Herbs & Botanicals · Ayurvedic and Chinese skin herb
Bakuchi
Psoralea corylifolia (Cullen corylifolium) · also called Babchi, bu gu zhi, Psoraleae Fructus
Bakuchi is the seed of a plant used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine for white skin patches (vitiligo), psoriasis and weak bones. Research is thin: one small skin study and animal work. The main cautions are serious: the seed can make skin burn in sunlight, and doctors have reported liver injury, including liver failure. Bakuchiol face cream is a separate purified product.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Bakuchi
Bakuchi is a traditional skin and bone seed with thin human evidence and serious safety concerns: light sensitivity and liver injury.
What it is
Bakuchi (babchi, bu gu zhi) is the seed of Cullen corylifolium, also called Psoralea corylifolia, a plant used in India and China. In trade it is often called the fruit, Psoraleae Fructus.
It contains psoralens, which react with light, and bakuchiol, a compound used in face creams. The seed and the cream compound are different products.
How it may work
Psoralens are used with UVA light in medical skin treatment, which is why the seed has been tried on vitiligo. The same property is why it can burn skin in sunlight.
Reviews link the liver injury to bile-acid problems, oxidative stress and cell damage, mostly in lab and animal work.
What the research shows
For vitiligo there is one small 20-person study of a 10% seed ointment with no placebo. For bone density the evidence is animal only. In people, bakuchiol 0.5% cream was about as good as retinol in a 44-person, 12-week trial.
We found no randomised trial of the whole seed for any use.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Vitiligo, leprosy and psoriasis in Ayurveda
- Bone and muscle tonic in Chinese medicine (bu gu zhi)
- Used for diarrhea in Chinese medicine, per a review
Studied for research
- Vitiligo (seed ointment), insufficient
- Bone density after menopause (animal studies), insufficient
- Bakuchiol skin cream for ageing skin (purified compound), low
- Liver protection, against (the signal is harm)
Main compounds
- Psoralen (PubChem CID 6199)
- Isopsoralen / angelicin (CID 10658)
- Bakuchiol (CID 5468522)
- Isobavachalcone (CID 5281255)
Common forms
- Seed powder
- Tablets or capsules
- Chinese herbal formulas
- Seed ointment or oil
- Bakuchiol face creams (separate product)
Research links: Mehta 2024: Severe phototoxic reaction in a child (PubMed) · Gandhi 2024: Bakuchi-induced liver failure (PubMed) · Shi 2022: Safety of Psoraleae Fructus, systematic review (PubMed) · Dhaliwal 2019: Bakuchiol versus retinol trial (PubMed) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
The plant and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik. (GBIF ACCEPTED, exact match, confidence 99). Psoralea corylifolia L. is a GBIF synonym.
- Naming authority
- (L.) Medik.
- Synonyms
- Psoralea corylifolia
- Common names
- Bakuchi (Sanskrit/Hindi); Babchi (Hindi); Bu gu zhi (Chinese); Psoraleae Fructus (Latin (drug name))
- Botanical family
- Fabaceae
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Fabales > Fabaceae > Cullen > Cullen corylifolium
- Native range
- Used in India and China; exact native range not verified.
- Habitat
- Not covered in the sources read.
- What the plant looks like
- Roots: Not covered.; Stems: An annual herb per a 2025 review; details not covered.; Leaves: Not covered.; Flowers: Not covered.; Fruit: The mature fruit (called the seed in trade) is the part used.; Seeds: Used medicinally.; Cultivation: Not covered.
- Harvest and processing
- A 2022 review mentions traditional processing and compatibility with other herbs to reduce toxicity; details were not read and the benefit is not proven in people.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Other plants with psoralen-type compounds; Note: Several unrelated plants contain similar light-sensitising compounds; they have their own pages. Not checked here.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not covered in the sources read.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ayurveda | The seeds are traditionally used for leprosy, vitiligo and psoriasis, per the authors of a 2024 case report who note this use lacks empirical evidence. | p38076371 |
| Traditional Chinese medicine (bu gu zhi) | A precious medicinal herb to tonify muscles and bones; also used for osteoporosis, leucoderma and diarrhea, per two reviews. | p39902075 |
Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psoralen PubChem 6199 | Furocoumarin | Seed | Photosensitising; used with UVA light in medical treatment. 18 12 | Human (medical PUVA) |
| Isopsoralen (angelicin) PubChem 10658 | Furocoumarin | Seed | A related furocoumarin; the review lists coumarins among the seed's compounds. 19 13 | Lab |
| Bakuchiol PubChem 5468522 | Meroterpene (phenol) | Seed | Used in skin creams as a retinol alternative. 20 1 | Human (topical, small trial) |
| Isobavachalcone PubChem 5281255 | Chalcone | Seed | Blocked several drug-handling enzymes in human liver preparations in the lab. 21 9 | Lab |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light-triggered skin reaction | n/a | Psoralens are used with UVA light in medicine; long-term use brings chronic skin changes and skin cancers. The whole seed's reaction in a child was reported as severe. 12 8 | Human (medical PUVA) and case report |
| Liver injury | Bile acid transport, mitochondria | A systematic review lists bile-acid metabolism and transport disorders, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, less liver-cell regeneration and inflammation, mostly from lab and animal work. 10 | Lab and animal |
| Drug-handling enzymes | CYP2B6, 2C9, 2C19, 2D6, 2E1; UGT1A1, 1A9, 2B7 | Isobavachalcone inhibited these in human liver preparations; inhibition of several seemed likely to matter for medicines they handle. 9 | Lab |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found for the seed in people.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Isobavachalcone is broken down by UGT enzymes in human liver and gut preparations (lab).
- Elimination
- Efflux transporters BCRP, MRP1 and MRP4 move its glucuronides in cells (lab).
- Bioavailability
- No human blood-level study was found.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
The whole seed (with psoralens) and purified bakuchiol are different products. Skin-cream trials use bakuchiol only and are not evidence for the seed. Liver and light-sensitivity reports concern the seed and seed formulas.
Nutritional composition
Bakuchi is a medicinal seed, not a nutrient source.
1 low certainty4 not enough evidence1 evidence against
What is Bakuchi good for?
The studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. Human evidence is thin, and the safety concerns are serious.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Vitiligo (white skin patches), seed ointment
Not enough evidenceThe seed is a traditional vitiligo remedy. The only human study we found was a small 20-person trial of a seed ointment with no placebo. The same psoralens that may help can make skin burn in sunlight.
4 studiesSeed-powder ointment (10%) in the one study; other forms not tested.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
One self-controlled study of 20 people used a 10% seed-powder ointment on vitiligo patches for 12 weeks; the authors reported significant repigmentation of small circular patches. There was no placebo and the abstract gives no effect size. A 2025 vitiligo review (summary-only for bakuchi) is said to report no randomised trial. A severe phototoxic reaction to the seeds in a child with vitiligo has also been published.
Results
Small uncontrolled-by-placebo benefit signal; a documented severe skin reaction in a child.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect size given.
Why this rating
One small study, patches compared within the same people, no placebo or blinding stated, and a published severe reaction. Not enough to say it works or is safe.
Form and dose studied
Seed-powder ointment (10%) in the one study; other forms not tested.
Who was studied
Adults aged 25 to 65 with vitiligo in the one study.
Limits
Safety of the ointment was not reported in the abstract. No sun-exposure rules were stated. Do not copy this at home; psoralen-type treatments need medical supervision.
Why researchers looked
Psoralens are the same family of compounds used with UVA light in medical vitiligo and psoriasis treatment, so the seed has long been used on white patches.
Traditional use
Used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine for vitiligo, leprosy and psoriasis, according to case-report authors.
Proposed mechanism None read
Psoralens react with light in the skin. Medical PUVA uses a psoralen drug plus UVA light; we did not read a source that explains how the whole seed acts.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Whole-seed products carry a real risk of sun-triggered skin burns. See the Safety tab: the seed can make skin sensitive to light and has been linked to liver injury.
Bone density after menopause (animal studies only)
Not enough evidenceA 2026 meta-analysis found higher bone density with the seed, but in mouse and rat studies. No human trial was found.
2 studiesNot applicable (animal preparations).
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial was found. A meta-analysis of 23 efficacy studies (animals) reported higher bone mineral density (standardized mean difference 4.32, p<0.001, heterogeneity 89%). The same paper looked at liver enzymes in 7 separate toxicity datasets and built a model of a possible safe window, which the authors call preliminary and not validated in people.
Results
Animals only; very large but very uneven effects.
Effect sizes as reported
Bone mineral density SMD 4.32 in animals, I2 89%.
Why this rating
Animal evidence only with very high heterogeneity; nothing in people.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable (animal preparations).
Who was studied
Mice and rats modelling postmenopausal bone loss.
Limits
The modelled window is not a recommendation for people. Animal bone results often do not carry over to humans.
Why researchers looked
Bu gu zhi is a traditional Chinese tonic for bones and muscles, and compounds in it act a little like estrogen in the lab.
Traditional use
In Chinese medicine the fruit is described as tonifying muscles and bones (per a 2025 review).
Proposed mechanism Lab and animal
Lab and animal work links seed compounds to estrogen-like effects and bone cells; details were not read.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The same seed is linked to human liver injury; see the Safety tab.
Bakuchiol skin cream for wrinkles and uneven colour (purified compound, not the seed)
Low certaintyBakuchiol is one purified compound from the seed, sold in face creams as a gentler alternative to retinol. In a 44-person trial it did about as well as retinol over 12 weeks. This is separate from whole-seed products.
2 studiesFace creams or serums with purified bakuchiol; strengths vary by prod…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A randomised, double-blind trial in 44 adults compared bakuchiol 0.5% cream twice daily with retinol 0.5% cream once daily for 12 weeks. Both reduced wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no difference between them, and retinol users had more scaling and stinging. A 34-person 28-day study of a serum that also contains a Terminalia chebula extract reported better redness, barrier and wrinkle measures and no adverse events, but had no comparison group described.
Results
Comparable to retinol in one small trial; a blend serum study shows improvements but cannot credit bakuchiol alone.
Effect sizes as reported
No effect sizes in the abstract of the main trial; serum study: redness down 31.81%, wrinkle area down 16.06%.
Why this rating
One small 12-week trial with a retinol comparator but no placebo, plus a combination-serum study with no control arm.
Form and dose studied
Face creams or serums with purified bakuchiol; strengths vary by product.
Who was studied
Adults with signs of photoageing; adults with sensitive skin (serum).
Limits
Purified bakuchiol cream is a different product from the seed. The seed's liver and light-sensitivity warnings were not reported for creams in these abstracts, but long-term safety data are limited.
Why researchers looked
Early work suggested bakuchiol acts like a retinoid on skin without the irritation, so it was compared head-to-head with retinol.
Traditional use
A modern cosmetic use, not a traditional one.
Proposed mechanism Lab
Said to switch on gene patterns similar to retinoids in skin (stated in the trial background, not tested here).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not assume a cream is risk-free in pregnancy; no source read covers this. Ask a doctor or pharmacist.
Anti-inflammatory, nerve-protective and anti-tumour effects (lab and animal only)
Not enough evidenceA 2025 review lists many effects of seed compounds in cells and animals. None of this has been shown in people.
1 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial was found for these uses. The review says toxicity and side effects must be dealt with before wider clinical use.
Results
None in people.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Lab and animal evidence only.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable.
Who was studied
Not tested in people.
Limits
A test-tube effect, such as on tumour cells, is not a treatment. People with cancer should ask their care team before using any herb.
Why researchers looked
The seed holds hundreds of compounds (321 identified), including coumarins, flavonoids and bakuchiol.
Traditional use
Traditional tonic uses in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine.
Proposed mechanism Lab and animal
Reviews link effects to the immune system, less oxidative stress and induced cell death in lab work.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab: the seed can make skin sensitive to light and has been linked to liver injury.
Traditional use for skin disease, bones and digestion
Not enough evidenceIn Ayurveda the seed has been used for leprosy, vitiligo and psoriasis; in Chinese medicine (bu gu zhi) for bones and muscles, white skin patches and diarrhea. Tradition is not proof that it works, and these uses have not been confirmed in trials.
3 studiesSeed powder, tablets, extracts and formulas.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Traditional use only; no human trial of the whole seed for these uses was found (other than the small vitiligo ointment study).
Results
Not applicable.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Tradition without trial evidence.
Form and dose studied
Seed powder, tablets, extracts and formulas.
Who was studied
Not applicable.
Limits
A 2022 safety review notes it was long thought non-toxic, but adverse reactions, mostly liver injury, are now documented.
Why researchers looked
Long traditional history.
Traditional use
Ayurveda: leprosy, vitiligo and psoriasis per a 2024 case report. Chinese medicine: osteoporosis, leucoderma and diarrhea per a 2022 review.
Proposed mechanism None
Not applicable.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the Safety tab: the seed can make skin sensitive to light and has been linked to liver injury.
Liver protection (not supported; the signal is the opposite)
Evidence againstWe found no good source that the seed protects the liver. Case reports and animal studies point to liver harm instead.
6 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No benefit shown. Published cases link the seed to acute-on-chronic liver failure, vanishing bile duct syndrome and fatal acute liver failure (see Safety). Mouse studies report liver toxicity from seed compounds; only titles were read for two of them.
Results
Harm signal, not benefit.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Case reports and animal studies show liver injury, and nothing credible shows liver benefit.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable.
Who was studied
Not applicable.
Limits
Case reports cannot give a rate of liver injury.
Why researchers looked
Some herbs are marketed for the liver, so this was checked.
Traditional use
No traditional liver use was found in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Lab and animal
Reviews describe bile-acid disorders, oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage as ways the seed may injure the liver (lab and animal work).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
People with any liver disease should avoid it unless a specialist advises.
Connections to the rest of health
How Bakuchi connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy Skin | Not enough evidence | Vitiligo (white skin patches), seed ointment: The seed is a traditional vitiligo remedy. The only human study we found was a small 20-person trial of a seed ointment with no placebo. The same psoralens that may help can make skin burn in sunlight. | 4 2 8 12 | |
| Bone Health | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Bone density after menopause (animal studies only): A 2026 meta-analysis found higher bone density with the seed, but in mouse and rat studies. No human trial was found. | 14 13 |
| Menopause Support | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Bone density after menopause (animal studies only): A 2026 meta-analysis found higher bone density with the seed, but in mouse and rat studies. No human trial was found. | 14 13 |
| Healthy Skin | Low certainty | Bakuchiol skin cream for wrinkles and uneven colour (purified compound, not the seed): Bakuchiol is one purified compound from the seed, sold in face creams as a gentler alternative to retinol. In a 44-person trial it did about as well as retinol over 12 weeks. This is separate from whole-seed products. | 1 11 | |
| Anti Aging Support | Low certainty | Bakuchiol skin cream for wrinkles and uneven colour (purified compound, not the seed): Bakuchiol is one purified compound from the seed, sold in face creams as a gentler alternative to retinol. In a 44-person trial it did about as well as retinol over 12 weeks. This is separate from whole-seed products. | 1 11 | |
| Inflammation Balance | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Anti-inflammatory, nerve-protective and anti-tumour effects (lab and animal only): A 2025 review lists many effects of seed compounds in cells and animals. None of this has been shown in people. | 13 |
| Cellular Protection | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Anti-inflammatory, nerve-protective and anti-tumour effects (lab and animal only): A 2025 review lists many effects of seed compounds in cells and animals. None of this has been shown in people. | 13 |
| Holistic Balance | Not enough evidence | Traditional use for skin disease, bones and digestion: In Ayurveda the seed has been used for leprosy, vitiligo and psoriasis; in Chinese medicine (bu gu zhi) for bones and muscles, white skin patches and diarrhea. Tradition is not proof that it works, and these uses have not been confirmed in trials. | 10 3 13 | |
| Liver Support | Evidence against | Liver protection (not supported; the signal is the opposite): We found no good source that the seed protects the liver. Case reports and animal studies point to liver harm instead. | 10 3 6 5 16 15 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin Hair Beauty | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Vitiligo (white skin patches), seed ointment Studied for: Bakuchiol skin cream for wrinkles and uneven colour (purified compound, not the seed) | 4 2 8 12 1 11 10 3 13 |
| Integumentary System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Vitiligo (white skin patches), seed ointment Studied for: Bakuchiol skin cream for wrinkles and uneven colour (purified compound, not the seed) | 4 2 8 12 1 11 |
| Bones Joints Muscles | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Bone density after menopause (animal studies only) | 14 13 |
| Musculoskeletal System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Bone density after menopause (animal studies only) | 14 13 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Anti-inflammatory, nerve-protective and anti-tumour effects (lab and animal only) | 13 |
| Nervous System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Anti-inflammatory, nerve-protective and anti-tumour effects (lab and animal only) | 13 |
| Digestive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Traditional use for skin disease, bones and digestion | 10 3 13 |
| Liver Detox | Biological association | Evidence against | Studied for: Liver protection (not supported; the signal is the opposite) | 10 3 6 5 16 15 |
| Hepatic System | Biological association | Evidence against | Studied for: Liver protection (not supported; the signal is the opposite) | 10 3 6 5 16 15 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bone mineral density (BMD) | Biological association | Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | ||
| Wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation (photographic) | Biological association | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. |
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cytochrome P450 and UGT enzymes | Preliminary mechanism | Lab | Seed chalcone inhibited several in the lab. | 9 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakuchiol | Human trial | Separate product from the whole seed. Separate product from the seed. Preparation or compound: Purified compound used in skin creams |
1 | |
| Psoralen | Clinical use | Source of the light-sensitivity concern. Preparation or compound: Photosensitising compound used with UVA in medicine |
12 | |
| Psoralen | Biological association | Human (medical PUVA) | Photosensitising; used with UVA light in medical treatment. Preparation or compound: Seed |
18 12 |
| Isopsoralen (angelicin) | Biological association | Lab | A related furocoumarin; the review lists coumarins among the seed's compounds. Preparation or compound: Seed |
19 13 |
| Bakuchiol | Biological association | Human (topical, small trial) | Used in skin creams as a retinol alternative. Preparation or compound: Seed |
20 1 |
| Isobavachalcone | Biological association | Lab | Blocked several drug-handling enzymes in human liver preparations in the lab. Preparation or compound: Seed |
21 9 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 2 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Bakuchi. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing bakuchi summary, then added PubMed case reports, reviews and trials read as abstracts. Names were checked in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compounds in PubChem. LiverTox could not be read.
Study library: every study we checked 22
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaliwal 2019 Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing. Br J Dermatol · PMID 29947134 · DOI |
Randomized controlled trial |
44 44 adults with facial photoageing |
Bakuchiol 0.5% cream (purified compound) Seed compound 0.5% cream twice daily 12 weeks · vs Retinol 0.5% cream once daily |
In 44 people, bakuchiol 0.5% cream twice daily was compared with retinol 0.5% cream once daily for 12 weeks. Both reduced wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between them. Retinol users reported more scaling and stinging. This is a skin cream with the purified compound, not the whole seed. No difference between bakuchiol and retinol Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Wrinkle surface area, pigmentation, redness, tolerability Limitations: Small, 12 weeks, retinol comparator but no placebo; no effect sizes given in the abstract; funding not stated in the abstract. Purified compound on skin only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Diaz 2025 Dietary Interventions, Supplements, and Plant-Derived Compounds for Adjunct Vitiligo Management: A Review of the Literature. Nutrients · PMID 39861486 · DOI |
Narrative review mostly human |
Published literature on nutrition and vitiligo | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
The abstract covers diet, supplements and plant compounds for vitiligo and calls them exploratory, needing more research on efficacy and safety. It does not name bakuchi. Our earlier summary says the full text says psoralens raise phototoxicity risk, lists CYP3A4 interactions, and reports one small self-controlled study of a 10% seed ointment and no randomised trial; that part was not re-opened. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Repigmentation and disease progression Limitations: Bakuchi statements are summary-only (full text not re-opened). Abstract names Ginkgo biloba as the promising plant compound, not bakuchi. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts; one author consults for pharmaceutical companies (not bakuchi makers). Read: summary-only |
| Gandhi 2024 A Rare Cause of Acute on Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF): Bakuchi-Induced Liver Injury. J Clin Exp Hepatol · PMID 38076371 · DOI |
Case report |
1 One middle-aged woman with chronic liver disease |
Bakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia) herbal product Seed Not stated in the abstract Not stated · vs None |
A middle-aged woman developed acute-on-chronic liver failure. A liver biopsy was consistent with herb-induced liver injury after other causes were excluded. She improved gradually after stopping the herb and with supportive care. The authors call bakuchi a well-documented hepatotoxic agent and say people with chronic liver disease should know the risk. Our earlier summary says a tested product contained lead, arsenic and phenylephrine; that detail is from the full text and was not re-opened. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Liver failure and recovery Limitations: A single case. Product contamination detail is summary-only. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Hussain 2016 Fabrication of anti-vitiligo ointment containing Psoralea corylifolia: in vitro and in vivo characterization. Drug Des Devel Ther · PMID 27920496 · DOI |
Self controlled study |
20 20 people with vitiligo, age 25 to 65 |
Hydrophilic ointment with 10% w/w Psoralea corylifolia seed powder Seed 10% w/w ointment 12 weeks · vs Other vitiligo patches of the same person |
A hydrophilic 10% seed-powder ointment was applied to vitiligo patches in 20 people aged 25 to 65, with other patches of the same person as controls. After 12 weeks the authors reported statistically significant repigmentation (P at or below 0.05) and called it possibly effective for small circular white patches. The abstract gives no effect size, and it does not mention whether sunlight or UV was used or whether skin reactions occurred. Statistically significant repigmentation (P<=0.05), size not stated Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Repigmentation of white patches (photographs) Limitations: Small, no placebo or blinding stated, photographic scoring, no effect size, safety not reported in the abstract. Mainly a formulation study. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Li 2019 Acute liver failure associated with Fructus Psoraleae: a case report and literature review. BMC Complement Altern Med · PMID 30975110 · DOI |
Case report |
1 One 53-year-old woman with vitiligo |
Qubaibabuqi tablets (formula with Fructus Psoraleae as a main ingredient) Fruit (seed) Not stated About 7 months · vs None |
A 53-year-old woman with vitiligo took Qubaibabuqi tablets, of which Fructus Psoraleae is a main ingredient, for about 7 months. She developed severe jaundice and acute cholestatic hepatitis, deteriorated rapidly and died 5 days after admission from acute liver failure and multiple organ failure. The authors found only six earlier English-language liver-injury cases and no earlier reports of acute liver failure. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Liver failure, death Limitations: A single fatal case with a multi-herb tablet; the authors say the seed 'has potential hepatotoxicity', not proven cause. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Liu 2026 Vanishing bile duct syndrome induced by Psoraleae Fructus: A case report and literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) · PMID 41630200 · DOI |
Case report |
1 One 67-year-old woman |
Chinese herbal medicine containing Psoraleae Fructus Fruit (seed) Not stated 1 week before symptoms · vs None |
A 67-year-old woman took a Chinese herbal medicine containing Psoraleae Fructus for 1 week after a wrist fracture, then developed jaundice and itching. Tests showed cholestatic liver injury, and a biopsy showed progressive loss of small bile ducts (vanishing bile duct syndrome). She was treated with plasma exchange and liver-protecting therapy, and her liver function gradually improved. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Bile-duct injury and recovery Limitations: A single case with a multi-ingredient herbal medicine; the authors say the herb 'may' cause it. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Liu 2026 Occult cirrhosis presenting as progressive tremor: acquired hepatocerebral degeneration induced by traditional Chinese medicine and natural health products, aggravated by manganese supplements: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) · PMID 42116385 · DOI |
Case report |
1 One 66-year-old woman |
Traditional Chinese medicines (notably Psoralea corylifolia) and manganese supplements Not stated Not stated Long-term · vs None |
A 66-year-old woman had a tremor from a manganese-related brain condition linked to liver cirrhosis. History showed long-term use of liver-harming Chinese medicines (notably Psoralea corylifolia) and manganese-containing supplements. After stopping them and treatment, liver function and tremor improved. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Liver function, manganese level, tremor Limitations: A single case with several herbs and supplements at once, so the seed cannot be singled out. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Mehta 2024 Severe phototoxic reaction to Psoralea corylifolia seeds in a child with vitiligo. Contact Dermatitis · PMID 38387032 · DOI |
Case report |
1 A child with vitiligo (per title) |
Psoralea corylifolia seeds Seed Not available Not available · vs None |
The title reports a severe phototoxic reaction to Psoralea corylifolia seeds in a child with vitiligo. PubMed holds no abstract for this record, so nothing further was read. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Phototoxic skin reaction Limitations: Record only: no abstract, so details such as how the seeds were used and how severe the reaction was could not be read. A single case. Funding and conflicts: Not available Read: record-only |
| Qin 2021 Potential Determinants for Metabolic Fates and Inhibitory Effects of Isobavachalcone Involving in Human Cytochrome P450, UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes, and Efflux Transporters. J Pharm Sci · PMID 33610566 · DOI |
Lab study lab (human tissue preparations) |
Human liver and intestinal microsomes and cell lines | Isobavachalcone (single compound) Seed compound Lab concentrations Not applicable · vs Not applicable |
In human liver and intestine preparations, isobavachalcone (a chalcone from Psoralea corylifolia) was broken down by UGT enzymes and blocked several enzymes (CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, UGT1A1, UGT1A9, UGT2B7) in the lab. The authors say inhibition of several of these seems likely to matter for medicines handled by them. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Enzyme breakdown and inhibition Limitations: Test-tube study of one compound, not the whole seed; no study in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Shi 2022 A systematic review on the safety of Psoraleae Fructus: potential risks, toxic characteristics, underlying mechanisms and detoxification methods. Chin J Nat Med · PMID 36427915 · DOI |
Systematic review human, lab and animal |
Published botany, clinical and toxicology literature | Psoraleae Fructus Fruit (seed) Not stated in the abstract Not stated · vs Not stated |
The review says Psoraleae Fructus was traditionally seen as non-toxic but has drawn worldwide concern about adverse reactions. According to clinical studies, liver injury is the most common adverse reaction. Mechanisms listed include bile acid disorders, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, less liver-cell regeneration and inflammation. It also lists traditional processing and combining methods that may reduce toxicity, which need more research. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Adverse reactions, toxicity, mechanisms Limitations: Abstract gives no case counts or rates. Mechanisms are mostly from lab and animal work. Traditional detoxifying methods are not proven to be safe in people. Funding and conflicts: No funding or conflict stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Shi 2025 Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Assessment of Supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia Chebula Extract for Facial Photoaging in Chinese Sensitive Skin Population. Health Sci Rep · PMID 41424674 · DOI |
Single arm study |
34 34 adults with sensitive skin |
Serum with supramolecular bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract Seed compound plus fruit extract Twice daily 28 days · vs None described |
34 people with sensitive skin used one test serum twice daily for 28 days. Skin redness, water loss and wrinkle measures improved and no adverse events were reported. The serum combines bakuchiol with a Terminalia chebula extract, and the abstract describes no comparison group. Improvements reported (e.g. redness percentage down 31.81%) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Skin barrier, redness, wrinkles, adverse events Limitations: Combination serum, so bakuchiol cannot be credited alone; no comparison group described despite the title; short. Funding not stated. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared; maker links not stated. Read: abstract |
| Wolff 1990 Side-effects of psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA). Br J Dermatol · PMID 2196078 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Psoriasis patients treated with PUVA | Psoralen plus UVA (medical PUVA) Purified drug Not applicable Long-term · vs Not applicable |
Review of psoralen plus UVA light (PUVA) in psoriasis. Long-term PUVA causes chronic degenerative and pigment skin changes like those of long-term sun exposure and also non-melanoma skin cancers in people. US studies show a definite squamous cell cancer risk, while European studies showed no overall rise except in people with other carcinogen exposure. The author says PUVA needs careful patient selection and monitoring by a doctor. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Skin side effects, skin cancer Limitations: Old review (1990) of medical psoralen drug plus UVA under supervision, not of bakuchi seed. It shows what psoralens can do with light; it is not a measure of seed risk. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Yang 2025 A review of Psoralea corylifolia L.: a valuable plant with profound biological significance. Front Pharmacol · PMID 39902075 · DOI |
Narrative review mostly lab and animal |
Published literature | Psoralea corylifolia and its compounds Fruit (seed) Not stated in the abstract Not stated · vs Not stated |
A review of the plant: 321 metabolites (coumarins, flavonoids, meroterpenes, benzofurans, dimers) were identified. Reported effects include anti-osteoporosis, estrogen-like, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antitumor and vitiligo effects, linked to immune regulation, less oxidative stress and cell death induction. It covers hepatotoxicity and says toxicity and side effects must be addressed before wider clinical use. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Phytochemistry, pharmacology, hepatotoxicity Limitations: A narrative review with a literature-hotspot analysis; the abstract gives no human trial numbers. Effects are mostly lab and animal. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| Yang 2026 Efficacy and hepatotoxicity of Psoralea corylifolia L.: A meta-analysis and machine learning assessment in postmenopausal osteoporosis. J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 42331197 · DOI |
Meta-analysis animal (mouse and rat) |
23 efficacy and 7 toxicity studies in mice and rats (postmenopausal osteoporosis models) | Psoralea corylifolia preparations Fruit (seed) Standardized to human-equivalent doses; not repeated here Varied · vs Control animals |
The meta-analysis pooled 23 efficacy studies and 7 toxicity studies. Mouse and rat doses were converted to human-equivalent doses, so the data are animal studies. Bone mineral density was higher with P. corylifolia (standardized mean difference 4.32, p<0.001, heterogeneity I2 89%). Liver enzymes ALT and AST came from separate toxicity datasets. The authors call their modelled window preliminary and not clinically validated and say human studies are needed. Bone mineral density SMD 4.32 (animals) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Bone mineral density; ALT and AST Limitations: Animal data, very high heterogeneity, and the safety outcomes come from separate datasets. A modelled window is not advice for people. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
| n/a 2025 Enhanced hepatic exposure and toxicity from coumarin and bakuchiol in Psoralea corylifolia (title only) J Ethnopharmacol (via Europe PMC; summary-only) · PMID 39978446 |
Animal study animal (not confirmed) |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Our earlier summary says a study reports raised liver exposure and toxicity from coumarins together with bakuchiol, apparently in mice. Only the title was read. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Summary-only; title read, abstract not opened. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: summary-only |
| n/a 2026 Psoralidin from Psoralea corylifolia and liver toxicity in mice (title only) Chinese Medicine (via Europe PMC; summary-only) · PMID 41629970 |
Animal study animal (mouse) |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Our earlier summary says a mouse study reports psoralidin causes liver toxicity. Only the title was read. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Summary-only; title read, abstract not opened. Mouse study. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: summary-only |
| n/a 2026 Regulator and database lookups for Psoralea corylifolia: NCCIH, EMA/HMPC, MSK, LiverTox, LactMed NCCIH, EMA, MSK, NIH LiverTox (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
The NCCIH, EMA and MSK pages tried for this herb returned 'not found' (404). The NIH LiverTox page returned a bot-check page and could not be read. LactMed was not searched. Not finding a page does not prove none exists. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Not found or not read; no regulator position is claimed. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: not-found |
| n/a 2026 PubChem compound record: psoralen PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
PubChem returned CID 6199, formula C11H6O3, for psoralen. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Identity only. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 PubChem compound record: isopsoralen (angelicin) PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
PubChem returned CID 10658, formula C11H6O3, for isopsoralen (angelicin). n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Identity only. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 PubChem compound record: (+)-bakuchiol PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
PubChem returned CID 5468522, formula C18H24O, for (+)-bakuchiol. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Identity only. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 PubChem compound record: isobavachalcone PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
PubChem returned CID 5281255, formula C20H20O4, for isobavachalcone. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Identity only. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match: Cullen corylifolium and Psoralea corylifolia GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Cullen corylifolium (L.) Medik. returned ACCEPTED, exact match, confidence 99, key 2948930, family Fabaceae, order Fabales. Psoralea corylifolia L. returned SYNONYM (key 2948931) of that accepted name. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity or regulatory status Limitations: Taxonomy only. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- No randomised trial of the whole seed for any use.
- LiverTox could not be read; no NCCIH, EMA or MSK page was found.
- Rate of liver injury and light reactions is unknown.
- No pregnancy data.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 2
Bone mineral density (BMD)
Raised in trials
A measure of how dense bone is. Higher density means stronger bone.
Results and what it means
Why it was measured
Main outcome of the animal meta-analysis.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | SMD 4.32 (p<0.001), heterogeneity I2 89% | 23 animal efficacy studies (mice and rats) | Psoralea corylifolia preparations |
Wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation (photographic)
Lowered in trials
Measured from standard facial photographs; lower values mean fewer visible wrinkles and less dark spotting.
Results and what it means
Why it was measured
Main outcome of the bakuchiol versus retinol trial.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Both creams lowered wrinkle area and hyperpigmentation; no statistical difference between them | 44 adults, 12 weeks | Bakuchiol 0.5% cream (purified compound) |
| 11 | Wrinkle area down 16.06% after 28 days | 34 adults with sensitive skin | Serum with bakuchiol and Terminalia chebula extract (blend) |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 4
- The seed can make skin sensitive to light. The seed holds psoralens, the same family of compounds used with UVA light in medical skin treatment. A severe light-triggered skin reaction to the seeds in a child with vitiligo has been published. Medical psoralen plus UVA treatment itself is linked to long-term skin damage and non-melanoma skin cancer, so psoralens and sun or tanning-bed light are a real concern. This is a precaution drawn from the compound family; no study measured the whole seed's risk. Human case report and compound class evidence 8 12 2
- Published cases of serious liver injury. Doctors have reported acute-on-chronic liver failure, vanishing bile duct syndrome and a fatal acute liver failure after bakuchi or Psoraleae Fructus products, plus a cirrhosis case after long-term use with other products. A systematic review says liver injury is the most common adverse reaction. These are case reports, so the rate is unknown, and most products were multi-herb formulas. Human case report 3 6 5 7 10
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: avoid. We found no source showing the seed is safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and no regulator or LactMed page could be read. Given the liver and skin concerns, avoiding it is the cautious choice. Ask a doctor or pharmacist. Gap 17
- Bakuchiol creams are a separate product. Purified bakuchiol skin creams are a different product from the seed. In two small studies tolerability was good, but long-term and pregnancy safety were not covered in the abstracts read. Human trial 1 11
Side effects 3
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phototoxic skin reaction (burning or blistering in sunlight) One case with no abstract; the review statement that psoralens raise this risk is summary-only. | Not established | Severe in the published child case Not stated (no abstract) | Human case report 8 |
| Liver injury: hepatitis, bile-duct loss, liver failure Case reports only; rate unknown. Several products were multi-herb. | Not established | Serious; one fatal case Improved after stopping in three of four cases; one died | Human case report 3 6 5 7 |
| Scaling or stinging from topical products Reported more with retinol than with bakuchiol cream. | Not established | Mild Not stated | Human trial 1 |
Liver
Case reports describe acute-on-chronic liver failure in a woman with chronic liver disease (she improved after stopping), vanishing bile duct syndrome after one week of a formula containing the seed (improved with treatment), fatal acute liver failure after about 7 months of a seed-containing vitiligo tablet, and cirrhosis with a manganese-related brain condition after long-term use of several products. A 2022 systematic review says liver injury is the main adverse reaction and lists bile-acid disorders, oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage as mechanisms. LiverTox could not be read (bot check), so its rating is unknown. 3 6 5 7 10 16 15 17
How often. No rate is known.
Monitoring. No monitoring advice was found. Stop and seek care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, itching or severe tiredness.
- p38076371. Middle-aged woman; acute-on-chronic liver failure; biopsy consistent with herb-induced injury; improved after stopping.
- p41630200. 67-year-old woman; jaundice and itching after 1 week of a formula with Psoraleae Fructus; vanishing bile duct syndrome; improved.
- p30975110. 53-year-old woman; about 7 months of Qubaibabuqi tablets; acute liver failure; died 5 days after admission.
- p42116385. 66-year-old woman; long-term use of several traditional Chinese medicines including the seed plus manganese supplements; cirrhosis; improved after stopping.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Bakuchi supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 5
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines or herbs that make skin sensitive to light (some antibiotics, other photosensitising products) prescription | Both can raise sun sensitivity; the seed's psoralens are photosensitisers. | Theoretical; no interaction study. | Theoretical, by compound class Very low certainty 12 8 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist before combining, and avoid strong sun. |
| Medicines handled by liver enzymes (CYP and UGT enzymes) prescription | Isobavachalcone, a seed compound, blocked several CYP and UGT enzymes in human liver preparations in the lab. A review is also said to list CYP3A4 (summary-only). | Lab finding for one compound; not shown in people. | Lab Very low certainty 9 2 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist before combining with any prescription medicine. |
| Other liver-harming medicines, herbs or alcohol prescription | Added load on a liver the seed may already injure; the cirrhosis case involved several products. | Theoretical; not studied. | Theoretical, case report context Very low certainty 7 10 | Avoid combining; tell your doctor about all supplements. |
| Manganese-containing supplements supplement-or-food | In one case, manganese supplements worsened a brain condition in a woman whose liver was already damaged. | One case; confounded. | Human case report Very low certainty 7 | Tell your doctor about all supplements if you have liver disease. |
| Retinol or other skin products used with bakuchiol creams supplement-or-food | Bakuchiol was compared with retinol, not combined; no combination study was found. | Unknown. | Gap Not enough evidence 1 | Ask a dermatologist before layering active skin products. |
Who should check first 5
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Avoid; no source showing safety was found. | Gap 17 |
| Any liver disease, or past herb-related liver injury | Avoid unless a liver specialist advises; one case was acute-on-chronic liver failure in chronic liver disease. | Human case report 3 10 |
| Sun sensitivity, vitiligo, lupus or a history of skin cancer | Avoid whole-seed products without a dermatologist; psoralens plus light are linked to skin cancer in medical PUVA. | Compound class evidence 12 8 |
| Children | Avoid; a severe phototoxic reaction in a child has been published. | Human case report 8 |
| Planned sun exposure, tanning beds or light therapy | Do not combine without a doctor's advice. | Compound class evidence 12 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. The fruit (seed) is the part used and the part linked to liver injury and light sensitivity. No toxic dose was established in the sources read.
Animal. Mouse studies report liver toxicity from seed compounds (psoralidin; coumarin with bakuchiol); only titles were read.
Human doses studied. Not stated here.
High dose or long term signals. The fatal case followed about 7 months of use; the vanishing bile duct case followed about 1 week. Injury is not clearly dose-related.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not found for the seed. Medical PUVA (psoralen plus UVA) is linked to non-melanoma skin cancer.
Toxic plant parts. The seed (Psoraleae Fructus) is the part of concern. Other parts were not covered.
Seed products vary in quality and may be mixed with other herbs or contaminated.
Metals and drugs in one tested product. Our earlier summary says a product tested in one liver failure case held lead, arsenic and phenylephrine. This detail comes from the full text and was not re-opened. 3
Multi-herb formulas. Most liver cases involved formulas with several herbs, so the seed's share cannot be separated. 5 6 7
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|
When to get medical help
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, itching or severe tiredness.
- Painful red, blistering or swollen skin after sun exposure.
- Swelling of the face or lips, or trouble breathing (allergy).
- New tremor, confusion or drowsiness in someone with liver disease.
Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is bakuchi?
What is bakuchi used for?
Does bakuchi work for vitiligo?
Why can bakuchi burn skin in sunlight?
Can bakuchi harm the liver?
Is bakuchi safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
We found no source showing it is safe, and LiverTox and LactMed could not be read. Avoid it unless a doctor advises otherwise.
Is it safe for children?
No safety data. A severe light reaction in a child with vitiligo has been reported, so ask a doctor.
Does it help bones?
Only animal studies. A 2026 meta-analysis found higher bone density in mice and rats; no human trial was found.
Is bakuchiol the same as bakuchi?
Does bakuchiol cream work like retinol?
Can it interact with medicines?
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We started from our existing bakuchi summary, then added PubMed case reports, reviews and trials read as abstracts. Names were checked in GBIF and NCBI Taxonomy and compounds in PubChem. LiverTox could not be read.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Industry funding is flagged where an abstract shows it.
Sources 22
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Dhaliwal S, Rybak I, Ellis SR, et al.. Prospective, randomized, double-blind assessment of topical bakuchiol and retinol for facial photoageing.. Br J Dermatol. 2019. PMID 29947134. DOI 10.1111/bjd.16918. (abstract)
- Diaz MJ, Tran JT, Rose D, et al.. Dietary Interventions, Supplements, and Plant-Derived Compounds for Adjunct Vitiligo Management: A Review of the Literature.. Nutrients. 2025. PMID 39861486. DOI 10.3390/nu17020357. (summary-only)
- Gandhi HJ, Chandnani S, Jena A, et al.. A Rare Cause of Acute on Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF): Bakuchi-Induced Liver Injury.. J Clin Exp Hepatol. 2024. PMID 38076371. DOI 10.1016/j.jceh.2023.08.003. (abstract)
- Hussain I, Hussain N, Manan A, et al.. Fabrication of anti-vitiligo ointment containing Psoralea corylifolia: in vitro and in vivo characterization.. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016. PMID 27920496. DOI 10.2147/DDDT.S114328. (abstract)
- Li A, Gao M, Zhao N, et al.. Acute liver failure associated with Fructus Psoraleae: a case report and literature review.. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019. PMID 30975110. DOI 10.1186/s12906-019-2493-9. (abstract)
- Liu M, Lei C, Tian HL, et al.. Vanishing bile duct syndrome induced by Psoraleae Fructus: A case report and literature review.. Medicine (Baltimore). 2026. PMID 41630200. DOI 10.1097/MD.0000000000047483. (abstract)
- Liu C, Wang R, Li X, et al.. Occult cirrhosis presenting as progressive tremor: acquired hepatocerebral degeneration induced by traditional Chinese medicine and natural health products, aggravated by manganese supplements: A case report.. Medicine (Baltimore). 2026. PMID 42116385. DOI 10.1097/MD.0000000000048686. (abstract)
- Mehta N, Arora V, Verma KK. Severe phototoxic reaction to Psoralea corylifolia seeds in a child with vitiligo.. Contact Dermatitis. 2024. PMID 38387032. DOI 10.1111/cod.14527. (record-only)
- Qin Z, Wang P, Duan S, et al.. Potential Determinants for Metabolic Fates and Inhibitory Effects of Isobavachalcone Involving in Human Cytochrome P450, UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Enzymes, and Efflux Transporters.. J Pharm Sci. 2021. PMID 33610566. DOI 10.1016/j.xphs.2021.02.013. (abstract)
- Shi Z, Gao J, Pan J, et al.. A systematic review on the safety of Psoraleae Fructus: potential risks, toxic characteristics, underlying mechanisms and detoxification methods.. Chin J Nat Med. 2022. PMID 36427915. DOI 10.1016/S1875-5364(22)60234-6. (abstract)
- Shi X, Wang Y, Zhang H, et al.. Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Assessment of Supramolecular Bakuchiol and Terminalia Chebula Extract for Facial Photoaging in Chinese Sensitive Skin Population.. Health Sci Rep. 2025. PMID 41424674. DOI 10.1002/hsr2.71629. (abstract)
- Wolff K. Side-effects of psoralen photochemotherapy (PUVA).. Br J Dermatol. 1990. PMID 2196078. DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1990.tb02889.x. (abstract)
- Yang A, Kong L, You Z, et al.. A review of Psoralea corylifolia L.: a valuable plant with profound biological significance.. Front Pharmacol. 2025. PMID 39902075. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2024.1521040. (abstract)
- Yang H, Tang R, Ren Y, et al.. Efficacy and hepatotoxicity of Psoralea corylifolia L.: A meta-analysis and machine learning assessment in postmenopausal osteoporosis.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2026. PMID 42331197. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2026.122099. (abstract)
- n/a. Enhanced hepatic exposure and toxicity from coumarin and bakuchiol in Psoralea corylifolia (title only). J Ethnopharmacol (via Europe PMC; summary-only). 2025. PMID 39978446. (summary-only)
- n/a. Psoralidin from Psoralea corylifolia and liver toxicity in mice (title only). Chinese Medicine (via Europe PMC; summary-only). 2026. PMID 41629970. (summary-only)
- n/a. Regulator and database lookups for Psoralea corylifolia: NCCIH, EMA/HMPC, MSK, LiverTox, LactMed. NCCIH, EMA, MSK, NIH LiverTox (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (not-found)
- n/a. PubChem compound record: psoralen. PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. PubChem compound record: isopsoralen (angelicin). PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. PubChem compound record: (+)-bakuchiol. PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. PubChem compound record: isobavachalcone. PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match: Cullen corylifolium and Psoralea corylifolia. GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)