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Psoralea corylifolia - L.

Common Name Bu Gu Zhi
Family Fabaceae or Leguminosae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although no specific mention of toxicity for this species has been found, at least some members of this genus contain furanocoumarins, these substances can cause photosensitivity in some people[65].
Habitats Warm valleys in Guizhou, Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces, China[266].
Range Asia, from Iran to China, Africa and the Middle East.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (4 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Full sun
Psoralea corylifolia Bu Gu Zhi


Psoralea corylifolia Bu Gu Zhi

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Psoralea corylifolia is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed[177]. No further details are given.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Anthelmintic  Antibacterial  Aphrodisiac  Astringent  Cardiac  Cytotoxic  Deobstruent  Diaphoretic  
Diuretic  Infertility  Kidney  Leprosy  Odontalgic  Skin  Stimulant  
Stomachic  Tonic

Bu Gu Zhi is valued in Chinese herbal medicine as a tonic remedy and is used to improve general vitality[254]. Modern research has shown that it is also of value in the treatment of skin disorders, including vitiligo. Some caution should be employed when applying the herb externally, however, since it can sensitise the skin and cause an allergic reaction to sunlight[254]. The one-seeded fruits (or the seed plus the seedpod) are highly regarded as an aphrodisiac and tonic to the genital organs[218]. The seed is anthelmintic, antibacterial, aphrodisiac, astringent, cardiac, cytotoxic, deobstruent, diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[4, 147, 176, 178, 218, 240]. It is used in the treatment of febrile diseases, premature ejaculation, impotence, lower back pains, frequent urination, incontinence, bed wetting etc[240, 254]. It is also used externally to treat various skin ailments including leprosy, leucoderma and hair loss[218, 240]. The seed and fruit contain psoralen. This causes the skin to produce new pigment when exposed to sunlight and is used for treating vitiligo and psoriasis[176]. The antibacterial action of the fruit inhibits the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculos[176]. The fruit is gathered when ripe in the autumn and can be dried for later use[254]. The root is used for treating dental caries[218]. The plant yields a useful medicinal oleoresin, it treats kidney disorders, impotence, premature ejaculation, lumbago etc[4, 147, 176, 178].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information for this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors at least in the milder parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil[1]. Requires a well-drained soil in a sunny position[200]. Plants are very intolerant of root disturbance, they are best planted out into their permanent positions whilst still small[200]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and then sow in early to mid spring in a greenhouse. Either sow the seed in individual pots or pot up the young seedlings as soon as possible in order to avoid root disturbance. Grow them on in the pots until planting out in their final positions. It is usually impossible to transplant this species without fatal damage to the root[200]. Division in spring. With great care since the plant resents root disturbance. It is virtually impossible to divide this species successfully[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Psoralea argophyllaSilverleaf Scurf Pea, Silverleaf Indian breadrootPerennial0.6 0-0  LMHNDM212
Psoralea californicaCalifornia Indian breadrootPerennial0.2 0-0  LMHNDM202
Psoralea canescensBuckrootPerennial0.0 -  LMNDM212
Psoralea castoreaBeaver Indian breadrootPerennial0.5 0-0  LMNDM402
Psoralea cuspidataIndian Breadroot, Largebract Indian breadrootPerennial0.6 0-0  LMNDM202
Psoralea esculentaBreadroot, Large Indian breadrootPerennial0.3 4-8  LMHNDM513
Psoralea glandulosaCulenShrub3.0 8-11  LMHNM31 
Psoralea hypogaeaSmall Indian BreadrootPerennial0.1 4-8  LMNDM402
Psoralea lanceolataLemon scurfpeaPerennial0.6 0-0  LMNDM202
Psoralea macrostachyaLarge Leather RootPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHNM212
Psoralea mephitica Perennial0.0 -  LMHNDM202
Psoralea orbicularisRoundleaf Leather RootPerennial0.1 5-9  LMHNDM112
Psoralea pedunculataSampson's SnakerootPerennial1.0 -  LMHNDM01 
Psoralea subacaulisWhiterim scurfpeaPerennial0.2 0-0  LMHNDM202
Psoralea tenuifloraSlender Scurfy Pea, Slimflower scurfpeaPerennial1.0 0-0  LMHNDM202

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

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Botanical References

266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

gowri shankar   Wed Jun 11 07:50:57 2003

you, can give the common names of the plants in different languages.your site has a good colection of plants than any other site .thankyou for your information.

sumira jan   Tue Feb 6 2007

It should contain various phytoconstituents of pant with its importance in particular disease.

annapurna   Sat Feb 24 2007

More information on its symbiotic partner is needed.

irfan shaukat   Wed Mar 12 2008

I m working on antifungal activity of Psoralea corylifolia. I get more information from this site then any other

Atlar Singh Dhaker   Wed Apr 22 2009

I m working on antioxident & radioprotective activity of Psoralea corylifolia seed. I get more information from this site then any other.I need more information related to its antioxident & radioprotective activity.

Harini   Mon Aug 10 2009

Hi. Im from Sri Lanka. Im also suffering from Leucoderma since last few years. Could u pls tell me wts the sinhala name for Psoralea corylifolia pls. Is it avaiable in sri Lanka... Is it good for Leucoderma...? Pls send me some details about this.... Im appriciate this very much. Tnks, Harini

Sharmila   Thu Oct 15 2009

Hi, I am doing tissue culture work on this plant. this very useful for me in gethering information about this plant. Thank you.

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