Cullen corylifolium / Psoralea corylifolia – Babchi, Bu Gu Zhi, Bakuchi, Purple Fleabane, Scurfy Pea

Description

This annual or short-lived perennial herb grows up to 1.5 meters tall and is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including India, China, and parts of Southeast Asia. It is often found in disturbed habitats like roadsides and agricultural fields. The plant is characterized by its pale-purple flowers arranged in short spikes and its one-seeded fruits, which are its most medicinally important part.

The seeds of the plant contain a variety of bioactive compounds, most notably psoralen and bakuchiol. Bakuchiol, a meroterpene, has gained popularity in modern cosmetology.