The Efficacy and Functions of Psoralea corylifolia

Psoralea corylifolia (Bu Gu Zhi) has the functions of warming and tonifying the Gate of Vitality (Mingmen), reinforcing the kidneys and strengthening the lower back, enhancing yang energy, consolidating essence, and reducing urinary frequency. It can be used to treat conditions such as cold pain in the lower back and knees and impotence caused by deficiency of kidney yang and decline of Mingmen fire, as well as spermatorrhea, enuresis, and frequent urination due to unstable kidney caused by kidney deficiency. It warms the spleen yang and promotes spleen function, and thus can be used to treat diarrhea symptoms such as early-morning diarrhea caused by deficiency of yang in both the spleen and kidneys. By reinforcing kidney and assisting yang, it can also treat chronic asthma due to the kidney's failure to grasp qi. Additionally, it has certain effects in dispelling wind and removing skin pigmentation, and can be used to treat skin disorders such as vitiligo and alopecia areata.