Women's Health, White Kwao Krua

March 15, 2017

White Kwao Krua is arguably Thailand’s most famous herb, and yet virtually nobody in the Western World has come across the name before. When you explore its many health benefits to women, it begs the question “Why aren’t all women on this stuff?”

Also known by its Latin name Pueraria Mirifica White Kwao Krua can only be found in the forests of Northern Thailand. The plant itself is a climber, and each branch has three leaves, and purple flowers on the top.^[1] However, it is the roots of the plant, which stay underground, which contain the active ingredients.

Resembling a large dried yam, White Kwao Krua belongs to the same family as soy – hardly surprising, then, that it has been used for centuries by Thai women as they approach (and continue through) menopause. White Kwao Krua contains all the goodness and health-giving properties of soy, but it also contains miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol, two more phytoestrogens, which are essential in fighting the effects of menopause.

As women approach menopause, the levels of oestrogen in the body fall, which is when many reach for Hormone Replacement Therapy. However, HRT carries serious risks for some women, and for that reason many look for a natural alternative.

The Latin name comes from puer meaning 'boy' or 'child', and mirifica which translates as ‘miracle’^[1], and no wonder – Thai folklore called this plant the fountain of youth, and it is not without good reason.

The History of White Kwao Krua

The people of Thailand have been using this herb for more than 700 years. Evidence of this was discovered in 1931, when a text, written on palm leaves, was discovered hidden within the walls of a Buddhist temple. This temple had survived the 13^th-century invasion by Kublai Khan, which partially destroyed the ancient capital of Burma, which was, until then, one of the most important learning centres in Asia at the time.

The text, which was translated into English, included the following directions:

To take the tuberous root of Pueraria with big leaves, pound and blend with cow’s milk. The benefits of this medicine is to support memory, talk big, and be able to remember three books of the astrology, make the skin smooth like six year old kid, live more than 1,000 years and parasite diseases are not able to be of trouble.^[2]

Now, while the claims of being able to live more than 1000 years may be slightly exaggerated, the fountain of youth label, it seems, is not.

How does it aid Menopausal Symptoms?

Because of its abundance of oestrogen-like compounds, White Kwao Krua is used mainly to treat hormonal imbalances, such as the menopause, and PMS.

The fall in oestrogen which accompanies menopause has a number of physical and emotional effects, which can turn what is meant to be a liberating phase of life into a living hell. Symptoms such as:

Hot Flushes
Insomnia
Mood Swings
Dry Skin
Acne
Loss of Libido
Vaginal Dryness
Irregular Periods

Any one of these symptoms can make life difficult, but a great many women suffer several symptoms at the same time, which can have a profound effect on their quality of life. Family life suffers because of the mood swings and irritability, intimate relationships are tested when the sex drive diminishes, and sex becomes painful because of the lack of lubrication. Self-confidence can also take a hit when acne appears and the woman becomes self-conscious of her appearance. Now add sleepless nights into the mix and you have a recipe for disaster.

And yet – seeking help from the doctor will normally result in a prescription for HRT, a treatment which carries such severe possible side-effects that many women will opt for no treatment whatsoever. Risks such as:

Heart Disease
Stroke
Blood Clots
Gallstones
Dementia
Breast Cancer^[4]

Looking at this list, it is small wonder that so many women are scared to take HRT, and instead, choose to put up with menopausal symptoms.

However, studies have shown that White Kwao Krua is highly effective in managing these symptoms, and carries no risks to the woman’s health whatsoever.

In a study following five menopausal women, White Kwao Krua showed remarkable results in managing their symptoms. The women found relief (and some even total cessation) from:

Hot Flushes
Insomnia
Skin Dryness
Acne
Irregular Periods

The White Kwao Krua had dealt with the same issues that HRT does, but – and this is the really exciting part – with no effect on blood chemistry analysis or blood count. This natural root was doing the same job as HRT with NO side effects.^[5]

Can it Cause Natural Breast Enlargement?

Another effect for which White Kwao Krua is well known in Thailand is that of natural breast enhancement. Many herbal remedies have come and gone in the search for bigger breasts, but this time the claims carry the weight of scientific studies behind them.

Research carried out at the University of Chulalongkorn, Bangkok showed that a low dosage of Pueraria Mirifica resulted in 40% of the women studied reporting firmer breasts, with 9% showing actual enlargement, whereas a higher dose resulted in a staggering 82% having bigger breasts at the end of the two-month study.

This is due to the enhanced development of breast tissue which taking White Kwao Krua causes. In addition to this, it also increases the fatty tissue and strengthens the ligaments needed to support the breasts – thus resulting in a natural breast lift.^[6]

Is it Useful for Smoothing Skin?

Skin relies on collagen in order to renew itself, and as we age our collagen supply dwindles, resulting in lines and wrinkles. White Kwao Krua increases our body’s production of collagen, preventing fine lines and wrinkles from appearing.^[7]

Is it the Mircle Anti-ageing Cure?

White Kwao Krua has been shown to fight the signs of ageing, including – incredibly – slowing down the appearance of grey hair. (Imagine, no more hair dye!) It has also been shown to reduce cellulite, improve memory and boost circulation – all of which can slow down the effects of age.^[8]

Does it Help with Brittle Bones

As women age, the risk of osteoporosis increases. In the first 5 to 7 years following menopause, up to 20% of entire lifetime bone loss occurs. Oestrogen is crucial in helping new bone to form, and when the levels drop due to menopause, the bones are no longer as able to renew themselves as they were pre-menopause. The phytoestrogens in White Kwao Krua counteract that effect by increasing the activity in the cells which build new bone.^[9]

In order to restore hormonal levels which have been depleted by the menopause, researchers recommend taking 200mg per day for the first month, followed by a maintenance dose of 50-100mg daily thereafter.^[10]

With the often miserable symptoms which are part and parcel of the menopause, it is easy to take pharmaceuticals – after all, they’re recommended by your doctor so they must be good for you, right? But with White Kwao Krua, a completely natural alternative which has been shown to give the same, if not better, results, why risk the horrors of heart disease and cancer? You have nothing to lose, and - according to the studies – everything to gain.

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