Vidarikanda / Pueraria tuberosa DC. – Ayurvedic Properties, Benefits, Uses, Part Used and More

Abstract

Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC., belonging to the Fabaceae family and commonly known as Indian Kudzu or Vidarikand, is a perennial herb found widely across India and several other Asian countries. Traditionally, its tubers and leaves have been recognised for their nutritional and therapeutic value in both Ayurvedic and Chinese systems of medicine. This article aims to consolidate and update the available literature on the traditional applications, pharmacological properties and phytochemical constituents of Pueraria tuberosa. According to various research, it is found that extracts and isolated compounds from this plant exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities, including anticancer, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic, antifertility, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antistress, antiulcer, cardioprotective, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, nephroprotective, neuroprotective and wound healing effects.

Introduction

Pueraria tuberosa is a significant and promising medicinal plant widely used in traditional and folk medicine, commonly referred to as Vidari. In Ayurveda, its flowers are valued for their cooling and aphrodisiac properties, while the roots are known to act as a demulcent and refrigerant, especially in fevers. The tuberous root is described as sweet, unctuous, cooling and tonic in nature. It is traditionally used as an aphrodisiac, galactagogue, and diuretic. Additionally, it is employed in the treatment of leprosy, blood disorders and urinary issues. The root also serves as an emetic and general tonic. Botanically, Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC. belongs to the Fabaceae family and is known as Vidari in Sanskrit and Bhilaikhand in Hindi. In Ayurveda, it is classified under the group of Balya (strength-promoting) herbs. Its tuber is highly nutritious and is used both internally and externally for a variety of conditions. Modern research also validates many of its traditional uses, showcasing its wide therapeutic relevance.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Superdivision: Spermatophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Pueraria DC.
Species: Pueraria tuberosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC.

Synonyms

Bhoomi Kushmanda: The rhizome has similar benefits as the Kushmanda (Ash Gourd) fruit
Gajavajipriya / Gajishta: The plant is liked by horses and elephants
Swadukanda: The tuber is sweet
Ikshu Vidari / Ikshugandha: The tuber is sweet and fragrant like sugarcane
Ksheera Shukla / Ksheerakandha / Payasvini / Ksheeravalli: The tuber exudes a milky extract
Shrestakandha: The tuber has excellent qualities
Swadu Lata / Swadu Kanda: Sweet creeper or sweet tuber
Vrushyakanda / Vrushya Valli / Vrushyavallika: Acts as an aphrodisiac
Palashika
Vidalika
Shrugalika
Kroshtri Sita
Bhu Kushmandi

Vernacular Names

Hindi: Vidarikanda, Bidari Kand, Bidhari Kand, Bankumara
English: Indian Kudzu
Assamese: Bhedeleton, Bhuikumra
Bengali: Vidari, Bhumikushmanda, Bhuinkumra
Gujarati: Vidarikanta, Bhonykoru, Eagio, Bhoikolu, Sakharvel
Kannada: Nelagumbala Gudde, Gumadi Gida, Gumadi Belli, Nelagumbula
Malayalam: Mudakku
Marathi: Bhuikohala, Ghodvel
Oriya (Odia): Bhuiankakharu
Punjabi: Siali, Surala
Sanskrit: Bhumikusmanda, Gajavajipriya, Kandapalasha, Svadukanda, Vidari, Ikshugandha
Tamil: Nilapoosani
Telugu: Darigummadi, Nelagummuda

Habitat

Pueraria tuberosa grows in tropical and subtropical regions of India, especially in the Himalayan foothills, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and the Western Ghats. It prefers loamy soil with good drainage and is typically found in forest undergrowth or thickets in moist and shady locations. This perennial herb is widely distributed throughout India and various regions of Asia.

Morphology

Pueraria tuberosa is a large climbing plant with tuberous roots and a shrubby stem. The leaves are trifoliate, with petioles measuring 10–15 cm in length and are moderately pubescent. Stipules are ovate-oblong, cordate at the base and about 4 mm long. The leaflets are somewhat leathery, measuring 12.5–20 cm by 11.5–18 cm, glabrous on the upper surface and silky beneath. The flowers are bisexual, approximately 1.5 cm in diameter and appear in shades of blue or purplish-blue. The fruit is a linear pod, 3–5 cm long, distinctly constricted between the seeds, and covered with reddish-brown, silky, bristly hairs. Each pod typically contains 3 to 6 seeds. The tubers are large, globose or pot-shaped, about 25 cm in diameter, with a white, starchy and mildly sweet interior. This plant commonly grows along forest edges and riverbanks throughout temperate regions of India.

Varieties

Charak has written two types of Vidarikand in Madhurskandha, which are as follows:

Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa)
Kshirvidari (Ipomoea digitata)

The name ‘Bhuikumhada’ is given to both the above-mentioned tubers as well as the tuber of Trichosanthes cordata Roxb. It is possible that Vidari and Ksheervidari also belong to the same Dioscoreaceae class to which Varahkand belongs.

Special Note

The long and sweet tubers of Dioscorea pentaphylla Linn. are used by the name of Khaniya or Bilaikand. It may be Bidaali according to Dalhan. The root of Solanum erianthum D. Don is written as Vidari. In South India, Adenia palmata Engl. is used at some places. According to some scholars, the source of white pieces sold in the market is Cycas circinalis Linn. of the palm species, which is Hintaal of the Raj Nighantu. In Uttar Pradesh, mostly Pueraria tuberosa and in Bengal, Ipomoea digitata are considered as Vidarikand. A milky creeper, Dudhwania (Lettsomia setosa Roxb.), is popularly used as a lactation enhancer. It is possible that this is milkweed. Some scientists believe that Pueraria tuberosa increases female hormones.

Classical Categorisation

According to Bhavaprakash Nighantu: Guduchyadi Varga
According to Dhanvantari Nighantu: Guduchyadi Varga
According to Kaiyyadeva Nighantu: Aushadhi Varga
According to Raj Nighantu: Moolakadi Varga
According to Sushruta Samhita: Vidarigandhadi Gana, Vallipanchamula
According to Charaka Samhita: Brimhana Varga, Varnya Mahakashaya, Kanthya Mahakashaya, Snehopaga Mahakashaya

Ancient Verses

विदारी मधुरा स्निग्धा बृंहणी स्तन्यशुक्रदा ॥

शीता स्वर्या मूत्रला च जीवनी बलवर्णदा ।

गुरुः पित्तास्त्रपवनदाहान् हन्ति रसायनी ॥

(Bhavprakash Nighantu Guduchyadi varga 181-182)

According to the above shloka, Vidarikanda has a sweet taste and contains unctuous properties. It has nourishing properties and helps to improve breast milk, semen quantity, voice tone and quality. It helps to enhance body strength, skin complexion and contains rejuvenating properties. It helps to reduce burning sensation and vitiated Pitta, Vata and Rakta. Vidarikanda contains cold potency and heavy properties.

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)- Sweet (Madhur)
Physical property (Guna) – Heavy (Guru), Unctuous (Snigdha)
Potency (Veerya) – Cold Potency (Sheet)
Post-digestion effect (Vipaka) – Sweet (Madhur)
Effect on tridosha – Balance Vata and Pitta dosha

Therapeutic Properties

Brimhana – Acts as a nourishing and body-building tonic
Vrushya – Enhances sexual vitality and functions as an aphrodisiac
Sheeta – Possesses cooling properties that soothe the body
Svarya – Improves vocal clarity and quality of voice
Atimutrala – Promotes urination and acts as a natural diuretic
Balya – Strengthens the body and boosts overall immunity
Stanyada – Stimulates and enhances breast milk production
Shukrada – Increases both the quantity and quality of semen and sperm
Balada – Builds physical strength and supports stamina
Varnada – Enhances skin tone and promotes a healthy complexion
Asrapittajit – Beneficial in managing bleeding conditions like epistaxis and menorrhagia

Systemic Actions

Internal Uses

Digestive System – Acts as a digestive stimulant, supports proper movement of doshas, and has unctuous (oily) properties. It promotes bile secretion from the gallbladder and is beneficial in conditions like hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, constipation, dryness of the intestinal lining and disorders caused by aggravated pitta.
Respiratory System – Helps in eliminating vitiated kapha dosha. Useful in managing hoarseness of voice and coughs arising from vata and pitta imbalance.
Excretory System – Aids in relieving painful urination (dysuria) and helps increase urine flow.
Circulatory System – Beneficial in treating diseases originating from impurities in the blood.
Reproductive System – Acts as an aphrodisiac and enhances lactation in nursing mothers.
Tapakrama (Thermoregulatory Action) – Promotes a healthy skin complexion and is useful in conditions involving burning sensations.
Tvak (Skin) – Effective in various skin diseases and disorders.
Satmikarana (Rejuvenation) – Helps in improving overall vitality, energy and recovery from weakness or general debility.

Chemical Composition

Tubers Contain Approximately

85.1% dry matter
64.6% carbohydrates
28.4% crude fibre
10.9% protein
0.5% ether extract

Sugars Identified

Sucrose
Glucose
Fructose

Sterols

β-sitosterol

Isoflavonoids

Puerarin
Daidzein
Genistein
Genistin

Pterocarpans And Related Compounds

Tuberosin (pterocarpan)
Hydroxytuberosone (pterocarpanone)
Anhydrotuberosin and 3-O-methylanhydrotuberosin (pterocarpenes)

Coumestans

Tuberostan
Puerarostan

Other Flavonoid

Puerarone (an isoflavone)

Modern Overview

Galactagogue Effect

Puerarin, a major isoflavonoid found in Pueraria tuberosa, is a natural phytoestrogen that mimics the action of estrogen in the body. It exerts its galactagogue effect primarily by binding to estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, leading to the stimulation of prolactin secretion, the key hormone responsible for initiating and maintaining breast milk production. Puerarin also supports mammary gland development and increases the expression of milk protein genes, enhancing lactation efficiency. Additionally, its antioxidant and adaptogenic properties help reduce maternal stress, which indirectly supports healthy milk flow. These combined actions make Pueraria tuberosa a scientifically supported herb for improving lactation in postpartum women.

Aphrodisiac Activity

Pueraria tuberosa (Indian Kudzu) contains a rich profile of isoflavonoids such as puerarin, genistein, daidzein, and tuberostan, which act as phytoestrogens and adaptogens, influencing male reproductive health. These compounds are believed to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, enhancing the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which stimulate testosterone production and spermatogenesis. Additionally, puerarin and related flavonoids exhibit antioxidant effects, protecting sperm cells from oxidative stress and improving sperm motility, viability, and morphology. Animal studies also indicate improved libido and sexual behaviour, suggesting a multifaceted role in enhancing male fertility parameters.

Practical Uses

Fever Relief: A decoction made from the tuber of Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa) is used as a demulcent and coolant during fevers.
Joint Swelling: The tuber is peeled, crushed into a paste and applied externally to reduce swelling of the joints.
Lactation Support: To enhance breast milk production during lactation, 4–6 grams of tuber powder is administered with cow’s milk.
Male Reproductive Health: For improving sperm count, libido and sexual vigor, 3–5 grams of tuber powder is taken with ghee or milk.
Liver & Spleen Health: A cold infusion of the tuber (40–50 ml) is given to strengthen the liver and spleen, especially in degenerative conditions.
Weight Gain: Regular consumption of tuber powder mixed with milk is recommended to increase body mass.
Skin Complexion: To enhance skin glow, the powder is taken by mixing with honey and saffron powder.

Part Used

Tuber

Dosage

Tuber powder- 2.5-5 gm

Ayurvedic Medicines

Kamdev Ghrit
Amrita Prasha Ghrit

Planet Ayurveda Medicines

Conclusion

Vidarikand, known scientifically as Pueraria tuberosa, is a revered medicinal plant in Ayurveda, widely recognised for its rejuvenating, strengthening and nourishing properties. It is especially valued for promoting reproductive health, enhancing vitality, and supporting lactation. Rich in bioactive compounds such as isoflavonoids, phytoestrogens, and saponins, Vidarikand exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and adaptogenic effects. Its tuber is used both internally and externally in various formulations for managing general debility, sexual weakness, urinary disorders, and joint inflammation. As a Rasayana herb, Vidarikand continues to be a vital component in Ayurvedic formulations aimed at promoting longevity, strength and overall well-being.