Pueraria – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Wednesday, August 23, 2017 by Earl Garcia

Pueraria is a tropical perennial herb that grows wild in Myanmar and Northeastern Thailand. The plant has long been used as a primary supplement for women, particularly among older and menopausal women. According to an Examine.com article, the herb is known to revitalize and rejuvenate women’s health.

List of known nutrients

Pueraria contains powerful compounds that help promote women’s health. A Herbpathy entry notes that pueraria contains:

Campsterol
Chromenes
Daidzein
Deoxymiroestrol
Genistein
Isoflavones
Mirificine
Miroestrol
Phytoestrogens
Puerarin
Seta-sitosterol
Stigmasterol

Medicinal uses for pueraria

Pueraria is best known for its potency in relieving various disorders affecting women’s health. The plant is found to combat breast cancer. According to a series of studies carried out by American and Thai researchers, pueraria root extracts contain powerful anti-estrogenic properties that mitigate aggressive breast cancer cell lines in vitro.

Likewise, the plant is found to improve breast size. Taking the herb serves as a healthy alternative to breast augmentation procedures. In fact, a previous study has shown that up to 70 percent of women who took the herb reported an increase in breast size. The plant is touted to reduce the appearance of stretch marks too.

The herb is found to alleviate menopausal symptoms as well. According to an article posted on the Healthy Focus website, pueraria helps relieve menopausal symptoms — such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and sleep problems — in older women by mimicking how estrogen works.

The plant is also shown to maintain healthy bones and prevent the onset of osteoporosis in older women. The phytoestrogens in pueraria contribute to the herb’s efficacy in in fortifying the skeletal system and reducing the risk of developing weak and brittle bones in menopausal women. Taking pueraria with calcium-rich foods such as milk, cheese, sesame seeds, or almonds may further optimize the plant’s beneficial effects on bone health.

In addition, pueraria is found to help slow down the aging process. An article on the Herb Wisdom website notes that the herb contains powerful flavonoids and miroestrol compounds that stave off the effects of aging. The plant is known to reduce the appearance of gray hair and cellulite and prevent the onset of baldness by promoting hair growth. Likewise pueraria is touted increase energy levels in older women. The plant is also shown to boost memory and overall blood circulation.

Older women who want to lose weight may benefit from the herb as well. The plant is touted to promote a feeling of fullness and induce healthy weight loss. Pueraria is helpful in addressing eating disorders too. The herb is known to improve appetite and mitigate symptoms of anorexia.

Old age is a key contributor to lower sex drive in menopausal women. However, taking pueraria supplements is found to boost sex drive and increase libido in older women. The plant is also shown to prevent vaginal dryness associated with menopause. Pueraria enhances vaginal moisture, which in turn reduces the risk of painful intercourse among older women.

Moreover, pueraria is touted to bolster collagen production. This, in turn, facilitates healthy cell regeneration that promotes skin health. The herb makes the skin look young, smooth and supple. It nourishes and moisturizes the skin as well.

Body systems supported by pueraria

Pueraria is best known for its beneficial effects on women’s health. Likewise, the plant helps improve bone health, memory and overall blood circulation in the said population. The herb also enhances skin condition and keeps a healthy reproductive system.

Ways to use pueraria

According to the Siam Natural website, pueraria is most commonly consumed as brewed tea to help normalize the body’s hormone levels. The plant can also be dissolved in mineral water to make a topical paste. Likewise, pueraria can be added to essential oils and used as massage oils.