Psoralea corylifolia is known as Malay tea, babchi or scurf pea. It belongs to a large group of perennials and sub-shrubs in this genus which are in the Leguminosae family. They were first written about in Chinese medicine from 470 AD onwards.
Appearance
An erect, tender annual of 90cm or 3ft in height. It spreads to 10-20cm (4-8in.). The leaves are broadly ovate with toothed leaves up to 7.5cm (3in.) long. The flowers are similar to clover but yellow. They appear in long-stalked clusters from spring to summer, followed by short, black pods, containing compressed, oval, yellow-black seeds.
Location
Arable land in Asia with a predominance in India and Iran.
Uses
The seeds are the main source of clinical or herbal ingredients. In Chinese medicine, it is called bu gu zhi. It is used for treating disorders associated with kidney diseases including early morning diarrhoea, urinary complaints, impotence, asthma and alopecia. It is often mixed with salt to increase its activity in the kidneys. Clinical studies show that injection of Psoralea extracts have been successful in Chinese medicine to treat alopecia especially. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used internally and externally for skin diseases and hair loss.
Tell me more. Does it actually prevent scurf because I suffer from the old hair snowflakes like nobody else I know. I was scurfing the internet and saw this bit about the plant. One day I hope they can use it properly.