Age Ayurveda Nighantu Ayurvedic practitioner? List or verify your practice

Bakuchi Taila

Bakuchi Taila is a classical Ayurvedic taila, a medicated oil. Psoralea corylifolia is listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) as the official source of the drug 'Bakuchi'.

Key facts
Also known asBakuchi Taila, BakuchiTaila
Pharmacopoeia statusPsoralea corylifolia is listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) as the official source of the drug 'Bakuchi'. Also recognized in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, British Pharmacopoeia, and American Pharmacopoeia. Documented in Indian Pharmaceutical Codex and multiple traditional medicine systems (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha).

The evidence at a glance

1paper on this site for this drug, every one with a DOI.

  • 1Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people.true See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishBakuchi Taila

Key Ingredients

Where is it described in the classical texts?

Charaka Samhita (Chikitsa Sthana - Kushtha Chikitsa); Sushruta Samhita; Bhaishajya Ratnavali. Bakuchi is classified under Kushtaghna (anti-dermatosis) drugs. Psoralea corylifolia is mentioned as an official drug in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India under the name ‘Bakuchi’.

How does it work?

  • Psoralen intercalates into DNA of melanocytes and, upon UV exposure, crosslinks DNA strands, stimulating melanocyte proliferation and melanin production (photochemotherapy mechanism - PUVA therapy basis)
  • Bakuchiol activates melanogenesis-related genes (TYR, TYRP1, DCT) in melanocytes independent of UV exposure, providing melanin-stimulating effects even without phototherapy
  • Flavonoids (corylin, psoralidin) provide anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects on depigmented skin
  • Psoralen enhances UV sensitivity of depigmented patches, promoting selective repigmentation when combined with controlled UV-A exposure therapy

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Shvitra (vitiligo/leucoderma): traditionally used for repigmentation. A randomized controlled trial reported improvement in repigmentation. A clinical study reported improvement with an Ayurvedic formulation compared with oral PUVA.
  • Kushtha (psoriasis and chronic skin disorders): traditionally used for these conditions. Pharmacological studies have reported anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of psoralen and flavonoids.
  • Alopecia and hair loss: traditionally used for these conditions.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. Classical formulations are researched largely in journals that PubMed does not index, so an absence here reflects the reach of the index rather than the state of the evidence.

Recent safety updates

  • CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN - HEPATOTOXICITY: Prolonged internal use of Bakuchi is associated with severe cholestatic hepatitis. Analysis of 84 adverse reaction cases (1978-2016) found 48 cases (57.14%) involved liver injury. Bavachin, psoralidin, bavachinin, neobavaisoflavone, and bakuchiol are identified hepatotoxic compounds. Liver function monitoring is mandatory for internal use.
  • Phototoxic dermatitis risk: Psoralen increases UV sensitivity - patients must avoid excessive sun exposure after application. Contraindicated in liver dysfunction, pregnancy, and children. External use is safer than internal, but still requires practitioner supervision. Regular liver function tests recommended for any prolonged use. Not for self-medication.

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Taila (medicated oil for external use), Ointment (modern), Cream (modern)

Standard Dosage: External application on affected skin areas, twice daily.

Optimal Timing: Apply in the evening or as directed in conjunction with controlled UV exposure (PUVA therapy protocol)

Storage: Store in amber glass bottles in a cool, dark place. Protect from light (psoralen is photosensitive). Temperature not exceeding 25°C.

Marker Compounds: Psoralen, Isopsoralen (Angelicin), Bakuchiol, Psoralidin, Corylifolin

Vehicle (Anupana): Not applicable, external use only. Apply thin layer and allow absorption before clothing.

Synergistic Combinations

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Laboratory and animal studies1

  1. Gao SY, Zhao JC, Xia Q and others. 2024. Evaluation of the hepatotoxicity of Psoralea corylifolia L. based on a zebrafish modelFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 38449808 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1308655

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.