Introduction

Babchi oil is obtained from the psoralea corylifolia commonly called the babchi plant. It is an annual herb that requires warm temperatures to grow; it is often found in the warmer countries of India, Pakistan, China and South Africa. The health benefits of babchi oil have made it a staple in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines. [1]

Physical and Chemical Characteristics

Babchi plants bear perennial and pungent, bitter tasting fruits that cannot survive in freezing winters, along with purple and blue tinted flowers that bloom in the rain. The seeds are usually dark brown, with an oily exoskeleton, which is pressed to get babchi oil.

The most active ingredient is bakuchiol. however psoralen, isopsoralen (coumarins) flavonoids, and meroterpenes are the other therapeutically effective ingredients present in the seeds and fruits of the plants. These are responsible for the management of various skin ailments and other diseases.[2]

Babchi Oil Fatty Acid Profile

Health Benefits of Internal Use

Every part of the babchi plant has its own unique medicinal use. The bitter fruits are known to prevent nausea and vomiting.

The seeds have been used for intestinal worm infestations and as a laxative. It also has anti-depressant and stimulant properties and is used as a natural treatment for impotence, and as an aphrodisiac.[1]

The plant extracts have been reported to possess antibacterial, antioxidant, antifungal and immunomodulatory activity. They have been used as dietary supplements to naturally control blood sugar in cases of diabetes and the calcium rich seeds have been known to improve bone health (3).

Skin and Hair Care Benefits

It is known as a skin healer in traditional medicine and as such is found in various formulations designed to treat various skin conditions. Traditionally the seed oil was extracted and mixed with betel nut leaf as an ancient treatment for leprosy. and was even given the name Kushtanashini”, which means “leprosy destroyer”.

It is combined with several indigenous oils to promote hair growth in cases of alopecia.

Babchi oil can protect the skin against bacterial and fungal infections. It is particularly effective against organisms that are commonly found on the dermis of the skin, like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. It is also used to reduce redness or itching caused by various skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema. [4] Research has shown that babchi oil and it’s active ingredient bakuchiol along with salicylic acid reduces the symptoms of acne in 6 weeks. [5]

Recently, the oil has been used to reduce skin inflammation and flaking seen in psoriasis. The active coumarins present in the oil inhibit the synthesis of new DNA in skin cells, which reduces the rate of cell proliferation, (continuous production of new skin cell). These help to promote skin healing in chronic conditions like psoriasis [6]. A 2012 study showed that extracts obtained from Psoralea corylifolia seeds showed almost 76% activity in the treatment of psoriasis, when compared to the control group.[7]

There has been a renewed interest in the use of babchi oil in the treatment of skin pigment disorders. Studies have shown that the oil is effective in cases of vitiligo, leukoderma or skin hypopigmentation (reduced pigmentation), where the skin loses it’s natural colour resulting in white patches. For these conditions babchi oil is rubbed gently into the skin, usually with a little bit of coconut oil. It’s immunomodulatory properties cause an increase in the amount of melanocytes or pigment-forming cells in the affected area. [7,8]

Cosmetically, and due to the bakuchiol, babchi oil is believed to act as a natural retinol, improving skin texture and reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

CAUTION!

It is important to apply babchi oil with caution. Studies have found it to be phototoxic due to levels of furocoumarins. One study found it caused phytophotodermatitis following application of a product containing an unknown amount of babchi oil combined with sun exposure.

References

1. Alam F, Khan GN, Asad MHHB. Psoralea corylifolia L: Ethnobotanical, biological, and chemical aspects: A review. Phytother Res. 2018;32(4):597-615. doi:10.1002/ptr.6006

2. Zhang X, Zhao W, Wang Y, Lu J, Chen X. The Chemical Constituents and Bioactivities of Psoralea corylifolia Linn.: A Review. Am J Chin Med. 2016;44(1):35-60. doi:10.1142/S0192415X16500038

3. Chopra B, Dhingra AK, Dhar KL. Psoralea corylifolia L. (Buguchi) - folklore to modern evidence: review. Fitoterapia. 2013;90:44-56. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2013.06.016

4. Khushboo PS, Jadhav VM, Kadam VJ, Sathe NS. Psoralea corylifolia Linn.-"Kushtanashini". Pharmacogn Rev. 2010;4(7):69-76. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.65331

5. Chaudhuri, Ratan & Marchio, Francois. (2011). Bakuchiol in the management of acne-affected Skin. Cosmet. Toilet.. 126. 502-510.

6. Kumar S., Rao R. Psoralen: A promising boon in topical manifestations. IJP. 2016;3:375–383.

7. Hussain I, Hussain N, Manan A, Rashid A, Khan B, Bakhsh S. Fabrication of anti-vitiligo ointment containing Psoralea corylifolia: in vitro and in vivo characterization. Drug Des Devel Ther. 2016;10:3805-3816. Published 2016 Nov 22. doi:10.2147/DDDT.S114328

8. Dwarampudi LP, Dhanabal SP, et al “Antipsoriatic activity and Cytotoxicity of ethanolic extract of Psoralia corylifolia seeds” Hygeia.J.D.Med. 2012,4 (2): 41-48