidata |
| th | กวาวเครือขาว | Wikidata |
| ko | 태국칡 | Wikidata |
| arz | بوريريا ميريفيكا | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily recognized for its specific regional presence within the Indo-China area. Its natural habitat is most notably concentrated in the country of Thailand. Within this Southeast Asian territory, it thrives in certain environmental conditions that support its growth. Because of this limited range, its wild collection is largely tied to these specific geographic coordinates. Consequently, the plant is considered a significant botanical resource native to the Thai landscape.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Pueraria mirifica, is characterized by its unique morphological structure, primarily centered around its specialized underground storage organs. The most pharmacologically significant part is the large, fleshy tuber, which is a modified tuberous root used to store nutrients and bioactive phytoestrogens. Surrounding the central mass, one may encounter the tuberous cortex, the outer layer of the root system that contributes to its overall structure. Above the ground, the plant features a climbing stem that supports its growth, bearing young leaves that are essential for photosynthesis and the plant's developmental cycle.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 9
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tuberous root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| young leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tuberous cortices | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tuber | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mature leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cortex-excised tubers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pueraria mirifica has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include deoxymiroestrol, miroestrol, phytoestrogen, Miroestrol, PM.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| deoxymiroestrol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| miroestrol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytoestrogen | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Miroestrol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| PM | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diadzein | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| genistein | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoflavones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kwakhurin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pueraria mirifica has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, breast cancer, cardiovascular risks, cognitive impairment, hypertension.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular risks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cognitive impairment | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| menopause | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |