For hundreds of years, people in Southeast Asia have been using the root of “White Kwao Krua” for its significant anti-aging properties. This root has been identified as Pueraria candollei var. mirifica Airy Shaw et Suvat which belongs to the family Papilionaceae (Leguminosae).
Local people believe Pueraria mirifica is the cure for a wide range of ailments and conditions all relating to age and vitality. While modern scientists are just beginning to examine and investigate the potentials of P. mirifica, its reputation has long been rooted in local folklore, customs and culture. Folklore goes on to say that the root is a “fountain of youth” for aged men and women. It serves as an anti-wrinkle agent for aged and wrinkle skin; darkens white hair; increases hair growth; alleviates cataract problems; helps with memory loss; increases energy and vigor, blood circulation, appetite and sleep disorders.
The name mirifica in Latin means miracle maker. There are more than 100 related species of Pueraria, with 13 of them found in Thailand. But the only species with distinct estrogenic activity was found to be Pueraria candollei var. mirifica Airy Shaw et Suvat and it is only found in two mountainous provinces of Thailand. “The Ingredient of Pueraria Tuberous Root”, translated from Lana (language of the Northern Kingdom), said the use of this root will make the skin smooth like a six year old child, allow you to live 1,000 years and prevent suffering from parasites, while enhancing memory. Wanadorn, P.W. in “A Reputed Rejuvenator” (J. Siam Society, Natural History Supp., 8, 337 (1931)), wrote “The ability of P. mirifica to produce a soft, youthful skin and to turn white hair black is stressed.”
There are three main chemical groups of phytoestrogens in P. mirifica:
1. Miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol.
2. The isoflavonoid group, which comprises daidzin and daidzein, genisten and genistein, and puerarin.
3. The coumestan group is made up of coumestrol.
Miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol have more than 3,000 times the estrogenic activity of soy isoflavone and are found in no other plant. All attempts at synthetization have failed. The structure of miroestrol is nearly bio-identical to estriol, the estrogen produced in pregnancy that may account for the “glowing” skin expectant mothers are said to have.